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Science News Archive December 2015 - Page 8


Page 8 of 32

NYU study identifies method for detecting latent stage of lymphedema

Researchers at NYU College of Nursing developed a method to detect breast cancer-related lymphedema by counting symptoms, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The study found that a diagnostic cutoff of three symptoms can distinguish healthy adults from those with lymphedema with 94% sensitivity.

SourceNew York University·DateDec 18, 2015

The case of the sticky protein

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed new probes to measure surface hydrophobicity in proteins. These sensors show significant improvements over existing commercial tools, with up to a 60-fold increase in detection strength.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 18, 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.

Review: PTSD resources lacking for nonveterans

A new study finds that treatment resources for non-veterans with PTSD are much less cohesive and helpful than those available to veterans. The review of research literature highlights the need for better guidance on treating PTSD in specific vulnerable subpopulations, such as victims of sexual assault and natural disasters.

SourceBrown University·JournalHarvard Review of Psychiatry·DateDec 18, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Uncovering potentially 'concerning' variation in cancer screening follow-ups

A recent study involving one million patients found that follow-up times for abnormal screening exams were shorter for breast cancer than for colorectal and cervical cancers. The study characterized cancer screening practice variation across seven centers and noted the potential barriers to timely follow-up, including patient inconveni...

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 18, 2015

Coastal marshes more resilient to sea-level rise than previously believed

A new study by Duke University researchers found that coastal marshes can adapt to rising sea levels through increased plant productivity and soil generation, reducing the extent of marsh loss. The 'CO2 fertilization effect' allows marshes to trap more sediment and create organic soil, which helps them keep pace with sea-level rise.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2015

Researchers develop new method for looking into the lungs

A new method allows researchers to create 3D images of oxygen and CO2 transport in the lungs, providing hope for improved treatment of COPD and lung cancer. The technique enables doctors to better predict patient outcomes and develop personalized treatments.

SourceAarhus University·JournalRespiratory Physiology & Neurobiology·DateDec 18, 2015

Watching the ribosome at work

A new method called RiboTaper helps to clarify the function of unknown genes by analyzing sequencing data. By filtering out background noise, researchers can determine which genes are actively producing proteins and identify specific points on RNA where significant events occur.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 18, 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.

Extinction of large animals could make climate change worse

Researchers find that extinction of fruit-eating animals like primates and tapirs disrupts seed dispersal, leading to a decline in heavy-wooded trees and reduced carbon storage. This loss affects the ecosystem's ability to counter climate change.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 18, 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.

Branching out: Engineers reveal mechanisms of complex organ structures

Researchers discovered that mechanical forces regulate airway branching in the developing lung, challenging previous theories. The study's findings have long-term implications for understanding developmental disorders and treating growth disorders like cancer.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 18, 2015

Bacterium carrying a cloned Bt-gene could help millions infected with roundworms

A team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for Bt into a harmless bacterium, which can be used to deliver the protein to people afflicted with roundworms through dairy products or probiotics. This could provide an inexpensive treatment option for millions of people worldwide infected with intestinal nematodes and roundworms.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 18, 2015

GHG emissions from Canadian Arctic aquatic systems dated for the first time

For the first time, scientists have successfully dated carbon dioxide and methane emissions from ponds and lakes on Bylot Island in Nunavut. The study found significant variability in age and emission rates of greenhouse gases from aquatic systems located in a continuous permafrost zone.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalBiogeosciences·DateDec 18, 2015
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Antibiotic-infused implants designed to help faces heal

Researchers at Rice University have developed time-released gel-filled implants that deliver antibiotics to the face, reducing the risk of infection during facial reconstruction. The innovative material protects tissue from bacterial invasion for several weeks.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials Science·DateDec 18, 2015

Pinpoint targeting instead of shotgun approach

Researchers at Technical University of Munich create a highly active molecule that selectively targets the alphaVbeta6 integrin, a common marker in many types of cancer. This breakthrough could lead to patient-specific diagnoses and targeted therapies with minimal side effects.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 17, 2015

Their enemy's sex pheromone helps flies protect their offspring

Researchers found that female Drosophila flies avoid oviposition sites that smell of parasitic wasps, significantly increasing the survival rate of their larvae. The detection is mediated by a dedicated olfactory circuit that recognizes the sex pheromone of Leptopilina wasps.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

How anti-evolution bills evolve

An evolutionary biologist analyzed 65 anti-evolution bills, finding they share traits with each other and evolution itself. Creationism has evolved stealthily, using tactics from human cloning and global warming debates to influence education policies.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 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.

Tapeworm vaccine gets US $200,000 funding boost

A US$200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support the development of a one-shot vaccine for tapeworms, reducing deaths from neurocysticercosis in developing countries. The vaccine aims to break the lifecycle of the parasite, causing brain cysts and seizures.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·DateDec 17, 2015

Despite poaching, elephants' social networks hold steady

Researchers found that elephants' social networks remained resilient due to the ability of daughters to fill their mothers' roles, driven by vertical transmission of social roles. This adaptability provides optimism for elephant recovery from human disturbance once pressure is alleviated.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

New methods, requirements have changed data sharing among life science researchers

A recent survey of life science researchers found that data sharing has increased, with more exchanges of information and materials through third-party platforms. However, person-to-person collaborations have decreased, and secrecy remains a concern due to competing incentives for publication and career advancement.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateDec 17, 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.

International team says carnivore hunting policy and science don't align

A team of biologists found that current harvest levels for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains lead to decreased survival and reproduction, smaller packs, and social disruption. The research highlights the need for stronger science-based policies to guide regulated carnivore hunting.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015

New research uncovers processes driving planarian stem cell differentiation

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of enzymes in regulating chromatin, which plays a crucial role in planarian stem cell differentiation. The study found that specific enzymes, Set1 and MLL1/2, target genes involved in cilia formation, suggesting that defects in these processes may be linked to various huma...

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 17, 2015

Anxiety Significantly Raises Risk for Dementia

A new study by USC researchers found that people with high anxiety levels have a 48% higher risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging and found that chronic anxiety is linked to damage in the brain, including the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateDec 17, 2015
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New model more accurately tracks gases for underground nuclear explosion detection

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory developed a new method to detect underground nuclear explosions by coupling seismic models with gas-flow models. The research improves the accuracy of predicting radionuclide gas transport through fracture networks, enabling better detection and concentration of gases.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 17, 2015

Turning rice farming waste to useful silica compounds

Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to extract high-purity silica compounds from agricultural waste using ethylene glycol and ethanol. This process could significantly reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateDec 17, 2015

Pancreas cancer liquid biopsy flows from blood-borne packets of tumor genes

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new liquid biopsy technique that can analyze tumor genes from blood samples using exosomes, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies. The approach has the potential to improve prognosis, guide targeted therapy, and monitor treatment progress.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateDec 17, 2015

Scientists identify mechanisms to reduce epileptic seizures following TBI

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that stopping the production of new neurons in the brain following TBI can help reduce epileptic seizures, cognitive decline, and impaired memory. This process, called neurogenesis, is sometimes hyperexcitable, disrupting neural circuits and causing recurring seizures.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 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.

Burgess Shale fossil site gives up oldest evidence of brood care

The discovery of eggs with embryos preserved within the body of a 508-million-year-old Waptia fossil provides the oldest direct evidence of a creature caring for its offspring. This finding supports the theory that the presence of a bivalved carapace played a key role in the early evolution of brood care in arthropods.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

MERS virus in camels: Different variations and a vaccine

Recent studies identified five distinct lineages of MERS-CoV in camels, with low barrier for interspecies transmission. A vaccine was found to be effective in preventing clinical symptoms and reducing virus levels in vaccinated camels.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015

Learning from the past: What yesterday's media can tell us about the times

A study found that historically black newspapers covered the 1967 Supreme Court case on interracial marriage similarly to mainstream media, challenging common assumptions about their content. Researchers used this finding to highlight the importance of considering diverse perspectives in reporting on civil rights issues.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Social Issues·DateDec 17, 2015

Hubble sees the force awakening in a newborn star

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has photographed a newborn star with twin jets, reminiscent of a Star Wars lightsaber, in the Orion B molecular cloud complex. The protostar is feeding on surrounding material and shooting gas into space, creating shock fronts that heat up the surrounding gas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 17, 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.

Buffet guilt

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers found that diners paying less for all-you-can-eat buffets feel more physically uncomfortable and guilty compared to those paying more. The study suggests that consumers can mitigate these effects by opting for higher-priced buffets and healthier options.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalBMC Nutrition·DateDec 17, 2015

Darwin's finches may face extinction

A new study shows that parasitic flies may drive Darwin's finch populations to extinction in several decades. However, a modest reduction in fly prevalence through human intervention could alleviate the risk. Researchers propose various methods for controlling the fly population, including introducing wasps and using insecticides.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateDec 17, 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.

HKU scientists find 3 coronavirus species co-circulating in dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia and Korean outbreak of MERS caused by recombinant variant

Research reveals three coronavirus species co-existing in camels in Saudi Arabia, including one closely related to the human 229E virus. The study also finds that young camels are more susceptible to respiratory infections and that winter is the peak season for virus replication.

SourceUniversity of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015

Early warning system to save species.

A new method, known as the 'systems behaviour chart', is proposed by Dr Simon Black to focus conservation efforts and improve management. This tool can help identify early warning signs of ecological problems, such as population declines or increased mortality rates, allowing for timely interventions to be made.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalInternational Journal of Ecology·DateDec 17, 2015

Prostate cancer discovery may make it easier to kill cancer cells

Researchers discovered an unexpected link between two common prostate cancer treatments, radiation and androgen ablation. This connection allows doctors to better determine which treatment will benefit individual patients, potentially leading to improved prostate cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalCancer Research·DateDec 17, 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.

Binge drinking with chronic alcohol use more destructive than previously thought

A recent study published in Biomolecules found that chronic alcohol use combined with repeated binge drinking causes significant liver damage, exceeding previous estimates. The research, conducted on mice, showed that mice exposed to both chronic and binge consumption exhibited the highest levels of liver injury.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalBiomolecules·DateDec 17, 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.

New research finds cosmic clumpy donut around black hole

Researchers have discovered that the disks of gas and dust surrounding massive black holes are 'clumpy,' not smooth. The observations were made using NASA's NuSTAR and European Space Agency's XMM-Newton space observatory.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 17, 2015

Penn Nursing research: Exceptional care requires patient-driven education

Research from Penn Nursing and colleagues finds that parents with low health literacy need learner-driven education, while those with adequate literacy want flexible teaching. The study's findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess patient health literacy and use creative communication methods to improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateDec 17, 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.

Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers

A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2015

Top risk factors for child undernutrition in India identified

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified the top five risk factors responsible for more than two-thirds of India's child undernutrition problem. These include short maternal stature, lack of education, extreme poverty, and poor dietary diversity.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateDec 17, 2015