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Science News Archive November 2014 - Page 7


Page 7 of 31

How fallopian tubes carry eggs unidirectionally

A recent study has clarified how proteins influence the direction of egg transportation in the fallopian tube, a crucial component of the reproductive system. Researchers found that protein Celsr1 is essential for proper transportation by controlling cell shape and ciliary movement.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalDevelopment·DateNov 20, 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.

The cellular origin of fibrosis

Researchers at Harvard University have identified a rare population of stem cells that give rise to fibrosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of scar tissue in organs. The study suggests that targeting these stem cells could lead to therapeutic breakthroughs for conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, and high blood pressure.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateNov 20, 2014

Revealing political partisanship a bad idea on resumes

A Duke University study found that job candidates who share the minority partisan view of voters in a geographic district are less likely to receive a callback than those with neutral resumes. Employers appear not to favor majority-partisan views. The study suggests partisanship may play a role in hiring, but further research is needed.

SourceDuke University·JournalPolitical Behavior·DateNov 20, 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.

Serotonin's early role in the assembly of brain circuits

Research shows that serotonin's early regulation is vital for brain circuit formation, particularly in inhibitory interneurons. Dysregulation of this system can lead to psychiatric problems, highlighting the importance of understanding its role in brain development.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 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.

The American athletics track is still a man's world

Research by Emily Kaskan and Ivy Ho highlights how American female athletes are objectified and stereotyped in media coverage, influencing their self-esteem and athleticism. The study shows that these microaggressions can lead to psychological stress, impacting hormonal, immune, and cardiovascular systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateNov 20, 2014

Fat a culprit in fibrotic lung damage

Researchers discovered that excess lipids in the lungs trigger an inflammatory response, leading to scarring and pulmonary fibrosis. The team's findings suggest a new direction for developing novel therapies by targeting lipid handling in the lungs.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateNov 20, 2014

A path to brighter images and more efficient LCD displays

University of Utah engineers developed a polarizing filter that transmits more light, enabling longer battery life in mobile devices and improved low-light photography. The new technology allows for increased energy efficiency and can pass through up to 74% of light.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalOptica·DateNov 20, 2014

Weight and eating habits in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's patients experience changes in body weight due to non-motor disorders, worsening their quality of life. Research highlights the role of depression, cognitive impairment, sensory disturbances, and motivation towards food consumption in altering eating habits.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalAppetite·DateNov 20, 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.

Signaling molecule crucial to stem cell reprogramming

Researchers discovered that WNT signaling molecules are crucial for cellular reprogramming, a process similar to regenerative processes in organisms. This finding has significant implications for stem cell-based regenerative medicine, wound repair therapies and potential cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 20, 2014

Unravelling the mystery of gamma-ray bursts

Researchers at Cardiff University are exploring a new method to detect the origins of gamma-ray bursts using giant space 'microphones' that can pick up gravitational waves created by black holes. By analyzing these waves, scientists may uncover information about the mass and collision history of star and black hole systems.

SourceCardiff University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 20, 2014

Breakthrough in managing yellow fever disease

Researchers have determined that the yellow fever virus replicates primarily in the liver, causing significant damage to liver cells. This knowledge could help identify an earlier clinical outcome measure of disease severity, enabling doctors to provide more aggressive supportive care for patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateNov 20, 2014

New approach for treating ALS

Researchers have uncovered a mechanism that explains why many ALS drugs fail as the disease progresses: the brain's pumps become more active and remove both toxins and medicine. Blocking these pumps improves drug efficacy in mouse models.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateNov 20, 2014

Antiangiogenic treatment improves survival in animal model of ovarian cancer

A novel combination therapy using low-dose chemotherapy with an antiangiogenic treatment, 3TSR, improved survival rates in an animal model of ovarian cancer. The treatment resulted in tumor regression, improved blood flow, and more efficient delivery of chemotherapy drugs with reduced side effects.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateNov 20, 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.

A new tool for identifying onset of local influenza outbreaks

A new algorithm called Above Local Elevated Respiratory Illness Threshold (ALERT) uses routinely collected data to signal the start of elevated influenza activity. The tool allows users to customize results based on their institution's historical data, helping them determine when to declare flu season and take extra precautions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateNov 20, 2014

New technique allows ultrasound to penetrate bone, metal

A new technique allows ultrasound to penetrate bone and metal, enabling medical professionals to monitor blood flow in the brain or treat brain tumors more effectively. The metamaterial structure offsets distortion caused by these 'aberrating layers,' increasing wave energy transmission by up to 88%.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 20, 2014

Study: Obesity fuels silent heart damage

A study found that obesity causes subclinical heart muscle injury and increases the risk for heart failure, even in people without overt heart disease. Obesity was independently associated with increased troponin levels, a marker of heart damage.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 20, 2014

Brain-dwelling worm in UK man's head sequenced

A rarely seen tapeworm, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, has been sequenced for the first time, revealing its genetic secrets. The parasite was detected in a UK resident's brain after traveling 5cm from one side to the other.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 20, 2014

Study: Volunteering can help save wildlife

A new study shows that citizen science projects contribute to direct impacts on conservation, including shift in formal professions, initiation of new organizations, and influencing social circles towards the cause. Volunteer participation has also been found to increase knowledge and concern for wildlife rooted in science.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateNov 20, 2014
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Out of India

Researchers uncover fossils of Cambaytherium thewissi, a 54.5-million-year-old animal that provides a window into the common ancestor of horses, rhinos, and tapirs. The discovery supports the idea that Perissodactyla evolved in India while it was an island.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2014

Heterosexuals have egalitarian views on legal benefits for same-sex couples, not on PDA

A study by Indiana University PhD candidates found that heterosexuals are equally supportive of legal benefits for same-sex couples as they are for heterosexual couples, but are less supportive of PDA. Gay and lesbian individuals were also found to be less supportive of certain public displays of affection due to safety concerns.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateNov 20, 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.

Out of danger: A neural basis for avoiding threats

A neural pathway in the habenula enables animals to predict dangers and update their expectations based on actions and new outcomes. The study's findings have implications for understanding anxiety and panic disorders, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for improving behavioral learning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNeuron·DateNov 20, 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.

In full view

Scientists have determined the complete structure of the influenza virus polymerase, a key machine that makes copies of the virus' genetic material and reads out instructions. The high-resolution structure reveals how the polymerase works as a whole, providing new insights into its function and potential targets for drug design.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 2014

Himalaya tectonic dam with a discharge

A team of geoscientists discovered a buried canyon beneath the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which helped reconstruct the gorge's geological history. The findings show that rapid tectonic uplift, not river capture, formed the Tsangpo Gorge and its steep form.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience·DateNov 20, 2014

Hee Oh to receive 2015 AMS Satter Prize

Hee Oh, a Yale University mathematician, has been awarded the 2015 AMS Ruth Lyttle Satter Prize for her groundbreaking work on dynamics on homogeneous spaces and its connections to number theory. Her research brings together seemingly disparate fields in a beautiful way.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateNov 20, 2014

Unstable child care can affect children by age 4

A new study from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute reveals that disruptions in child care negatively affect children's social development as early as age 4. However, the effects of child care instability are not unduly large, and some types of instability appear to have no negative impact on children.

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateNov 20, 2014

How do teenage boys perceive their weight?

A study of 600 teenage boys found that up to 28% were inaccurate in estimating their weight status. The majority had a normal weight, but some underestimating or overestimating, leading to unhealthy behaviors like dieting and skipping meals.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNutrición Hospitalaria·DateNov 20, 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.

Research finds tooth enamel fast-track in humans

Research reveals that human incisors grow quickly in the second trimester of fetal development, allowing them to erupt at six months. This rapid growth is thought to be an adaptation for early weaning, as it enables babies to transition from breast milk to solid foods sooner.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateNov 20, 2014

Researchers report way to target hard-to-hit site in disease pathway

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a class of lead compounds that successfully recognize a key target in the Ras signaling pathway, opening the door to future development of therapies. The lead compound NSC-658497 was found to be effective at blocking SOS1-mediated molecular signaling in the Ras...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateNov 20, 2014

$50,000 childhood cancer research grant awarded to University of Louisville

The University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics has received a one-year, $50,000 grant from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to hire a nurse coordinator for neuroblastoma and sarcoma patients on clinical trials. The grant aims to provide additional access to clinical trials for local patients without having to travel elsewhere.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateNov 20, 2014

Every step you take: STING pathway key to tumor immunity

The STING pathway plays a crucial role in detecting tumor cells and promoting an aggressive anti-tumor response. Activating the pathway triggers production of chemical signals that help the immune system identify tumor cells and generate killer T cells.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalImmunity·DateNov 20, 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.

Halting the hijacker: Cellular targets to thwart influenza virus infection

Researchers at UW-Madison identified 1,300 host cell proteins the virus may use to infect cells, testing each protein to see whether eliminating it interferes with viral infectivity. The study aims to develop new drugs targeting cellular machinery rather than attacking the virus itself.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateNov 20, 2014

For women, job authority adds to depression symptoms

A study found that women in positions of power exhibit more symptoms of depression, while men with similar authority levels have fewer symptoms. The researchers suggest that women face chronic stress due to negative stereotypes and resistance from colleagues and superiors.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateNov 20, 2014

Extreme weather in the Arctic problematic for people, wildlife

Heavy January rains in Svalbard caused record-breaking snow avalanches, making roads impassable. The extreme event also affected reindeer populations and permafrost temperatures, highlighting the increasing impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 20, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

China's new 'Great Wall' not so great

China's vast seawall, covering over half its coastline, faces criticism for ecological costs and lack of protection. The wetland ecosystems support millions of migratory birds and produce 28 million tons of fishery products, underappreciated services that threaten with unsustainable development

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateNov 20, 2014

Exercise regimens offer little benefit for 1 in 5 people with type 2 diabetes

A new review finds that genetic variation may prevent some individuals with type 2 diabetes from benefiting from supervised exercise regimens. The study suggests that targeted interventions and treatments could help those who do not respond to exercise, offering a potential new approach for managing the condition.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateNov 20, 2014

Testosterone plays modest role in menopausal women's sexual function

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that testosterone has a limited impact on menopausal women's interest in sex and sexual function. Psychosocial factors such as emotional well-being and intimate relationships are found to be stronger contributors to sexual health.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateNov 20, 2014

Deep-earth carbon offers clues on origin of life on Earth

A Johns Hopkins University-led team has discovered a rich variety of organic carbon species in deep fluids, suggesting they could spark the formation of diamonds and potentially become food for microbial life. These findings, published in Nature Geoscience, provide new insights into the Earth's mantle and its role in the origin of life.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 20, 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.

New study: Aggressive conifer removal benefits Sierra aspen

A new study published by Point Blue Conservation Science found that aggressive removal of conifers can restore aspen stands in the Sierra Nevada, increasing groundwater, enriching soils, and supporting biodiversity. The study's authors used bird species to measure the effectiveness of the restoration approach.

SourcePoint Blue Conservation Science·JournalRestoration Ecology·DateNov 20, 2014

Breakthrough in managing yellow fever disease

Researchers have discovered that the yellow fever virus replicates primarily in the liver, causing significant damage to liver cells. A new clinical parameter has been identified, which could help manage cases of yellow fever, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateNov 20, 2014

UT grad student Veronica Garcia awarded microbiology fellowship

Veronica Garcia, a UT graduate student, has been awarded a Robert D. Watkins Graduate Research Fellowship to study the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders. The fellowship aims to increase diversity in microbiological sciences research.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateNov 20, 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.

Tapeworms on the brain expand our knowledge of their genome

A rare species of tapeworm, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, found in the brain has its genome sequenced for the first time. The study identifies genes providing resistance to certain treatments and potential targets for known cancer drugs.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 20, 2014