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Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 25


Page 25 of 34

BU researchers relate arrests with HIV risk environment

A study by BU researchers found that people arrested by police were more likely to share needles and overdose, increasing HIV transmission and mortality. The study suggests that policing practices contribute to the HIV risk environment and recommends prevention programs and policy changes to address this issue.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the International AIDS Society·DateJul 9, 2014

Lung cancer study hints at new treatments

Researchers have uncovered mutations in a cell-signaling pathway that plays a role in forming tumors. These genetic changes may expand treatments for patients, as drugs targeting some of these pathways are already available or in clinical trials.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Not at home on the range

Researchers found that Kellet's whelk hosts living beyond their historic Point Conception boundary have neither the amount nor diversity of parasites as those in southern counterparts. This suggests that the northern whelks may have escaped their parasites due to low host densities and limited parasite transmission.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateJul 9, 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.

Controlling contamination in open algae ponds for biofuels

Researchers present integrated approach incorporating pest identification, tracking, and management to mitigate contamination in open pond algae systems suitable for producing biofuel. The solution illustrates its use in cultivating a strain of algae with potential for biofuel production.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalIndustrial Biotechnology·DateJul 9, 2014

Nasal mucosal inhalation of AD vaccine attenuates Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity

A novel AD vaccine, Plp-Adeno-X-CMV-(Aβ3-10)10-CpG, was administered via nasal mucosal inhalation to AD transgenic mouse models, producing strong T helper 2 humoral immune responses and reducing Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity. This approach offers a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 9, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study of dermatology on YouTube shows new ways science reaches public

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that YouTube is a promising platform for disseminating research in dermatology. The study analyzed 100 videos with over 47 million views, driving 6,325 subscriptions to distinct user pages.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalDermatology Online Journal·DateJul 9, 2014

Biologists link sexual selection and placenta formation

Researchers found that species with placentas tend to have smaller males with reduced bright colors and courtship displays. This discovery links sexual selection and placenta formation, suggesting that the evolution of complex organs like placentas is influenced by mating strategies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Mode of delivery following a perineal tear and recurrence rate in subsequent pregnancies

A study found that women who experienced a third or fourth degree perineal tear in a previous delivery have a five-fold increased risk of severe tearing in subsequent births. The study analyzed data from over 639,000 first-time mothers and revealed that elective caesarean sections were more common among those with a previous tear.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateJul 9, 2014
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

MyChart use skyrocketing among cancer patients, UT Southwestern study finds

A study by UT Southwestern found a five-fold increase in cancer patients using MyChart from 2009 to 2015, with those over 60 making up the majority of frequent users. The technology's convenience and ease of use contribute to its widespread adoption among this demographic.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Oncology Practice·DateJul 9, 2014

'Nano-pixels' promise thin, flexible, high resolution displays

Researchers at Oxford University have developed a new discovery of nano-pixels that can be electrically switched on and off to create high-resolution images. The tiny 'nano-pixels' are just 300 nanometres in size and can be used for applications such as smart glasses, synthetic retinas, and foldable screens.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Cosmic grains of dust formed in supernova explosion

A team of researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute and Aarhus University discovered that cosmic dust grains can form through shock interaction during a supernova explosion. The grains can grow to sizes large enough to survive the violent shockwaves, providing insight into their origin.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Discovery of a new means to erase pain

Researchers at Université Laval developed a new method to alleviate chronic pain by rekindling pain and then erasing it. By injecting capsaicin and administering a protein synthesis inhibitor, they induced temporary pain hypersensitivity, which was subsequently reversed.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 9, 2014

Postcards from the photosynthetic edge

Scientists at Berkeley Lab and SLAC have taken detailed snapshots of the four photon-step cycle of photosynthetic water oxidation in photosystem II. The study provides information that should be useful for designing artificial solar-energy based devices to split water, a crucial step towards clean energy.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 9, 2014

DARPA awards UCLA $15 million to restore lost memory

A team of experts at UCLA will collaborate to create, implant, and test a memory prosthesis to help restore lost memory functions in brain-injured individuals. The project aims to stimulate the entorhinal area, a key region involved in learning, memory, and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·DateJul 9, 2014

AAN: Doctors have ethical obligation to educate, protect athletes from concussion

The American Academy of Neurology has released a new position paper emphasizing the importance of educating and protecting athletes from concussion. The statement calls for doctors to safeguard athletes' mental and physical health and recommends wider use of baseline cognitive testing and mandatory concussion reporting.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 9, 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.

Climate change provides good growing conditions for charcoal rot in soybeans

Charcoal rot, caused by fungi like Macrophomina phaseolina, thrives in hot and dry conditions, exacerbating crop yields. Researchers are now focusing on breeding drought-resistant soybean lines that can combat the disease.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalPlant Molecular Biology Reporter·DateJul 9, 2014

The 'yin and yang' of malaria parasite development

Researchers have completed a comprehensive study on the role of protein phosphatases in malaria parasite development and differentiation. The study, published in Cell Host and Microbe, identifies 16 genes that are crucial for parasite growth and could be future drug targets.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 9, 2014

Short circuit in the food web

Researchers discovered how viruses affect phytoplankton, like Emiliania huxleyi, altering global carbon cycle and marine food chain. Viruses rewire host lipid metabolism, diverting fixed carbon from traditional food web, with implications for ocean ecosystems.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 9, 2014
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

No extra mutations in modified stem cells, study finds

Researchers have found that using gene-editing techniques on stem cells does not increase the overall occurrence of mutations, easing previous safety concerns. The study's results were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell and provide new hope for the development of therapies for genetic diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 9, 2014

Letrozole may help women with PCOS become pregnant

A nationwide study found that letrozole increased live births by 27.5% compared to clomiphene, and improved ovulation rates and reduced twin pregnancies. Fewer side effects were reported with letrozole, but further research is needed for safety clarification.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 9, 2014

Rehabilitation helps prevent depression from age-related vision loss

A new study led by Dr. Barry Rovner shows that a type of rehabilitation therapy can cut the risk of depression from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in half. The therapy, called behavior activation, helps people focus on activities they enjoy and maintain an active social life to reduce disability and prevent clinical depression.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalOphthalmology·DateJul 9, 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.

Protein pushes breast cancer cells to metastasize

Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a protein called TARBP2 that triggers breast cancer's spread by blocking other proteins linked to neurodegeneration. This finding suggests new cancer therapies targeting this 'master regulator' could be effective.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

VLT clears up dusty mystery

Astronomers used the VLT to observe SN2010jl nine times soon after its explosion and found that dust grains form rapidly in the dense material surrounding the star. The observations revealed surprisingly large grain sizes that are resistant to destruction, answering a long-standing question about cosmic dust formation.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

USF study: Amphibians can acquire resistance to deadly fungus

Researchers at the University of South Florida found that frogs can develop immunity against a deadly chytrid fungus by learning to avoid it after just one exposure. This acquired resistance could aid in conservation efforts and even offer protection for other animals threatened by fungal pathogens.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Adolescents from southern Europe are less fit and more obese than central-northern European peers

A study by the University of Granada found that teenagers in Spain, Italy, and Greece have lower cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, and speed-agility than their northern European peers. The researchers also discovered higher levels of total and abdominal fat among southern adolescents, which may be linked to reduced physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 9, 2014

Even geckos can lose their grip

Researchers at Linköping University have demonstrated that geckos and spiders lose grip due to the effect of heat on van der Waals forces. This phenomenon has significant industrial benefits, particularly in the production of graphene, where detachment from the substrate is crucial.

SourceLinköping University·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJul 9, 2014
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Fun or exercise?

Researchers at Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that adults who viewed their exercise as fun ate less chocolate pudding and M&Ms afterwards. Viewing exercise as a chore led to overeating as a reward.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalMarketing Letters·DateJul 9, 2014

USC scientists discover immune system component that resists sepsis in mice

Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have identified a key component of the immune system that is essential for preventing deadly inflammation. Mice lacking this component are completely resistant to sepsis, a potentially fatal complication of infection.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 9, 2014

Penn mesothelioma program receives $8 million NCI grant

Researchers at Penn Medicine will conduct a clinical trial on patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma to test the efficacy of photodynamic light therapy (PDT). The study aims to understand how PDT works in the body and what can be done to improve its response.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateJul 9, 2014
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Most prescription labels fail to meet guidelines, risking dosage errors

A recent study by the University of Waterloo found that most prescription labels in Canada do not follow recommended guidelines for legibility. The researchers suggest that improving label appearance can be achieved without new technologies or larger labels, and recommends a patient-centered approach to labelling standards.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada·DateJul 9, 2014
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Figuring out methane's role in the climate puzzle

Research casts doubt on methane's climate-friendliness, despite its potential for burning cleaner than coal. Methane emissions from oil and gas operations are estimated to be significant, with varying levels of release into the atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 9, 2014

Study identifies novel genomic changes in the most common type of lung cancer

Researchers have identified novel mutations in a well-known cancer-causing pathway in lung adenocarcinoma, expanding therapeutic targets and potentially identifying treatable mutations. The study found that 75% of patients with lung adenocarcinoma have actionable mutations that can be treated with existing or under-development drugs.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Odor communication in wild gorillas

A study published in PLOS ONE found that silverback gorillas use odor to communicate socially, with extreme levels of emission linked to interactions between groups. This suggests that chemo-communication may play a crucial role in the social behaviors of non-human great apes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 9, 2014

Polar bears from space

A study published in PLOS ONE uses satellite images to estimate polar bear population sizes, finding similar results to aerial and ground surveys. The technology holds promise for tracking Arctic wildlife, despite logistical challenges.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 9, 2014

Children on dairy farms less likely to develop allergies

A study by University of Gothenburg researchers found that children raised on dairy farms have a lower risk of developing allergies. The study suggests that delayed maturation of the immune system may be a risk factor for allergic disease. Researchers plan to examine specific factors on dairy farms that promote immune system maturity.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJul 9, 2014
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

New technology illuminates colder objects in deep space

A Northwestern University team has developed a new technology using indium arsenide/indium arsenide antimonide (InAs/InAsSb) for stable infrared detection, enabling the observation of cooler objects in deep space. This advancement paves the way for enhanced exploration and unlocking the mysteries of these cooler objects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 9, 2014

UC Riverside microbiologist receives national recognition

Jason Stajich, a UC Riverside microbiologist, has been awarded the 2014 Alexopoulos Prize for his groundbreaking research on fungal biology and evolution. His work focuses on building new methods for comparative and evolutionary genomics.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJul 9, 2014

Adults with special needs see gains, challenges with long term oral care

A retrospective study found that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experienced a significant decrease in cavity rates as they received regular dental care. However, gum disease rates increased over time, highlighting the need for effective solutions to address these challenges.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalSpecial Care in Dentistry·DateJul 9, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Nearly 50 percent of grade 12 students in Ontario report texting while driving

The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey found that over one-third of licensed drivers in grades 10 to 12 reported texting while driving, with 46% of grade 12 students admitting to this behavior. The survey also revealed alarming trends in risk behaviors, physical health, mental health, and home life among Ontario students.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·DateJul 9, 2014