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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 15


Page 15 of 32

UC Davis team finds early inflammatory response paralyzes T cells

A recent study by the UC Davis team has discovered that an early inflammatory response can 'paralyze' CD4 T cells, a crucial component of the immune system. This finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments and new approaches for managing autoimmune conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalImmunity·DateAug 18, 2015

Agricultural intervention improves HIV outcomes

Participants in an agricultural intervention showed improved HIV outcomes, including increased CD4 cell counts and viral suppression rates. The program addressed food insecurity, poverty, and empowerment, demonstrating a potential solution to combat the intertwined issues of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAIDS·DateAug 18, 2015

High-precision control of nanoparticles for digital applications

Scientists at the University of Zurich successfully controlled colloidal nanoparticles' motion, harnessing electric and optical forces to manipulate their behavior. The technique enables rapid displacement, low energy consumption, and large storage capacity, making it suitable for new data storage applications or high-resolution displays.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 18, 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.

Following maternal transmission, group B strep mutates to sicken infants

Researchers found that group B streptococcus mutations can promote virulence in infants, particularly after the first few days of life. The study identified specific genomic changes associated with increased virulence, highlighting the need for better therapeutic interventions against neonatal GBS infections.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateAug 18, 2015

Biophysics: Formation of swarms in nanosystems

Actin filaments exhibit synchronized motion when motor proteins are added, with local curvatures incompatible with thermal fluctuations. Collective motion emerges at high densities through non-binary interactions among filaments.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 18, 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.

Liver problems will likely increase in adults

A new study reveals liver fibrosis affects 5.6% of adults aged ?45, primarily those with diabetes or steatosis. The rising prevalence highlights the growing concern of liver health issues due to an aging population and increasing rates of diabetes and obesity.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateAug 18, 2015

Scientist: Most complete human brain model to date is a 'brain changer'

Researchers have developed a nearly complete human brain model, engineered from adult human skin cells, with an identifiable structure and containing 99% of the genes present in the human fetal brain. The lab-grown brain has the potential to accelerate studies of genetic and environmental causes of central nervous system disorders.

SourceOhio State University·DateAug 18, 2015

NASA's GPM sees Typhoon Atsani intensifying

Typhoon Atsani intensified with heavy rainfall rates exceeding 90 mm/h, reaching 16.8 km in height. NASA's GPM analysis predicts it will become a super-typhoon by August 20, posing a threat to the Pacific Ocean.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How an emerging anti-resistance antibiotic targets the bacterial membrane

Researchers have discovered how an emerging class of antibiotics targets bacterial membranes, showing promise in combating superbugs. The study reveals that these antimicrobial lipopeptides form micelles that stick to the bacterial membrane, selectively killing cells while sparing mammalian host cells.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateAug 18, 2015

Gut microbes linked to major autoimmune eye disease

Research finds gut microbes produce a molecule mimicking retinal protein, activating T cells responsible for autoimmune uveitis. The study offers a novel mechanism explaining how tissue-specific autoimmune diseases can arise from responses to gut microbes at a distal site in the body.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateAug 18, 2015

Patients with immediate medical needs tend to perceive doctors as emotionless, study finds

A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science finds that patients who require immediate medical attention tend to view their doctors as 'empty vessels,' lacking emotions. These patients expect their physicians to empathize with them and contain their emotions, which can lead to better care if acknowledged.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateAug 18, 2015

How UEA research could help build computers from DNA

Scientists at UEA have discovered a way to switch the structure of DNA using copper salts and EDTA, enabling potential applications in nanotechnology and DNA-based computing. This breakthrough could also be used for detecting toxic copper cations in water.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalChemical Communications·DateAug 18, 2015

Linking molecules to microbes

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute developed a method to simultaneously localize bacteria and antibiotic production in environmental samples. Using mass-spectrometric imaging, they visualized the distribution of antibiotics piericidin A1 and B1 across the outer surface of beewolf cocoons.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateAug 18, 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.

$52M NIH grant advances clinical and translational research at UC San Diego

The CTRI will support eight junior faculty through the CTSA grant program, create a new post-doctoral fellowship focused on team science, and develop infrastructure to speed regulatory processes. The institute will also expand biomarker and biocomputational capacity and improve information systems tools for research.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateAug 18, 2015

Hydrogen sulfide loses its electrical resistance under high pressure at minus 70° Celsius

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz set a new record for superconductivity by observing conventional superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide at -70 degrees Celsius under high pressure. The discovery highlights a potential way to transport current at room temperature with no loss.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature·DateAug 18, 2015

Solar System formation don't mean a thing without that spin

A study by Carnegie's Alan Boss and Sandra Keiser suggests that a shock wave from a supernova may have induced the spin of our Solar System, enabling the formation of a disk around our proto-Sun. This finding challenges previous theories and provides new insights into the earliest phases of planet formation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 18, 2015

Pitt leads sepsis care guidance in preparation for nationwide hospital requirements

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a research-based guidance to improve compliance when treating septic patients. The guidance, which incorporates high-profile clinical trials, aims to aid hospitals in implementing the National Quality Forum's Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·DateAug 18, 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.

UCI, NASA researchers find link between Amazon fire risk, devastating hurricanes

A new study reveals a strong connection between Amazon fires and North Atlantic hurricanes, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to both phenomena. The research found that reduced atmospheric moisture flow from the North Atlantic leads to drier conditions in the Amazon, creating an environment conducive to wildfires.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 18, 2015

Powdered cranberry combats colon cancer in mice

Researchers found that powdered cranberry combats colon cancer in mice by reducing tumor size and number. The study suggests that individual components of the fruit could lead to a better understanding of its anti-cancer potential, potentially leading to more effective treatments for colon cancer.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 18, 2015

Cascadia initiative to monitor Northwest Pacific seismic risks

The Cascadia Initiative has deployed seismometers onshore and offshore to monitor the Cascadia subduction zone. The project provides a clearer picture of the region's seismic risk, including undetected small earthquakes and new offshore structures. The initiative also offers insights into tsunami detection and seismic wave readings.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateAug 18, 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.

Cell phones help track of flu on campus

Researchers developed a model that predicts personalized daily forecasts for each student, enabling early identification of at-risk individuals and encouraging them to stay home. The study used wearable devices and smartphone apps to collect data on students' interactions and health habits.

SourceDuke University·DateAug 18, 2015

The Tree of Life may be a bush

A new study by Uppsala University researchers has found that evolution is more complex than the traditional Tree of Life model suggests. Incomplete lineage sorting, a phenomenon where genetic variation passes from one species to another, has been documented and quantified for the first time in evolutionary research.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 18, 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.

To what extent are condoms responsible for erection difficulties?

A study of 479 men found that those experiencing condom-associated erection problems were more likely to have generalized difficulties. Many participants had never been taught how to use condoms correctly, highlighting the need for education and therapy referrals.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateAug 18, 2015

Teens using e-cigarettes may be more likely to start smoking tobacco

A new NIH-funded study reveals a possible link between e-cigarette use and initiation of tobacco use among teenagers. Students who used e-cigarettes by the time they started ninth grade were more likely to start using combustible tobacco products within the next year.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJAMA·DateAug 18, 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.

Nine-gene MPI can provide accurate survival stratification in patients with NSCLC

A nine-gene molecular prognostic index (MPI) provides accurate survival stratification for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The MPI combines gene expression profiles with clinical data from a large database, enabling robust and clinically applicable predictions.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 18, 2015

Five reasons why sugar is added to food

A study by University of Minnesota authors reveals five key roles sugar plays in food: improving flavor, enhancing color, adding bulk and texture, aiding fermentation, and preserving foods. The research discusses the challenges of labeling added sugar and replacing it in foods.

SourceInstitute of Food Technologists·JournalComprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety·DateAug 18, 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.

Worsening wind forecasts signal stormy times ahead for seabirds

Researchers found that stronger winds forecasted by climate change could exacerbate the time females take to find food compared to males, affecting their wellbeing and potentially population sizes. This study on UK coastal seabirds highlights the impact of wind conditions on bird behavior.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateAug 18, 2015

Mothers give more than they receive when family struck by major illness

New research finds mothers of seriously ill adult children give more instrumental and expressive support than expected, while their healthy children provide mostly comfort and encouragement. The study suggests that healthy children need to step up and provide more support to their elderly mothers during this challenging time.

SourceIowa State University·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateAug 18, 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.

Targeting HIV in semen to shut down AIDS

Researchers developed two methods to target HIV in semen, using a heat shock protein to break up amyloid fibrils and a small molecule called CLR01 to disrupt fibril formation and disassemble existing ones. These approaches may reduce HIV transmission and have potential for treating other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateAug 18, 2015

How having racially diverse friends can help you on the job

A new study found that employees with a racially diverse group of friends outside of work tend to have a more racially diverse network of friends on the job and exhibit more helpful behavior towards their co-workers. This broader network was linked to increased trust in supervisors who also had a diverse friend network.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOrganization Science·DateAug 18, 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.

New research backs belief that tomatoes can be a gout trigger

Researchers have found a biological basis for the long-held belief that eating tomatoes can cause gout flares. Tomato consumption is linked to higher levels of uric acid in the blood, comparable to other commonly accepted gout trigger foods.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders·DateAug 18, 2015

Fossil study: Dogs evolved with climate change

Dogs evolved to pursue-pounce predators in response to climate change, shifting from ambushing to endurance running, according to a new fossil study. The research suggests that predators adapt to changing habitats rather than their prey's anatomy.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2015

Suomi NPP satellite sees Typhoon Goni's strongest sides

The Suomi NPP satellite gathered infrared data on Typhoon Goni, showing the strongest thunderstorms in its eastern and southern quadrants. The storm maintained a convective signature despite weakening uplift, with winds near 115mph and a Category Three rating.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 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.

Engineers identify how to keep surfaces dry underwater

Researchers discover that surfaces with valleys less than one micron wide can deflect water, keeping them dry for up to four months. This discovery could revolutionize industries such as shipping and pipe coatings by reducing drag and saving billions of dollars.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 18, 2015

Satellite sees the end of Tropical Depression 11E

NASA's GOES-West satellite captured the final stages of Tropical Depression 11E as it weakened and degenerated into a remnant low pressure area. The post-tropical cyclone's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 2015

Drug helps patients with diabetes lose weight

A study found that daily liraglutide injections, combined with diet and exercise, resulted in greater weight loss over 56 weeks compared to placebo. Average weight loss was 6.0% with liraglutide (3.0-mg dose), significantly better than the 2.0% with placebo.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 18, 2015

The dynamics of mercury toxins in the oceans' food web

A new study reveals higher concentrations of methylmercury in Arctic species compared to lower trophic levels, suggesting increased toxicity and potential protective effects of selenium. The research confirms previous suggestions that biomagnification may be more pronounced in Arctic systems.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateAug 18, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Reservation project to grow health with gardens

A new NIH-funded program will assess the health effects of home gardening on 100 Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho families. The study aims to reduce health disparities suffered by Native Americans in nearly every measure of health.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·DateAug 18, 2015

Is nature mostly a tinkerer or an inventor?

The University of Miami study reveals that the KLF/SP gene family expanded and diversified during animal evolution through domain shuffling, gene duplication, and de novo domain evolution. This 'tinkering' process led to an increase in repressor domains, which may have contributed to the development of complex cell types and tissues.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateAug 18, 2015

Most comprehensive projections for West Antarctica's future revealed

Researchers used a high-resolution computer model to estimate West Antarctica's ice sheet loss over the next couple of centuries, predicting significant sea-level rise contributions. The study suggests that West Antarctica could lose 80,000 cubic kilometers of ice by 2100 and 200,000 cubic kilometers by 2200.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateAug 18, 2015