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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 8 of 35

Generic medications boost adherence to breast cancer therapy

Researchers found that generic aromatase inhibitors increased treatment adherence by 50% compared to brand-name counterparts, while also decreasing co-payment costs. The study highlights the critical need to address medication non-adherence, particularly in the context of costly oral cancer therapies.

Thermodiffusion in weightlessness

Two studies by Belgian scientists investigate thermodiffusion's impact on binary and ternary mixtures, paving the way for studying multi-component mixtures in orbit. The findings also have implications for oil reservoirs and carbon capture technologies.

Viral switches share a shape

Researchers have discovered that multiple viruses share an L-shaped switch in their RNA genomes, which can be flipped to prevent replication. The discovery has implications for developing new drugs to inhibit viral replication, particularly for hepatitis C virus.

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.

Don't bet on stinginess to keep stress low

Researchers found that both those receiving low offers and making low offers experienced stress, compared to those who made more generous offers. This suggests a link between emotional state and decision-making in economic situations.

Many older trauma patients would benefit from palliative care

A new study by the American College of Surgeons recommends that older trauma patients receive palliative care to address their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. The study found that elderly trauma patients have unrecognized needs for palliative care, which can improve their quality of life and alleviate pain.

Hair proteins are important in tooth enamel structure

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has found a significant link between hair keratin mutations and an increased risk of dental decay. Individuals with mutations in hair keratin genes are prone to cavities, with abnormal tooth enamel structures contributing to weakness.

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.

Chimps plan ahead for a good breakfast

Researchers found that chimpanzees strategically plan their breakfast time and location based on environmental factors and food availability, taking risks to secure desired fruits. The study reveals the complexity of chimpanzee cognitive behavior in complex environments.

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.

UTSA awarded $400,000 from DHS to combat biological and digital threats

The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a grant to develop a DHS Scholars Program aimed at addressing biological and digital threats. The program will select exceptional students for research training in areas such as infection genomics, cloud computing, and digital forensics.

Reducing population is no environmental 'quick fix'

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that even stringent fertility restrictions or catastrophic mass mortality would not significantly reduce the world population by 2100. Instead, researchers suggest focusing on policies and technologies that reverse rising consumption of natural resources...

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Adverse drug reactions in children following use of asthma medications

A recent study found that asthma medications are associated with more and more serious adverse drug reactions in children, especially compared to clinical trials. The European ADR database shows a high share of serious ADRs in this population, highlighting the need for improved prescribing and monitoring practices.

Researchers look for the best way to help shake too much sodium

Chronic mental stress, obesity, and inflammation contribute to excessive sodium retention in blacks, increasing the risk of heart damage. Researchers aim to develop effective therapeutic strategies to treat this condition by testing angiotensin receptor blockers and other treatments.

The Ebola epidemic: Is there a way out?

The International Union of Immunology Societies is urging urgent funding and implementation of Ebola vaccine trials. Several promising vaccine candidates, including Cad3 Ebola and rVSV-ΔG-ZEBOV, are being tested in phase 1 clinical trials, showing safe and efficient results in non-human primates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How did complex life evolve? The answer could be inside out

The Baums' theory proposes that eukaryotic cells evolved through a process where internal structures formed outside the ancestral cell, eventually giving rise to the nucleus and other membrane compartments. This gradual path challenges existing theories and offers a new perspective on complex life evolution.

Study: Menopausal symptoms may be lessened with young children in the house

A new study by researchers at The Kinsey Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has found that having young children in the house can help women experience fewer hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. This unexpected benefit may be linked to increased oxytocin levels, associated with nurturing care.

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.

Rice team sets sights on better voting machine

A team of Rice University engineers and social scientists has developed a new electronic voting system that aims to be both secure and easy to use. The STAR (Secure, Transparent, Auditable and Reliable) system is designed to address the looming crisis facing elections officials nationwide as they replace aging voting systems.

Synapses always on the starting blocks

Researchers at Max Planck Institute discover that neurotransmitter vesicles are already in close contact with the cell membrane before fusion occurs. This discovery provides insight into how synapses rapidly transmit information and could lead to new medical research benefits.

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.

It's better for memory to make mistakes while learning

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition found that making meaningful errors while learning can benefit memory. When participants made near-miss guesses related to the correct answer, they performed better on later memory tests. In contrast, random or unrelated mistakes hindere...

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.

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...

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Climate change impacts countered by stricter fisheries management

A new study by WCS found that implementing stricter fisheries management overcame the expected detrimental effects of climate change disturbances in coral reef fisheries. Rapid implementation of fisheries restrictions countered adverse climate effects and increased fisheries catches.

UTSW researchers receive CPRIT funding to expand genetic screening program

UT Southwestern Medical Center is expanding its genetic screening program to 22 North Texas counties, serving underserved populations with HBOC and Lynch syndrome risk. The new grant will connect patients with genetic specialists through telemedicine, increasing accessibility and reducing transportation costs.

Molecular beacons shine light on how cells 'crawl'

Researchers use DNA-based tension probes to measure the mechanical forces at the molecular level, revealing how cells sense and interact with their environment. The study provides a new understanding of cellular mechanics and its significance in various biological processes.

NASA identifies ice cloud above cruising altitude on Titan

Scientists have discovered an unexpected high-altitude methane ice cloud on Saturn's moon Titan, similar to those found near Earth's poles. The cloud formed in the stratosphere, well above cruising altitude, due to temperature differences between latitudes, allowing methane ice to condense and form.

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.

Some like it loud

Researchers found that bright coloration preceded louder, more complex calls in certain species of poisonous frogs, which helped protect them from predators. This led to the development of unique vocalizations, with females preferring lower-pitch, pulsing calls.