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Science News for December 11, 2015


More attention needed to results of simple test of kidney function

Researchers found that paying attention to results of a simple blood test can help predict the likelihood of patients experiencing kidney failure or death. The studies emphasize the importance of monitoring measures of kidney function over time to inform treatment decisions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 11, 2015

New sister Interoperability Center opens in Europe

The new center aims to harmonize electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enabling seamless communication between cars and grids. It drafts international standards for interoperability testing and develops physical devices to connect vehicles to the grid.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateDec 11, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists in Barcelona discover a potential treatment for cirrhosis

A study published in Gastroenterology reveals that the inhibition of CPEB4 protein can prevent the development of abnormal blood vessels associated with cirrhosis. This finding has significant implications for the treatment of this disease, which is responsible for a high rate of hospital admissions and use of health resources.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateDec 11, 2015

Postpartum family planning services should be a top reproductive health priority

A new study finds that counseling before discharge from maternity units can impact subsequent contraceptive use, while integrating family planning into immunization services is justified. Relaxing strict LAM conditions may also be an effective postpartum contraceptive method, highlighting the need for a continuum of reproductive health...

SourcePopulation Council Journals·JournalStudies in Family Planning·DateDec 11, 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.

Preventing diabetes at the office

A workplace intervention program significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels and led to greater weight loss compared to a control group. Participants who attended more group discussion sessions and monitored their food and physical activity lost more weight.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateDec 11, 2015

New ASU worldwide resource for exploring genes' hidden messages

Researchers at Arizona State University have created a worldwide resource to explore genes' deep and hidden messages, specifically the untranslated elements (UTRs) of the human genome. The UTRome library contains over 1,400 human 3'UTRs and is freely available for researchers to study gene regulation and disease.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBMC Genomics·DateDec 11, 2015

Violence in Mexico affected children's mental health

Research by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso finds that exposure to violence in Mexico leads to high levels of depression, aggression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder in children. The study highlights the need for early intervention to reduce mental health problems in youth living in violent areas.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·JournalSalud Mental·DateDec 11, 2015

Phobia of sicknesses leads to Angelina Jolie syndrome

Healthism, a peremptory idea of self-preserving behavior, criticizes everything that fails to fit into glamorous health standards. Angelina Jolie syndrome is an extreme manifestation of this obsession, leading to mass neurosis and social discrimination against those who don't conform to beauty norms.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalThe Journal of Social Policy Studies·DateDec 11, 2015

At ASCB 2015: CRISPR/Cas9 + HPSC = human PKD lab model

Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to guide human pluripotent stem cells into becoming a lab model for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a common inherited disorder. The system produced stable, biologically accurate human models with cyst-like structures in kidney tubules.

SourceAmerican Society for Cell Biology·DateDec 11, 2015
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.

UC Davis scientists demonstrate DNA-based electromechanical switch

Researchers at UC Davis have demonstrated that DNA can be modulated to act as an electromechanical switch, enabling the design of unique nanodevices. The discovery could lead to new paradigms for computing and improve energy efficiency in electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2015

NASA measures rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Bohale

Tropical cyclone Bohale's powerful thunderstorms were dropping rain at a rate of over 77 mm per hour near its center of circulation. A 3-D image created using GPM data showed the structure of precipitation within the storm, with thunderstorm tops reaching heights above 16.6 km.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 11, 2015
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.

Study finds there is less knowledge about global species diversity than previously assumed

Researchers conducted a long-term study on biodiversity in subtropical forests of China, finding that there might be an under- or overestimation of global biodiversity by up to 50% when only a few taxa are sampled. The study used traditional methods combined with DNA analysis to determine species numbers, revealing that larger areas an...

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2015

New study finds nearly half of American Muslim doctors feel scrutinized on the job

A national survey of 255 Muslim American physicians found that nearly half felt greater scrutiny at work, and one in four experienced workplace religious discrimination. The study emphasizes the need for policies to promote respect and accommodation for minority religions in the healthcare workforce.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalAJOB Empirical Bioethics·DateDec 11, 2015

Diagnostics with birefringence

A new rapid test using polarized light can detect a wide range of pathogens, including malaria parasites, HIV, Ebola, diverse bacteria, glucose and cholesterol. The test is extremely fast, inexpensive, and flexible, making it suitable for use in areas with limited laboratory equipment.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 11, 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.

Higher workloads can make freelance workers happier

A new study found that freelance workers are calmer and more enthusiastic when their hours are higher than normal, but this is at the expense of their work-life balance and wellbeing. The researchers suggest that 'enchantment-based work-family/non-work interference' occurs when long hours generate enthusiasm.

SourceSAGE·JournalHuman Relations·DateDec 11, 2015

Tropical groundwater resources resilient to climate change

A new study found that tropical groundwater is replenished disproportionately from heavy rainfalls, making it a climate-resilient source of freshwater. The long-term viability of these resources relies on the replenishment of groundwater supplies.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 11, 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.

Swiss students are not fond of brain-doping

A survey of 3,000 Swiss university students found that 70% believed using prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was unfair. The study suggests that universities should provide more information on the risks and benefits of brain-doping to address these concerns.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 11, 2015

The artificial materials that came in from the cold

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a bidirectional freeze-casting technique to manufacture novel structural materials with high control over structure. The technique, inspired by natural materials like bones and shells, enables the creation of advanced porous materials with outstanding properties.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 11, 2015

The days are getting longer

Researchers at the University of Alberta investigated past changes in Earth's core rotation to understand global sea-level rise. They found a correlation between the slowing down of Earth's rotation and the increase in sea levels over the past century.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 11, 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.

Targeted assistance needed to fight poverty in developing coastal communities

A study published in Royal Society's journal found that marine conservation projects can have unequal impacts on different community groups, such as men vs women or the elderly. The researchers suggest tailoring projects to address these disparities and promote more effective poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateDec 11, 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.

Healthy or sick? Tiny cell bubbles may hold the answer

Researchers have identified 335 genes that regulate the formation and function of extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny bubbles released by cells. EVs can promote tissue repair or carry disease signals for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Understanding EV biology could lead to new therapeutic treatments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 11, 2015

Study uncovers influence of Earth's history on the dawn of modern birds

A new study found that modern birds arose in what is now South America around 90 million years ago. The research suggests that birds survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event and then diversified during periods of global cooling, with diversification rates increasing as the climate cooled.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 11, 2015

Forest Service research and development bridging the gender gap

A study by the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station found that institutions influence the demographic composition of scientists. The research reveals initiatives have narrowed the gender gap over the past 30 years, with women comprising 26% of scientists in R&D.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalBioScience·DateDec 11, 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.

Noise can't hide weak signals from this new receiver

Electrical engineers at UC San Diego developed a spectral-cloning receiver that can extract faint, non-repetitive signals from noise. This innovation has applications in secure communication, electronic warfare, signal intelligence, remote sensing, astronomy, and spectroscopy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2015

New study finds nearly half of American Muslim doctors feel scrutinized on the job

A national survey of 255 Muslim American physicians found nearly half experienced greater scrutiny at work due to their religion. Despite no association with religious appearance or practice, these doctors face similar rates of career advancement restrictions, sparking calls for targeted workforce diversity efforts.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalAJOB Empirical Bioethics·DateDec 11, 2015
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.

Project to develop new poultry vaccines awarded £5.7 million

A £5.7 million grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) will support the development of cheap and effective vaccines for poultry. The project aims to reduce infections in humans and minimize antibiotics in the food chain, with potential applications for cattle, sheep, and goats.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·DateDec 11, 2015

New catalyst paves way for bio-based plastics, chemicals

Researchers at Washington State University developed a catalyst that easily converts bio-based ethanol to isobutene, a widely used industrial chemical. The breakthrough could help reduce environmental impacts and meet new regulations for sustainability in the chemical industry.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 11, 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.

Cooperative catalysts offer unique route to alkenes

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel two-component catalyst system that performs the dehydrogenation reaction at room temperature. This method produces hydrogen gas and an alkene molecule without requiring high temperatures or precious metals, opening up new possibilities for chemical transformations.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2015