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Science News for May 16, 2014


Glasses-free 3-D projector

A new glasses-free 3D projector design uses multiperspective technology to provide a cheaper alternative to holographic video, improving resolution and contrast. The system can also enhance conventional 2D video with increased brightness and sharpness, making it an attractive transitional technology for content producers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 16, 2014

With imprecise chips to the artificial brain

Junior Professor Dr. Elisabetta Chicca and colleagues discover that imprecise digital and analog circuits are more efficient than precise ones in building artificial nervous systems. The study, published in Proceedings of the IEEE, reveals a new approach to designing autonomous cognitive systems with minimal power requirements.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateMay 16, 2014

Skunk fire in Arizona

The Skunk Fire in Arizona has grown to over 10,000 acres, driven by extremely dry fuels and low relative humidity. The fire is currently 20% contained and continues to spread to the north, with conditions making it difficult for firefighters to access the area.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 16, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

US foreclosures drive up suicide rate

A recent study found a significant correlation between US foreclosure crisis and rising suicide rates, especially among middle-aged adults. Foreclosures were found to affect not only individuals but also entire communities, exacerbating feelings of loss, shame, or regret.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 16, 2014

Analysis finds wide variation in lung cancer rates globally

The study found lung cancer rates declining in 47 of 52 populations among young women (30-49 years), while increasing in most countries among older women (50-74 years). Tobacco control efforts and increased awareness have contributed to the decline, but more needs to be done to curtail future deaths.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·DateMay 16, 2014

Department of Defense funds terahertz-range metamaterials research

Researchers at Penn State will focus on developing plasma photonic crystals and plasma-embedded metamaterials that operate in the terahertz range, enabling applications such as antennas with beam steering and filter devices. The project aims to replace traditional metallic split-ring resonators with low-loss dielectric resonators.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 16, 2014

Researchers call for better ocean stewardship

Researchers urge caution when exploring/exploring the deepest parts of our oceans, highlighting the need for a 'happy balance' between use and environmental costs. The deep ocean is already experiencing impacts from human activities such as fishing, oil and gas development, and waste disposal.

SourceNova Southeastern University·JournalScience·DateMay 16, 2014

Dr. Neal Meropol honored as American Society of Clinical Oncology Fellow

Dr. Neal Meropol, Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Case Western Reserve University, is honored as an ASCO Fellow for his exceptional volunteer service and dedication to cancer care. He has served on the ASCO Board of Directors and various committees, contributing to the organization's mission to improve cancer care.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateMay 16, 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.

Non-invasive lithotripsy leads to more treatment for kidney stones

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that patients who underwent ureteroscopy had fewer repeat treatments and lower costs compared to those who received shock wave lithotripsy. The researchers suggest that the decision to choose one procedure over the other should be carefully considered by both doctors and patients.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMay 16, 2014

JCI online ahead of print table of contents for May 16, 2014

Researchers validated microbial translocation hypothesis in SIV-infected pigtail macaques, finding that sevelamer treatment reduced systemic LPS and activated peripheral CD4+ T cells. Sevelamer also lowered viral titers and coagulation biomarkers, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for HIV.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 16, 2014

Caswell selected for Mindel C. Sheps award

Caswell's work on matrix population models has had a significant impact on life history theory, conservation biology, climate studies, and the evolution of aging. He was recognized for his lifetime contributions to mathematical demographic analysis.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateMay 16, 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.

Fires continue in San Diego County, Calif.

Seven wildfires are still burning in San Diego County, California, with the Cocos Fire being the most active, spanning over 1,200 acres. The region is experiencing extreme drought conditions, and climate change is cited as a factor by the governor.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 16, 2014

Methadone programs can be key in educating, treating HCV patients

A study found that people enrolled in methadone treatment programs are receptive to HCV education and treatment. The research suggests that these facilities can provide sustained HCV treatment by linking care to substance abuse treatment, leading to improved adherence.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Addiction Medicine·DateMay 16, 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.

Male infertility linked to mortality in study led by Stanford researcher

A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that men with male infertility are more likely to die sooner than those with normal semen quality, with a doubling of mortality risk. The study examined data from over 12,000 men aged 20-50 and found an inverse relationship between semen quality and mortality rate.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateMay 16, 2014

UofL receives $5.5 million grant from Helmsley Charitable Trust

The University of Louisville has received a three-year, $5.5 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to develop new treatments and vaccines for various forms of cancer. Researchers will focus on plant-based pharmaceuticals and vaccines for cervical and colon cancer.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateMay 16, 2014

It Takes Brains: Autism BrainNet registration site launches

The Autism BrainNet consortium will collect, store and distribute brain tissue resources to understand the neurobiology and genetics of autism. Researchers have made important discoveries using donated brain tissue, showing structural differences in autistic brains and changes in gene expression.

SourceAutism Speaks·DateMay 16, 2014

Herpes-loaded stem cells used to kill brain tumors

Researchers developed herpes-loaded stem cells that significantly improved survival rates in mice with glioblastoma multiforme when applied to tumors. The treatment used mesenchymal stem cells as drug delivery vehicles, allowing oncolytic viruses to replicate and kill residual cancer cells.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 16, 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.

How Asian-American 'tiger mothers' motivate their children

A study by researchers at Stanford University reveals fundamental differences in parenting methods between Asian Americans and European Americans. Asian American 'tiger mothers' motivate their children through interdependence, allowing them to draw on connectedness with their mother for motivation. In contrast, European American parent...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 16, 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.

Growing camelina and safflower in the Pacific Northwest

Adding camelina or safflower to crop rotations with winter wheat and summer fallow increases wind erosion risk in the Pacific Northwest. No-till fallow or planting another crop without a fallow year can help control blowing dust.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMay 16, 2014

The early earthworm catches on to full data release

Researchers have published a study providing complete open access to detailed 3-D images of earthworms, enabling the analysis of rare museum specimens. The study uses micro-computed tomography (microCT) to digitize worm structures, opening possibilities for scanning millions of specimens from museum collections.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateMay 16, 2014

Cause of death established

Researchers identify two new bacterial causes of pneumonia in chamois, highlighting risk of inter-species transmission with domestic animals. The combination of parasite infestation and harsh winter conditions weakened the immune systems of the affected animals.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateMay 16, 2014

Lighting the way to graphene-based devices

Berkeley Lab researchers have developed a technique to modify graphene boron nitride heterostructures using visible light, preserving high electron mobility. This method enables p–n junctions and flexible doping profiles without sacrificing material quality.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 16, 2014

Slip knot key to creating world's toughest fiber

A new method of making super tough fibers could be achieved by adding a slip knot to absorb additional energy, increasing its toughness from 44 to 1070 Joules per gram. The new approach allows ordinary polymers to reach unprecedented levels of resistance.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 16, 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.

Molecules involved in rheumatoid arthritis angiogenesis identified

Researchers discovered that CCL28 and its receptor are key players in angiogenesis, a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. This finding provides strong evidence for the binding of CCL28 to joint-lining cells as necessary for blood vessel formation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateMay 16, 2014

cfaed coordinator presents new 'Dresden 5G Lab' in South Korea

The Dresden 5G Lab, a collaboration between Technische Universität Dresden and over 500 scientists, aims to develop key technologies for the 5th generation of mobile communications. The lab will focus on reducing latency and increasing throughput, with applications in industries such as transportation, healthcare, and education.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·DateMay 16, 2014

Watching HIV bud from cells

University of Utah researchers developed a way to observe HIV budding without interfering with the process, showing ALIX's involvement in the late stages of virus replication. The study used digital camera and microscope technology to make movies and photos of the budding process.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 16, 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.

War and peace (of mind)

Researchers found that mindfulness training can help Marines recover from stressful combat situations by reducing heart and breathing rates. The study suggests that incorporating meditative practices into pre-deployment training might be a way to reduce stress-related health conditions in the US military.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 16, 2014

Magnets and kids: A dangerous duo

Between 2002 and 2012, magnet ingestions by children tripled in number and nearly doubled in severity, with a significant increase in high-risk injuries featuring multiple smaller magnets.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMay 16, 2014

Rice physicist will search for 'quark-gluon plasma' at the LHC

Rice University physicist Wei Li is searching for the smallest and hottest drop of 'quark soup' in the universe, a liquid of subatomic particles that only appears at temperatures above 2 trillion kelvins. He will use the world's most powerful particle accelerator, LHC, to study quark-gluon plasma.

SourceRice University·DateMay 16, 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.

Ataluren Phase 3 trial results in nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis

The Phase 3 trial demonstrated positive trends in lung function, as measured by relative change in % predicted FEV1, with a 2.5% average difference between ataluren and placebo in favor of ataluren. Additionally, there were 23% fewer pulmonary exacerbations in the ataluren group compared to placebo.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMay 16, 2014

Breakthrough in HIV/AIDS research gives hope for improved drug therapy

A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has provided direct evidence of a major culprit behind poor outcomes for some HIV-infected individuals. The research suggests that blocking bacterial translocation can significantly slow HIV progression and reduce comorbidities such as heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 16, 2014

PARADIGM-HF trial stopped early for benefit

The PARADIGM-HF trial was stopped early due to a statistically significant reduction in primary composite endpoint and cardiovascular mortality. LCZ696 demonstrated benefits by blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and augmenting endogenous natriuretic peptides, offering an alternative to the gold standard treatment enalapril.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMay 16, 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.