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Science News for December 4, 2015


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.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalFungal Genetics and Biology·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Epilepsy Society·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 4, 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.

What your father ate before you were born could influence your health

Researchers found that weight loss in fathers can alter epigenetic marks in their sperm cells, potentially influencing the appetite and physiology of their future children. The study suggests that lifestyle factors prior to conception can shape the health of offspring.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalmBio·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 4, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceLund University·JournalBioMed Research International·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 4, 2015

Montefiore-Einstein Investigators present research at 2015 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

Researchers from Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care presented findings on genetic risk factors, preleukemic states, and novel treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. They identified a genetic risk factor for avascular necrosis associated with treatment of ALL in children and demonstrated that moderate PU.1 inhibition can drive m...

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceStockholm University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCancer Cell·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Health Economics·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateDec 4, 2015

'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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 4, 2015

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.

SourceChapman University·DateDec 4, 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.

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateDec 4, 2015