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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 6


Page 6 of 32

Searching big data faster

A new theoretical analysis by MIT researchers demonstrates how their compression techniques can expand applications of accelerated searching in biology and other fields. The algorithms cluster similar genomic sequences, then choose one representative sequence to focus on, significantly reducing the search time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateAug 26, 2015

EORTC presentations at ECC2015 in Vienna

The EORTC will present on precision medicine, including a discussion of molecular subgroups and randomized trials. The organization will also focus on survivorship care, exploring the importance of long-term follow-up and evidence-based approaches.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·DateAug 26, 2015

NSF awards $12 million to establish urban water sustainability research network

The Urban Water Innovation Network will develop technological, institutional, and management solutions to enhance urban water resilience. The network, led by Colorado State University, aims to create an enduring research network for integrated water systems and sustainable cities.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateAug 26, 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.

Pacific Northwest wildfires severe in intensity

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing severe wildfires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with over 27 fires listed in the Inciweb database for Washington state. The largest active fire, Okanogan Complex Fire, has grown to 256,567 acres and is only 10% contained.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 26, 2015

NASA awards $1 million for development of platform to detect amino acids

A University of Texas at Arlington researcher will receive a grant from NASA to further the search for amino acids, which are considered the building blocks of life. The platform aims to detect and separate ions with high precision, using extremely small volumes of samples, in order to identify potential signs of life beyond Earth.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateAug 26, 2015

High use of alternative medicine in senior oncology patients

A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology found that 26% of senior oncology patients use complementary or alternative medicines, which can interact with cancer treatments. The study highlights the need for comprehensive screening and documentation of CAM use in older cancer patients.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalJournal of Geriatric Oncology·DateAug 26, 2015

Supercomputers enlisted to shed light on photosynthesis

Scientists have successfully simulated significant parts of the LHC-II molecule using supercomputers, proving that theories align with reality. This breakthrough enables understanding of reactions during early stages of photosynthesis for the first time.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateAug 26, 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.

Self-control saps memory, study says

A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that self-control can weaken memory. The study found that when participants had to cancel an intended action, their ability to remember specific details was impaired. This finding may have implications for understanding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and addiction.

SourceDuke University·DateAug 26, 2015

Earth's mineralogy unique in the cosmos

Research predicts Earth's mineralogy is unique in the cosmos, with over 1,500 undiscovered minerals, influenced by physical characteristics, geological activity, and biological processes.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateAug 26, 2015

Scientists discover mechanism behind 'strange' earthquakes

Researchers have identified a key factor driving intraplate seismicity: convective currents of semi-liquid rock beneath the Earth's crust. This process interacts with surface motion, influencing earthquake locations and frequency. The study's findings offer new insights into seismic hazard mapping in plate interiors.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers receive $3.5 million to improve students' classroom behaviors

University of Missouri researchers are using a self-management and mindfulness skills program called STARS to help fifth-grade students exhibit improved classroom behavior, social-emotional learning, and academic achievement. The four-year study aims to address the growing need for mental health support in schools.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateAug 26, 2015

Antimatter catches a wave at SLAC

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a new method to accelerate positrons using plasma wakefield acceleration. This breakthrough could lead to the construction of smaller and more efficient electron-positron colliders, which would help unravel the fundamental building blocks of nature.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015
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.

Even cockatoos conclude

Researchers tested Goffin cockatoos' ability to infer by exclusion, a cognitive capacity where animals choose between known and unknown stimuli. More than half of the birds showed evidence of this ability, indicating they could distinguish between rewarded and unrewarded stimuli.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2015

ESA recognizes 2015 Fellows

The Entomological Society of America has elected 10 new Fellows, including Dr. Serap Aksoy and Dr. Deane Bowers, for their research on vector genomics, disease control, and insect-plant interactions. The Fellows will be recognized at the ESA's 63rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.

SourceEntomological Society of America·DateAug 26, 2015

Neurodegenerative disease clogs nuclear pores

Researchers found that the most common genetic defect in ALS causes nuclear pore dysfunction, leading to cell death. This discovery empowers the search for genetic causes of sporadic ALS and offers new hope for treatment options.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015

ESMO launches Women for Oncology Award

The ESMO Women for Oncology Task Force aims to address inequalities among women oncologists, and the new award will be presented to Enriqueta Felip, who kick-started awareness of the lack of women oncologists in leadership roles. The award recognizes contributors who support the development of women in oncology.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateAug 26, 2015

3-D vision for the next generation of biomaterials

The University of Nottingham leads a £6.5m research project to create bespoke biomaterials for specific applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and medical devices. The team aims to identify new materials that can control cell response and address unmet clinical needs.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateAug 26, 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.

First-of-a-kind research in Minnesota explores peatland, carbon connection

Researchers at the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota are conducting unprecedented whole-ecosystem manipulation to study peatlands' response to increased temperature and elevated carbon dioxide. The goal is to understand how peatlands react to various warming conditions and their impact on the global carbon cycle.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·DateAug 26, 2015

New approach to tackling uncontrolled high blood pressure shows significant results

Scientists developed a novel treatment strategy for patients with severe intolerance to antihypertensive medication, involving fractional dosing and alternative formulations. Blood pressure was significantly reduced among patients after just six months on the new approach, without debilitating side effects.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Clinical Hypertension·DateAug 26, 2015

Can't count sheep? You could have aphantasia

Researchers have identified a condition called aphantasia, where individuals are born without the ability to visualize images. This affects not only memory but also sense perception, leading to difficulties in recalling experiences and emotions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCortex·DateAug 26, 2015

The great escape: Why awareness of mortality can be bad for health

Researchers found that people with low self-esteem use various ways to avoid thinking about their own mortality, including writing less about themselves and increasing alcohol consumption. This study has implications for future public health policy decisions.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateAug 26, 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.

Bright screens at night imperil sleep of young teens

A new study found that taking a gadget to bed can suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep patterns in children aged 9-15, especially those in early puberty. The study also found that brighter screen lights have a greater impact on sleep, with 500 lux being the most effective at suppressing melatonin.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 26, 2015

Waste paper could make summer grilling more environmentally friendly

Scientists have created a sustainable and safe igniting fluid from waste paper, offering a potential solution for reducing harmful emissions from charcoal grills. The new compound, gamma-valerolactone (GVL), can safely start charcoal fires and light glass lamps without producing smoke or odors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateAug 26, 2015

Who will develop psychosis? Automated speech analysis may have the answer

A study published in NPJ-Schizophrenia found that an automated speech analysis program accurately predicted psychosis onset in high-risk youths. The analysis, which measured semantic coherence and syntactic structure, correctly differentiated between individuals who developed psychosis and those who did not.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateAug 26, 2015
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.

Self-healing material could plug life-threatening holes in spacecraft (video)

A new self-healing material has been developed that can plug life-threatening holes in spacecraft, preventing structural penetration and catastrophic damage. The material, made by sandwiching a reactive liquid between two solid polymer layers, reacts with oxygen to form a solid plug in under a second.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Macro Letters·DateAug 26, 2015

Researchers reveal how a common mutation causes neurodegenerative disease

The study reveals that the mutation disrupts normal cell function by interfering with RNA and protein movement into and out of the nucleus. This leads to neuronal deterioration and death in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of voluntary muscle movement, paralysis, and respiratory failure.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 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.

Paralysis: Primates recover better than rodents

Researchers found that primates, like humans, recover partial motor control within the first six months after a spinal cord injury, whereas rats show limited recovery. The primate-specific mechanism of recovery involves detour circuits around lesions, restoring communication between brain and spinal cords.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 26, 2015

Survivors of childhood cancer have high-risk of recurrent stroke

A new study found that childhood cancer survivors have double the risk of suffering a second stroke compared to non-cancer stroke survivors. Cranial radiation therapy, hypertension, and older age at first stroke are key predictors of recurrent stroke.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNeurology·DateAug 26, 2015

Making the air fair

A new method for dealing with flight delays, proposed by MIT researchers, distributes delays among airlines more evenly while keeping system-wide delays virtually constant. The approach allows airlines to swap schedule slots with each other, resulting in a fairer distribution of delays.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalTransportation Science·DateAug 26, 2015

UCSF researchers control embryonic stem cells with light

Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to precisely control embryonic stem cell differentiation with beams of light, revealing an internal timer within stem cells that lets them tune out extraneous biological noise. The technique enables stem cells to transform into neurons in response to a precise external cue.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell Systems·DateAug 26, 2015

Bacterial warfare

Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism by which gram-negative bacteria deliver protein toxins to their neighbors, killing them. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antibiotics that leave beneficial bacteria in the gut intact.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 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.

Methanotrophs: Could bacteria help protect our environment?

Scientists have identified a new family of copper storage proteins called Csp that are present in diverse bacteria, raising questions about how bacteria use copper ions. This discovery may help develop biotechnological applications to exploit methane and protect the environment from its potent greenhouse gas effects.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015

Capturing cancer

A Harvard University collaboration has developed a 3D model of solid tumors that reflects both their three-dimensional shape and genetic evolution. The model explains why cancer cells share an unusually high number of genetic mutations and how drug resistance evolves, shedding light on tumor growth and evolution.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015

JBJS 'Watch' cites head-neck troubles with modular hip implants

A recent study highlights the risk of catastrophic complications from failure of modular head-neck prostheses in hip-replacement surgery. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery has issued a 'Watch' to raise awareness and encourage further research into this issue.

SourceJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·JournalJBJS Case Connector·DateAug 26, 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.

NASA measures rainfall in stronger Tropical Storm Ignacio

Tropical Storm Ignacio strengthened to a storm with heavy rain rates of over 74 mm per hour, posing no threat to land areas. Its westward motion is expected to continue, with an increased forward speed and potential turn toward the west-northwest.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 26, 2015

Harrington Discovery Institute announces 2015 partnership scholars

The Harrington Discovery Institute has selected scholars to collaborate with R&D partners, including University of Oxford, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Foundation Fighting Blindness. The program aims to bridge the 'Valley of Death' gap in bringing new medications from lab to market.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·DateAug 26, 2015

Low-level arsenic exposure before birth associated with early puberty and obesity

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that low-level arsenic exposure before birth is associated with early puberty and obesity in female mice. The researchers exposed pregnant mice to low levels of arsenic through drinking water and observed significant weight gain and premature onset of puberty in the offspring.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 26, 2015

Common 'heart attack' blood test may predict future hypertension

A study of over 5,000 people found that subtle elevations in cardiac troponin T levels can predict future hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The test may help identify those at risk for hypertension and allow for earlier intervention with lifestyle changes or medication.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateAug 26, 2015
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Lab experiments question popular measure of ancient ocean temperatures

Researchers found that sediment-entombed marine archaea's growth varies based on changes in ocean oxygen levels, affecting the accuracy of past ocean temperatures. This discovery highlights the need to consider oxygen levels when interpreting the TEX-86 index, a popular method for measuring ancient ocean temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2015

Tackling the root cause of cystic fibrosis

Researchers found a small molecule, amphotericin B, that can substitute for a protein and restore a key cellular function related to cystic fibrosis and similar conditions. This approach shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for addressing the root cause of the disease.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 26, 2015

Dying star suffers 'irregular heartbeats'

Astronomers discovered 'irregular heartbeats' in a dying star, caused by massive outbursts that break its regular pulse and heat up its surface. The phenomenon may reveal new physics behind stellar pulsations and could be triggered by resonance.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 26, 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.

Stiffer breast tissue in obese women promotes tumors

A Cornell study reveals that stiffer breast tissue in obese women promotes tumor growth, changing the extracellular matrix's consistency similar to tumors. This finding may require finer-scale imaging techniques in mammograms for early detection.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 26, 2015

Education positively impacts safe opioid prescribing among clinicians

A Boston University School of Medicine program educates clinicians on safe opioid prescribing, resulting in improved knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice. The program has empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about opioids for chronic pain sufferers.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalPain Medicine·DateAug 26, 2015

Police professionals are better observers than ordinary civilians

A Dutch study found that trained detectives are superior observers than ordinary civilians, reporting more details and information about a drug deal. This skill advantage likely stems from specialized training, leading to more reliable police reports in legal cases.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalLegal and Criminological Psychology·DateAug 26, 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.

Fertilization discovery: Do sperm wield tiny harpoons?

Researchers have identified spiky filaments within sperm that may play a key role in facilitating fertilization. The discovery, 14 years in the making, provides new insights into the fine dissection of the protein architecture of the sperm's acrosomal matrix.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalAndrology·DateAug 26, 2015