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Science News for July 20, 2014


Fecal transplants let packrats eat poison

Researchers found that bacteria in the gut, rather than liver enzymes, are crucial for allowing herbivores to feed on toxic plants. Fecal transplants with microbes from creosote-eaters enabled woodrats to eat toxic creosote bushes, confirming their importance in adapting to new diets.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEcology Letters·DateJul 20, 2014

Mysterious dance of dwarfs may force a cosmic rethink

Astronomers discover that small galaxies orbit in orderly disc-shaped orbits, contradicting computer models. The phenomenon is observed in about 50% of galaxies, sparking a reevaluation of dark matter's nature and the laws of physics.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 2014

Marmoset sequence sheds new light on primate biology and evolution

The study reveals genetic changes associated with twinning in marmosets, including the WFIKKN1 gene that may act as a critical switch between multiples and singleton pregnancies. Marmosets also exhibit unique social behavior, where relatives care for offspring while reproductively suppressed.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 20, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New method for extracting radioactive elements from air and water

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully extracted atoms of rare or dangerous elements such as radon from the air using a material called CC3. This new method has potential applications in industries like lighting, medicine, and nuclear waste clean-up.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 20, 2014

UEA research shows oceans vital for possibility for alien life

Researchers at University of East Anglia have developed a new model that takes into account the impact of oceans on climate, finding they play a vital role in moderating temperatures and habitability. This breakthrough helps answer whether other planets could sustain alien life.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAstrobiology·DateJul 20, 2014

New technique maps life's effects on our DNA

Researchers developed a powerful single-cell technique to study environmental effects on DNA, mapping epigenetic marks in individual cells. This approach has the potential to enhance clinical applications like cancer therapy and fertility treatments.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalNature Methods·DateJul 20, 2014

Tiny laser sensor heightens bomb detection sensitivity

Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a tiny laser sensor that can detect minute concentrations of explosives, including pentaerythritol tetranitrate, an explosive favored by terrorists. The device has the potential to replace traditional bomb-screening methods and could also be used to detect unexploded land mines.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 20, 2014
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Speedy computation enables scientists to reconstruct an animal's development cell by cell

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus have created a computational method to rapidly track cell movements in data-rich images. This enables the automation of reconstructing an animal's developmental building plan cell by cell, with potential applications in understanding how the nervous system forms.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateJul 20, 2014

Mixing it up: Study provides new insight into Southern Ocean behavior

A new study found that turbulent mixing in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean varies with surface eddy strength and possibly wind speeds, impacting global ocean circulation and climate. This insight will enable scientists to build better computer models predicting future climate change.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 20, 2014
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Common gene variants account for most genetic risk for autism

Researchers funded by NIH found that common gene variants account for most genetic risk for autism, outweighing other factors. The study used a large Swedish sample and new statistical methods to detect common genetic variation associated with risk.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 20, 2014

A noble gas cage

A new porous material called CC3 effectively traps radioactive krypton and xenon gases from nuclear fuel, using less energy than conventional methods. The material's selectivity is higher than other experimental materials, making it a promising solution for removing unwanted elements.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 20, 2014

Genetic risk for autism stems mostly from common genes

Using new statistical tools, researchers found that about 52% of autism cases are linked to common genes, while spontaneous mutations account for only 2.6%. Inheritability outweighs environmental risk in the disorder.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 20, 2014

Common gene variants account for most of the genetic risk for autism

A recent study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that nearly 60% of autism risk is caused by inherited variant genes common in the population. Rare genetic factors, such as de novo mutations, also contribute to the disorder, but only account for a small fraction of total risk.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 20, 2014
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Metabolic enzyme stops progression of most common type of kidney cancer

A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified an enzyme called FBP1 that regulates metabolism and restrains energy production in cells. The enzyme is missing from all kidney tumor tissue, leading to rapid cell growth. This discovery may lead to personalized approaches for treating clear cell renal cell carcino...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 2014

CU, Old Dominion team finds sea level rise in western tropical Pacific anthropogenic

A new study led by Old Dominion University and the University of Colorado Boulder found sea levels are rising in the tropical Pacific off the coasts of the Philippines and northeastern Australia. The research team estimated that areas near these regions are being raised by about 1 centimeter per year due to anthropogenic warming.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 20, 2014

New findings show strikingly early seeding of HIV viral reservoir

Scientists have discovered that the HIV viral reservoir is established remarkably early after infection, posing new challenges for its eradication. The study found that the reservoir was seeded in tissues within days of infection, before detectable virus was present in the blood.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 2014
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.