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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 113


Page 113 of 402

Newly identified mechanism solves enduring mystery of key element of cellular organization

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a mechanism underlying the formation of stress granules in cells under stress, which are linked to degenerative diseases such as ALS. The study reveals that mutations in proteins involved in stress granule assembly can lead to toxic fibrils and disease progression.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·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.

Information handling by some health apps not as secure as it should be

A recent study found that some health apps, despite being clinically-accredited, were transmitting unencrypted personal and health information, compromising user privacy. The study reviewed 79 apps listed on the UK NHS Health Apps Library and found 23 sent identifying info over the internet without encryption.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Female genital cutting is based on private values rather than social norms

A study of female genital cutting practices in Sudan found tremendous heterogeneity between and within communities, with attitudes and cutting habits varying widely. The research challenges the assumption that cutting is a social norm-based decision, instead suggesting that private values play a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

MS researchers correlate BICAMS and performance of everyday life activities

Researchers found that the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) can predict performance on daily living tasks. The study used Actual Reality technology to assess internet access and ordering tasks, showing poor BICAMS scores correlated with poor task performance.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalMultiple Sclerosis Journal·DateSep 24, 2015

'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind

A Duke University study found that assigning public schools failing grades leads to increased turnout among affluent voters, but has little impact on low-income families. The research suggests that providing citizens with information about school performance does not necessarily address imbalances in civic engagement.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Gel study uncovers unexpected dynamics

Research reveals alginate gel biofilms are highly dynamic and exchangeable, challenging previous assumptions about their structure. The findings may lead to new ways of modifying or disrupting these materials to combat bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalSoft Matter·DateSep 24, 2015

DARPA awards $32 million contract to MIT, Broad Institute Foundry

The MIT, Broad Institute Foundry aims to revolutionize genetic engineering by enabling the rapid design, testing, and fabrication of large sequences of genetic information. The facility collaborates with academic and industrial partners to develop innovative pipeline tools for efficient and precise DNA design.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·DateSep 24, 2015

Grant for natural hazards research at UC Davis centrifuge

The National Science Foundation awards UC Davis a five-year, $5 million grant to utilize the large earthquake-simulating centrifuge for natural hazards engineering research. Researchers can build complex models and conduct accurate scale-model studies of soils and soil-structure systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateSep 24, 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.

UCI brain-computer interface enables paralyzed man to walk

A paraplegic man was able to take steps without manual control using an electroencephalogram-based system that bypasses the spinal cord. The study, led by Zoran Nenadic and An Do, used a custom-made system to process brain waves into signals that stimulate leg muscles.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·DateSep 24, 2015

Research published in NEJM about treatment for unexplained infertility

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has found that clomiphene citrate is a more effective treatment option than ovarian stimulation with letrozole or gonadotropins for unexplained infertility, reducing multiple gestations without lowering pregnancy rates.

SourceCare New England·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Do patients with age-related macular degeneration have trouble with touch screens?

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that patients with age-related macular degeneration can accurately complete touch screen tasks, but their performance is slowed due to difficulties exploring the interface. The research suggests adapting touch screen applications to aid individuals with AMD.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·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.

Researchers propose ecological route to plant disease control

Scientists have discovered a potential ecological route to control plant disease by harnessing the power of soil microbial communities. The study found that increasing competition between resident bacteria and invading pathogens can constrain the spread of bacterial wilt, reducing its devastating impact on global food production.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015

Blacklists protect the rainforest

The University of Bonn study found that Brazil's 'blacklisting' policy reduced Amazon forest loss by 26% per year. The researchers used data from 2008 to 2012 and compared listed communities with comparable non-listed communities.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Of brains and bones: How hunger neurons control bone mass

Researchers at Yale University have found that hunger neurons control not only hunger and appetite but also regulate bone mass. The study reveals that lower levels of hunger are associated with lower bone density, highlighting a new mechanism in the regulation of skeletal bone metabolism.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 24, 2015

A twist for control of orbital angular momentum of neutron waves

Researchers at University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing have controlled the orbital angular momentum of neutron waves for the first time. This breakthrough enables probing of material properties like magnetism and crystalline structure, opening doors to deeper studies of superconducting and chiral materials.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature·DateSep 24, 2015

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards NARSAD Young Investigator grants

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $13.3 million in NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to 191 promising young scientists working on groundbreaking neurobiological research to identify causes, improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.

SourceBrain & Behavior Research Foundation·DateSep 24, 2015

Antidepressants plus blood-thinners slow down brain cancer

Researchers have discovered that combining tricyclic antidepressants with anticoagulant drugs can slow down glioma tumors in mice by causing excessive autophagy. The study, published in Cancer Cell, found that the combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with gliomas.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 24, 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.

Lean and safe industry

Research emphasizes that lean efforts must consider health and safety regulations to maintain quality and productivity without compromising employee well-being. The lean philosophy aims to minimize waste, including non-value adding activities that result in accidents and employee compensation.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Lean Enterprise Research·DateSep 24, 2015

Designed defects in liquid crystals can guide construction of nanomaterials

Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a method for assembling molecules within liquid crystal defects, creating miniscule tubing that can direct molecular organization. This technique has potential applications in electronics, medicine, and designing selective membranes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 24, 2015

FAU receives $1.2 million grant from US Department of Education

Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.2 million grant to develop a graduate program preparing teachers to work with students with autism spectrum disorder. The program will provide tuition support and state endorsement for teachers earning a master's degree in ASD.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·DateSep 24, 2015

UAF model used to estimate Antarctic ice sheet melting

Scientists used UAF's Parallel Ice Sheet Model to estimate the impact of fossil fuels on Antarctica's ice sheet. The study found that releasing 10,000 gigatons of carbon could raise global temps by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, melting the Antarctic ice sheet and causing sea levels to rise by over 160 feet.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 24, 2015

Weight loss, exercise improve fertility in women with PCOS

A clinical trial found that weight loss and exercise improve ovulation in women with PCOS, increasing pregnancy rates. The study also showed benefits for insulin sensitivity and triglyceride levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Tumor necrosis factor in colitis -- bad actor or hero?

Investigators found that inhibiting TNFR2 can alleviate intestinal inflammation in mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for patients with IBD who do not respond to anti-TNF medications. This discovery could lead to new treatment options for the 65% of individuals with IBD who do not respond or become resistant to current therapies.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateSep 24, 2015

Scientists build wrench 1.7 nanometers wide

Researchers at University of Vermont invent a new way to use chirality to make a nanoscale wrench, allowing for precise control over the shape of molecules. The discovery holds promise as a highly accurate and fast method of creating customized molecules.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 24, 2015

MD Anderson study identifies leukemia tumor suppressor

A protein-coding gene called hnRNP K has been identified as a potential target for treating acute myeloid leukemia. The study found that expression of hnRNP K is significantly reduced in AML patients who carry a specific genetic deletion, suggesting it acts as a tumor suppressor.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 24, 2015

Tiny plankton can play a major role in CO2 storage in the oceans

Research reveals that tiny plankton can store large amounts of CO2, potentially doubling estimates of ocean carbon absorption. The copepod lipid pump mechanism is a significant discovery, as it was not previously considered in climate models.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2015

'SMART Cougars Plus' expands HIV, HCV testing for students

The University of Houston will provide free, rapid-HIV testing and counseling to UH students and young people in the surrounding community, with a focus on minority groups. The new grant expands testing to other minority youth and veterans, aiming to increase awareness and early detection of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.

SourceUniversity of Houston·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.

100 years to find a cure: Can the process be accelerated?

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes mapped the discovery path to two FDA-approved drugs, revealing that a large network of scientists contributed over decades. The study proposes new metrics to quantify the influence of individual scientists in accelerating future cures.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015

Shooting lightning out of the sky

Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have demonstrated new techniques that bring lasers as lighting rods closer to reality. They created a channel of plasma by firing a powerful laser, extending the lifetime of the plasma channel by more than a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·DateSep 24, 2015

From brain, to fat, to weight loss

A breakthrough study has identified a neural mechanism responsible for fat breakdown, allowing researchers to develop novel anti-obesity therapies. The study found that fat tissue is innervated and direct stimulation of neurons in fat can induce fat breakdown, providing new hopes for treating central leptin resistance.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Female gamers a new risk group for overweight

A Swedish study found that young women who play computer games for over an hour a day are more likely to develop overweight. The researchers calculated that this would result in an additional weight gain of 3.7 kilos, taking other risk factors into account.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Public Health·DateSep 24, 2015

Curbing short-lived pollutants -- a win-win for climate and air quality

A new study finds that reducing short-lived pollutants like methane and aerosols can substantially improve air quality while also mitigating climate change. The measures, which target the oil and gas industry, could lower global temperatures by up to 0.22°C by 2050 and reduce life expectancy losses due to air pollution.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateSep 24, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The rise of X-ray beam chemistry

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory create a new surface microscope that allows them to control the chemical environment and image minerals as they react under extreme conditions. The technique, called X-ray reflection interface microscopy (XRIM), enables scientists to study reaction front instabilities in real-time.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

New treatment may help overcome common pregnancy-related complication

A new treatment involving the removal of a protein called sFlt-1 from the blood has shown promise in prolonging pregnancy in women with preeclampsia. Pregnancy continued for an average of 8 days and 15 days in treated women, compared to just 3 days in untreated women.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Ticks carrying Lyme disease found in South London parks

Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found Ixodes ricinus ticks in Richmond and Bushy parks, carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterial pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The risk is low but caution is advised as most humans are infected through nymphs' bites.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalMedical and Veterinary Entomology·DateSep 24, 2015

Fewer patients die at fully accredited hospitals

A new study published in International Journal of Quality in Health Care found an association between hospital accreditation and mortality rate among patients. Hospitals that fully met the requirements of the Danish Healthcare Quality Programme had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to those that only partially met the stand...

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care·DateSep 24, 2015

Key control mechanism of cellular deterioration identified

Researchers have identified GATA4 as a key transcription factor that activates cellular senescence. This process is characterized by a pro-inflammatory response and the production of secreted inflammatory cytokines. The study reveals that GATA4 is normally suppressed by autophagy, but its accumulation promotes senescence.

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

Newly discovered metabolism certifies evolutionary advantage for yeast

Researchers at Austrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) have elucidated a new pathway that makes yeast Pichia pastoris unique. The study reveals the utilization of methanol as a nutrient, similar to plants using CO2, and demonstrates the leading role of Vienna researchers in biotech yeast research.

SourceAustrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB)·JournalBMC Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Future of HIV cure research points to combination approach

Researchers argue that single therapies are unlikely to achieve long-term HIV remission, and propose a data-driven approach to combination therapy trials. The proposed method involves parallel animal and human studies, with combinations selected based on in vitro and existing data, accelerating the research process.

SourceThe U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateSep 24, 2015

New method to better understand atomic nuclei

Physicists at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new approach to carry out precision calculations of the forces acting between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei. This method uses effective field theory and a new method for analyzing theoretical uncertainties, allowing for a more accurate description of nuclear systems.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·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.

Los Alamos explores hybrid ultrasmall gold nanocluster for enzymatic fuel cells

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster that enhances electron transfer in enzymatic fuel cells. The AuNC facilitates oxygen reduction reactions, lowering overpotential and increasing electrocatalytic current densities.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 24, 2015

Protein conjugation method offers new possibilities for biomaterials

Researchers have demonstrated a novel method to create protein polymers that can display new functionalities, including temperature responsiveness. By changing the decoration points on the protein, they found that the functional properties of the polymer were influenced.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·DateSep 24, 2015
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.