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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 281


Page 281 of 402

Gene-editing technique offers hope for hereditary diseases

Researchers at Salk Institute have developed a gene-editing technique to eliminate mitochondrial mutations, preventing babies from inheriting these diseases. The approach may offer new hope for carriers wishing to have children without the disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateApr 23, 2015

Bold crickets have a shorter life

Researchers found that bold field crickets suffer from higher mortality rates compared to shy individuals, likely due to increased predation. This study, published in Behavioral Ecology, highlights the importance of considering individual personality traits when studying animal survival and ecology.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateApr 23, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Crime scene discovery -- separating the DNA of identical twins

Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a solution to distinguish between the DNA of identical twins using high-resolution melt curve analysis (HRMA). The technique exploits differences in DNA methylation patterns caused by environmental factors, enabling forensic investigators to accurately identify guilty parties.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalAnalytical Biochemistry·DateApr 23, 2015

Baltimore researcher receives $130,000 for ALS research

Hristelina S. Llieva will receive a two-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship in ALS to investigate glial cell dysfunction contributing to familial ALS. The award supports her work on the C9ORF72 linked subtype of familial ALS, which is viewed as a predominantly neuronal disease.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateApr 23, 2015

Rare mutation causes vitamin A deficiency and eye deformities

Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in the RBP4 protein that causes severe vitamin A deficiency and eye deformities. The mutation creates a functional 'double-whammy' by blocking both the transport of retinol to the developing embryo and the cell surface receptor for RBP4, leading to birth defects.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell·DateApr 23, 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.

Hepatitis C infection linked to increased risk of heart disease

A new study reveals that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The study found significant increases in the cost of care and length of time in hospital for patients with HCV infections.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 23, 2015

Demanding jobs may extend survival in some with young-onset dementia

A study published in Neurology found that individuals with higher occupational levels, such as professionals and engineers, lived up to three years longer than those with lower-level occupations. This suggests that mentally demanding jobs may help protect the brain from the effects of frontotemporal dementia.

SourcePenn State·JournalNeurology·DateApr 23, 2015

Reducing school bus pollution improves children's health

A study by the University of Michigan found that cleaner school bus fuels can improve children's health, particularly those with asthma, by reducing inflammation and airborne particles. The research suggests a potential 14 million fewer absences from school annually if all vehicles were altered to reduce emissions.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 23, 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.

Scientists pinpoint brain-swelling mechanism

Researchers at UBC have discovered a single gene that causes brain swelling after trauma, providing a target for drug development. By turning off this gene, they successfully stopped swelling in rodent brains.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCell·DateApr 23, 2015

Chili peppers hold promise of preventing liver damage and progression

Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, has been found to have beneficial effects on liver damage. In a study, capsaicin reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis. The compound partially improved liver damage and inhibited further progression of the injury in mice models.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 23, 2015

Mechanical cloaks of invisibility -- without complicated mathematics

Scientists have discovered a way to create stable structures with holes using a simple mathematical principle. By imagining electric resistors or springs, they can transform real materials and save computation expenditure.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 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.

Rare mutation causes vitamin A deficiency and eye deformities

Researchers discovered a genetic basis for congenital eye malformations, caused by mutations in the RBP4 protein that transports vitamin A. The mutated proteins fail to transport retinol and block cell surface receptors, leading to severe retinol deficiency and birth defects.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCell·DateApr 23, 2015

Classroom acoustics for architects

The Acoustical Society of America has published a free online booklet to aid architects in understanding and meeting the national classroom acoustics standard, ANSI/ASA S12.60. The booklet provides practical guidance on topics such as room acoustics, reverberation time, and sound transmission class, to help architects create classrooms...

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateApr 23, 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.

Researchers add a new wrinkle to cell culture

Brown University researchers developed new textured surfaces using graphene to better mimic the complex surroundings in which cells grow. The wrinkled surfaces influenced cell growth, with cells being elongated and aligned along the wrinkles, resembling a biologically relevant phenotype.

SourceBrown University·JournalCarbon·DateApr 23, 2015

Long-term exposure to air pollution may harm your brain

Research found that long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution, particularly at low levels, can cause subtle structural changes in the brain and increase the risk of covert brain infarcts. This association was strongest among older adults and those with relatively healthy brains.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 23, 2015

Can a parent's concerns predict autism?

Researchers discovered that parents of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder reported more early concerns, particularly sensory and motor issues starting at six months. Early parental concerns can be predictive of autism diagnosis, highlighting the importance of talking to parents and taking their concerns seriously.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateApr 23, 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.

Heavy drinking and binge drinking rise sharply in US counties

Heavy drinking has increased by 17.2% since 2005, while binge drinking has risen 8.9%. Women are more likely to be binge drinkers than men. The study highlights the need for locally-focused alcohol policies and programs.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 23, 2015

Study on simulated stroke wins major neurology award

A study by Loyola University Medical Center resident neurologists found that simulation-based education significantly improved the knowledge, skills, and confidence of first-year neurology residents treating stroke patients in the emergency department. The study resulted in a 16.1% improvement on a multiple-choice test about treating s...

SourceLoyola Medicine·DateApr 23, 2015

Dolphins use extra energy to communicate in noisy waters

Research by NOAA Fisheries found that dolphins consume 80% more oxygen when whistling at higher vocal energy levels, suggesting a biological cost of communication in loud environments. This study supports concerns about vessel traffic and noise impacting marine mammals like Southern Resident Killer Whales.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 23, 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.

New device shows potential to enhance the viability of donor livers

A new device has demonstrated its potential to preserve and improve the quality of donor livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) for transplantation. The transportable machine perfusion Airdrive effectively maintained liver quality, reducing biliary complications and increasing graft function.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 23, 2015

Eligible for breast conserving therapy, many still choose mastectomy

A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that breast conserving therapy was successful in over 90% of women who became eligible after treatment with chemotherapy. Despite this, 31% of those eligible chose mastectomy, highlighting the need for further exploration of patient and surgeon factors.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateApr 23, 2015

CCNY researchers use novel polarization to increase data speeds

Researchers at City College of New York have developed a novel polarization method to increase data speeds, carrying an additional data stream through manipulated laser beam shapes. This technology has the potential to scale terabits or even petabits per laser beam and is compatible with building-to-building communication in NYC.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 23, 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.

Los Angeles researcher receives $154,000 for stroke research

Sunil Sheth, MD, a clinical instructor at UCLA, is receiving $154,000 to develop a lab test that can diagnose stroke from a single drop of blood. The award aims to validate this test in emergency rooms and potentially revolutionize initial stroke evaluation and treatment.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateApr 23, 2015

The past, present and future of pancreatic cancer research and treatment

Despite recent advances in understanding pancreatic cancer biology, researchers have made little progress in finding effective treatments. However, a new review suggests that immunotherapy combined with other treatments may significantly increase patient survival rates, and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Reviews Clinical Oncology·DateApr 23, 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.

X-ray study may aid in designing better blood pressure drugs

A new x-ray study reveals how a hypertension drug binds to a cellular receptor, providing valuable insights for designing more effective medications. The research could lead to the development of targeted drugs with fewer side effects.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalCell·DateApr 23, 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.

University of Oregon team glimpses how the brain transforms sound

Researchers captured thousands of interactions within a single neuron as it responded to rhythmic clicks, showing how neurons switch from temporal coding to rate coding. This transformation allows the auditory system to process information about time and space, supporting multisensory integration.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNeuron·DateApr 23, 2015

Significant increase in major depression reported during recent recession

The study found a significant increase in major depression among US adults during the Great Recession, with prevalence rising from 2.33% to 3.79%. Less severe depression also saw a decline in prevalence after 2009-2010. Vulnerable populations such as those living in poverty or with less than a high school education were most affected.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateApr 23, 2015

Fast and accurate 3-D imaging technique to track optically trapped particles

KAIST researchers create a novel technique for precisely tracking the 3D positions of optically trapped particles with complicated geometry. The Optical Diffraction Tomography (ODT) method measures 3D images in high speed, enabling the visualization and analysis of particles in various fields.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalOptica·DateApr 23, 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.

The Achilles' heel of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers identify a time window when moderately resistant bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics, allowing for optimal treatment design. A new approach may help reintroduce antibiotics that were previously disregarded due to treatment failure concerns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 23, 2015

Improving accuracy in genome editing

A team of scientists, led by Harvard University's David Liu, has developed an engineered form of the genome-editing protein Cas9 that can be turned on with a small drug-like molecule. This approach achieves up to 25-fold higher specificity in genome editing than the standard form of Cas9.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 23, 2015

Connecting places causes mental maps to merge

A UCL study finds that realising how places connect geographically causes local maps in the brain to join, forming one big map. This merged map helps with planning future journeys by understanding absolute location and distances between places.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 23, 2015

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake -- felt from space

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was measured directly from space 450 kilometers above the planet's surface. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites captured the significant ionospheric signature produced by the quake's infrasonic wave output.

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 23, 2015
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Finding new life for first-line antibiotics

Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 23, 2015

Major depression leaves a metabolic mark

Researchers discovered a metabolic signature associated with major depression, including changes in mitochondrial DNA and telomere length. The findings suggest that depression may be linked to the body's response to environmental stressors.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 23, 2015

Many Dry Tortugas loggerheads actually Bahamas residents

Researchers tracked loggerheads from Dry Tortugas National Park to Bahamas, finding they spend most of their lives there before returning to nest. This new information helps identify areas for conservation efforts to protect the threatened northwest Atlantic population.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalAnimal Biotelemetry·DateApr 23, 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.

How 'time is money' thinking can hurt the environment: UBC research

A UBC study reveals that individuals with an hourly wage mindset are less likely to undertake eco-friendly behaviors that require only a few seconds or minutes of extra effort. Researchers recommend equating environmental behavior with self-interest and adjusting billing practices to promote sustainability.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateApr 23, 2015

Baclofen shows promise in patients with alcohol-induced liver disease

A new study shows that Baclofen has a positive impact on alcohol consumption and liver function in patients with alcohol-induced liver disease. The results demonstrate improved indicators of liver health, reduced physical dependence, and lower standard measures of liver damage.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 23, 2015