Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 7, 2014


Practice makes perfect in cancer surgery

Researchers found that higher volume hospital and surgeon volume are associated with fewer post-operative complications and improved overall survival for bladder cancer patients. The study aims to identify processes and interactions leading to better outcomes, which could inform improvements in care at lower volume hospitals.

SourceQueen's University·JournalUrology·DateNov 7, 2014

UF researchers discover how to cultivate norovirus in human cells

Researchers have discovered a way to grow a human norovirus by identifying a cell it targets in the intestine, enabling the study of its replication and potential treatments. The virus targets B cells, rather than intestinal epithelial cells, and is aided by gut bacteria in its infection process.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalScience·DateNov 7, 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.

NFL TV ratings: Bandwagon is everyone's second-favorite team

A new study by Brigham Young University and Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City reveals that choosing to broadcast a local favorite isn't always the smartest ratings decision. The analysis shows that fans also hop on the bandwagon of whoever is winning and lighting up the scoreboard, leading to higher TV audience ratings.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateNov 7, 2014

UTSA professor studies cell phone habits of college students in US and South Korea

A study by Seok Kang, a UTSA associate professor, analyzed the smartphone habits of over 1,600 college students from the US and South Korea. American students used their phones mainly for email, texting, and social media, while Korean students were more interested in entertainment and information gathering.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateNov 7, 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.

Sleep starts later as teens age, but school still starts early

A new study tracked the changing sleep habits of children from ages 9 to 18, finding that sleep timing shifted later as they matured. Despite getting less sleep overall, teens' bodies resisted sleep signals longer, leading to groggier mornings and potential negative effects on academic performance and mental health.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 7, 2014

Iodide protects against dangerous reperfusion injury after heart attack

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that a dose of iodide can significantly reduce the damage caused by reperfusion injury after a heart attack. The study found that intravenous infusions of sodium iodide reduced myocardial infarction damage by up to 75 percent in mice, and oral iodide showed similar protective effects.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 7, 2014

Origin of the unique ventilatory apparatus of turtles

Researchers discovered that tortoises' modern breathing apparatus was already in place in the earliest fossil tortoise, Eunotosaurus africanus. The study suggests a gradual increase in body wall rigidity led to the evolution of both the tortoise shell and unique breathing mechanism.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2014

UofL Trover Campus wins national academic medicine award

The UofL Trover Campus has received a national award for its innovative programs to address the shortage of physicians in rural areas. The campus offers training, mentorship, and clinical opportunities to medical students from underserved regions.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateNov 7, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

No junk: Long RNA mimics DNA, restrains hormone responses

GAS5, a long intergenic non-coding RNA, acts as a brake on steroid hormone receptors, preventing them from binding DNA. Researchers have gained insights into how GAS5 RNA interacts with steroid hormone receptors and its potential role in disease.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2014

Office stress? Workers may wait before acting out, SF State study finds

A new study by SF State's Kevin Eschleman found that employees may wait weeks or months before acting out due to workplace stress. The research suggests that companies should tailor programs to help employees cope with stress, as personality can complicate how and when they respond.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology·DateNov 7, 2014

CCNY-led discovery may help breast cancer treatment

Researchers at City College of New York led by Dr. Debra Auguste have discovered a potential molecular target and biomarker for treating triple negative breast cancers, which have a high mortality rate due to aggressive proliferation and metastasis.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 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.

Liberals are more emotion-driven than conservatives

A study found that emotions have a greater influence on leftists' positions than on rightists', even with induced negative emotions. Real-world scenarios showed Jewish-Israeli leftists' policy support was more related to empathy and anger than rightists'. Future research aims to investigate how emotions motivate changes in rightists' p...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 7, 2014

Emergency supplies of epinephrine in schools save lives

A new study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that stocking emergency epinephrine in Chicago Public Schools saved the lives of 38 children and adults experiencing severe anaphylactic reactions. The majority of reactions occurred in elementary schools, primarily due to peanuts and fin fish triggers.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 2014

Actions versus objects: The role of the motor system

A new study found that ALS patients have difficulty with verb processing compared to noun processing. The research suggests that motor deficits and language impairment are two separate aspects of the disease.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalCortex·DateNov 7, 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.

2014's famous 'pollen vortex' didn't happen

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that spring pollen counts in Ontario, Canada were down considerably, with levels of certain tree pollens being four to five times lower than usual. This challenges predictions of a harsh 'pollen vortex' affecting allergy sufferers.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 2014

The best sensory experience for learning a dance sequence

A study conducted by Bielefeld University and the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden found that dancers who learned a dance sequence by observing it performed better than those who were taught through spoken instructions. The researchers also found that visual learning modality improved retention over time.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalCognitive Processing·DateNov 7, 2014

Research project emphasizes the need to persuade parents to make their children walk to school

A research project involving 1,219 children and 1,007 parents from US schools found that parental attitudes and perceptions are crucial in encouraging kids to walk to school. The study aimed to identify factors influencing this habit and highlighted the need for improved safety of paths and urban environments.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateNov 7, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Does father really know best? Maybe not when it comes to controlling asthma

A recent study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that teenagers with asthma have higher health literacy levels than their caregivers. Additionally, a study on YouTube videos for asthma control revealed that most popular videos provide low-quality information, while videos from healthcare providers ...

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 2014

A vaccine directed against tumor blood vessels suppress tumor growth and metastasis

Researchers from Uppsala University developed a therapeutic vaccine that selectively targets tumor vessels, reducing tumor burden and suppressing metastases in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. The vaccine induced an 80% reduction in metastasis, providing a cost-efficient alternative to monoclonal antibody-based therapies.

SourceUppsala University·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateNov 7, 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.

Cybersecurity experts discover lapses in Heartbleed bug fix

A study by University of Maryland cybersecurity experts found that only 13% of websites patched their software correctly and implemented additional security measures to secure systems. The team's analysis revealed a significant drop in revocation rates during weekends, highlighting the human factor's role in computer security.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateNov 7, 2014

Asthma vs. COPD, similar symptoms -- Different causes and treatment

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share similar symptoms, but the conditions have different causes and require unique treatment strategies. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to provide effective management for patients with overlapping characteristics of asthma and COPD.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 2014

Reprogrammed cells grow into new blood vessels

Researchers at Houston Methodist develop a new approach to regrow damaged blood vessels using trans-differentiated fibroblasts, improving blood flow and oxygenation. The technique shows promise for treating cardiovascular damage and injuries with minimal risk of chromosome damage.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalCirculation·DateNov 7, 2014

Turtles use muscle power to breathe due to rigid shell

Scientists have found that turtles breathe with the aid of a muscle sling attached to their shell, which contracts and relaxes to aerate the lungs. The origin of this unique ventilatory apparatus was discovered in the ancient fossil reptile Eunotosaurus africanus.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2014

Researchers take new approach to stop 'most wanted' cancer protein

A pre-clinical study finds that a specially crafted compound can disrupt the production of MYCN protein, causing tumors to shrink with little or no harm to normal cells. The approach uses an alternative mechanism to target the defective transcriptional mechanisms involved in cancer growth.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalCell·DateNov 7, 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.

Maybe it wasn't the Higgs particle after all

Researchers analyzed CERN data and found no conclusive evidence that the discovered particle is the Higgs particle. Instead, they suggest it could be a light techni-higgs particle composed of two techni-quarks. This discovery raises questions about the existence of dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalPhysical Review D·DateNov 7, 2014

LSTM awarded nearly £4 million in grants for pneumococcal research

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded two substantial grants to further develop and utilise its Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) model. The first grant, worth $2.5 million, will investigate whether a nasal spray flu vaccine alters pneumococcal carriage.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·DateNov 7, 2014

A new angle on infertility

A single mutation in the beta-catenin gene can lead to abnormalities in sexual organ morphology, making natural reproduction impossible. The study found that this mutation affects specific tissues, causing malformations that prevent successful reproduction.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 7, 2014

School lunches offer better average nutrition than packed lunches

Virginia Tech researchers found that school lunches have greater nutritional quality compared to packed lunches. School lunches were lower in energy and iron but higher in protein and fiber. The study suggests promoting healthier options in packed lunches through nutrition education programs.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateNov 7, 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.

You might be allergic to penicillin -- then again, you might not

According to two studies, 94% of patients who believed they had a penicillin allergy actually tested negative. Consulting an allergist and conducting skin testing can help determine if alternative treatment is necessary before surgery. This can significantly lower prescription costs by reducing the use of high-cost antibiotics.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 2014

Theory or not? Best study designs for increasing vegetable intake in children

A systematic review found that theory-based interventions were beneficial for vegetable intake only, with limited overall effects. The authors recommend future research examining the causality and strength of relationships between theoretical variables and dietary change behaviors.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateNov 7, 2014

Research shows easy-to-walk communities can blunt cognitive decline

A new study from the University of Kansas found that neighborhoods that encourage walking for leisure and transportation are associated with improved physical health and cognition in older adults. The research suggests that easy-to-walk communities can help stave off cognitive decline, even in individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·DateNov 7, 2014

Dip in emergency hospital admissions via GPs while figures soar for A&E

Emergency hospital admissions to A&E departments rose by 72% between 2001/2 and 2010/11, while those via GPs decreased by 17%, suggesting a shift in the role of these services. Researchers suggest that changes in patient behavior, demographic shifts, and policy factors contributed to this trend.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateNov 7, 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.

Brain's response to threat silenced when we are reminded of being loved and cared for

New research from the University of Exeter found that viewing pictures of others receiving emotional support reduces the brain's response to threatening facial expressions or words. This effect was particularly pronounced in more anxious individuals, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health conditions like PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateNov 7, 2014

Nurse navigators may aid colon cancer screening follow-up

According to a randomized trial, nurse navigators can aid in colon cancer screening follow-up by increasing follow-up rates exceeding 92 percent. The study, led by Beverly B. Green, MD, MPH, found that combining a systems approach with nurse navigation resulted in improved follow-up rates.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateNov 7, 2014

New Zealand's moa were exterminated by an extremely low-density human population

A new study suggests that the flightless birds, moa, were completely extinct when New Zealand's human population reached around 2500 people. Researchers found that during the peak period of moa hunting, there were fewer than 1500 Polynesian settlers in NZ, with a population density of about 1 person per 100 square kilometers.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 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.

New treatment for life-threatening bacterial diseases identified

Researchers have identified a new treatment using specially engineered liposomes to neutralize bacterial toxins, preventing cell death and disease progression. This treatment offers an alternative to current medications for infections resistant to antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 7, 2014

New antibiotic in mushroom that grows on horse dung

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 7, 2014