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Science News Archive April 2015


Page 13 of 36

Personalized cancer treatment

A new implantable device can carry small doses of multiple drugs to treat cancer, allowing researchers to measure their effectiveness in a tumor. The device was tested on mice with human prostate, breast, and melanoma tumors, showing promise in identifying the most effective treatment for each patient.

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.

First invasive lionfish discovered in Brazil

Scientists have discovered the first invasive lionfish in Brazilian waters, raising alarm for Atlantic reefs and native species. The discovery highlights the need for urgent control measures to protect coral reefs from the voracious invaders.

Look mom, no eardrums!

The eardrum evolved independently in mammals and diapsids, depending on lower jaw formation in mammals and upper jaw development in diapsids. The study used developmental biology techniques to overcome the lack of fossil evidence for eardrum evolution.

Decoding the cell's genetic filing system

Scientists have developed a method to introduce non-native chromatin into cells, allowing them to systematically interrogate transcriptional signaling pathways. This approach enables researchers to propose mechanistic pathways and validate hypotheses in vivo, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.

Carnegie launches next generation airborne laboratory for Earth

The Carnegie Airborne Observatory-3 (CAO-3) is a cutting-edge aircraft-based mapping system that can gather global data on ecosystem structure, biomass, and biodiversity. The new laboratory features advanced sensor capabilities, allowing for more flights and increased flexibility in operational decisions.

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.

Earthquake potential where there is no earthquake history

Researchers use geological features to predict seismic activity in regions with low historical earthquake records. Experts warn that even seemingly quiet areas can harbor significant quake risks, highlighting the need for increased preparedness and monitoring.

Phonons, arise!

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have found a way to alter the thermal conductivity of widely used material PZT using a small electric voltage. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies where controlling phonons is necessary, and has potential applications in computing, global communications, and other fields.

New finding could help develop test for kidney disease

Scientists at the University of Manchester have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to an early test for kidney disease. They found significant differences in protein composition and structure between mice with different genetic backgrounds and sexes, which may contribute to susceptibility to kidney disease.

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.

Tau Ceti: The next Earth? Probably not

A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that Tau Ceti, a popular candidate for supporting life, is unlikely to have planets in the habitable zone. The star's high magnesium-to-silicon ratio could lead to unique planetary compositions and potentially habitable worlds with different geological processes.

Flame retardants could contribute to hyperthyroidism in older cats

Researchers found high levels of certain flame retardants in cats with hyperthyroidism, hinting at a possible link between the compounds and the hormonal disorder. The study suggests that exposure to these substances through dust accumulation on fur could be contributing factor for this condition.

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.

A recipe for long-lasting livers

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a novel method for preserving donor livers, significantly extending their viability and improving transplant outcomes. By cooling organs to 22°C and supplementing with red blood cells, the team achieved remarkable success rates, even with organs obtained after cardiac arrest.

Ebola survivors donate plasma to tackle outbreak

Researchers are investigating whether plasma from Ebola survivors can help treat patients with the disease. The study aims to determine if protective antibodies in the plasma can be used safely to reduce deaths in current and future outbreaks.

Arctic beetles may be ideal marker of climate change

A McGill research team identified over 460 Arctic beetle species, showing clear differences in feeding habits and ecological roles along latitude gradients. This suggests that beetles may quickly reflect changes in climate on soil, plants, and animals.

Researchers discover never-before-seen tick-borne disease

Researchers have identified a never-before-seen tick-borne illness transmitted by the taiga tick, which may be common in areas where the tick resides. The new species of bacteria, Anaplasma capra, causes symptoms like fever and muscle aches and can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quantum 'paparazzi' film photons in the act of pairing up

Physicists at University of Warsaw successfully image indistinguishable photons forming pairs through Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. The achievement enables direct observation of spatial optical phenomena involving single photons, a crucial result for quantum optics.

Scientists watch living taste cells in action

A team of scientists has captured live images of taste cells on a mouse tongue, showing that each taste bud contains cells for different tastes. This breakthrough complements recent studies on the brain areas associated with taste and may lead to new experiments to monitor brain activity while imaging the tongue.

Missing genetic link found in a challenging immune disease

Researchers discovered a gene candidate that plays a key role in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found a robust association between the CLEC16A gene region and common variable immunodeficiency disorder.

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.

Earthquake 'super-cycle' patterns on the Garlock fault

A new study suggests that the Garlock fault in southern California experiences 'super-cycle' changes in strain over thousand-year timescales, leading to clustered earthquakes. The findings indicate a potential large-scale coordination of earthquakes along a single fault system.

Updates in liver disease research: Do you want the good or bad news?

Recent studies confirm that NAFLD worsens heart disease and increases serum levels of cardiovascular risk markers. Additionally, a large population sample found a significant association between psychological distress and liver disease mortality. Meanwhile, inpatient mortality for cirrhosis patients has decreased by 41% in the U.S., at...

Twins experiment reveals genetic link with mosquito bites

A recent study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found a strong genetic component to how attractive individuals are to mosquitoes, linked to body odour. The research used identical and non-identical twin pairs to demonstrate this connection.

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.

User creativity made YouTube the world's biggest music service

A new study from Finland's Aalto University reveals that alternative variations from popular artists' videos may reach an audience of millions on YouTube. Researchers found three primary types of music video content: traditional, user-appropriated, and derivative music videos.

Patient-doctor ethnic differences thwart end-of-life conversations

A study found that doctors struggle with end-of-life conversations, particularly with patients from different ethnic backgrounds, due to cultural and language differences. The survey revealed that medical interpretation is a significant barrier, and the researchers recommend training physicians to address these issues.

Children with ADHD at risk for binge eating, study shows

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop loss of control eating syndrome (LOC-ES), which can lead to obesity and other health problems. The study found that odds of having LOC-ES were 12 times higher for children with ADHD, suggesting a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders.

Alcoholic hepatitis treatments fail to keep patients alive

A major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatments for alcoholic hepatitis, including prednisolone and pentoxifylline, are ineffective at increasing patient survival. The study involved over 1,000 patients and found that mortality rates remained high despite treatment.

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.

CWRU researcher awarded $500,000 NSF CAREER grant

A Case Western Reserve University researcher has won a $500,000 NSF CAREER grant to develop tiny sensors capable of detecting insecticides in Lake Erie or determining subtypes of human cancers. The technology combines antibodies with plant viruses to create a large surface area for targeting pollutants or cancer cells.

Montréal discovery could impact the study of chronic pain conditions

A breakthrough study published in The Journal of Neuroscience reveals the critical role of a gene associated with a rare disease in pain processing. Lmx1b mutations cause reduced pain responses in patients, but removing this gene only in the spinal cord allows mice to survive, yet results in reduced sensitivity to stimuli.

Stressed-out parasites: Overcoming drug-resistant malaria

Researchers discover that artemisinin treatment can be effective against resistant malaria parasites by extending treatment duration or using proteasome inhibitors, which cause cellular stress and damage protein degradation. The study provides new hope for preventing the spread of drug resistance in Southeast Asia.

Stem cells that prevent birth defect also repair facial injury

Researchers have identified a key role for Gli1+ stem cells in skull development and facial bone repair. Transplanting these stem cells into injured areas may help restore normal anatomy and facilitate brain growth, offering potential treatment options for infants with craniosynostosis and patients with facial disfigurement.

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.

Sexing Stegosaurus

A recent study by Evan Saitta found that Stegosaurus had two types of plates: tall and wide. Contrary to previous claims, these were not separate species or ages, but rather males and females. The plates likely played a role in attracting mates and displaying sex.

'Exciting discovery' could aid frontline spinal injury treatment

Researchers at University of Queensland discovered a molecule called C5aR exacerbates inflammation and tissue damage after spinal cord injury. Administering an experimental drug that inhibits C5aR can improve recovery when given early after injury, potentially treating patients with spinal cord trauma.

Surprising contributor to Rett syndrome identified

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System identified a surprising contributor to Rett syndrome: immune cells bearing a mutated MeCP2 gene. These macrophages amplify disease progression by failing to maintain tissue homeostasis, highlighting the immune system as a promising therapeutic target.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Maternal stress increases development of fetal neuroblastoma in animal model

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that maternal stress can increase the risk of fetal neuroblastoma in mice. The study showed that even non-stressed handling of the animals led to a faster development of cancer, suggesting that prenatal stress may exacerbate genetic mutations that promote tumor growth.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Printing silicon on paper, with lasers

A new fabrication technique allows for direct production of polycrystalline silicon on flexible surfaces, enabling the creation of wearable electronics and other applications. The method bypasses a traditional thermal annealing step, making it more suitable for use with flexible substrates.

Breathless: How blood-oxygen levels regulate air intake

A University of Chicago research team describes the precise mechanism used by carotid body cells to detect oxygen levels and regulate breathing rates. The primary sensor is heme oxygenase-2, which induces synthesis of carbon monoxide to stimulate or relax breathing.

Global warming progressing at moderate rate, empirical data suggest

A new study suggests global warming is not as fast as predicted, with natural variability accounting for recent temperature changes. This 'middle-of-the-road' scenario could result in 11-year hiatuses in warming, making it more plausible than the most severe IPCC projections.

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.

Trial shows benefit of 'BRCA-targeting' drug in prostate cancer

A major trial has shown that olaparib can effectively treat advanced prostate cancer in men with defects in DNA repair genes. The results suggest that up to 30% of patients with terminal prostate cancer may benefit from the drug, which could become a treatment option if replication is confirmed in further trials.

BMC develops protocol for preserving forensic evidence after a terrorist attack

The BMC protocol provides a set of predetermined guidelines for processing and preserving forensic evidence in surgical specimens after a terrorist attack. Key findings include the importance of identifying a team to handle all surgical specimens, obtaining labeled photographs and x-rays, and storing forensic evidence securely.

Zip me up!

Researchers have identified the specific molecules involved in skin fusion during wound healing, using fruit fly embryos as a model system. The study reveals a complex process involving molecular machines and cellular components that work together to fuse the skin, with microtubules playing a crucial role in this process.

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.