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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 33 of 35

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.

Study indicates possible new way to treat endometrial, colon cancers

Researchers discovered that mutations in the PIK3R1 gene, particularly R348, can activate ERK and JNK signaling cascades, enabling tumor growth. Targeted therapies may need to focus on these mutant tumors, offering a potential new approach for treating endometrial and colon cancers.

Making old lungs look young again

Researchers at Ohio State University found that ibuprofen can reduce lung inflammation in elderly mice, improving their immune response to tuberculosis. By lowering inflammation, ibuprofen made the lungs of old mice appear younger and more effective at fighting infection.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Twice the DNA yield in less time

A new DNA isolation technique using MagnaCel paramagnetic cellulose particles has been shown to improve the quality and quantity of DNA extractions across a wide range of flowering plants. This method outperformed traditional techniques like CTAB and DNeasy, providing an average of twice the DNA yield and more consistent DNA purity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Strong working memory puts brakes on problematic drug use

A study led by Atika Khurana found that adolescents with strong working memory are less likely to engage in impulsive drug-use behaviors. Weaknesses in executive functioning often underlie self-control issues in children as young as 3 years old, making targeted interventions crucial for early prevention.

Study gauges humor by age

A study by University of Akron researcher Jennifer Tehan Stanley found that young and middle-aged adults consider aggressive humor funny, whereas older adults do not. The study suggests our concept of what is funny may evolve over time as we age.

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.

Osteoporosis treatment may also benefit breast cancer patients

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds that osteoporosis treatment may also benefit breast cancer patients by slowing skeletal metastasis. Women who took oral bisphosphonates had a reduced risk of bone metastases, with longer medication use resulting in greater reduction.

52-million-year-old amber preserves 'ant-loving' beetle

Scientists have discovered a 52-million-year-old beetle fossil in India that showcases the earliest known example of myrmecophily, or ant-loving behavior. The beetle's unique adaptations enable it to bypass ant nest defenses and integrate into colony life.

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.

Energy drinks cause insomnia and nervousness in athletes

A study found that energy drink consumption increased frequency of insomnia and nervousness in athletes, contradicting claims of improved sports performance. Energy drinks contain caffeine, which stimulates athletes but does not provide additional energy.

Gout linked to heightened diabetes risk

A large UK study has found a significant link between gout and diabetes in the general population, particularly among women. Women with gout were 71% more likely to develop diabetes than those without, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment of shared risk factors.

In a bad mood? Head to Facebook and find someone worse off

A study by Ohio State University found that people in a bad mood tend to spend more time on social media profiles of those who are less successful and unattractive. This suggests that individuals use social networking sites as a means to manage their moods, seeking comparison with others who are doing worse.

DNA 'bias' may keep some diseases in circulation, Penn biologists show

Researchers found a small but significant effect of gene conversion bias on the persistence of heritable diseases in populations. The study suggests that this bias may contribute to the retention of disease-associated alleles, increasing the risk of recessive diseases across populations.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

High alcohol intake linked to heightened HPV infection risk in men

Research found a significant association between high alcohol intake and heightened HPV infection risk in men, even after adjusting for other risk factors. The study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may be crucial to reducing this risk, alongside safe sex practices and smoking cessation.

Stopping liver cancer in its tracks

Researchers have found that protein AIM can prevent liver cancer development by triggering the complement cascade to eliminate cancerous cells. AIM accumulates on the surface of HCC cells, leading to their destruction.

The fat suit study

A recent Cornell University study found that eating with someone who appears overweight can lead to consuming more unhealthy foods and less healthy portions. Researchers discovered that participants served and ate 31.6% more pasta when the actress wore a prosthesis, but reduced salad intake by 43.5%.

HHS releases 13th Report on Carcinogens

The HHS has added four new substances to its 13th Report on Carcinogens, including ortho-toluidine, 1-bromopropane, cumene, and pentachlorophenol. Ortho-toluidine is a known human carcinogen, while the other three are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens based on studies in humans and animals.

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.

Unexpectedly speedy expansion of human, ape cerebellum

A new study reveals the cerebellum expanded up to six times faster than expected in human and ape evolution, shifting focus from the neocortex. The findings suggest technical intelligence was equally important as social intelligence in human cognitive evolution.

New report urges caution in handling eyewitness identifications

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend best practices for law enforcement agencies and courts to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identifications. Research has shown that factors such as dim lighting, brief viewing times, and biases can influence people's perceptions, leading to mistaken identifications.

A discovery could prevent the development of brain tumors in children

Researchers at IRCM discovered that a protein called Sonic Hedgehog induces DNA damage, which promotes the progression of medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumor found in children. The study found that Boc receptor is required for Sonic Hedgehog to induce DNA mutations, reducing tumour growth by 66%.

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.

A new approach to on-chip quantum computing

Researchers develop new approach to generate mixed-up photon pairs on a chip, exploiting micro-ring resonator technology. The device can directly generate orthogonal polarized photons at very low power, suitable for quantum protocols.

Sense of invalidation uniquely risky for troubled teens

A new study suggests that a moderate to high perception of family invalidation is a statistically significant predictor of a later suicide event among boys. Strong peer invalidation also predicts engagement in self-harm behaviors in the overall group, according to researchers.

Thermotolerant yeast can provide more climate-smart ethanol

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have created thermotolerant yeast that can grow at 40 degrees, allowing for more efficient bioethanol production. This breakthrough could reduce cooling costs and increase the use of residual waste as a raw material, resulting in cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.

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.

Ancient protein-making enzyme moonlights as DNA protector

Researchers found that an ancient protein-making enzyme, TyrRS, has a second major function: protecting DNA during cellular stress. This discovery could lead to better therapies for radiation injuries and hereditary disorders like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Study shows sharks have personalities

Researchers found that individual sharks possess social personalities, determining how they interact with group mates in the wild. The study revealed that socially well-connected individuals remained connected under different habitats, while less social individuals camouflaged alone.

Predicting the future course of psychotic illness

Researchers developed a predictive model based on clinical symptoms, cognitive abilities, brain structure, and biomarkers to forecast patient outcomes. The model aims to improve treatment for mental illnesses like schizophrenia and could lead to more personalized care.

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.

Immunotherapy could stop resistance to radiotherapy

Researchers found combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy helps the immune system target and destroy cancer cells resistant to initial treatment. This approach improved survival rates and protected mice against disease recurrence.

Hypertension risk rises closer to major roadways

A new study by Brown University found that women who lived close to highways had a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure, with risks rising with proximity to the roadways. The study controlled for various confounding factors and found that living within 100m of a highway increased hypertension risk by 22%.

Spiders: Survival of the fittest group

A study by Pruitt and Goodnight found that group-level adaptations, such as a critical ratio of two types of females, are potent evolutionary forces in nature. In spider colonies, docile and aggressive females adapt to specific locations, with the ratio shifting between survival-friendly and threat-prone conditions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Research confirms controversial Darwin theory of 'jump dispersal'

A new computational method suggests that Darwin's 'jump dispersal' theory is supported by strong evidence, especially for island species. The study found that jump dispersal can explain the biogeography of Hawaiian Islands and other archipelagos with a greater statistical probability than vicariance methods.

Proving 'group selection'

A landmark study published in Nature finds that spiders adapt their docile-to-aggressive ratios to local environments for optimal colony survival. The research shows that colonies change their composition over time to better match the ratio required by their native site, even when moved to different locations.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

'Stealth' nanoparticles could improve cancer vaccines

Researchers developed stealthy nanoparticles that successfully deliver cancer vaccines to a subset of macrophages deep inside lymph nodes, hindering tumor growth. The nanoparticles bypass circulating immune cells and enter the lymph nodes' core, where they are engulfed by special kind of macrophage.

Fat chats: The good, the bad and the ugly comments

A study analyzing over 1.37 million social media posts found pervasive negative stereotypes and jokes about weight, as well as instances of support and advice. Blogs and forums offered a safe space for online discussions about healthy eating and weight management.