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Science News Archive February 2015


Page 4 of 31

New compound may lead to development of cheaper anti-cancer drugs

A new compound developed at the University of Toronto Scarborough can monitor protein kinase activity without using radioactive isotopes. This innovation has potential to improve cancer treatment by providing a safer and more accurate method for assessing drug effectiveness.

Study reveals possible biological trigger for canine bone cancer

A study published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology reveals an association between frizzled-6 protein expression and more aggressive behavior in canine bone cancer. The findings may provide a new pathway for tumor formation and improve outcomes for dogs with the disease.

Transplant journal study: Many transplant surgeons suffer burnout

A national study found nearly half of organ transplant surgeons experience low personal accomplishment and 40% feel emotionally exhausted. Surgeons who reported higher levels of personal accomplishment felt more control in their work life and had more support from co-workers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astronomers find impossibly large black hole

An international team of astronomers has found a huge and ancient black hole powering the brightest object in the early universe. The massive black hole is 12 billion times the size of our Sun and lives at the center of a quasar, emitting millions of billions of times more energy than the Sun.

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.

Improving inmate health can lead to better community health and safety

A systematic review of 59 studies found that interventions in prisons led to improved health outcomes for prisoners and the general population. The research highlights the importance of providing treatment and access to primary care after release, resulting in reduced substance abuse, mental health problems, and infectious diseases.

New flow battery to keep big cities lit, green and safe

A new zinc-polyiodide redox flow battery boasts an energy density exceeding other flow batteries of its kind and size. This design enables efficient long-duration energy storage for urban grids, enhancing resiliency and flexibility.

Magnetic nanoparticles enhance performance of solar cells

Researchers found that adding magnetite nanoparticles increases the performance of polymer solar cells, allowing them to convert more incident light into electrical power. The addition of heavy elements enables a material conversion that prolongs the lifetime of electron-hole pairs, leading to higher efficiency.

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.

Mountain birds beat the odds

Researchers found that mountain chickadees living at harsher high elevations exhibit superior spatial memory and problem-solving abilities. However, these birds tend to avoid novel objects, contradicting the expectation that enhanced problem-solving skills would come with increased innovation.

DARPA contract to fund exploration of hard-to-find information on the web

Juliana Freire is developing scalable techniques for traditional search engines, enabling focused crawling for tracking criminal activities and integrating crawling with search and data analysis. Her research also aims to address human trafficking, a key Defense Department mission with a significant web presence.

Oat breakfast cereals may contain a common mold-related toxin

A study by American Chemical Society researchers found that oat-based breakfast cereals exceeded EU standards for ochratoxin A levels in 8% of samples. The findings highlight the need for improved oat production, storage, and processing to protect consumer health.

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.

Electric-car driving range and emissions depend on where you live

Scientists found that electric car driving range and emissions differ greatly depending on regional energy sources and climate, with extreme temperatures affecting battery efficiency. The study's analysis revealed that geographical differences can influence the energy implications of electric vehicles.

Helmet add-ons may not lower concussion risk in athletes

Researchers evaluated four football helmet add-ons, including Guardian Cap and Concussion Reduction Technology, which showed limited impact on reducing concussion risk. The study found that helmets with these add-ons reduced linear accelerations by about 11 percent but had little effect on angular accelerations.

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.

Penn vet researchers identify effective treatment for Niemann Pick Type C

A study published in Science Translational Medicine shows that treating cats with Niemann Pick Type C with cyclodextrin significantly improved their neurological symptoms. The treatment halted disease progression and allowed the cats to live past three years of age, making it a promising potential therapy for human patients.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Frequent sauna use protects men against cardiac death

A 20-year follow-up study found that frequent sauna use can reduce the risk of cardiac death in men. Men who used saunas 4-7 times a week were 63% less likely to experience sudden cardiac death compared to those using them once a week. Longer sauna sessions also reduced cardiovascular risks.

Should smoking be banned in UK parks?

Extending UK anti-smoking legislation to parks and squares aims to support healthy lifestyle choices, particularly among young people. The proposal is based on evidence from successful smoking bans worldwide, which have been shown to reduce smoking prevalence and improve public health.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Heart's inner mechanisms to be studied with NIH grant

The grant will allow Cui to analyze mechanisms underlying potassium ion channel properties and develop targeted treatments for cardiac arrhythmia. He aims to understand a novel mechanism behind Long QT syndrome, which can be fatal.

Researchers enable solar cells to use more sunlight

A team of researchers from the University of Luxembourg and TDK has improved a conductive oxide film to increase transparency in the infrared region, enabling solar cells to harness more sunlight. The breakthrough allows for stable films that retain conductivity after exposure to air for over a year.

Warning on use of drug for children's sleep

Researchers at the University of Adelaide warn against giving melatonin to children to treat sleep problems, citing lack of rigorous safety studies and potential interactions with other medications. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates circadian rhythms in adults but its use for children's sleep is unregulated in the US.

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.

Consumer behavior and free trials: What makes a customer stay?

A new study in the Journal of Marketing Research found that free trial customers have a distinct relationship with service providers, forming a less-developed bond. This can be leveraged by firms targeting these customers with personalized marketing communication and information on their usage behavior to encourage retention.

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.

New nanowire structure absorbs light efficiently

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new method to combine different types of nanowires into a single array, improving absorption efficiency. The dual-type nanowire arrays show better light coupling and reduced reflection, making them suitable for applications such as solar cells and LEDs.

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.

Graphene shows potential as novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategy

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that graphene oxide can selectively target and neutralize cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for cancer spread and recurrence. The study suggests that graphene oxide could be used as a non-toxic anti-cancer agent in combination with existing treatments.

Sharp rise in experimental animal research in US

The study found a sharp rise in the use of mice and unregulated species in US laboratory research, contradicting industry claims and government efforts. The data highlights the need for greater transparency and efforts to curb animal use in scientific research.

Do long sleepers have an increased risk of stroke?

A new study published in Neurology found that people who sleep more than eight hours a night have an increased risk of stroke. Those who shifted from sleeping less than six hours a night to more than eight hours were nearly four times as likely to have a stroke.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

The body's 'Transformers'

A study by UCSB scientists examined the unique properties of tau, a critical protein in neurons that can form clumps associated with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that exposing tau to certain chemicals, such as urea, could prevent aggregation, while another compound, TMAO, accelerated it.

Study IDs key birds that host Lyme disease bacteria in California

A study published in PLOS ONE identified wood rats and western gray squirrels as hosts for Lyme disease-causing bacteria in California, but birds were found to be more important than previously recognized. The study also discovered a new subtype of Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia bissettii, in birds for the first time in California.

International marketing: Are store brands becoming a global phenomenon?

A new study found that countries with modernized marketing systems and supermarkets are best positioned to lower prices on store brands. Businesses in these nations face challenges finding quality suppliers and efficient transportation systems. As a result, store brands will inevitably become a global phenomenon.

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.

Epigenetic 'switch' regulates RNA-protein interactions

Researchers discovered that epigenetic modifications to mRNA act as a structural switch allowing RNA-binding proteins to recognize inaccessible regions. This phenomenon, known as the m6A switch, affects practically all RNA-protein interactions, with widespread implications for gene expression and regulation.

Hidden gene gives hope for improving brain function

Researchers found that the Gomafu gene is dynamically regulated in the adult brain, affecting behavior related to anxiety and schizophrenia. The discovery sheds light on the gene's potential as a surveillance system for rapid brain responses to environmental changes.

Future vehicles will be virtually tested before the first prototype is built

Researchers at Umeå University's UMIT Research Lab have developed a new virtual testing technology for future vehicles, reducing development time and costs. This innovation is expected to improve fuel efficiency, manoeuvrability, and safety in vehicles by simulating real-world scenarios before the first prototype is built.

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.

Unusual disease that causes acute confusion may be underdiagnosed

Susac syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease causing acute confusion, hearing problems, and eyesight issues. It is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or ADEM, but may be considered in young patients with unexplained acute onset of confusion and abnormal spinal fluid tests

Found: Ancient, super-bright quasar with massive black hole

Astronomers have found a super-bright quasar powered by the most massive black hole ever observed for an object from that time, located at a distance of 12.8 billion light years away. The quasar is 7 times brighter than the most distant known quasar and has a luminosity of 420 trillion solar units.

Shining new light on vascular diseases in diabetics

Researchers have developed a novel vascular optical tomographic imaging system to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of peripheral artery disease in diabetics. The system uses near-infrared light to map hemoglobin concentration, revealing perfusion issues in extremities.