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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 112


Page 112 of 402

War's greatest picture

Seventy-five years after the start of the WWII Blitz, Herbert Mason's portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of Britain's resilience amidst destruction. The iconic image has been widely reproduced and continues to have a lasting impact on visual shorthand for momentous events.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Journal of Modern History·DateSep 25, 2015

Simulation of chiral edge states in a quantum system

Researchers have successfully simulated chiral edge states in a quantum system using ultracold ytterbium atoms. The experiment demonstrates the ability to observe chiral currents at the boundaries of two-dimensional materials, similar to those observed in condensed matter physics.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateSep 25, 2015

Breakthrough study demonstrates survival advantage with immune checkpoint inhibitor for advanced kidney cancer patients

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated a significant median overall survival benefit with nivolumab, increasing it to 25 months compared to 19.6 months for everolimus. The study also showed a higher objective response rate and fewer treatment-related adverse events with nivolumab.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 25, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The origin and spread of 'Emperor's rice'

Researchers have solved the mystery of black rice's origin and spread, revealing a genetic basis for its color. The trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4, which activates anthocyanin production, and was later transferred into other varieties through crossbreeding.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 25, 2015

Research shows dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer

Research shows that a diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota in the colon, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer. The study found increased Bacteroidetes and reduced Firmicutes in the distal colon, as well as reduced aberrant crypts and precancerous lesions.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateSep 25, 2015

'Fossils' of galaxies reveal the formation and evolution of massive galaxies

Researchers discovered massive dead galaxies with stellar content similar to local elliptical galaxies, revealing the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. The team found progenitors of these dead galaxies when they were forming stars at an earlier cosmic epoch, uncovering a consistent picture of galaxy history.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateSep 25, 2015

Scientists stop and search malware hidden in shortened URLs on Twitter

A Cardiff University team developed an intelligent system to detect malicious links disguised in shortened URLs on Twitter, identifying cyber-attacks within 30 seconds with 98% accuracy. The system was tested using tweets from high-traffic events and showed promise in preventing malware infections.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 25, 2015

Diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence

A new study suggests that a diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence, with results showing a 30-40% reduction in consumption and prevention of relapse. The medication works by interfering with the hormone GLP-1, which regulates food intake and reward centers.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAddiction Biology·DateSep 25, 2015
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.

Opening new doors

The University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the US Department of Education to strengthen student success and retention. The grant will focus on two main areas: first-year experiences and faculty professional development, targeting underrepresented students in specific majors and courses.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateSep 25, 2015

Development of trust in B2B relationships calls for common goals

A recent University of Eastern Finland and Cranfield University study found that goal congruence, not power symmetry, drives the development of trust in business-to-business relationships. This finding has implications for companies seeking to establish successful partnerships across different types and sizes of organizations.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalIndustrial Marketing Management·DateSep 25, 2015

Stem cell research hints at evolution of human brain

Researchers have identified a unique group of stem cells in the human brain that generate most neurons, expanding the cortex by 1,000-fold. These stem cells, called outer radial glia (oRGs), exhibit remarkable generative capacity and self-renewal properties.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New theory of stealth dark matter may explain universe's missing mass

A new theory suggests that dark matter could be composed of electrically charged constituents that interact with ordinary matter in the early universe. This 'stealthy' dark matter would have been easy to detect at high temperatures but is now difficult to see due to its compositeness and confinement.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 24, 2015

Arteries better than veins for liquid biopsy

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that arterial blood contains a higher number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) than venous blood in uveal melanoma patients. This discovery raises concerns about the effectiveness of current detection techniques, which often rely on venous blood samples.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Hope against disease targeting children

Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers discovered molecular changes in SMA that explain why motor neurons are affected, diverging from other neurodegenerative diseases. The findings suggest a stress response pathway convergence between SMA and ALS, potentially leading to a single treatment.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 24, 2015

Purdue study: Climate change consensus extends beyond climate scientists

A Purdue University-led survey of nearly 700 scientists from non-climate disciplines found that an overwhelming majority believe in anthropogenic climate change and are highly certain of their beliefs. The study suggests that cultural values, political ideologies, and personal identity influence scientists' views on climate change.

SourcePurdue University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

In the dark polar winter, the animals aren't sleeping

Researchers discovered a world of biological activity beneath the Arctic's polar night, with diverse species reproducing and thriving in the darkness. The findings raise questions about how marine species adapt to the changing climate and highlight the importance of this period for ecosystem reproduction.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts

Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBiomaterials·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

INRS professor Jasmin Raymond recognized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society

Professor Raymond received the Canadian Geotechnical Society's 2016 Colloquium Lecture honour for his proposed talk on precise measurement of thermal properties in geological materials. He is a scientific leader in geothermal energy, advancing knowledge of analysis and energy modelling for geothermal applications.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateSep 24, 2015

Telecommuting works best in moderation, science shows

A comprehensive report finds telecommuting can boost job satisfaction and productivity, but only when implemented carefully. Key moderating factors include employee choice, scheduling control, relationships with supervisors and coworkers, and work dependency.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Promising drugs turn immune system on cancer

Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015

How fossil corals can shed light on the Earth's past climate

Researchers used radiocarbon in deep-sea fossil corals to reconstruct CO2 levels and ocean circulation during the last deglaciation. The study found two massive transient events that flushed out respired carbon, causing rapid CO2 rise and abrupt warming in the North Atlantic region.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Mobile app records our erratic eating habits

A mobile app collected data from over 150 participants, showing that a majority of people eat for 15 hours or longer. The study aimed to test whether reducing daily food intake duration impacts health and found that time-restricted feeding can lead to weight loss and improved energy levels.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 24, 2015
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Scientists win $6.4 million to probe smell navigation

Researchers aim to create a 'smellscape' to understand how critters navigate by scent and convert odors into spatial information. They will use computational modeling to simulate odor navigation processes and test their models on diverse species.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateSep 24, 2015

DNA-based nanodevices for molecular medicine

Researchers from Aalto University have developed DNA nanostructures for smart drug-delivery vehicles and molecular devices. These structures provide new applications in molecular medicine, such as targeting cancer cells with tailored payloads.

SourceAalto University·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateSep 24, 2015

Flower declines shrink bee tongues

A new study finds that climate-related changes in flower diversity are causing a significant shortening of alpine bumble bees' tongues, making them poorly suited to feed from deep flowers they were adapted to. This loss of mutualism highlights how climate change can decouple well-established relationships between bees and plants.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

If it's not a norm, why practice female genital cutting?

New research questions prevailing theory on female genital cutting as a social norm, finding no correlation between community norms and cutting practices. Alternative forces like sexual fidelity benefits may sustain the practice, highlighting the need for more effective policy interventions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Computer scientist seeks stronger security shroud for the cloud

Dr. Zhiqiang Lin has developed a technique that allows monitoring of virtual machines for invasions and viruses, bridging the semantic gap in data structures. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cloud security and protect online services from malicious intruders.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateSep 24, 2015

Geneticists launch Matchmaker Exchange for rare disease gene discovery

The Matchmaker Exchange platform harnesses collective data from across rare disease repositories to uncover similar symptoms and genetic profiles. By protecting patient data privacy while connecting databases through APIs, researchers can identify the genetic causes of rare diseases more efficiently.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalHuman Mutation·DateSep 24, 2015

The life and times of domesticated cheese-making fungi

Researchers have identified crucial metabolic genes that enable cheese-making fungi to thrive on cheese, while also raising concerns about food safety. The study provides insights into the evolutionary history of these fungi and their ability to adapt to domesticated environments.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Women with moderate beer consumption run lower risk of heart attack

A Swedish study found that women with moderate beer consumption have a 30% lower risk of heart attack compared to those who drink heavily or not at all. The study also reveals an increased risk of cancer among high spirit consumers, while moderate wine consumption had no protective effect.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care·DateSep 24, 2015

Australian researchers unlock secrets of a cellular nanomachine

Monash University researchers have discovered the mechanism behind how proteins enter mitochondria, a crucial step in cellular energy production. The breakthrough uses novel technology to visualize the process at an atomic level, enabling scientists to study fundamental biological pathways.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Researchers uncover genetic basis for kin recognition in mice

A study published in Current Biology identified a species-specific genetic marker called MUP used by female house mice to select closely related females as nest partners. The researchers also found that the vertebrate-wide MHC is not involved in kin recognition, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Vaccination on the horizon for severe viral infection of the brain

Researchers at University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich develop new treatment methods for rare brain disease PML. A vaccine against the disease could be developed using specific antibodies that recognize the most important mutants of the JC virus.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Lower sperm motility in men exposed to common chemical

A Lund University study found that men with higher exposure to the chemical DEHP have lower sperm motility. This could lead to difficulties conceiving children. The study analyzed metabolite levels of DEHP in urine and semen quality among 300 young men.

SourceLund University·JournalEnvironment International·DateSep 24, 2015

Hubble zooms in on shrapnel from an exploded star

The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a small section of the expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago. The Veil Nebula, covering six full moons on the sky, is composed of wisps of gas that were once a star 20 times more massive than our sun.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Principals express satisfaction with Teach For America teachers

A RAND Corporation study found that more than 80 percent of school principals expressed satisfaction with Teach For America teachers, particularly those with experience. Principals rated corps members' abilities to improve student performance and develop positive relationships with colleagues and administrators. However, alumni were mo...

SourceRAND Corporation·DateSep 24, 2015

Green storage for green energy

Harvard scientists have developed a rechargeable battery that can store electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power. The new technology uses non-toxic, abundant elements dissolved in water solution, making it safer and cheaper than traditional batteries.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rapidly assessing the next influenza pandemic

A recent study by international researchers has developed a predictive tool to assess the likely impact of a new influenza pandemic. By analyzing clinical episode data from military personnel, they estimated key parameters such as transmissibility and severity, enabling early mitigation strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Fungi may lead to cheaper cancer treatment: University of Guelph study

Beneficial fungi in yew trees serve as a combination bandage-immune system, producing taxol to protect against pathogenic fungi while allowing the tree's own tissues to heal. Researchers hope this discovery could lead to cheaper and more efficient production of cancer-fighting drug Taxol.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Nano-mechanical study offers new assessment of silicon for next-gen batteries

Researchers have reported surprisingly high damage tolerance in electrochemically-lithiated silicon materials, suggesting all-silicon anodes may be commercially viable. The study found that above a certain concentration of lithium, the material becomes more tolerant to damage, making it possible to design durable silicon-based batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015
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.