Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for October 26, 2014


Heart drug may help treat ALS, mouse study shows

A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure, may have a strong effect on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by blocking an enzyme that destroys nerve cells. The research suggests that reducing the activity of this enzyme or limiting its production can prevent th...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 26, 2014

Right place, right time: Cellular transportation compartments

Researchers have identified a novel way to target newly manufactured proteins to the correct location in cells, utilizing a previously unknown compartment called an acidocalcisome. This discovery has implications for understanding protein function and regulation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateOct 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.

Dietary flavanols reverse age-related memory decline

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that dietary flavanols can improve cognitive function and reverse age-related memory decline in healthy adults. The study showed noticeable improvements in the function of a specific brain region and significant performance on a memory test.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 26, 2014

A key to aortic valve disease prevention: Lowering cholesterol early

A study of 35,000 participants found that genetic predisposition to elevated LDL-C was associated with aortic valve calcium and narrowing, supporting a causal association. Lowering cholesterol early in the disease process may provide protection from developing aortic valve disease.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJAMA·DateOct 26, 2014

Real-time readout of neurochemical activity

Researchers have developed CNiFERs cells to track dopamine signaling, providing a real-time readout of neurochemical activity associated with learning, memory and reward. The study reveals that dopamine release is linked to classical conditioning and anticipatory behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 26, 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.

New evidence for an exotic, predicted superconducting state

Researchers at Brown University have discovered an exotic superconducting state that can arise when a superconductor is exposed to a strong magnetic field. The team found that unpaired, spin-up electrons form Andreev bound states, enabling transport of supercurrents through non-superconducting regions.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 26, 2014

Activity in dendrites is critical in memory formation

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that activity in dendrites is crucial for storing memories, contradicting current thought that cell body and dendrites serve the same function. The study used high-resolution microscopy to image individual neurons in a living animal navigating a virtual reality maze.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2014

New nanodevice to improve cancer treatment monitoring

Researchers developed a miniature device that measures methotrexate levels in patient blood, providing accurate results in under 1 minute and costing around $10,000 compared to traditional equipment at $100,000.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateOct 26, 2014

Georgia State astronomers image the exploding fireball stage of a nova

Researchers at Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy observed a nova's early fireball stage and revealed its complex expansion. The study, published in Nature, used the CHARA Array to create high-resolution images of the explosion, shedding new light on the structure of ejected material.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 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.

Team discovers how microbes build a powerful antibiotic

A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding how a powerful antibiotic agent is produced in nature. They found that a special enzyme called dehydratase plays a crucial role in giving the antibiotic its final shape and function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2014

A switch to dampen malignancy

Ludwig researchers find ASPP2 acts as a molecular switch to regulate EMT and MET, crucial processes in cancer progression. Poor ASPP2 expression correlates with lower patient survival rates in liver and breast tumors.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 26, 2014

Turning loss to gain: Cutting power could dramatically boost laser output

Princeton engineers found that carefully restricting power delivery to certain areas within a laser can boost its output significantly. By targeting specific modes, they showed improvements in efficiency ranging from 100-fold to 10,000-fold, allowing for more control over frequency and spatial pattern of light emission.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 26, 2014

Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

South African epidemiologist Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize for her groundbreaking work on HIV prevention in women. Her discovery of a topical anti-HIV gel has the potential to save millions of lives, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where women are disproportionately affected by the epidemic.

SourceTWAS·DateOct 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.