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Science News Archive April 2015


Page 23 of 36

Six questions about HIV/AIDS that deserve more attention

Researchers have been focusing on long-term solutions, but Levy argues that new approaches are needed to prevent infection and disease. He highlights six questions that deserve more attention, including the role of innate immune response, CD8+ T cells, and strategies for an HIV vaccine and cure.

Alcohol may elevate the expression of two enzymes called CYP2E1 and CYP2U1

Researchers found that chronic drinking is associated with higher CYP2E1 and CYP2U1 protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and amygdala (AMG), particularly in the AMG. This could lead to interactions between metabolism of drugs and endogenous substrates, altering drug response and brain physiology.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New source of methane discovered in the Arctic Ocean

Scientists at UiT The Arctic University of Norway have discovered a new source of methane in the Arctic Ocean, abiotic methane formed by chemical reactions in the oceanic crust. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the origin of methane and suggests vast systems of methane hydrate throughout the Arctic.

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.

INFORMS awards 2015 UPS George D. Smith Prize to UBC Sauder School

The Centre for Operations Excellence at UBC Sauder School wins the prestigious UPS George D. Smith Prize for its effective and innovative preparation of students in operations research practice. The prize aims to emphasize the importance of operations research practice and encourage programs worldwide to focus on preparing students.

Recruiting the entire immune system to attack cancer

Scientists at MIT created a new cancer therapy that activates both the innate and adaptive immune systems to attack tumors. The treatment combines an antibody drug with IL-2, which boosts immune responses, resulting in complete tumor disappearance in 80-90% of mice.

Parents' country of origin influences risk of stillbirth

A new study found that parents' country of origin influences the risk of stillbirth in Canada, with higher risks seen for couples from Nigeria, Portugal, Jamaica, and Guyana. Genetic factors may contribute to this increased risk, although environmental factors also play a role.

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.

No long-term survival difference found between types of mitral valve replacements

Researchers compared long-term survival, stroke, reoperation, and bleeding events after bioprosthetic vs mechanical prosthetic mitral valve replacement among 3,433 patients. They found no significant difference in survival at 15 years, but significant differences in risk of reoperation, bleeding, and stroke between the two groups.

Bury nuclear waste down a very deep hole, say UK scientists

Researchers at the University of Sheffield suggest that deep borehole disposal could dispose of all UK's high-level nuclear waste in just six boreholes, 5km deep. The concept has several advantages over current solutions, including reduced construction costs, easier site selection, and lower environmental impact.

How best to test Ebola treatment

A study published in PLOS Medicine proposes a multi-stage approach to testing Ebola treatments, which may be quicker than traditional randomized trials while still providing robust results. This alternative design could potentially triage treatments faster and recommend them without further RCTs under certain circumstances.

Experimental drug that may repair nerve damage in MS moves forward

A Phase 2 study found that the experimental antibody anti-LINGO-1 significantly improved conduction in people with acute optic neuritis, a common precursor to multiple sclerosis. The treatment also led to improved recovery of myelin, a fatty substance surrounding nerves damaged in MS.

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.

Making carboxyl(ate) friends

Researchers Luigi D'Ascenzo and Pascal Auffinger classify 17 carboxyl(ate) motifs in crystal structures using stereochemical considerations. They provide a systematic naming system and implications for crystal engineering, pharmaceutical research, and biomolecular sciences.

Typhoon Haiyan's storm surge may contaminate aquifer for years

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin found that Typhoon Haiyan's storm surge contaminated two aquifers on the island of Samar, with one taking up to 10 years to recover. The study highlights the need for strategies to mitigate groundwater contamination in coastal areas affected by climate change.

Rare, deadly lymphoma demystified

Researchers identify JAK/STAT3 cell signaling pathway as driver of ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a particularly aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Compounds targeting this pathway show promise in inhibiting disease progression, offering new hope for effective treatments.

Taking aircraft manufacturing out of the oven

Aerospace engineers at MIT have developed a carbon nanotube film that can heat and solidify composites without massive ovens, using only 1% of the energy. The technique has been tested on common carbon-fiber materials and found to produce composites with similar properties as traditionally manufactured materials.

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.

Infectious ants become antisocial

Researchers found that infected ants clean themselves more frequently but restrict allogrooming with healthy group members. This self-restriction helps contain the pathogen's spread in the ant colony, benefiting all social animals under epidemic threat.

Altimeter assists in MESSENGER's low-altitude navigation

The MESSENGER spacecraft is using its altimeter instrument to help with navigation during close approaches to Mercury's surface. The team is using the altimeter's precise measurements of distance from the spacecraft to the surface to assess the accuracy of their orbit predictions.

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.

New biomarker for uterine cancer discovered

Researchers have discovered a new biomarker, ASRGL1, that can identify women with uterine cancer at high risk of recurrence. The study found that patients with low levels of ASRGL1 had a higher risk of recurrence and died from the disease.

How Salmonella survives the macrophage's acid attack

Researchers discovered that Salmonella lowers its cytoplasmic pH in response to acidic environments, triggering the secretion of virulence proteins. This low-pH signal activates an intracellular cascade that induces the formation of a nanomachine used for injecting virulence proteins into host cells.

Climate connections

A recent paper by University of South Carolina paleoceanographer Kelly Gibson shows that rapid climate change affected marine ecosystems in the Cariaco Basin, a body of water off Venezuela's coast. The study used nitrogen isotope ratios to estimate changes in primary productivity and carbon sequestration in the ocean.

Increase seen in data breaches of health information

A study found that data breaches of protected health information (PHI) reported by HIPAA-covered entities increased from 214 in 2010 to 265 in 2013, affecting 29.1 million records. Most breaches occurred via electronic media or theft.

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.

Unearthing new antivirals

San Diego State University researchers have developed a platform to identify drugs that interrupt viral proliferation, using dengue virus as an example. A novel drug, Thiostrepton, was identified which may someday be used to combat the disease.

New design makes treadmill more like running outdoors

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new automated treadmill that uses sonar to change speeds automatically, mimicking the experience of running outdoors. The device provides an accurate measure of aerobic capacity and has been shown to improve VO2 max scores by 4-7% compared to standard treadmills.

Antimalarial tea -- from herbal remedy to licensed phytomedicine

A traditional herb-derived remedy has been combined with two plants to create an antimalarial tea, which has been licensed and sold as a treatment for malaria in West Africa. The medication, derived from Cochlospermum planchonii, Phyllanthus amarus, and Cassia alata, was traditionally used to alleviate malarial symptoms.

Graphene pushes the speed limit of light-to-electricity conversion

Researchers have developed a graphene-based photodetector capable of converting absorbed light into an electrical voltage in less than 50 femtoseconds. The device utilizes ultrafast pulse-shaped laser excitation and highly sensitive electrical readout to achieve this ultrafast conversion.

Nanoparticles at specific temperature stimulate antitumor response

Dartmouth researchers have identified a specific temperature that stimulates an antitumor immune response, which resists metastatic disease. Using iron nanoparticles and alternating magnetic fields, they found that temperatures of 43 degrees centigrade trigger the systemic immune response.

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.

$5 million in USDA food-safety grants to target bacteria

Researchers at UC Davis are receiving $5 million in grants from the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding will be used to develop new technologies and methods to prevent cross-contamination in produce processing, identify genetic traits of lactic acid bacteria found on fruits and vegetab...

The life force of African rivers

Hippos' organic matter provides essential nutrients to river fish and aquatic insects, highlighting the ecological importance of hippos in river ecosystems. The study's findings are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change and human development on hippo populations and entire food webs.

Facebook use can worsen as well as improve mental health conditions

Research by Dr Keelin Howard found that Facebook can provide social support and connection for recovery from mental health problems. However, excessive or problematic use can exacerbate symptoms of paranoia, anxiety, and depression. Participants developed strategies to protect their mental well-being on the platform.

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.

Lorne Tyrrell wins Killam Prize

Lorne Tyrrell, a renowned virologist, has been awarded the 2015 Killam Prize for Health Sciences for his groundbreaking work on viral hepatitis. His research has led to the development of an effective treatment for hepatitis B and is being continued in efforts to create a vaccine for hepatitis C.

Are health apps beneficial for healthy people?

While some health apps have shown promise in improving weight loss and physical activity, others have yielded conflicting results. Iltifat Husain argues that doctors should recommend tested and validated apps to help people stay healthy. Des Spence cautions that many health apps are untested and may even cause anxiety and medical harm.

The neural network necessary for 'normal face' recognition

Research reveals suppression of brain area responsible for object recognition by that for face recognition is necessary for 'normal' face recognition. Mathematical simulation shows neural networks between brain areas are essential for 'normal' face recognition, potentially shedding light on disorders like developmental prosopagnosia.

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.

New research sheds light on how popular probiotic benefits the gut

Research suggests that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modifies the activity of other gut bacteria, fostering a healthy immune system and promoting several species of beneficial microbes. The discovery could lead to more effective strategies for maintaining a balanced gut ecosystem.

Study puts a price on help nature provides agriculture

A recent study found that organic farming systems provide greater economic value than conventional systems, with ecosystem services like pest control and nitrogen release generating higher profits. The research suggests that government incentives or market rewards can encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture.

First signs of self-interacting dark matter?

Researchers observed four colliding galaxies and found a lag between dark matter and its associated galaxy, suggesting that dark matter interacts with forces other than gravity. This discovery could be the first evidence for rich physics in the dark sector, helping scientists better understand dark matter's nature.

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.

X-ray study images structural damage in lithium-ion batteries

Researchers used X-ray fluorescence to visualize structural damage in lithium-ion batteries due to fast charging cycles, leading to reduced storage capacity. The study found that even a few charging cycles cause damage to the inner structure of the battery material.

Too few minority women breastfeed -- can ob/gyns change their minds?

A comprehensive literature review shows lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among minority women compared to White women. Ob/gyns can use data to support breastfeeding in clinical practices and public policy, helping to overcome cultural and social factors that affect minority women's decisions.

Heart attack risk high in divorced women, even after remarrying

A new study from Duke University Medical Center reveals that divorced women are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to stably-married peers. The study also found that the cumulative effect of divorce can have a lasting imprint on people's health, with women facing worse outcomes than men after divorce.

LOCUST: Autonomous, swarming UAVs fly into the future

The LOCUST program demonstrates autonomous collaborative behavior in defensive or offensive missions using information-sharing between UAVs. The technology enables swarms of compact UAVs to take off from various platforms, providing a cost-effective and reduced-risk combat power multiplication.

3-D printing blossoms into powerful new tool for ecologists

Researchers used 3D printing to create artificial flowers, one curved and one flat, to investigate how flower shape affects foraging behavior in hawkmoths. The study found that hawkmoths fed more successfully from the curved flowers, suggesting they use touch rather than sight to find nectar.

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.

Can YouTube and Instagram contribute to classroom learning?

Researchers from Concordia University investigate how an after-school program in Quebec uses social media to revolutionize learning for at-risk youth. Students engage with artist-educators on multimedia projects, developing professional skills and building self-expression through digital arts and new media.

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.

Researchers use plant oils for novel bio-based plastics

Washington State University researchers have developed a new method to create polyurethane using plant oils, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyurethane. The new method allows for the creation of materials with varying flexibility and stiffness, making it suitable for a range of applications., Resea...