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Science News for June 29, 2014


Father's ethnic background influences birthweight, study finds

Research by Dr. Joel Ray of St. Michael's Hospital found that a father's ethnic background influences a child's birthweight, similar to the effects seen in mothers. Babies born to mixed-ethnic parents tend to weigh less than those with two European-born parents.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJun 29, 2014

Missing protein explains link between obesity and diabetes

A*STAR scientists discovered that obese individuals lack a crucial protein essential for regulating blood glucose levels, increasing their risk of developing diabetes. The protein, NUCKS, is the first molecular link found between obesity and diabetes, opening up new areas of research for potential treatments.

SourceBiomedical Sciences Institutes (BMSI)·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 29, 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.

Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting opened

The 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting brings together 37 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from around the world. They will engage in discussions on topics such as immune system defenses against infection, advances in cancer research, and intelligent drug development.

SourceLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings·DateJun 29, 2014

Improved method for isotope enrichment could secure a vital global commodity

A new method for enriching stable isotopes, called MAGIS, has the potential to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing methods. This could ensure a continued supply of critical isotopes for medical imaging and nuclear power, while also opening up opportunities for new medical therapies and fundamental scientific rese...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 29, 2014

Reconstructing the life history of a single cell

By analyzing somatic mutations in healthy cells, researchers can reconstruct a cell's development from the early embryo to adulthood. This approach provides insight into normal cell development and could help understand how it differs from cancerous cells.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2014

Watching individual neurons respond to magnetic therapy

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to measure the response of an individual neuron to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure used to treat psychiatric disorders. By recording activity from single neurons during TMS, the team gained a basic understanding of the technique's physiological mechanisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2014
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Study finds Emperor penguin in peril

A new study finds Emperor penguins in peril, with all colonies projected to decline by more than 50% by the end of the century due to sea ice concentration changes. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts and potential refuges to preserve populations, with implications for international conservation paradigms.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJun 29, 2014

High CO2 levels cause warming in the tropics

New research published in Nature Geoscience contradicts previous studies on tropical temperatures, suggesting they were warmer during the Pliocene epoch. This finding indicates that few places on Earth will be immune to global warming, with potential consequences for tropical storm intensity and climate impacts.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 29, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Noninvasive brain control

Researchers at MIT have developed a new light-sensitive protein called Jaws that allows for non-invasive brain control using a light source outside the skull. This breakthrough enables long-term studies without implanted light sources, paving the way for potential treatments of epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2014

Bending the rules

Yu Chen and colleagues find that superconductivity and dissipation can coexist under generic conditions in a universal manner, thanks to a peculiar nonequilibrium state of quasiparticles. The researchers also discover an unexpected property: when a magnetic field is applied, the superconducting area expands and is enhanced.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 29, 2014

Marine bacteria are natural source of chemical fire retardants

Researchers discovered a group of marine bacteria that synthesize flame retardant-like chemicals, including a potent endocrine disruptor. The study highlights the pervasiveness of these compounds in the ocean food chain, raising concerns about human health risks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 29, 2014

Single-pixel 'multiplex' captures elusive terahertz images

A novel metamaterial enables fast, efficient and high-fidelity terahertz radiation imaging system capable of manipulating electromagnetic waves. The device uses a series of filter-like masks to retrieve multiple samples of a terahertz scene, which are reassembled by a single-pixel detector.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 29, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A single gene separates aggressive and non-aggressive lymphatic system cancer

A recent study published in Nature Genetics has discovered a single gene that defines the difference between fast-growing, aggressive tumors and slow-growing, non-aggressive ones. The gene mutation GTF2l was found to be present in almost all indolent forms of thymoma, suggesting potential implications for treatment.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 29, 2014

NIH-funded researchers extend liver preservation for transplantation

Researchers developed a new supercooling technique to increase liver storage time from 24 hours to 3 days in animal study. The method successfully stored rat livers for up to four days, with 58% survival rate, offering potential for improved organ allocation and reduced costs.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 29, 2014