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Science News for February 6, 2015


The battle for iron

Scientists at EMBL and Heidelberg University Clinic have discovered a new way to starve pathogens of iron, using the immune system's TLR2 and TLR6 molecules. This finding offers an alternative approach to treatments for anaemia of chronic disease, which affects chronically ill patients.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalBlood·DateFeb 6, 2015

After hospital discharge, deadly heart risks can remain for up to a year

A new Yale University study found that patients are at risk of rehospitalization or death within a year after being discharged from the hospital, with risks remaining high even after several months. The researchers tracked 3 million Medicare patients and discovered specific risks vary by discharge diagnosis and outcomes over time.

SourceYale University·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 6, 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.

Astronomers breathe new life into venerable instrument

A team of astronomers successfully restored the Half-wave Spectropolarimeter (HPOL) instrument, allowing it to conduct measurements with improved performance. The upgraded HPOL is now fully operational at the University of Toledo's Ritter Observatory and enables researchers to study variable or transient objects more effectively.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalJournal of Astronomical Instrumentation·DateFeb 6, 2015

New method for minimally invasive tissue ablation surgery

A new method for minimally invasive tissue ablation surgery combines electrolysis with reversible electroporation, increasing the effectiveness of the procedure. The technique allows for faster treatment and greater control over the target area, potentially leading to safer and more effective cancer treatment.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateFeb 6, 2015

Lifting the veil on a dark galaxy

Astronomers validate earlier prediction of dark-matter dominated dwarf galaxy's location by discovering young Cepheid variables in the Norma constellation. The discovery sheds light on the nature of dark matter and confirms Newton's theory of gravity.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 6, 2015

Methane seepage from the Arctic seabed occurring for millions of years

A team of scientists has found evidence of methane seepage from the Arctic seabed dating back 2.7 million years, tied to tectonic plate movement and potentially influenced by past temperature fluctuations. The study suggests that the release of methane gas hydrates in this region may have contributed to climate change.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 6, 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.

How to forecast extreme snowfall in Spain

A team of researchers analyzed a significant cold snap in March 2011, which led to unexpected intense snowfalls. By examining the episode, scientists improved short-term predictions and developed a better understanding of how to predict similar events in the future.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAtmospheric Research·DateFeb 6, 2015

Cow immune system inspires potential new therapies

Researchers fuse human hormones with cow antibodies to create long-lasting treatment options for hormone deficiencies and other diseases. The new therapy shows promise in reducing the frequency of injections needed for conditions like Turner syndrome and low birth weight.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2015

A picture is worth 1,000 words, but how many emotions?

A new approach uses progressively trained deep convolutional neural networks to analyze sentiments in images. The method outperforms existing techniques on Twitter image sentiment analysis, even exceeding text-based sentiment classification on the same messages. This technology could inform economists and predict election outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateFeb 6, 2015

Consumer preferences and the power of scarcity

Research finds that scarcity makes consumers choose their favorite item more, while abundance leads to varied selections. This effect can be manipulated through psychological arousal, influencing decision-making in various contexts.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateFeb 6, 2015
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.

Aerial monitors shed light on reed die-back around Central Europe's largest lake

Researchers from the University of Leicester and Hungarian Academy of Sciences develop a way to map 'reed die-back' using satellite and aircraft monitoring systems. They found several indices related to the ecological status of reed plants, which can be mapped from specific wavelengths of radiation.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateFeb 6, 2015

Researchers reveal how hearing evolved

Studies on lungfish and salamander hearing shed light on the evolution of aerial hearing in early terrestrial vertebrates, suggesting they could have detected airborne sound without a tympanic middle ear. The research provides insight into the development of hearing 250-350 million years ago.

SourceAarhus University·DateFeb 6, 2015

UC Davis researchers identify new compound that takes aim at neuropathic pain

A new compound named 8-Gly carb has been discovered by UC Davis researchers to potentiate the inhibition of nitrous oxide production, implicated in chronic pain syndromes. The findings offer an important avenue for developing drugs to prevent neuropathic pain without interfering with recovery.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateFeb 6, 2015

Researchers discover critical molecule in fight against lung infection

Researchers at Montana State University have discovered a critical molecule, IL-1a, that plays a crucial role in recruiting white blood cells to fight lung infections. The molecule helps prevent mold from invading lung tissue and growing, potentially reducing the death rate associated with Aspergillus fumigatus.

SourceMontana State University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 6, 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.

E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress

A new study by the University of Rochester finds that e-cigarettes emit toxic substances harmful to lung cells, including heavy metals and nanoparticles. Flavored e-juices like cinnamon also cause more stress on lung tissue.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 6, 2015

Video game technology helps measure upper extremity movement

Researchers developed a video game to measure upper extremity movement in patients with muscular dystrophy, highly correlating scores with daily activities and mobility. The game, using Kinect technology, measures patient performance and can be used across sites internationally.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalMuscle & Nerve·DateFeb 6, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New tools to breed cereal crops that survive flooding

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have developed new breeding techniques to enhance flood tolerance in barley and other crops. They identified the mechanism used by plants to sense low oxygen levels and reduced yield loss in water-logged conditions, leading to improved crop resilience.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·DateFeb 6, 2015

We're all going to die; DNA strands on the end of our chromosomes hint when

Research finds a connection between telomere mutations and lung disease, with shorter telomeres indicating a greater chance for bone marrow failure, liver disease, skin disease, and other conditions. The study also highlights the importance of telomere research in understanding lung disease and its potential impact on future generations.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 6, 2015

NOAA's DSCOVR: Offering a new view of the solar wind

The NOAA DSCOVR satellite is launching to study the solar wind and forecast space weather at Earth. It will measure the movement of positively-charged particles, negatively-charged electrons, and magnetic fields to determine what heats the solar wind.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 6, 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.

Why 'baking powder' increases efficiency of plastic solar cells

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have discovered that a co-solvent added during production increases the efficiency of plastic solar cells, comparable to the role of baking powder in dough mixture. The new understanding will enable more effective development of plastic solar cells.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 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.

Reining in the yeast tree of life

A new methodology called Lasso has been developed to find an evolutionary tree even when some comparisons are missing. The NCYC team evaluated Lasso on their datasets and found it outperformed alternative approaches.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 6, 2015

Building a town house from bio-based plastics

The book explores the potential of 3D printing with biomaterials to minimize our carbon footprint and create sustainable products. A remarkable example is the printing of an entire town house from bio-based plastics, which reduces the material's carbon footprint by more than 60%.

SourceIOS Press·DateFeb 6, 2015

Revealing the workings of a master switch for plant growth

Researchers at RIKEN have identified a key mechanism in which brassinosteroids, expensive plant hormones, control plant height and growth. The study reveals that BIL1, a master switch regulating 3,000 genes, interacts with BSS1 to regulate brassinosteroid signaling.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateFeb 6, 2015

Unseen volcanoes may play role in Earth's long-term climate

Research finds cyclical variations in Earth's tilt and orbit coincide with 100,000-year changes in Earth's orbit and climate. Volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges may release carbon dioxide, contributing to climatic shifts.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 6, 2015

Drilling reveals fault rock architecture in New Zealand's central alpine fault

Researchers document fault rocks surrounding New Zealand's active Alpine Fault, recording slip rates and influencing earthquake processes. The study provides insights into the complex fault rock sequence resulting from past earthquakes, with potential applications for realistic ground shaking predictions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateFeb 6, 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.