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Science News Archive June 2014 - Page 33


Page 33 of 33

Fishing boats are powerful seabird magnets

Researchers found that fishing boats affect seabird behavior across a vast distance of up to 22 kilometers. Gannets were drawn to the abundance of discards and boat activity rather than driftwood or idle vessels.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 2, 2014

Insect repellents more important than ever as tropical tourism increases

Scientists urge travelers to use insect repellents containing DEET to prevent diseases like malaria and dengue fever, which can be transmitted by insects. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine launches Bug Off campaign for Insect Repellent Awareness Day.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateJun 2, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nearly 1 in 8 American children are maltreated before age 18

According to a Yale University study, nearly 12% of American children experience confirmed maltreatment by age 18, affecting over 5.6 million children between 2004 and 2011. Black and Native American children are disproportionately affected, with one in five and one in seven experiencing maltreatment respectively.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJun 2, 2014

DREAM project crowdsources answer to cancer cell drug sensitivities

The DREAM project has successfully mined genomic data to predict breast cancer cell line responses to drugs, achieving 78% accuracy in identifying sensitive versus resistant cell lines. The study also identified molecular markers that can be tested against large collections of human samples.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 2, 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.

One in 4 children with leukemia not taking maintenance medication, study shows

A study found that approximately 25% of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) are missing too many doses of essential maintenance medication, which minimizes the risk of relapse. Nonadherence triples relapse risk, with African Americans and Asians being more prone to non-adherence than non-Hispanic whites.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood·DateJun 2, 2014

Rolling old river is indeed changing

The Hudson River has undergone significant changes in its flow, chemical composition, and ecology over the past quarter-century. A 40% increase in freshwater flow has countered the effects of higher temperatures, while pollution levels have decreased, prompting rapid evolutionary responses in certain species.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJun 2, 2014

New UGA research engineers microbes for the direct conversion of biomass to fuel

Researchers at the University of Georgia have successfully engineered microbes to convert switchgrass into fuel without pre-treatment. This breakthrough allows for the direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks into transportation fuels, marking a significant step towards affordable and sustainable energy production.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2014

Hand by hand tradition and innovation in journal publishing

The journal, one of the world's oldest entomology journals, adopts a new open access format to increase visibility and dissemination of research papers. This innovation allows authors to freely share their work, promoting increased citation rates and collaboration opportunities.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalDeutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift·DateJun 2, 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.

Here come the 'brobots'

Researchers have developed sperm-inspired microrobots that can be controlled by oscillating weak magnetic fields, enabling applications such as targeted drug delivery and in vitro fertilization. The robots consist of a head coated in a thick cobalt-nickel layer and an uncoated tail, propelled forward by magnetic torque.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 2, 2014

New materials to be developed to repair eyes

UK researchers are developing new materials to create artificial corneas and contact lenses that can be manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. The project aims to reduce the financial impact of vision loss on individuals and the economy, with potential breakthroughs in treating age-related macular degeneration.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·DateJun 2, 2014

Seniors who exercise regularly experience less physical decline as they age

Older adults who exercised regularly experienced less physical decline than their peers, according to a University of Missouri study. The researchers found that muscle-strengthening exercises, which are crucial for maintaining muscle strength, were often overlooked despite having access to recreational activities and exercise equipment.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalClinical Nursing Research·DateJun 2, 2014

Breakthrough in energy storage: Electrical cables that can store energy

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a way to both transmit and store electricity in a single copper wire, using nanotechnology. This breakthrough could enable the use of energy-storing cables in applications such as electric vehicles, space-launch vehicles, and portable electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 2, 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.

American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes MD Anderson leaders for their contributions to cancer research

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes MD Anderson leaders Gabriel Hortobagyi, Waun Ki Hong, and John Mendelsohn for their significant contributions to cancer research. Mendelsohn is known for his discovery of the monoclonal antibody Erbitux, while Hong has made groundbreaking advances in treating head and neck cancers.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateJun 2, 2014

Study finds risk of recurrence low in smallest HER2+ breast cancer tumors

A Kaiser Permanente study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients with small HER2+ breast cancer tumors (<0.5 cm) had a high survival rate without distant recurrence, even without treatment. For larger tumors (0.6-1 cm), the risk was slightly lower but still remained low.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 2, 2014
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Shining a light on memory

Scientists have confirmed that strengthened connections between neurons, known as long-term potentiation (LTP), underlie memory formation. The study used optogenetics to strengthen and weaken these connections in genetically engineered rats, successfully forming, removing, and reactivating a memory.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2014

Pitt team first to detect exciton in metal

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have detected a fundamental particle of light-matter interaction in metals, known as an exciton. The discovery provides a microscopic quantum mechanical description of how light excites electrons in metals.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 2014
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Smokers with gene defect have 1 in 4 chance of developing lung cancer

A study found that smokers with the BRCA2 gene defect are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, with around one in four suffering from the disease. The researchers also discovered a link between squamous cell lung cancer and a defect in the CHEK2 gene.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 1, 2014

A single DNA tweak leads to blond hair

HHMI researchers have pinpointed a single-letter change in the genetic code that generates blond hair in humans. This variation is common in Northern Europeans and fine-tunes the regulation of an essential gene involved in hair color, showcasing how independent changes can be encoded to produce specific traits.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 1, 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.

Study identifies new genetic cause of male reproductive birth defects

A new genetic cause has been identified for two common male reproductive birth defects: cryptorchidism and hypospadias. The VAMP7 gene duplication was found to be the underlying cause of these defects in nearly 1.35% of patients, with no similar association observed in control subjects.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 1, 2014

World's best thermometer made from light

University of Adelaide researchers have created the world's most precise thermometer, using light to measure temperature differences of 30 billionths of a degree in just one second. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize industrial and medical applications where trace amount detection is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 1, 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.

'Quadrapeutics' works in preclinical study of hard-to-treat tumors

A preclinical study of Rice University's quadrapeutics technology found that it can detect and kill cancer cells instantly, without harming surrounding normal organs. The technology uses a combination of existing clinical treatments and mechanical events triggered by nano-explosions to target cancer cells.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 1, 2014

Lasers create table-top supernova

Researchers used high-powered lasers to create table-top supernovae, recreating the explosive events that occur when stars reignite or collapse. The experiments revealed irregular 'knotty' features and intense radio and X-ray emissions, confirming a theory about the interaction between magnetic fields and interstellar material.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 2014

New research shows parental presence improves the quality of child anesthesia

The study found that children's anxiety scores were lower in the presence of a parent during induction, with higher rates of good compliance (83% vs. 50%) and improved overall quality ratings (9.3/10). Parents who experienced this procedure also reported high satisfaction and willingness to repeat it.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 1, 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.

Prostate cancer drug delivers benefits before chemotherapy

A Phase III clinical trial found that enzalutamide significantly reduced the risk of prostate cancer progression by 81 percent and improved overall survival by 29 percent. The treatment also helped prevent cancer spread to bones and delayed chemotherapy needs.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 1, 2014

Physics in Brazil takes center stage as World Cup comes to town

Brazilian physicists are taking advantage of increased funding to lead global research projects, including the Pierre Auger Observatory. However, they still face issues with science education and recognition, hindering their progress as a leading international community.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateJun 1, 2014

Newly identified brain cancer mutation will aid drug development

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a genetic mutation in PPM1D that contributes to the growth and death of tumor cells in brainstem glioma. This mutation may render radiation therapy ineffective, providing immediate clinical benefits and paving the way for new drug development.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 1, 2014

Graphene's multi-colored butterflies

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that combining graphene with boron nitride creates an additional band gap, allowing for more control over its electrical conductivity. This phenomenon, known as the Hofstadter butterfly, results in strongly contorted replicas of the original graphene spectrum.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 2014
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Paired enzyme action in yeast reveals backup system for DNA repair

Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered a robust backup DNA repair mechanism in yeast cells that prevents common genetic mutations. This finding suggests a similar system may exist in humans, providing potential new targets for controlling some cancers and treating Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 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.

How to erase a memory -- and restore it

Scientists successfully erased and reactivated memories in rats by applying specific frequencies of light and electrical stimuli to the brain. This breakthrough study offers new hope for treating Alzheimer's disease, as it shows promise in strengthening or weakening synaptic connections that are weakened in the condition.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2014

Children exposed to secondhand tobacco or cooking smoke have very high rates of pain and complications after tonsillectomy

Research at Euroanaesthesia meeting found that children exposed to indoor coal-burning stoves and/or second-hand tobacco smoke experience higher postoperative complications and excessive pain after tonsillectomies. Elevated carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations were linked to increased pain sensitivity and more frequent use of painkillers.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 1, 2014
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.