Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 9


Page 9 of 34

It takes two to court

Stowers researchers identified two classes of pheromone receptors that help male mice detect female presence and ovulation, essential for triggering the mating process. The findings provide new insight into how the mammalian brain processes sensory information like pheromones to elicit courtship behaviors.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·DateJul 24, 2014

New radiological signs of gastric lap band slippage identified

Researchers have identified two new radiological signs of potentially life-threatening gastric lap band slippage, enabling radiologists to accurately diagnose the condition. The new signs include inferior displacement of the superolateral band margin and air-fluid levels above the band on frontal radiographs.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 24, 2014

Assessment on self-care ability of children with spina bifda

Children with spina bifida face challenges in self-care, mobility, and social function due to spasticity, urinary and fecal incontinence, and neurocognitive retardation. A study found that low-level lesions, muscular strength, and independence in mobility are crucial for functional independence.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 24, 2014

Highest-precision measurement of water in planet outside the solar system

A team of astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope measured water vapour in the atmospheres of three gas giants, finding levels one-tenth to one-thousandth that predicted by standard theory. This discovery raises questions about exoplanet formation and highlights challenges in searching for water on Earth-like planets.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 24, 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.

Narcissistic CEOs and financial performance

A recent USC Marshall study found that companies led by narcissistic CEOs have higher earnings-per-share and share price than those with non-narcissistic CEOs. However, this may be achieved through short-term manipulations that can be detrimental to the company's long-term health.

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalJournal of Management Accounting Research·DateJul 24, 2014

Incomplete HPV vaccination may offer some protection

A study found that minority women who received HPV vaccination even after becoming sexually active had lower rates of abnormal Pap test results. The study suggests that incomplete HPV vaccination may still offer some protection against cervical cancer and its precursors.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateJul 24, 2014

Leaf-mining insects destroyed with the dinosaurs, others quickly appeared

Leaf-mining insects completely disappeared after the dinosaur extinction event, only to reappear a million years later with diverse damage patterns. The researchers found nine different mine-damage types at Mexican Hat attributable to moths, wasps, and flies, suggesting an influx of novel insect herbivores during the early Paleocene.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 24, 2014

Piggy-backing cells hold clue to skin cancer growth

Researchers found that fast-growing melanoma cells 'piggy-back' with invasive cells to establish new tumors, increasing the disease's deadly potential. The discovery could lead to new treatments for aggressive melanoma.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 24, 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.

Warning: Birthdays can be bad for your health

Researchers found a significant increase in hospital admissions among young Ontarians during their 19th birthday week, with spikes also observed at other ages. Birthday-related drinking was associated with upsurges in hospital admissions, particularly for alcohol-related events.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJul 24, 2014

New approach to form non-equilibrium structures

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique to create non-equilibrium systems by injecting energy through oscillations, enabling the self-assembly of particles under non-equilibrium conditions. This breakthrough brings scientists closer to understanding the fundamentals of non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2014

Antioxidant biomaterial promotes healing

Northwestern University professor Guillermo Ameer's team created a biodegradable, antioxidant biomaterial that reduces scarring and heals diabetic ulcers. The material is made from citric acid and vitamin C, and has potential applications in tissue engineering, medical device coating, and regenerative medicine.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiomaterials·DateJul 24, 2014

Experiments prove 'stemness' of individual immune memory cells

Researchers identified central memory T cells as multipotent and self-renewing, generating diverse types of offspring to fight infections. This discovery has implications for clinical cell therapy and may improve the efficacy of immune-based treatments for cancers and other diseases.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalImmunity·DateJul 24, 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 research suggests Saharan dust is key to the formation of Bahamas' Great Bank

Researchers from the University of Miami found that iron-rich Saharan dust provides nutrients for specialized bacteria producing carbonate-based foundation. The study suggests that high concentrations of iron-rich dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean are responsible for the formation of the Great Bahama Bank.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalGeology·DateJul 24, 2014

Astronomers come up dry in search for water on exoplanets

Researchers found water vapour abundance to be between ten and a thousand times less than predicted models, raising questions about the chemical processes involved in planet formation. The discovery has implications for searching for life on exoplanets capable of supporting it.

SourceDunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 24, 2014

Test helps predict which children with kidney disease will respond to standard therapy

A genetic screening test can predict which children with one of the most common childhood kidney diseases will respond to standard therapies, guiding treatment and improving clinical outcomes. The test was found to be more predictive than a kidney biopsy in identifying non-responders to immunosuppressive treatments.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 24, 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.

Researchers discover new way to determine cancer risk of chemicals

Researchers developed a predictive model to identify carcinogenic chemicals using gene expression response in the liver, improving cancer screening and evaluation processes. The new approach enables accurate and cost-effective screening for over 80,000 chemicals currently in commercial use.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 24, 2014

Background TV can be bad for kids

A University of Iowa study found that background TV can divert children's attention from play and learning, negatively affecting cognitive development. Parents who create a loving and nurturing environment with set rules and expectations can help buffer these impacts.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateJul 24, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

ORNL study reveals new characteristics of complex oxide surfaces

Researchers at ORNL used microscopy and data processing to study the surface of a perovskite manganite, revealing a Jahn-Teller distortion caused by oxygen atoms. This finding could improve our understanding of sensitive applications like solid fuel cells and oxygen sensors.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2014

Fighting bacteria -- with viruses

Researchers have discovered how viruses called bacteriophages can be engineered to target and destroy a range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant C. diff, which causes fatal infections in hospitals. The study provides hope for developing an alternative to antibiotics.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 24, 2014

NRG1 isoforms could be an effective therapeutic candidate to promote peripheral nerve regeneration

Researchers at the University of Western Australia discovered that soluble NRG1 plays a role in early peripheral nerve regeneration phases, promoting axon degeneration and regrowth. Soluble NRG1, already used in human trials for heart failure treatment, may be an effective therapeutic candidate to promote nerve regeneration.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 24, 2014

Stanford study shows how to power California with wind, water and sun

A new Stanford study outlines a plan to convert California's all-purpose energy infrastructure to renewable energy by 2050. The plan could create tens of thousands of jobs and save billions in pollution-related health costs while reducing air pollution mortality and global warming emissions.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnergy·DateJul 24, 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.

Four-billion-year-old chemistry in cells today

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that cells in plants, yeast, and animals continue to perform reactions thought to be responsible for life's origin four billion years ago. These reactions involve iron, sulfur, and electro-chemistry, essential for functions like respiration and photosynthesis.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 24, 2014

Choice bias: A quirky byproduct of learning from reward

Researchers discovered a link between credit assignment and choice bias, finding that people value rewards they choose more than equivalent rewards not chosen. The study used computational modeling and behavioral experiments to test the hypothesis, and found evidence supporting the proposed biological mechanism.

SourceBrown University·JournalNeuron·DateJul 24, 2014
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Stronger early reading skills predict higher intelligence later

A new study of identical twins found that early reading skills are positively associated with later intellectual abilities. The researchers tested 1,890 pairs of twins from ages 7 to 16 and found a link between reading ability and intelligence.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJul 24, 2014

UTHealth Dr. Bhavani Iyer awarded low vision grant

Dr. Bhavani Iyer has been awarded a $164,645 SightFirst grant to provide outreach programs and education for thousands in Harris County with low vision. The program aims to address barriers faced by individuals with low vision and offer resources such as low vision devices and training.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateJul 24, 2014

Hubble finds 3 surprisingly dry exoplanets

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope found three 'hot Jupiters' with significantly lower than expected water vapor levels, challenging current theories on planet formation and migration. The discovery may require instruments to be designed with higher sensitivity for future space telescopes searching for water in potentially...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 24, 2014

Cultural stereotypes may evolve from sharing social information

Research suggests that cultural stereotypes form and evolve as social information is repeatedly passed down a chain of individuals. Stereotypes become simpler, more structured, and easier to learn, reflecting cognitive limitations and biases.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 24, 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.

One route to malaria drug resistance found

Scientists found mutations in the PfHAD1 protein, which normally slows down isoprenoid synthesis. This discovery is relevant for other infectious diseases like tuberculosis and bacterial infections.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2014

New hope for powdery mildew resistant barley

Researchers discovered a way to increase polysaccharides in barley plants, blocking fungal penetration and creating more resistant lines available for growers. Powdery mildew is a significant problem worldwide, causing up to 25% yield reductions and market value losses.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateJul 24, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Monitoring the rise and fall of the microbiome

A study tracking bacterial populations over a year found daily fluctuations in response to diet and other factors. The researchers also discovered that certain strains of bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, can be protected against inflammatory bowel disease by eating citrus.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalGenome Biology·DateJul 24, 2014

RSV research breakthrough to help infected children

A new drug, AL-8176, has been shown to safely reduce RSV viral load and clinical illness in healthy adult volunteers. The Phase 2 challenge study achieved primary and secondary endpoints of lower viral load and improvements in symptom scores.

SourceLe Bonheur Children's Hospital·DateJul 24, 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.

Shift work linked to heightened risk of type 2 diabetes

Research suggests that shift work is associated with a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly among men and those working rotating shift patterns. The study found a 37% increased risk for men and a 9% increased risk for all participants compared to working normal office hours.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJul 24, 2014

New mass map of a distant galaxy cluster is the most precise yet

Astronomers have mapped the mass within a galaxy cluster, MCS J0416.1-2403, more precisely than ever before using unprecedented depth of data from Hubble's Frontier Fields programme. The team identified 51 new multiply imaged galaxies around the cluster, quadrupling the number found in previous surveys.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 24, 2014

Moose drool inhibits growth of toxic fungus: York U research

Research at York University reveals that moose drool can slow down the growth of a toxic fungus in red fescue grass, reducing its toxicity. The study suggests that repeated exposure to moose saliva may lead to lower toxin levels in affected areas.

SourceYork University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 24, 2014
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New view of stomach cancer could hasten better therapies

Scientists have identified four biological subtypes of stomach cancer based on shared mutations and molecular abnormalities, promising to guide clinical trials for improved therapies. The new classification could lead to targeted treatments for aggressive cancers with a high five-year survival rate below 25 percent.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014

NASA sees Typhoon Matmo making second landfall in China

Typhoon Matmo made its final landfall in mainland China on July 23, bringing category one winds of 74 knots. The typhoon's center moved inland over southeastern China, with rapid weakening expected due to friction and an approaching trough.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 23, 2014

Fires in the Northern Territories July 2014

Heavy smoke from forest fires in the Northern Territories has triggered a high health risk warning for Yellowknife and surrounding areas. The smoke contains harmful particles and chemicals, posing risks to vulnerable populations such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 23, 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.

Laser therapy on the repair of a large-gap transected sciatic nerve in a reinforced nerve conduit

Researchers developed a biodegradable nerve conduit using genipin-cross-linked gelatin and beta-tricalcium phosphate, combining it with diode laser therapy to repair long-gap sciatic nerves. The study found that this combination accelerated nerve regeneration, improved reinnervation rates, and enhanced muscle recruitment.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 23, 2014

Study provides new perspectives on the current Clostridium difficile epidemic

A Kaiser Permanente study found that over 80% of hospitalized patients with C. diff tested positive outside the hospital or within 72 hours, suggesting community and healthcare settings play key roles in infection identification. The study's comprehensive view provides new insights into the contagious disease.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJul 23, 2014
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Protein evolution follows a modular principle

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology discovered that proteins can be constructed of similar amino acid chains even when their three-dimensional shapes differ significantly. This suggests that modern proteins arose from common precursors, built up from smaller fragments according to a modular principle.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 23, 2014