Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 2, 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.

In first moments of infection, a division and a decision

Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine have made a breakthrough discovery on the fate determination of T lymphocytes during an infection. They found that individual cells can make decisions about whether to become effector or memory cells almost immediately after exposure to a pathogen, suggesting that this process could be cruc...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 2, 2014

As one food allergy resolves, another may develop

Children who outgrow one type of food allergy may develop another, more severe type to the same food. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can cause swelling and inflammation in the esophagus, leading to symptoms like weight loss and swallowing difficulties.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateMar 2, 2014

Mandatory arrest in domestic violence call-outs causes early death in victims

A study of 1,125 domestic violence victims found that those whose partners were arrested were 64% more likely to die early compared to those who received a warning. Employed black victims suffered the worst effects, with mortality rates over four times higher than those whose partner received a warning.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Experimental Criminology·DateMar 2, 2014

European flood risk could double by 2050

Current flood losses in Europe are likely to double by 2050, with socioeconomic growth accounting for two-thirds of the increased risk. Climate change is also expected to contribute to this increase, as changing rainfall patterns affect river flow and flood frequency.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 2, 2014

Global warming felt to deepest reaches of ocean

A study by McGill University researchers shows that climate change has led to a decrease in ocean salinity, creating a freshwater lid that prevents mixing with warm waters underneath. This has resulted in the suppression of naturally rare events like the Antarctic polynya and contributed to the shrinking of Antarctic Bottom Water.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 2, 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.

Study of antibody evolution charts course toward HIV vaccine

A scientific team discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2. The new findings point toward a potentially more effective vaccine that would generate V1V2-directed HIV neutralizing antibodies.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateMar 2, 2014

Optical nano-tweezers take over the control of nano-objects

ICFO researchers develop plasmonic nano-tweezers that trap and manipulate nano-scale objects without mechanical contact, enabling 3D displacement. This technique has potential applications in medicine and nanotechnology.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 2, 2014

Imaging dynamics of small biomolecules inside live cells

Columbia researchers have developed a novel method to image small biomolecules, such as drugs and nucleic acids, in living cells without disturbing their functions. By using stimulated Raman scattering microscopy with alkyne tags, they can obtain high detection specificity and sensitivity.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 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.

Study pinpoints protective mutations for type 2 diabetes

An international team has identified genetic mutations that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 65% in people with risk factors. These mutations may lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating the disease.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 2, 2014

Plants convert energy at lightning speed

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel method to quantify plant tolerance to high light intensity. The study found that plants grown without quick responses to high light had reduced capacity to protect themselves from damage.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 2, 2014