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Science News Archive December 2015


Page 26 of 32

Brain scans explain quickness to blame

The study found that people use two different mechanisms to judge intentionality, relying on emotion for negative outcomes and statistics for positive outcomes. Brain scans revealed differences in brain activity between individuals with different personality traits and psychological measures.

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.

ALMA spots monstrous baby galaxies cradled in dark matter

Astronomers discovered nine monstrous baby galaxies 11.5 billion light-years away, pinpointed by ALMA's high resolution. These young galaxies reside at the intersection of massive filaments in dark matter, supporting a model for their formation.

Neuroscientists now can read the mind of a fly

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technique that allows them to read the mind of a fly by lighting up active conversations between neurons during behaviors or sensory experiences. This can provide valuable insights into the computational processes underlying human brain function.

New way to make yeast hybrids may inspire new brews, biofuels

Scientists have developed a new way to make yeast hybrids in the lab, allowing industries to create new strains of microorganisms to work with. This technique could lead to the creation of new flavors, enhanced production, and the development of entirely new products.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Autoimmune epilepsy outcomes depend heavily on antibody type

Studies reveal that different types of autoimmune responses elicit distinct responses in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Antibodies targeting intracellular proteins lead to a worse prognosis and poorer response to immunotherapy compared to those against cell surface proteins.

Constantine Dafermos to receive 2016 AMS-SIAM Wiener Prize

Constantine M. Dafermos will receive the 2016 Norbert Wiener Prize in Applied Mathematics for his pioneering research on nonlinear conservation laws and thermomechanics. He is recognized as one of the world's top experts in the theory of conservation laws.

Error correction strategies of cells

Cells use kinetic proofreading to regulate gene expression with increased specificity but at the cost of more energy investment. The authors propose an alternative out-of-equilibrium, proofreading-based transcriptional regulation to mitigate crosstalk in multicellular organisms.

Nanoscale drawbridges open path to color displays

Researchers at Rice University develop a new method for building 'drawbridges' between metal nanoparticles, allowing for the creation of full-color displays. The technique involves anchoring pairs of gold nanoparticles to a glass surface and applying a small voltage to create a conductive silver bridge that can be switched on and off.

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.

Certain herpes viruses can infect human neurons

Researchers have found that Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus can infect and replicate in human neurons. This discovery suggests viral infection could underlie at least some symptoms of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Researchers discover giant pore in the membrane of peroxisomes

Scientists have identified a second giant pore in peroxisomes, enabling the transport of folded proteins essential for human life. The discovery sheds light on how these organelles import enzymes and other proteins from the cytoplasm, a process critical for cellular function.

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.

Rudeness at work is contagious

Research at Lund University finds that 75% of employees experience rudeness, leading to stronger social support and increased risk of bullying; training for staff and managers is key to addressing unpleasant behavior.

No two faces are the same

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that the causes of congenital face blindness can be traced back to an early stage in the perceptual process. People with this condition are unable to use facial features to identify others, but their brains respond differently when shown a face.

Stanford scientists develop 'Shazam for earthquakes'

A new algorithm called Fingerprint And Similarity Thresholding (FAST) can identify previously overlooked microquakes in large databases of ground motion measurements, potentially helping predict larger quakes. By comparing seismic wave patterns, FAST finds weakly recorded earthquakes faster than conventional methods.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Ocean toxicity hampered the rapid evolution of complex life

Researchers found that arsenic concentrations in ancient oceans varied greatly over time, coinciding with the rise and fall of atmospheric oxygen and global glaciations. This suggests that ocean toxicity played a significant role in shaping the evolution of complex life on Earth.

How is a developing brain assembled?

Researchers developed a new 3D software to track the embryonic development and movement of neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans worms. The program creates a straightened image of the worm, allowing scientists to follow individual cells as they move and grow, revealing complex neuronal structures in unprecedented 3D clarity.

Guided ultrasound plus nanoparticle chemotherapy cures tumors in mice

UC Davis researchers have made significant progress in tumor treatment by combining guided ultrasound with nanoparticle chemotherapy, resulting in improved survival and consistent cure rates. The technique allows for complete destruction of tumors without thermal damage to surrounding tissue.

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.

Gene pair plays crucial role in colon cancer, Penn vet team shows

A study published in Cell Reports reveals that the Musashi genes MSI1 and MSI2 play a key role in colon cancer development, acting redundantly with the Wnt pathway. Inhibiting these proteins blocks tumor growth in both human cells and mice, suggesting potential new targets for effective treatment.

GM mice reveal the secret to a painless life

Scientists have discovered a potential solution to chronic pain by identifying the key ingredient responsible for painlessness in people born with a rare genetic mutation. By combining low-dose opioids with Nav1.7 blockers, researchers hope to replicate the effect and develop new treatments for millions of patients worldwide.

Signaling pathway suppresses brain tumors

A recent study published in Cancer Cell found that a key signaling pathway present in most organisms actually suppresses the formation of specific types of brain tumor, including gliomas. This discovery has significant implications for glioma treatment and diagnosis.

Benefit cuts to teachers won't lead to taxpayer savings

A new University of Illinois at Chicago study examines the impact of cutting teacher benefits on taxpayer savings. The researchers found that most of the cost of health insurance is passed onto teachers themselves through deductions from their salaries.

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.

Feds choose UC Davis to monitor nation's fine particles

The University of California, Davis has been awarded contracts for two major federal fine particle air quality monitoring networks: IMPROVE and CSN. This will provide data that helps inform national air quality standards and regulations, with a focus on visibility and human health in urban areas.

'Purity' of tumor samples may significantly bias genomic analyses

A new study by UC San Francisco scientists shows that the proportion of normal cells in tumor samples can skew genetic analysis results. The team used a massive dataset to examine how tumor purity affects three common genomic methods, revealing potentially disruptive effects on cancer research findings and clinical classifications.

New leads in the struggle against a formidable leukemia

The Beat AML collaboration has identified over 10 cell signaling pathways and mutations that may contribute to disease progression in acute myeloid leukemia. Researchers have also found promising therapeutic approaches, including disrupting the cancer cell microenvironment and targeting key inflammatory pathways.

Jewish cuisine punching above its paunch

A study by Professor Olivier Bauer found that Montreal's culinary heritage is influenced by Jewish cultural heritage, with bagels and smoked meat becoming iconic symbols of the city. The researcher notes that these foods have become popular among workers and tourists alike, despite their Jewish origins.

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.

Cell suicide prevention squad

Researchers have identified a key mechanism in regulating cell survival by controlling mRNA stability, shedding light on programmed cell death mechanisms. The study suggests that the CCR4-NOT complex plays a vital role in maintaining cellular integrity and that its component protein CNOT3 is crucial for cell viability.

Mystery of arsenic release into groundwater solved

The study reveals that microbes in shallow layers of seasonal wetlands use digestible plant material for energy, releasing arsenic into underlying groundwater. However, under normal conditions, these microbes do not pose a significant threat to groundwater arsenic concentrations.

Regional coordinator announces more details on GEO-CRADLE project

The GEO-CRADLE consortium coordinates regional institutions to support effective integration of Earth Observation (EO) capacities, modeling, and data exploitation skills. The project provides a roadmap for implementing GEOSS and Copernicus in the region, with a focus on climate change, food security, access to raw materials and energy.

Breast screening program effective in preventing some invasive cancers

A breast screening program has been shown to prevent subsequent invasive cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a very early form of breast cancer. The study analyzed data from over 5 million women and found that increased prior screen detection of DCIS was associated with a reduction in invasive cancers.

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.

Shedding light on particle acceleration in solar flares

Researchers have imaged a shock and its time evolution during a long-lasting solar flare, demonstrating its role in accelerating particles. The study used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array to capture over 40,000 individual images per second, revealing the dynamic evolution of the termination shock.

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.

Genetic link between heart and neurodevelopmental disease

Researchers identify common genetic link between heart and neurodevelopmental diseases in children, shedding light on shared causes of cardiac and extra-cardiac abnormalities. The study reveals de novo mutations in genes involved in heart and brain development, suggesting potential for early testing to identify high-risk newborns.

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.

AAAS names NASA Goddard scientists 2015 Fellows

Lucy McFadden, Jose Rodriguez, and Compton Tucker were named AAAS 2015 Fellows for their groundbreaking research in planetary systems, atmospheric chemistry, and Earth sciences. They will receive official recognition at the 2016 AAAS Annual Meeting.

Cannabis increases the noise in your brain

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that cannabis use is associated with increased neural noise in healthy human subjects. The researchers found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of cannabis, induces psychosis-like effects by increasing random brain activity.

How to wake a sleeping cancer cell -- and why you might want to

Researchers discovered that bone's dynamic process of building and breaking down can send signals to cancer cells to stay asleep or wake. The study showed that cancer cells are usually kept asleep by association with bone-lining cells, but can be woken by activating osteoclasts.

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.

Local human activity altering global water footprint more than thought

A new study suggests that local human activity is altering the global water cycle, increasing evapotranspiration and decreasing water runoff. This shift has a significant impact, raising humanity's global freshwater footprint by 18% and potentially leading to unsustainable levels of consumption.

How cold -- and a bacterium -- fight obesity

Researchers at Université de Genève found that cold exposure alters microbiota composition, leading to increased brown fat activation, improved insulin sensitivity, and weight loss. The discovery highlights the key role of Akkermansia muciniphila in regulating nutrient absorption and may lead to new anti-obesity treatments.

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.

Minutest absolute magnetic field measurement

Physicists have developed an extremely high-precision method for magnetic field measurement, combining the accuracy of helium and cesium magnetometers. This device has an intrinsic sensitivity ideal for explaining the missing antimatter in the universe, a key area of research in fundamental physics and cosmology.

First look at gut microbes in an American Indian community

Researchers analyzed stool samples from 38 adults in the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribe, finding reduced abundance of certain bacteria and similar fecal metabolite profiles to those with metabolic disorders. The study suggests that lifestyle and social practices may play a role in health disparities among American Indians.

Gut microbes trigger fat loss in response to cold temperatures

Researchers found that exposure to cold temperatures alters the composition of intestinal bacteria in mice, leading to increased brown and beige fat formation and improved glucose metabolism. Transplanting these microbes into germ-free mice also triggered weight loss and improved metabolic health.

Mental health courts significantly reduce repeat offenses, jail time

Researchers found that mental health courts significantly reduced repeat offending, particularly among offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems. Offenders who completed treatment programs in MHCs spent 76% less time in jail for repeat offenses compared to those in traditional courts.

Study: 17K marine species unprotected

A new study finds that more than 17,000 marine species worldwide remain largely unprotected. Nations like the US, Canada, and Brazil have large gaps in their protected areas, highlighting opportunities to achieve global biodiversity goals by 2020.

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.

Research from AGS advances definition of person-centered care for older adults

A recent study by the American Geriatrics Society defines person-centered care as an approach that prioritizes individual values and preferences in healthcare decisions. The research highlights the importance of eliciting patients' preferences and goals, and measures success by attention to people's health and life outcomes.