Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 7, 2014


61 percent fall in female genital warts due to free HPV vaccine

A study from the University of Sydney reveals a 61% decrease in genital wart management among young women since the introduction of the free HPV vaccination program. The vaccine has been effective in reducing genital warts and their treatment costs, with no significant change in other sexually transmitted infections.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 7, 2014

Electronic nose can detect sub-groups of asthma in children

A new study found that an electronic nose can identify distinct sub-groups of asthma in children, differing in age and symptoms. This discovery may enable healthcare professionals to tailor treatment to each individual, improving diagnosis and outcomes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·DateSep 7, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Inexpensive lab test identifies resistant infections in hours

A new lab test, Carba NP, has been developed to detect carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in just 2.5 hours, with a specificity of 100%. The test is highly sensitive and specific for detecting carbapenemase production, making it a crucial tool for preventing the spread of CRE.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateSep 7, 2014

Sleeping on animal fur in infancy found to reduce risk of asthma

A new study found that sleeping on animal fur in the first three months of life may reduce the risk of asthma in later childhood. The research, presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, suggests that exposure to animal skin and fur could have a protective effect against asthma and allergies.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·DateSep 7, 2014
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.

Why age reduces our stem cells' ability to repair muscle

Researchers found that age-related decline in skeletal muscle stem cell function is caused by increased activation of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. Inhibiting this pathway with specific drugs restores muscle stem cell function and promotes tissue repair.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 7, 2014

Rethinking the basic science of graphene synthesis

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new route to making graphene through intercalation, allowing for the creation of single-layer sheets without damaging the layers. This breakthrough could lead to easier and more efficient production of graphene for various industrial applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2014

Researchers discover a key to making new muscles

Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have developed a novel technique to promote tissue repair in damaged muscles. Cyclic bursts of a STAT3 inhibitor can replenish muscle stem cells, leading to their differentiation into muscle fibers, which could provide a new therapeutic approach to treating muscle diseases.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 7, 2014

Dynamic duo takes out the cellular trash

Researchers discovered that Axl and Mer receptors work in different settings to recognize and engulf dead cells. The study found multiple critical differences between the receptors, including their ligand use and regulation.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 7, 2014

'Pick 'n' Mix' chemistry to grow cultures of bioactive molecules

Researchers develop a new method called synthetic fermentation to rapidly synthesize large numbers of bioactive molecules using just a few building blocks. The method enables the generation of about 6,000 unnatural peptide-like molecules directly screened for biological activity without purification.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2014
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.

Targeting the protein-making machinery to stop harmful bacteria

Scientists at the University of Rochester have isolated key steps in ribosome formation, a crucial process for bacterial growth. The researchers found that multiple pathways of RNA processing occur simultaneously, suggesting new possibilities for stopping super-bugs.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 7, 2014

Continuing Bragg legacy of structure determination

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have made significant advances in crystallography, allowing them to study chemical reactions in their native state. The new technique uses a metal-organic framework to bind reactants and enables the examination of reaction products without isolating or growing crystals.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2014
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.

Platelet-like particles augment natural blood clotting for treating trauma

Researchers developed synthetic platelet-like particles that can augment natural blood clotting, potentially reducing trauma-related bleeding deaths. The particles were tested in animal models and human blood, showing effectiveness in slowing bleeding without causing adverse effects.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 7, 2014

Each day in the hospital raises risk of multidrug-resistant infection

A hospital stay significantly increases the risk of acquiring a multidrug-resistant infection, with each additional day boosting the likelihood by 1%, according to new research. The study found that the percentage of infections classified as multidrug-resistant rose sharply after four or five days of hospitalization, peaking at over 35%.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateSep 7, 2014