Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2014 - Page 9


Page 9 of 31

Crops help to drive greater seasonal change in CO2 cycle

Researchers found that agricultural production, particularly corn, boosts the productivity of four leading food staples, significantly modifying the annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 in the Northern Hemisphere. This growth contributes up to a quarter of the total increase in seasonal carbon exchange, and possibly more.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

An alternative to 'Turing Test'

Georgia Tech researcher Mark Riedl develops Lovelace 2.0 Test to evaluate artificial intelligence's human-level creativity, moving beyond the limitations of the Turing Test. The new test requires agents to create artifacts that demonstrate a range of human-like intelligent capabilities.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateNov 19, 2014

Salk scientists deliver a promising one-two punch for lung cancer

Researchers at Salk Institute develop a powerful dual-drug therapy that doubles the survival rate of mice with lung cancer and halts cancer in pancreatic cells. The treatment combines two existing drugs, Zometa and rapamycin, to successfully target KRAS mutation.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 19, 2014

A grant to see molecules in 3-D

The Pitt Quantum Repository aims to create an open, mobile-ready database of accurate quantum calculations for molecules. This will enable students to visualize and understand molecular structures in 3D, improving learning outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateNov 19, 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.

Humans and mice: So similar but yet so different

A team of international researchers has detailed the functional parts of the mouse genome and compared them with those in humans, finding that certain processes are preserved through time. The study reveals new insights into mammalian biology and human illness mechanisms.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

Bacterial infections suppress protective immune response in neurodermatitis

Researchers found that bacterial infections due to Staphylococcus aureus aggravate neurodermatitis by triggering the formation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which suppress both harmful and beneficial immune responses in the skin. This can lead to chronic inflammation, itching, and social stigmatization in patients.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalImmunity·DateNov 19, 2014

People's movement perturbed during, but similar after Hurricane Sandy

A study analyzing Twitter data from over 700,000 tweets found that New Yorkers resumed normal mobility less than 24 hours after Hurricane Sandy. The researchers observed similar geographical and statistical distributions of locations before and after the hurricane, suggesting resilience in human movement during the disaster.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 19, 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.

MSK team makes key discovery in understanding immunotherapy's successes -- and its failures

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made a breakthrough discovery that may lead to a reliable diagnostic test for predicting which patients will respond to immunotherapy drugs like ipilimumab. The study found that tumors with high numbers of gene mutations are more likely to benefit from the treatment.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 19, 2014

Vanderbilt study finds more breast cancer patients opting for mastectomy

A Vanderbilt study reveals a significant increase in the number of women with early-stage breast cancer choosing mastectomy over breast conservation surgery. The trend was most pronounced among younger women and those with smaller tumors, suggesting factors other than disease burden are at play.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateNov 19, 2014

Fountain of youth underlies Antarctic Mountains

Researchers discovered a vast network of lakes and rivers at the Gamburtsev Mountains' base, preserved by thick ice. The study explains how the blanket of ice has halted erosion, stalling aging of the mountains at higher elevations.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 19, 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.

Study: Teens who mature early at greater risk of depression

A new study by University of Illinois psychologist Karen D. Rudolph found that early puberty triggers psychological, social-behavioral and interpersonal difficulties that predict elevated levels of depression in both boys and girls. Early maturation was particularly detrimental to girls, who experience immediate psychological and envir...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateNov 19, 2014

Thin film produces new chemistry in 'nanoreactor'

Physicists at the University of Groningen have discovered a new manganese compound produced by tension in the crystal structure of terbium manganese oxide. The discovery could lead to the creation of new nanoscale circuits.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

Study finds wide variation in quality, content of clinical cancer guidelines

A new study by researchers at Michigan Medicine reveals significant variations in the quality and content of clinical cancer guidelines. The guidelines, published within the last six years, have average scores ranging from 27% to 90%, suggesting a wide disparity in treatment recommendations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer·DateNov 19, 2014

Laser for tattoo removal appears to improve facial acne scarring

A laser used for tattoo removal has been found to improve facial acne scarring in a small study. The treatment showed significant improvement in skin appearance and texture, with patients reporting satisfaction rates of 25-100%. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateNov 19, 2014

Professional majors strengthen the mission of liberal arts colleges

A University of Iowa study finds that adding professional and vocational majors to liberal arts colleges strengthens their mission, with students achieving similar educational gains across majors. Key findings include increased interest in literacy among liberal arts majors and higher leadership skills among professional majors.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateNov 19, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Can eating blueberries really help you see better in the dark?

A new study by Wilhelmina Kalt and colleagues found that a blueberry-supplemented diet did not improve sight in the dark, but helped subjects recover normal vision after exposure to bright light. The enhancement was small and unlikely to be noticeable to most healthy individuals.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateNov 19, 2014

Power behind 'master' gene for cancer discovered

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a protein complex called CSN and its subunit CSN6 as a key factor in cancer development. The study found that inhibiting CSN6 can quickly destabilize the master cancer gene Myc, greatly impairing tumor growth and metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 19, 2014

A signature for success

Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations in melanoma tumors that predict effective responses to a groundbreaking immunotherapy. The discovery, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could lead to more targeted and personalized cancer treatments, including tailored therapies for patients with diverse tumor genomes.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 19, 2014
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

The Affordable Care Act in Kentucky, one year later

The Affordable Care Act has led to improved health care access for Kentucky's lowest-income residents, with 413,000 people gaining medical coverage. Residents are now able to seek non-urgent medical attention and receive guideline-based care, reducing financial stress.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 19, 2014

Gene therapy provides safe, long-term relief for patients with severe hemophilia B

Researchers developed a gene therapy that boosts Factor IX levels in men with severe hemophilia B, resulting in significant reductions of 90-94% in spontaneous bleeding episodes. The treatment has enabled patients to adopt more active lifestyles without needing frequent clotting factor injections.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 19, 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.

Climate change will slow China's progress in reducing infectioius diseases

A recent study published in Nature Climate Change found that climate change will slow China's efforts to reduce infectious diseases like diarrheal and vector-borne diseases. The researchers predict that changes to the global climate could delay China's progress by up to seven years by 2030.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 19, 2014

Unhealthy behavior may be cross-generational

A study found that children who spend more time in front of screens are at increased risk for obesity and heart disease. The researchers suggest reducing parental screen time may help lower the risk in children. Parents' behavior can have a lasting impact on their child's health.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 19, 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.

Business culture in banking industry favors dishonest behavior

A new study by Alain Cohn, Ernst Fehr, and Michel Maréchal found that bank employees are not inherently more dishonest than those in other industries. The study suggests that the banking sector's business culture, which implicitly favors dishonest behavior, is a significant contributor to the industry's reputational loss.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

Cochrane Review of reminder systems to improve TB diagnoses and care

A systematic review found that reminder systems, including pre-appointment prompts and contact with missed appointments, can significantly improve treatment completion rates. The review's findings suggest these policies have important benefits and can contribute to improving TB treatment outcomes.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateNov 19, 2014

Fathers' engagement with baby depends on mother

Researchers found that fathers' positive engagement increased as their intuitive parenting increased, but only when mothers had shown lower levels of intuitive parenting. The study involved highly educated, dual-earner couples and few in which the mother would be staying at home full-time.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInfant Mental Health Journal Infancy and Early Childhood·DateNov 19, 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.

New technology may speed up, build awareness of landslide risks

Researchers developed a non-subjective technology to analyze and classify landslide risks on a landscape scale, revealing some areas have landslides from one time or another in history. The new system can identify risks common to broad areas, potentially leading to increased awareness and informed land use decisions.

SourceOregon State University·JournalComputers & Geosciences·DateNov 19, 2014

Syracuse geologists shed light on formation of Alaska Range

Geologists have figured out what caused the Alaska Range to form its distinctive topography and why it boasts such an enigmatic signature. The narrow mountain range's high peaks are built from previously fractured rock units, driven by movement along the Denali fault.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalTectonics·DateNov 19, 2014

More children surviving dilated cardiomyopathy without heart transplant

Recent research has shown that children with dilated cardiomyopathy are living longer without heart transplants, with a survival rate of 15% without transplantation. The study found that the more recent era (2000-09) had better survival rates and was associated with factors other than transplantation availability.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 19, 2014

New leadless pacemaker safe, reliable

Researchers have developed a new self-contained leadless cardiac pacemaker that reduces complications associated with traditional pacemaker systems. The device was implanted in eight patients with no complications in an average of 41 minutes and demonstrated reliable performance during follow-up sessions.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 19, 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.

Response to new drug in patients with lymphomas and advanced solid tumors

Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas and advanced solid tumors have responded to the new drug E7438, a histone methyltransferase inhibitor. The drug has shown anti-tumor effects in four patients with refractory lymphoma and one patient with a malignant rhabdoid tumor, indicating potential for personalized medical therapy.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateNov 19, 2014

NASA's Swift mission probes an exotic object: 'Kicked' black hole or mega star?

Researchers analyzing decades of observations detect an unusual source of light in a galaxy, with properties suggesting it could be a supermassive black hole ejected from its home galaxy. Alternatively, the object might have been a rare type of star known as a Luminous Blue Variable that underwent prolonged eruptions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 19, 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.

Arab countries take a new direction for national food security

The Arab Food Security Project aims to improve domestic productivity by investing in agricultural research, resulting in a 28% increase in wheat yield across 10 countries. The initiative will work towards reducing dependence on food imports and promoting better rural livelihoods through knowledge sharing and improved technologies.

SourceInternational Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas·DateNov 19, 2014

Spiraling light, nanoparticles and insights into life's structure

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that circularly polarized light can influence the self-assembly of nanoparticles into chirally specific structures. This phenomenon has implications for understanding homochirality and potentially developing new methods for inducing chirality in molecules.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 19, 2014

Surgeons use 3-D printed model of heart to treat patients with disorders

Researchers used 3D printing to create detailed heart models of three patients with complex congenital heart defects. Surgeons successfully repaired severe abnormalities in all three patients, potentially extending their lifespan by decades. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize surgical planning and treatment.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 19, 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.

A gut reaction

Queen's University scientists found that nanosilver can upset the human gut community at low concentrations. The discovery highlights the potential risks of nanoparticles in everyday life and underscores the need for further research on their long-term effects on health.

SourceQueen's University·JournalJournal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology·DateNov 19, 2014

Sun's rotating 'magnet' pulls lightning towards UK

Researchers found a 50% increase in UK thunderstorms when the Sun's spiral-shaped magnetic field pointed towards or away from Earth, potentially exposing the upper atmosphere to galactic cosmic rays. This discovery could lead to a reliable lightning forecast system that provides weeks-in-advance warnings of hazardous events.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 19, 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.

Paper electronics could make health care more accessible

Researchers have developed a fast and low-cost method to create flexible electronic sensors on paper using silver nanowire ink. The new technology has the potential to make medical tools more accessible and affordable.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 19, 2014

What agricultural 'ecosystems on steroids' are doing to the air

Scientists found that agricultural crops play a significant role in seasonal fluctuations of carbon dioxide, which could help understand and predict how Earth's vegetation reacts to global warming. The study reveals a nuance in the carbon cycle, explaining about 25% of the increase in seasonal swings with croplands.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

Social sensing game detects classroom bullies

A new social sensing game created at Illinois detects bullying behavior and identifies classroom bullies more effectively than traditional research methods. The game analyzes students' interactions in real-time, revealing behaviors like private messages and negative nominations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of School Violence·DateNov 19, 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.

JDR publishes special issue on novel dental biomaterials and technologies

A special themed issue of the Journal of Dental Research covers recent developments in novel dental biomaterials and technologies, aiming to improve oral health outcomes. The issue highlights significant advances in materials engineering and their clinical applications.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateNov 19, 2014