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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 371


Page 371 of 402

BGI study confirms accuracy of its NIFTY in nearly 147,000 pregnancies

A large-scale study confirms BGI's NIFTY test accuracy for trisomy 21, 18, and 13 in nearly 147,000 pregnancies, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The study also found that high-quality NIPT service can be achieved with strict protocols and standards.

SourceBGI Shenzhen·JournalUltrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateFeb 4, 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.

A gift to heal injured brains: Family transformed by TBI gives to U-M research

The University of Michigan has launched a major initiative to find new ways to treat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) thanks to a $10M gift from the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation. The new Emergency Critical Care Center will provide advanced care to patients with TBI, stroke, or other critical illnesses.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateFeb 4, 2015

Keck Medicine of USC researchers win $4.3 million for stem cell research

Researchers at Keck Medicine of USC have received grants to develop a temporary liver support system for transplant patients and improve gene editing for blood diseases. They also plan to create transgenic rats for researching heart failure, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2015

Antibodies in the lab: Higher quality through DNA technology

Commercial antibodies used in research often fail to function properly, but DNA technology can solve this problem by producing high-quality antibodies. The authors advocate for the use of recombinant DNA technology to improve reproducibility and reduce waste in biological science.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 4, 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.

Industrial pump inspired by flapping bird wings

Researchers have created a pump that moves fluid using vibration instead of a rotor, potentially capturing wasted mechanical energy and reducing noise in industrial situations. The design mimics the movement of birds' flapping wings, which manipulate airflow to move themselves.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 3, 2015

Study sheds new light on aggressive cancer in children

A study reveals children with 'biallelic mismatch repair deficiency' (bMMRD) experience a rapid wave of genetic mutations, dubbed the 'great flood', which causes aggressive cancer. The research identifies a previously undiscovered mechanism for cancer progression and potential targets for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 3, 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.

Cocaine users have impaired ability to predict loss

Research at The Mount Sinai Hospital found that cocaine users have impaired brain circuits for predicting emotional loss, making it difficult to learn from unfavorable outcomes. This impairment may underlie disadvantageous decision-making in individuals with substance use disorder.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateFeb 3, 2015

If Facebook use causes envy, depression could follow

Researchers found that surveillance use on Facebook can lead to feelings of envy and depression. Users who engage in comparison or surveillance behavior on the platform are more likely to experience negative mental health effects, according to a study published in Computers in Human Behavior.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateFeb 3, 2015

Physicists observe motion of skyrmions

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz successfully investigated the dynamics of small magnetic whirls called skyrmions, which can store energy even after external excitation is stopped. This discovery has significant implications for future magnetic data storage and information processing.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 3, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Children who get vitamin A may be less likely to develop malaria

A large study in sub-Saharan Africa found that vitamin A supplementation reduced malaria risk in children by 54% if administered during the wet season and to older children. The researchers suspect vitamin A boosts immunity and helps clear out the malaria parasite more quickly.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateFeb 3, 2015

Fruitful collaboration yields insight on the tomato genome

Researchers from UC Davis examine how plants adapt to diverse environments, shedding light on the tomato genome's response to stress and its potential applications in crop improvement. They also uncover previously unknown information about the wild and cultivated tomato genomes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 3, 2015

Scientists to use research and education to guide conservation in central Africa

A new study outlines key targets for evolutionary research and education in central Africa to guide conservation efforts. The review emphasizes the importance of genomic research to understand species' capacity to adapt to environmental changes and highlights the need for increased surveying and sampling efforts, as well as standardize...

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalBiotropica·DateFeb 3, 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.

Rediscovering spontaneous light emission

Berkeley researchers create nano-sized optical antenna that boosts spontaneous light emission by 115 times, enabling faster LED technology for microchips and alternative applications. The innovation has the potential to replace lasers for short-distance optical communications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2015

The rarely understood ammonium carbonate monohydrate

Researchers have clarified the compound's phases, thermal expansion and hydrogen bonds, shedding new light on its properties. The study uses advanced methods to determine the crystal structure and electronic structure of ammonium carbonate monohydrate.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateFeb 3, 2015

'Cleaner' protein protects against atherosclerosis

Researchers found that A1M stops the oxidation of blood fats and repairs damaged molecules, protecting against atherosclerosis. The protein can also clean and reduce oxidised blood fats from LDL and take care of dangerous substances from MPO.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateFeb 3, 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.

Splash down

A team from MIT and the University of Liege presents high-speed images showing that raindrops can act as a dispersing agent, catapulting contaminated droplets far from their leaf source. The researchers found that a plant's mechanical properties, particularly its compliance, determine the range of dispersal.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 3, 2015

Using genetics to customize drug therapy

Researchers analyze patients' genetic makeup to determine potential reactions to medications and reduce adverse effects. The goal is to increase the quality of life for individuals in behavioral health services, reducing emergency room visits and healthcare costs.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateFeb 3, 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.

MicroRNAs can limit cancer spread

Researchers discovered clusters of gene-blocking microRNAs expressed only in oligometastatic cells, which can shut down specific genes involved in metastasis. These findings suggest microRNAs could provide a personalized biomarker to predict tumor aggressiveness and guide effective treatment.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateFeb 3, 2015

How will ocean acidification impact marine life?

A new analysis finds that ocean acidification could significantly impact up to 21-32% of calcifying marine species, including coral, clams, and sea urchins. This widespread impact could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide, as these species provide essential nursery habitats and food sources for other marine organisms.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·DateFeb 3, 2015

A few cells could prevent bone marrow transplant infections

A study published in the Journal of Immunology found that infusing memory cells can produce and repeatedly replenish all of the T-effector cells needed to fight CMV infection. This approach may improve on current therapeutic options for controlling CMV infection, which affects up to 80% of adults in the US.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateFeb 3, 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.

Healthy diet linked to lower risk of chronic lung disease

A healthy diet rich in whole grains and polyunsaturated fats is associated with a lower risk of chronic lung disease, according to a study published in The BMJ. The Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 was found to be linked to a one-third lower risk of newly diagnosed COPD.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 3, 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.

Online photos provide evidence for the value of clean water

A new study uses Flickr photos to calculate the value of clean water, finding that higher-quality lakes receive more visits and users are willing to travel farther to reach them. The research also highlights the potential for social media data to inform social-ecological research.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateFeb 3, 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 future of holographic video

Researchers at BYU and MIT develop a new technology using surface acoustic waves to control light's angle and color composition, enabling inexpensive holographic video displays. The team's approach reduces costs and opens up possibilities for large-scale room-sized displays.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateFeb 3, 2015

Birth method, gestation duration may alter infants' gut microbiota

Researchers found that vaginally delivered infants with longer gestations tended to develop more mature gut microbiota faster, while those born via Caesarean section took longer to acquire a healthy gut microbiota, leading to differences in body fat at 18 months.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateFeb 3, 2015
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New data revealed on Q10 coenzyme, whose deficiency causes a rare mitochondrial disease

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ10, a molecule essential for cellular metabolism. The study, led by Dr. David J. Pagliarini, reveals that protein CoQ9 regulates enzyme Coq7, and that CoQ10 synthesis is organized as a multiprotein complex to increase efficiency and regulation.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2015

Power psychs people up about... themselves

A new study suggests that powerful individuals are more likely to be inspired by their own experiences, whereas less powerful people are equally inspired by both their own and others' stories. The researchers found that people with high power tend to prioritize themselves over others in social interactions.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 3, 2015

From pecan to walnut: American leafminer invades Italy on a new tree

The American leafminer species Coptodisca lucifluella has invaded Italy's walnut orchards, a new hostplant for the insect. The moth feeds on walnut leaves, making short galleries and leaving characteristic holes, while its larvae attach small shields to leaves or surfaces.

SourceNaturalis Biodiversity Center·JournalBulletin of Entomological Research·DateFeb 3, 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.

Infant gut microbiota links gestation duration, delivery method, healthy weight gain

A study reveals that infants with a mature gut bacteria profile at an early age tend to have normal levels of body fat by 18 months, while those with less mature profiles are more likely to have lower body fat. The research found that gestational duration and delivery method influenced the rate of bacterial colonization in the infant gut.

SourceBiomedical Sciences Institutes (BMSI)·JournalmBio·DateFeb 3, 2015

New technique doubles the distance of optical fiber communications

Researchers at UCL have developed a new method to process fibre optic signals, which can correct corrupted data and increase the useful capacity of fibres. This technique has the potential to double the distance data can travel error-free through sub-marine cables.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 3, 2015
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.

New findings on how the brain ignores distractions

Researchers at Brown University found that the brain uses specific patterns of brain wave synchrony to suppress attention and ignore distracting stimuli. By harnessing this process, scientists hope to develop new treatments for pain and depressive thoughts through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.

SourceBrown University·DateFeb 3, 2015

A novel shuttle for fatty acids

Researchers at Ludwig Maximilians University have identified a novel chloroplast membrane protein that plays a central role in transporting fatty acids from chloroplasts into the cell cytoplasm. This discovery may lead to new strategies for producing biofuels, which are rich in TAG-rich plant oils.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 3, 2015