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Science News Archive February 2015


Page 9 of 31

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

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.

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.

Delaying children's school entry linked to poor academic performance

Research from the University of Warwick suggests delaying school entry for pre-term and full-term children may lead to poorer academic performance as they get older. The study found that missing one year of learning opportunities was associated with poorer average performance in standardised tests at 8 years of age.

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 brain mapping reveals unknown cell types

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have created a detailed map of cortical cell types and the genes active within them using single-cell sequencing. They identified 47 different kinds of cells, including hitherto unknown types, which can help shed more light on diseases like multiple sclerosis.

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.

Cancer risk linked to DNA 'wormholes'

Research reveals that DNA sequences in 'gene deserts' can regulate gene activity elsewhere by forming DNA loops, increasing cancer risk through wormhole-like effects. The study provides new insights into the role of long-range genetic regulation in cancer development.

More women now using compounded hormones without understanding the risks

A recent study analyzed two large surveys to gauge the use of approved and unapproved hormone therapy among US women at menopause. Women taking compounded hormones often lack understanding about the risks associated with these treatments, which are not tested in clinical trials before dispensing.

New clues to causes of birth defects

Researchers found a possible link between maternal age and abnormal chromosome numbers, which can cause birth defects like Down syndrome. The study used genetic data from over 4,000 families and found that the shuffling process of parental chromosomes becomes less regulated with age.

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.

Dinner Creek Tuff Eruptive Center, eastern Oregon, and other new Geosphere articles

The study finds that the Dinner Creek Tuff Eruptive Center was a common source for mafic and silicic magmatism, linking the GRB eruptions and providing evidence for the location of Columbia River Basalt storage sites. This suggests that shallow crustal rhyolitic reservoirs played a key role in controlling the timing and place of eruption.

New test to predict the effectiveness of cancer vaccines

A new test, PLA test, evaluates the effectiveness of cancer vaccines by detecting tumor antigens presented on MHC molecules. The test has shown promising results in identifying glioma tumors and melanoma cells with specific antigens.

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 study helps explain links between sleep loss and diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia found that lack of sleep can lead to elevated levels of free fatty acids in the blood, causing temporary pre-diabetic conditions in healthy young men. Insufficient sleep also results in increased insulin resistance, a hallmark of pre-diabetes, that persists for nearly five hours.

Proteins pull together as cells divide

Cell division relies on a collective process rather than a single molecular architect. The cleavage furrow's formation is driven by chemical signaling and mechanical processes, not just one key protein.

INRS receives $1.5 million from NSERC for strategic projects

INRS has received significant funding to develop new fibre laser systems, electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, and terahertz technologies. These collaborations aim to enhance broadband communication and energy efficiency, while addressing greenhouse gas conversion and chemical detection needs.

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.

Severe asthma: Gallopamil confirmed as a therapeutic approach

Researchers from INSERM have demonstrated gallopamil's clinical efficacy in treating severe asthma by reducing bronchial smooth muscle mass and airway obstruction. The study involved 31 patients with severe asthma, who showed significant improvements in BSM thickness and asthma attacks after treatment.

Anti-inflammatory drug counters obesity in mice

A study led by Tokyo Medical University researcher Toshihiro Nakajima found that an anti-inflammatory drug can counteract obesity in mice by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid breakdown. The drug, LS-102, inhibits the Synoviolin gene, leading to increased energy control pathways.

Minimizing 'false positives' key to vaccinating against bovine TB

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Animal & Plant Health Agency highlight the importance of specificity in new diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) vaccination. For vaccination to be economically viable, the number of false positives must be below 15 out of every 10,000 cattle tested.

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.

Perfect colors, captured with one ultra-thin lens

Researchers create an ultra-thin, completely flat optical component made of glass substrate and silicon antennas that compensates for wavelength differences. This allows for consistent effects like deflecting beams of different colors by the same angle or focusing those colors on a single spot.

UNH research: Flame retardants found to cause metabolic, liver problems

A new study from the University of New Hampshire has found that flame retardants can cause metabolic and liver problems in laboratory rats, leading to insulin resistance. The researchers discovered that fat cells in these rats became more sensitive to hormones, similar to those experienced by people who are overweight.

Politics and economics affect 'Health in All Policies'

A study found that even with health impact assessments, political agendas often override HiAP considerations in decision-making. Funding for HiAP initiatives can be split between government departments, creating challenges to its success.

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.

Fighting decline of pollinators in Europe

Pollinator decline threatens European food security and ecosystem diversity. The STEP project has mapped the climatic risk of European bumblebees, revealing that many species are at high risk under climate change scenarios.

Probiotic toxin fights coldwater disease in rainbow trout

Scientists at Washington State University have discovered a probiotic toxin that can combat Coldwater Disease in rainbow trout, killing the bacteria with a toxic protein. The probiotics could be a game-changer for the global salmonid aquaculture industry, reducing disease losses and improving animal welfare.

A new view of the solar system: Astrophysical jets driven by the sun

Researchers propose a new model showing the sun's magnetic field controls the shape of the heliosphere by accelerating solar wind into two jets. This understanding could have implications for future space travel and help us comprehend the filter protecting the solar system from galactic cosmic rays.

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.

BWH study provides evidence for new approaches to prostate cancer

Men with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer may be candidates for active surveillance, with no significantly increased risk of death compared to those with low-risk PC. The study found that the absolute estimates of PC-specific mortality were less than one percent in men with both low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk PC.

The promiscuity of chemical probes discovered

Researchers used a new computational method to predict the interactions between small molecules and thousands of proteins, revealing that many chemical probes are not selective but instead interact with multiple proteins. This study highlights the importance of understanding protein functions to develop more efficient and safer medicines.

Giving shape to black holes' intense winds

Researchers detected a nearly spherical stream of highly ionized gas streaming out of the quasar PDS 456, measuring the strength of ultra-fast black hole winds. The discovery reveals that these powerful winds can transfer energy back to their host galaxies and affect star formation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Up in smoke: Belief that shisha pipe 'filters out' heavy metals

Research published in BMC Public Health found that shisha pipes remove only a minimal amount of heavy metals from tobacco smoke. The study analyzed four popular brands of shisha tobacco and found that the levels of heavy metals in smoke were significantly higher than in water, with uranium being the most abundant metal present.

Insect and mammal ovulation more alike than not?

A study found that both fruit flies and mice exhibit similar cellular and genetic features during ovulation, including the degradation of follicle cells and the role of Matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) enzymes. These similarities suggest a conserved basic mechanism in ovulation across animals.

People with multiple sclerosis may have lower levels of key nutrients

Women with multiple sclerosis may have lower levels of important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients like folate from food and vitamin E compared to healthy people. The study found that women with MS had lower average intake of these nutrients and a lower percentage of calories from fat.

Bovine TB vaccinations and minimizing 'false positives'

To make bovine TB vaccination viable, researchers recommend diagnostic tests must achieve high specificity to avoid increasing restrictions and financial burden. Achieving a specificity of greater than 99.85% is necessary to see benefits of vaccination.

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.