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Science News for February 20, 2015


AU professor develops web tool to speed data collection

A new web application developed by AU Professor Michael Bader and colleagues uses Google Street View technology to speed up researchers' data collection for sociological studies on aging in place. The app eliminates costly and time-consuming aspects of conducting research, providing a reliable tool for large-scale research.

SourceAmerican University·JournalHealth & Place·DateFeb 20, 2015

Genome's tale of 'conquer and enslave'

Researchers found that C2H2-ZF transcription factors evolved to defend the genome from self-replicating parasitic DNA, known as selfish DNA. These proteins eventually took control of genes, including those involved in brain and heart development.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 20, 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.

Palbociclib shows promise in patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer

The phase II study results indicate that palbociclib can extend disease control and produce tumor shrinkage in ER+ breast cancer patients. Researchers observed significantly longer progression-free survival in hormone receptor-positive patients compared to those with HR-negative breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 20, 2015

MARC Travel Awards Announced for ABRF 2015 Annual Meeting

The FASEB MARC Program has selected four students and postdoctorates from underrepresented groups to receive travel awards. The awards totaled $7,400 and aim to promote diversity in the biomedical research community. The recipients include Hamid Hussaini, Ibrahim Osumanu, Isavannah Reyes, and Kimberly Herard.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateFeb 20, 2015

NASA sees heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Lam

Tropical Cyclone Lam brought heavy rain to the Northern Territory, causing flooding in low-lying areas and river rises over the central Top End. The cyclone made landfall as a Category Four storm, with sustained winds near 55 kph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 20, 2015

Bacterial memories

The study found that Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype, correlating with the severity of symptoms in infected mice. Bacteria retain a 'memory effect' that reverts to a common metabolic fingerprint after laboratory cultivation.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 20, 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.

New research pinpoints crucial protein that keeps the heart beating on time

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a critical protein called C protein that enables heart muscle fibers to contract synchronously. This discovery could lead to new treatments for severe arrhythmias that cause sudden death, affecting millions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 20, 2015

Reducing energy efficiency boosts calorie burning in muscle

A new injection approach shows promise as a potential weight-loss therapy by making muscles less energy efficient and increasing calorie burning. This could help people overcome their body's natural resistance to weight loss, especially for those with limited mobility.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 20, 2015

Greenland is melting -- The past might tell what the future holds

Scientists studied lake cores in Greenland to understand the ice sheet's response to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. They found that during this time, the ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of 100 Gigaton per year, delivering an equivalent 16 cm of global sea-level rise.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalGeology·DateFeb 20, 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.

Education 'experts' may lack expertise, study finds

A new study suggests that education 'experts' with substantial media presence but little background in education and policy research may be more influential than those with empirical expertise. Researchers found experts associated with organizations like the American Enterprise Institute received nearly 2.5 times more citations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateFeb 20, 2015

Protein linked to development of asthma

A study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry identifies CCL28 as a key player in inducing asthma pathology even without a viral infection. This finding opens the door for developing potent and specific CCL28 inhibitors to prevent post-viral asthma in young children.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 20, 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.

MARC travel awards announced for: The ACSM Northwest Regional Chapter Meeting

The FASEB MARC Program has awarded $2,000 to two students from underrepresented groups to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Regional Chapter Meeting. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research by promoting participation and engagement among young scientists.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateFeb 20, 2015

Ancient and modern cities aren't so different

A study on ancient settlements in the Basin of Mexico found that larger settlements were more productive and efficient, exhibiting similar urban scaling trends as modern cities. The research team analyzed data from over 2000 years and four cultural eras to estimate populations and site use intensity.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 20, 2015

Safety and life-saving efficacy of statins have been exaggerated, says USF scientist

USF scientists found that statins produce a significant reduction in cholesterol levels but have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. The researchers argue that advocates for statins have used statistical deception to inflate their effectiveness and downplay adverse effects.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalExpert Review of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 20, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Intoxicated on YouTube

A University of Pittsburgh analysis of 70 YouTube videos depicts drunkenness found little portrayal of negative outcomes, with humor often juxtaposed. The study suggests targeting men in future interventions debunking alcohol-related myths on social media.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateFeb 20, 2015

Hubble gets best view of circumstellar debris disk distorted by planet

Astronomers have used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to capture the most detailed edge-on picture yet of a large disk of gas and dust encircling Beta Pictoris. The disk is distorted by the gravitational pull of an embedded giant planet, allowing scientists to study the effects of planetary formation on young star systems.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 20, 2015
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.

Paleoclimate, proxies, paleosols, and precipitation: A look to the future

Researchers develop a new relationship between soil magnetic properties and precipitation, doubling the potential range of terrestrial paleoclimate applications. This improves understanding of hydrologic conditions in the deep past, leading to more accurate predictions of water availability and ecosystem stability in a warmer world.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateFeb 20, 2015

Immune cells -- learning from experience

A team of researchers found that T-helper cells can retain information on the specific cytokine needed to produce in response to an infection. This memory allows them to activate and release the pre-determined quantity of cytokine when faced with a new infection.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalImmunity·DateFeb 20, 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.

Powerful dengue neutralizing antibody found

A potent dengue-neutralizing antibody, 5J7, has been identified with a tiny amount needed to stop the infection of dengue serotype 3 virus (DENV-3). This breakthrough finding offers hope for developing effective dengue treatments.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2015

Future of biobanking and translational research in China

A special issue of Biopreservation and Biobanking Journal explores China's biobanking strategy, highlighting its role in accelerating translational research. The articles discuss the country's biosample collection, analysis capabilities, and ethical management guidelines.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBiopreservation and Biobanking·DateFeb 20, 2015

New HPV approved after international phase 2/3 trial involving Moffitt Cancer Center

The HPV vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing cervical cancers caused by nine high-risk HPV types. If populations are vaccinated, approximately 90% of all cervical cancers worldwide can be prevented. The vaccine was found to be safe with no significant health concerns.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 20, 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.

Virus-cutting enzyme helps bacteria remember a threat

Researchers have discovered a new role for the Cas9 enzyme in bacterial immune systems, revealing how bacteria form memories of past viral threats. By analyzing the interactions between Cas9 and other enzymes, scientists have gained insight into the mysterious process by which bacteria encode viral DNA in their genomes.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateFeb 20, 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.

The sound of intellect: Job seeker's voice reveals intelligence

A study by University of Chicago Booth School of Business researchers found that job candidates rated as more competent and intelligent when their voice was heard or read aloud, not just when they spoke. This is because their speech conveys fundamental thinking capacity, including reasoning and thoughtfulness.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalThe Journal Of Psychological Science·DateFeb 20, 2015

NASA saw heavy rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Marcia

Tropical Cyclone Marcia made landfall along Queensland's coast with intense storms dropping rain at 225 mm/hour. The TRMM satellite captured a 3-D view of the cyclone, showing thunderstorm tops reaching heights of over 15.2 km.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 20, 2015

Women back idea of more breast screens for those at high risk of cancer

A study found that most UK women (85%) would back the idea of more frequent breast screening if they are at higher genetic risk of developing breast cancer. Women at lower genetic risk were less supportive, but still willing to participate in screening with proper information and support.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalThe Breast·DateFeb 20, 2015

MD Anderson receives $22.3 million in CPRIT research funding

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has received over $22 million in CPRIT research grants to study breast, skin, prostate, and lung cancers, as well as leukemia and brain cancer. The funding will also support prevention and early detection efforts.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateFeb 20, 2015