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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 26


Page 26 of 32

ED counseling program fails to reduce partner violence or heavy drinking

A randomized clinical trial found that an ED-based counseling program did not significantly reduce excessive drinking and partner violence among women in abusive relationships. Despite initial results suggesting brief interventions could be effective, the study found no positive outcome among participants who received the intervention.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateAug 7, 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.

Linking cell-population to whole-fish growth

A new approach uses cell cultures to predict chemical effects on fish growth, showing excellent agreement with in vivo experiments. The method combines cell population growth inhibition data with modeling of toxicological effects.

SourceSwiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology: Eawag·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 7, 2015

Salt flat indicates some of the last vestiges of Martian surface water

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars that likely represents some of the last potentially habitable surface water ever to exist on the planet. The salt deposit, approximately 18 square miles in size, is believed to be around 3.6 billion years old.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeology·DateAug 7, 2015

Familiar drugs may block Ebola virus infection

Researchers found that Ebola and Marburg viruses use G protein-coupled receptors to enter cells, which can be blocked by existing drugs targeting these receptors. The study identified 20 GPCR antagonists effective against the two viruses, paving the way for potential therapeutics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Virology·DateAug 7, 2015

'Caveman instincts' may favor deep-voiced politicians

A study found that voters naturally prefer leaders with lower-pitched voices, associating them with strength and competence rather than age. The researchers suggest this preference may stem from caveman instincts linking leadership ability to physical strength.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 7, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fermilab experiment sees neutrinos change over 500 miles

The NOvA experiment has confirmed the detection of neutrino oscillations over a distance of 500 miles, verifying its massive particle detector is functioning as planned. The results show that muon neutrinos were disappearing and reappearing as electron neutrinos, providing evidence for the phenomenon.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·DateAug 7, 2015

NSF funds industry/university center for atomically thin coatings

The NSF-funded Industry/University Collaborative Research Center will design and develop advanced two-dimensional coatings to address fundamental scientific and technological challenges. The Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings (ATOMIC) aims to create spin-out companies and solve issues like corrosion, oxidation, and abr...

SourcePenn State·DateAug 7, 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.

How yeast doubled its genome -- by mating between species

A new study proposes that the common baker's yeast genome was duplicated by mating between two distinct species, contradicting the current widely accepted theory. The researchers used advanced computational methods to study the origins of the whole genome duplication in yeast.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 7, 2015

Studying yeast provides new insight to genome evolution

Researchers propose a new theory on the origin of yeast's whole genome duplication, suggesting it was caused by hybridization between two species. This finding contradicts the current scientific consensus and provides new insight into the process of genome evolution.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 7, 2015

How plants cope with stress, at the molecular level

Researchers aim to understand how plants cope with stress at the molecular level, focusing on the regulatory protein GSNOR and its role in nitric oxide regulation. The study has potential to uncover plant adaptation mechanisms and inform efforts to improve plant fertility.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateAug 7, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

NASA simulation indicates ancient flood volcanoes could have altered climate

Scientists analyzed a 14.7 million-year-old eruption in the Columbia River basalt formation, finding that it produced massive amounts of lava and gas that could have reached the stratosphere. This hypothetical scenario indicates that ancient flood volcanoes may have played a significant role in altering global climate patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateAug 7, 2015

Pouring fire on fuels at the nanoscale

Researchers at OIST have developed a way to prevent noble metal nanoparticles from compacting by encapsulating them individually in a porous shell made of a metal oxide. This technique improves the rate of electrochemical reactions in methanol fuel cells, leading to more efficient fuel cell performance.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNanoscale·DateAug 7, 2015

Switching mouse neural stem cells to a primate-like behavior

By expressing Pax6 in mouse basal progenitor cells, researchers mimicked the behavior of human brain cells, leading to increased cell division and a larger neocortex. This study contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms behind brain expansion and cognitive functions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 7, 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.

Scientists adopt new strategy to find Huntington's disease therapies

A large international study has identified genetic factors that modify the age of onset for Huntington's disease symptoms. The research, supported by the NIH, used precision medicine to analyze over 4,000 patients' DNA and found associations with genes involved in DNA repair and mitochondrial function.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalCell·DateAug 7, 2015

UM researchers head to the clouds to study Earth's climate

A team of University of Miami researchers conducted an airborne experiment on low-lying clouds in the Pacific Ocean to better understand their effects on global climate. The project uses advanced technologies like Doppler cloud radar and aerosol lidar to study cloud structure, aerosols, and precipitation.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateAug 7, 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.

Innovative components for an imaging system in the terahertz range

Researchers developed a terahertz imaging system using COC substrates, enabling the detection of objects hidden under clothing or skin, and improving image resolution. The system has potential applications in airport security, medical diagnostics and food industry inspection.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalMicrowave and Optical Technology Letters·DateAug 6, 2015

Paleo diet: Big brains needed carbs

A new study suggests that dietary carbohydrate, particularly in the form of starch, was critical for the accelerated expansion of the human brain over the last million years. The research, led by Dr. Karen Hardy, highlights the importance of cooked starchy foods and higher salivary amylase genes in fueling brain growth.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·DateAug 6, 2015

Adding price tag to medicine packs just 'headline grabbing gimmick' says dtb

A new initiative to add price tags to medicines worth over £20 in England may have unintended consequences, warns an editorial in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB). The move could lead vulnerable patients to worry about being a burden on society, while others may view cheaper drugs as less important. Furthermore, the added cost ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalDrug and Therapeutics Bulletin·DateAug 6, 2015

The heads of these Brazilian frogs are venomous weapons

Researchers have identified two species of Brazilian frogs that are venomous, using their heads as a weapon to deliver toxic secretions. The discovery sheds light on the biology of amphibians and their interactions with predators in the wild.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 6, 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.

BMJ to publish Journal of Investigative Medicine from January next year

The BMJ will publish the Journal of Investigative Medicine (JIM), owned by the American Federation for Medical Research, starting in January 2016. JIM adds to the BMJ's portfolio of world-leading medical journals, covering the latest scientific developments in all medical research specialties.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Investigative Medicine·DateAug 6, 2015

Abusive men put female partners at greater sexual risk, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that abusive and controlling men are more likely to expose their female partners to sexually transmitted infections. The research highlights the need for a broader understanding of sexual behaviors in domestic violence prevention programs.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateAug 6, 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.

Single dose Ebola vaccine is safe and effective in monkeys against outbreak strain

A single dose of the experimental Ebola virus (EBOV) vaccine VSV-EBOV has been shown to completely protect cynomolgus macaques against the current EBOV outbreak strain, EBOV-Makona. The vaccine triggers both innate and adaptive immunity, providing partial protection if given three days prior to exposure.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience·DateAug 6, 2015

Very little evidence for cutting out certain carbs to ease irritable bowel

A review of the available data concludes that there is very little evidence to recommend a low FODMAP diet as an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. While some studies suggest potential benefits, such as changes in gut bacteria profiles, more research is needed to establish its efficacy and long-term effects.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalDrug and Therapeutics Bulletin·DateAug 6, 2015

Sorting through thickets of stars in elliptical galaxies far, far away

Astronomers have detected a self-regulating cycle of star births within elliptical galaxies, with black holes controlling the rate of gas cooling and star formation. The unique capabilities of space telescopes like Hubble allowed researchers to directly observe 'showers' of star formation linked to galaxy jets.

SourceYale University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 6, 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.

New research tool tracks real-time DNA-protein binding in cells

Researchers developed a new tool called SpDamID that precisely marks where regulatory proteins bind DNA in living cells. This allows scientists to track the combined action of multiple transcription factors and identify differences between healthy and diseased cells.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalMolecular Cell·DateAug 6, 2015

High-altitude climate change to kill cloud forest plants

Australian scientists predict that many tropical mountain plant species will be unable to survive their current locations by 2080 due to high-altitude climate changes. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland is at risk of losing its endemic plants.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateAug 6, 2015

Urban ERs see high rates of hepatitis C infection

A study found that 10.3% of patients tested positive for HCV, with 70% confirmed as chronically infected, while only 24% had prior knowledge of the infection. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateAug 6, 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.

Excessive workout supplement use: An emerging eating disorder in men?

A study found that over 40% of participants increased their supplement use over time and 22% replaced regular meals with supplements. The research also revealed alarming rates of concern and hospitalization due to supplement-related health issues, highlighting the need for psychological assessment and treatment.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 6, 2015

Flexible dielectric polymer can stand the heat

Researchers developed a cross-linked polymer nanocomposite containing boron nitride nanosheets, which can operate at high temperatures, store electricity, and be photo-patterned. The material has higher voltage capability, heat resistance, and bendability.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2015

A GPM satellite 'bullseye' in Typhoon Soudelor

Typhoon Soudelor's heavy rainfall and powerful feeder bands were detected by NASA's GPM satellite, showing a strong impact on the storm's structure. The typhoon reached maximum sustained winds near 90 knots and is expected to intensify again before making landfall in Taiwan.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 6, 2015

Punishing a child is effective if done correctly

Researchers found that compromises and reasoning are most effective for immediate behavior improvements, while punishments like timeouts can be effective when used consistently. Longer-term effects reveal a different pattern, with compromises being less effective but reasoning more effective over time.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 6, 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.

Important regulation of cell invaginations discovered

A family of transcription factors regulates the formation of caveolae, a crucial component in cell function and disease. This discovery provides insight into understanding cell behavior and combatting diseases caused by lack of invaginations.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 6, 2015

DNA repair: Pincer attack

Researchers from LMU Munich have discovered that human DNA repair enzymes employ a 'pincer' strategy to target damaged DNA, using a sugar molecule as a key component. This finding sheds new light on the complex process of DNA repair and its importance in maintaining genome stability.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 6, 2015

NASA sees Tropical Storm Guillermo's big stretch

Tropical Storm Guillermo is experiencing strong vertical wind shear, leading to a wedge-shaped storm. The system is expected to weaken further as it encounters dry air and continues moving west-northwest towards the Hawaiian Islands.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 6, 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.

To beat cancer at its own game

Worcester Polytechnic Institute researcher Amity Manning is awarded $747,000 from the National Institutes of Health to explore molecular mechanisms driving genetic instability in cancer cells. The goal is to turn the genetic tables against cancer by understanding how specific molecules affect DNA packaging and organization.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·DateAug 6, 2015

Gene deletions and duplications reveal our genetic storyline

Researchers analyzed copy number variation across 236 genomes from 125 populations to identify patterns of ancestry and genetic subpopulations. DNA deletions are more reflective of selection, while duplications highlight these variations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 6, 2015

It takes a lot of nerve: Scientists make cells to aid peripheral nerve repair

Researchers at the University of Newcastle have developed a method to generate large and pure populations of human Schwann cells using small molecules, which support nerves and play a crucial role in nerve repair. These cells exhibit characteristics similar to those found in the body and can interact with nerves in vitro.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDevelopment·DateAug 6, 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.

SAGE to begin publishing Dose-Response

The International Dose-Response Society's official journal, Dose-Response, is now published by SAGE, covering experimental findings and non-linear dose-relationships. The journal aims to expand the reach of its research on hormone-like effects in low doses.

SourceSAGE·JournalDose-Response·DateAug 6, 2015