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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 6


Page 6 of 34

Study shows invasive species in waterways on rise due to climate change

Research by Queen's University Belfast predicts that invasive waterweeds will become more widespread over the next 70 years due to climate change. Four species are expected to establish in areas 38% larger than previously thought, posing a threat to global biodiversity and economy.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateMar 26, 2014

Significant progress toward creating 'benchtop human' reported

Scientists have developed a liver organ construct that responds to toxins like real human livers, paving the way for more accurate drug screening. The project aims to create interconnected human organ constructs using a miniaturized platform, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency in toxicology testing.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateMar 26, 2014

AGU: New study shows major increase in West Antarctic glacial loss

A new study has found that six massive glaciers in West Antarctica are losing ice at an unprecedented rate, causing global sea levels to rise. The amount of ice draining from these glaciers increased by 77 percent between 1973 and 2013, with Pine Island Glacier accelerating by 75 percent over the same period.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 26, 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.

Natural history must reclaim its place

The study of natural history provides essential knowledge for various fields, including human health, food security, and conservation. However, support for this field has declined in developed countries, resulting in costly mistakes such as the collapse of fisheries and forest fire suppression.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateMar 26, 2014

Stag beetle males give nasty nips despite massive jaws

Male stag beetles have enlarged heads and muscles to compensate for their oversized mandibles, allowing them to generate powerful bites. Their male bites are six times stronger than females', with a recorded strength of 7N.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 26, 2014

Reproducible research, dynamic documents, and push-button publishing

Researchers from UK institutions released a treasure trove of data on the developing retina, pushing the boundaries of neuroscience publishing. The dataset includes 366 recordings from 12 studies and is made available in a standardized and interoperable manner, allowing for reproducibility and further analysis.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateMar 26, 2014

Coal plant closure in China led to improvements in children's health

A study found that decreased exposure to air pollution after a coal power plant closed led to increased BDNF levels and improved developmental scores in children. Lower PAH-DNA adducts were detected in cord blood, indicating reduced exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 26, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Immunotherapy data heralds new era of lung cancer treatment

Immunotherapy has shown huge potential in treating lung cancer by preventing tumour cells from escaping the immune system. New data on immunocheckpoint regulators such as PD-1 and PD-L1 have resulted in impressive global overall response rates of 20% to 25%.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 26, 2014

Diabetes: Good self-management helps to reduce mortality

A study published by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that patients with good diabetes self-management have a significantly lower mortality risk than those with poor self-management. The study, which analyzed data from 340 participants, showed that active participation in treatment and lifestyle modifications can lead to better healt...

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalDiabetes Care·DateMar 26, 2014

Rice U. study: Don't shop for travel at work

A study from Rice University found that consumers who shop for leisure travel during business hours tend to select higher quality hotels but are less satisfied with their stay. Consumers who book earlier and pay in advance also tend to be more satisfied.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateMar 26, 2014

Decline of natural history troubling for science, society

Support for natural history study appears to be in decline in developed countries, despite its importance for human health, food security, and conservation. Experts are now calling for a revival of the practice to reclaim its role in understanding organisms and their interactions with the environment.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalBioScience·DateMar 26, 2014

Canal between ears helps alligators pinpoint sound

Researchers discovered that alligators use air-filled channels in their ear canal to amplify pressure differences, allowing them to pinpoint the source of sounds. This mechanism is similar to birds' interaural canals and may be an evolutionary adaptation from dinosaur ancestors.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 26, 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.

Lawrence Livermore scientists discover bacterial resistance to improve biofuel production

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have identified a type of bacterial resistance that enables more efficient production of advanced biofuels. The discovery involves introducing a genetic module into E. coli bacteria, allowing them to grow in the presence of toxic concentrations of ionic liquids.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 26, 2014

Cereal flake size influences calorie intake

A study by Penn State researchers found that when cereal flakes are reduced in size, participants pour a smaller volume but still consume more calories. The researchers tested the influence of food volume on calorie intake and found that subjects underestimated their calorie consumption despite consuming larger volumes.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateMar 26, 2014

Eat a peach

Researchers at Washington State University have found that peach extracts can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and their ability to spread. The study suggests that these compounds could be a novel addition to therapies reducing metastasis risk in various cancers, potentially available as an extract or dietary supplement.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateMar 26, 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.

Cuvier's beaked whales set new breath-hold diving records

Researchers monitored Cuvier's beaked whales' record-breaking dives to depths of nearly two miles below the ocean surface and some dives lasted for over two hours. The dives captured by this study exceed previous records, including the mammalian dive record previously set by southern elephant seals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 26, 2014

Electroacupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels and hUCB-MSCs for cerebral ischemia

A study found that electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels, combined with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, promotes neurological function recovery and angiogenesis in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The researchers concluded that the combination has synergistic effects on promoting angiogenesis and recove...

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateMar 26, 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.

Research: Less invasive technique possible in vulvar cancer treatment

Researchers discovered a less invasive technique for treating vulvar cancer, removing only the sentinel lymph node to decrease complications while maintaining low recurrence rates. The study, published at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists meeting, included 73 women and found a 5.2% recurrence rate.

SourceCare New England·DateMar 26, 2014

Penn Dental Medicine-NIH team reverses bone loss in immune disorder

A new study led by Penn Dental Medicine researchers has reversed bone loss and inflammation in patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, a rare immune disorder. The breakthrough discovery identifies IL-17 as the key driver of periodontitis and bone loss in these patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 26, 2014

Keeping secrets in a world of spies and mistrust

Researchers Artur Ekert and Renato Renner propose a way to use quantum properties of particles of light to share secret keys for secure communication. They found that certain correlations can protect us against adversaries with superior technology, even if our choices are not completely predictable.

SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 2014

Cosmic collision creates mini-planet with rings

Astronomers have observed a miniature planet, Chariklo, with two rings of ice and pebbles located between Saturn and Uranus. The discovery was made using a new camera at the Danish telescope in Chile, which revealed two thin rings separated by 14 km.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 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.

Resistance is not futile

Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully introduced a pair of genes into E. coli bacteria to confer tolerance to ionic liquids, enhancing the production of terpene-based biofuels. This breakthrough could eliminate a bottleneck in biofuels production and pave the way for more economical fermentation conditions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 26, 2014

First comprehensive atlas of human gene activity released

A comprehensive atlas of human gene activity has been released, revealing complex networks that govern gene expression. The new findings could lead to a better understanding of the genetic causes of diseases and improve disease diagnosis.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 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.

Scientists identify core skin bacterial community in humpback whales

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identified a core skin bacterial community shared by humpback whales across populations, suggesting a way to assess their overall health. The study's findings could aid in population health monitoring and conservation status of threatened or endangered marine mammals.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 26, 2014

Ancient sea creatures filtered food like modern whales

Researchers discovered fossils of Tamisiocaris, an early arthropod that evolved from large predators to gentle suspension feeders. This finding highlights the productivity of the Cambrian period and provides insight into ancient ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 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.

Parental addictions associated with adult children's arthritis

A new study by University of Toronto researchers found that adult children with arthritis are more likely to have had a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol during childhood. The study associated parental addictions with a 58% higher odds of developing arthritis, despite controlling for other factors.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Journal of Population Research·DateMar 26, 2014

New Capsicum annuum pepper contains high concentrations of beneficial capsinoids

A new Capsicum annuum pepper germplasm has been released by researchers, providing a rich source of non-pungent capsinoids with antioxidant activity, enhanced adrenal function, and metabolism promotion. The high concentrations of capsaicinoids in the fruit facilitate its potential use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and research.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateMar 26, 2014

The altruistic side of aggressive greed

A mathematical model explains how high-rank individuals in hierarchical groups engage in seemingly altruistic behavior by competing with peers in other groups, leading to increased total group effort towards conflict. This behavior is linked to within-group hierarchy and inequality, observed in nature across various species.

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 26, 2014

Using PET scanning to evaluate therapies of Menkes disease

Scientists used PET imaging to visualize copper distribution in the body of mice with Menkes disease, laying groundwork for human studies. The study found that combining copper injections with disulfiram enhances copper accumulation in the brain without kidney damage.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMar 26, 2014

Patches of cortical layers disrupted during early brain development in autism

Researchers found that autism is caused by disrupted development of cortical layers in the brain, which leads to absent genetic markers and focal patches of abnormality. The study suggests that early treatment can lead to clinical improvement as the brain rewire connections to circumvent these defects.

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 26, 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.

Phloem production in Huanglongbing-affected citrus trees

A study recommends management practices to address citrus greening disease by monitoring phloem production in affected trees. The researchers found that new phloem tissue supports growth for a limited time, making the weeks before and after spring flush critical for management.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateMar 26, 2014

Smartphone app helps support recovery after treatment for alcoholism

A new smartphone application appears to help patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) reduce risky drinking days and promote abstinence. The Addiction-Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (A-CHESS) app provides audio-guided relaxation and alerts when a patient nears a high-risk location, leading to a significant decrease in ...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMar 26, 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.

Disorganized cortical patches suggest prenatal origin of autism

Research suggests that prenatal origin of autism is related to disorganized cortical patches in the developing brain. The study found a 91% absence of cellular markers for several cortical layers in autistic case samples.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 26, 2014

Should whole-genome sequencing become part of newborn screening?

The integration of whole-genome sequencing into newborn screening programs is a topic of debate among researchers. Key considerations include what information to report, impact on healthcare systems, mandatory vs voluntary participation, educating health professionals and parents, communicating results over time, ensuring treatment and...

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 26, 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.

Research produces strong evidence for a new class of antidepressant drugs

Researchers found that galanin plays a crucial role in stress mechanisms and influences depression risk, particularly in those with early life neglect or trauma. A new class of antidepressant drugs targeting galanin functionality may provide effective treatment options for patients.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2014

Sunday driver gene headed the wrong way in inherited muscle diseases

The Sunday Driver gene is implicated in regulating muscle tissue formation and maintenance, with mutations leading to inherited muscle diseases such as Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Researchers found that the gene's product interacts with cortical factors to enable the motor protein Dynein to transport muscle nuclei into place.

SourceGenetics Society of America·DateMar 26, 2014

Researchers present comprehensive 'roadmap' of blood cells

A comprehensive 'roadmap' of blood cells has been presented by researchers, pinpointing the location of key genetic regulators that determine cell development and function. This robust genetic catalog will enable hematologists to trace the development of blood cells and identify potential triggers for malignancies.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood·DateMar 26, 2014

How size splits cells

Researchers discovered that cells use the cdr2p protein to probe their surface area and determine when to divide. The study challenges previous models suggesting that another protein senses cell length.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·DateMar 26, 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.

Engineered bacteria produce biofuel alternative for high-energy rocket fuel

Researchers have engineered a bacterium to synthesize pinene, a hydrocarbon produced by trees that could replace high-energy fuels like JP-10. Boosting production six-fold over earlier efforts, the scientists believe they've identified major obstacles to overcome before pinene dimers can compete with petroleum-based JP-10.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateMar 26, 2014

Natural plant compounds may assist chemotherapy

Researchers at Plant & Food Research identified falcarinol-type compounds that inhibit transport mechanisms interfering with cancer chemotherapy. These compounds, found in carrots and parsley, may complement conventional treatments to deliver better results for patients.

SourceNew Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research·JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology·DateMar 26, 2014

NHS data on patient experience is often ignored

Researchers argue that NHS patients' experiences are frequently overlooked and suggest a national institute of patient experience is needed to draw data together and implement improvements. The lack of evidence that collected data has led to better healthcare quality highlights the need for effective leadership changes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 26, 2014

New maps for navigating the genome unveiled by scientists

Researchers have mapped the human genome's regulatory network, identifying promoters and enhancers that control gene expression in different cell types. This breakthrough provides insights into human evolution and the diversity of cell types, paving the way for new technologies and applications.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 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.

Bamboo-loving giant pandas also have a sweet tooth

Researchers found that giant pandas possess functional sweet taste receptors and show a strong preference for natural sweeteners. The study used behavioral and molecular genetic studies to investigate the giant panda's taste preferences and diet selection.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 26, 2014