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Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 35


Page 35 of 35

Journal supplement examines innovative strategies for healthy aging

The Journal supplement highlights innovative approaches to healthy aging, including community-based efforts, technology uses, and civic service. Strategies like Experience Corps and volunteering are shown to enhance social engagement, independence, and well-being in older adults.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateOct 1, 2014

Fall in monsoon rains driven by rise in air pollution, study shows

A recent study suggests that emissions from human activity have caused a decline in monsoon rainfall over the past 50 years. The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that rising levels of anthropogenic aerosols are responsible for the decrease, which affects billions of people primarily in India and parts of Africa.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 1, 2014

UMN research pinpoints microRNA tied to colon cancer tumor growth

University of Minnesota researchers have identified microRNAs miR-182 and miR-503 that contribute to the development of colon polyps into cancerous tumors. By targeting these microRNAs, physicians may be able to provide earlier and more specialized treatment for patients with a higher risk of colon cancer.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalThe Journal of Pathology·DateOct 1, 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.

Dog waste contaminates our waterways: A new test could reveal how big the problem is

A new genetic test developed by scientists can detect canine fecal contamination in water, providing insights into the scale of the problem. The test identified 11 genetic markers common to most dog samples but absent from human ones, revealing the significant role dogs play in contaminating US waterways.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 1, 2014

Gut bacteria are protected by host during illness

Sick mice produce specialized sugars to feed their gut microbiota and resist infection. Healthy recovery requires both L-fucose production and intact gut microbiota. The study suggests a potential role for L-fucose in preventing or tolerating Crohn's disease.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014

How to protect health workers in conflicts and crisis

Researchers conducted life history interviews with 26 health workers who lived through conflict in Northern Uganda, revealing their resilience and coping mechanisms. The study proposes solutions to protect and motivate health workers during and after crises, including community support, formal promotion, and regular pay.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalHealth Policy and Planning·DateOct 1, 2014

Gene interacts with stress and leads to heart disease in some people

A genetic study suggests that individuals with a specific genotype may be prone to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease when exposed to chronic stress. Simple interventions like healthy diet, exercise, and stress management could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these individuals.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Human Genetics·DateOct 1, 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.

Drug treats inherited form of intellectual disability in mice

Researchers have successfully treated a genetic form of intellectual disability in mice using an anticancer drug, suggesting a potential new approach for the human condition. The study's findings indicate that altering the balance between chromatin's open and closed states could be key to treating Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Teen pregnancies, abortions plunge with free birth control

A new study found that providing free contraception and education on various methods significantly reduced teen pregnancies, births, and abortions. Among participants, 72% opted for long-acting forms like IUDs or implants, leading to a 34-per-1,000 pregnancy rate among teens compared to 158.5 in 2008.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Researchers develop novel gene/cell therapy approach for lung disease

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center developed a new cell transplantation therapy to treat mice with a rare lung disease. The therapy, using macrophages, corrected the disease in mice and showed promise for treating other human lung diseases caused by dysfunctional immune cells.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stem cell discovery could lead to better treatments for blindness

Researchers have identified a novel source of stem cells in the corneal limbus that can be directed to behave like photoreceptor cells, potentially treating conditions like age-related macular degeneration. These cells can also be cultured from older eyes and may offer a promising approach for new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 1, 2014

Eighty percent of bowel cancers halted with existing medicines

A study published in Science Signaling found that JAK inhibitors can effectively treat over 80% of bowel cancers with a genetic mutation present in more than 80% of cases. The researchers discovered that these inhibitors block tumour growth by targeting the Wnt signaling pathway, with minimal impact on normal cells.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience Signaling·DateOct 1, 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.

Study finds potential new target to treat asthma attacks brought on by colds

Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that could explain why the common cold can bring on life-threatening asthma attacks. A small molecule called IL-25 may play a central role in triggering these attacks, and blocking it could potentially produce a much greater therapeutic effect.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Laying the groundwork for data-driven science

The National Science Foundation is investing $31 million in 17 innovative projects to develop tools, cyberinfrastructure, and best practices for data science. These projects aim to create a robust national data infrastructure that supports research priorities and emerging data policies.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateOct 1, 2014

Study finds acupuncture does not improve chronic knee pain

A new study from the University of Melbourne found that acupuncture did not improve chronic knee pain in patients older than 50. The research, published in JAMA, involved 282 participants who received either real or sham acupuncture for 12 weeks.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalJAMA·DateOct 1, 2014

Montmorency tart cherry juice lowered blood uric acid levels and a marker for inflammation

Researchers found that Montmorency tart cherry juice lowered blood uric acid levels and increased specific anthocyanin compounds, which may help alleviate joint pain and inflammation associated with conditions like gout. The study also detected increased C-reactive protein in the bloodstream after consuming tart cherries.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of Functional Foods·DateOct 1, 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.

New study first to document the voices of fish larvae

Fish larvae produce distinct 'knock' and 'growl' sounds within the hearing range of adult fish to maintain group cohesion during their pelagic journey. The sounds were observed in 70% of nighttime trials, suggesting a mechanism for larval communication.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 1, 2014

BRAIN Initiative to fund first decoding of a key brain circuit in mammals

A team of researchers will study the complex connections between brain cells that allow us to make and retrieve lasting memories. The project aims to build a complete computational model of a neural network in vertebrates using experimental data, with potential transformative insights into mammalian brain abilities.

SourceThe Kavli Foundation·DateOct 1, 2014

Medical discovery first step on path to new painkillers

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have made a major medical discovery that could lead to the development of an entirely new type of painkiller for chronic pain conditions like traumatic nerve injury. They found that a signal protein called VEGF promotes pain while its inhibiting form prevents it.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·DateOct 1, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Novel approach to magnetic measurements atom-by-atom

Researchers propose a new method for measuring magnetic properties of materials at atomic resolution, utilizing the phase symmetry of an electron beam. This technique enhances the magnetic signal, enabling the detection of magnetism with unprecedented precision.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 1, 2014