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Science News Archive February 2015 - Page 23


Page 23 of 31

HPV vaccination not associated with increase in sexually transmitted infections

A new study of adolescent girls found that HPV vaccination was not associated with an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contrary to previous concerns. The study included over 21,000 vaccinated females and 186,500 non-vaccinated females, finding no evidence that HPV vaccination leads to higher rates of STIs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2015

Pick a card, any card

A study by McGill University researchers found that people tend to choose options that are more salient or attention-grabbing, but may not be aware of why they chose them. In a card trick experiment, participants chose the target card in over 90% of trials, despite feeling they had a free choice.

SourceMcGill University·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateFeb 9, 2015
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.

Commons Lab releases 2 new reports on key aspects of Citizen Science

The Commons Lab has released two new reports on key aspects of Citizen Science, focusing on successful projects in Europe and exploring potential legal issues surrounding intellectual property. The reports aim to support policymaking and growth of citizen science by addressing ethical, legal, and social implications.

SourceWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Science and Technology Innovation Program·DateFeb 9, 2015

Can't sing? Do it more often

New research from Northwestern University suggests that singing accurately is a learned skill that can decline over time if not used. Regular practice can help improve singing skills and prevent the 'use it or lose it' effect, where adults may struggle to sing on key as they age.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMusic Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal·DateFeb 9, 2015

JIPM offers rice growers a new resource against the rice water weevil

The rice water weevil is a devastating insect pest of rice in the US, causing yield losses of up to 25%. Researchers offer new management strategies, including cultural control methods and microbial control options, to combat this invasive species.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Integrated Pest Management·DateFeb 9, 2015

F-bombs notwithstanding, all languages skew toward happiness

A new study by University of Vermont researchers confirms that humans use more positive words than negative ones across ten languages, including Arabic, Korean, and Chinese. The study analyzed billions of words from various sources and found a consistent positivity bias, indicating that language itself has a positive outlook.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 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.

Controlling genes with light

Researchers at Duke University have devised a method to activate genes in specific locations using light, allowing for precise control over genetic expression. This technology has the potential to revolutionize genetic engineering and may lead to breakthroughs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 9, 2015

UTSA engineers tapped to improve Marriott's energy efficiency

Marriott International partners with UTSA to improve its energy efficiency, leveraging Bing Dong's proprietary tool for real-time occupant behavior analysis and data-driven energy-saving recommendations. The partnership aims to reduce the company's global energy footprint by 20% by 2020.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateFeb 9, 2015

New method to understand steel fracturing

Scientists have developed a new method to study steel fracturing using high-resolution images from a scanning electron microscope. The research revealed the connection between microstructure and porosity in sintered steels, identifying angular pores as initial points of 'nucleation' that initiate breaking.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalPowder Metallurgy·DateFeb 9, 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.

Satellite eyes New England winter storm breaking records

A large snowstorm affecting New England is breaking records, with Boston experiencing over 61.6 inches of snowfall, surpassing the previous record. The storm system, captured by NOAA's GOES-East satellite, is also bringing freezing rain to western Pennsylvania and Long Island.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 9, 2015

What autism can teach us about brain cancer

Elevated NHE9 protein levels in brain cancer cells lead to slower cargo transport, allowing cancer-promoting signals to persist. This discovery suggests targeting NHE9 and EGFR proteins could help treat glioblastoma.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 9, 2015

Utah team gets $1.4M for bionic hand research

A team of researchers at the University of Utah has received $1.4 million to further develop an implantable neural interface that allows amputees to control a prosthetic hand with their thoughts and feel sensations of touch and movement.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateFeb 9, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Coral snake venom reveals a unique route to lethality

Researchers discovered that coral snake venom's toxins permanently activate crucial nerve cell proteins, preventing reset and causing deadly seizures. The toxins target GABA(A) receptors, making them 100 times tighter than known compounds, leading to permanent opening of the receptor's pore.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2015

On quantum scales, there are many second laws of thermodynamics

Researchers have discovered a family of 'second laws' that govern the behavior of systems at very small scales, leading to counterintuitive phenomena and constraints on disorder. These new laws complement the traditional second law of thermodynamics, which describes the universe's growing state of disorder.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 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.

A new opportunity to treat drug-resistant leukemia discovered

A study published in Nature identified axitinib as a promising drug candidate for treating drug-resistant leukemia. The researchers used a novel screening method and partnered with Pfizer to define the mechanism of action, providing new insights into blocking cancer-causing kinases.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature·DateFeb 9, 2015

Research shows benefits of silicon carbide for sensors in harsh environments

Research from Griffith University demonstrates silicon carbide's superiority as a semiconductor for high-performance sensors in various industries, including mining and aerospace. The compound's unique electronic structure provides mechanical strength, chemical inertness, thermal durability, and electrical stability.

SourceGriffith University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateFeb 9, 2015

Swimming reptiles make their mark in the Early Triassic

In the Early Triassic period, a prolonged period of delayed ecological recovery led to the widespread production and preservation of vertebrate swim tracks. This was due to minimal sediment mixing in stressful environments, which created firm-ground substrates ideal for recording subaqueous trace fossils.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateFeb 9, 2015

NSU researchers discover DNA repair is high in heart, nonexistent in brain

Researchers discovered that organs have varying DNA repair capabilities, with the heart exhibiting the highest capacity, followed by other tissues. The brain showed no ability to repair damaged DNA, leading scientists to suggest that this may be linked to memory loss and dementia.

SourceNova Southeastern University·JournalPhotochemical & Photobiological Sciences·DateFeb 9, 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.

Study finds no reason for cancer survivors to be excluded in advanced stage lung cancer trials

A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that patients with a prior cancer diagnosis have similar clinical outcomes to those without a history of cancer. The researchers studied over 102,000 patients and found that these patients had better overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival rates.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 9, 2015

Drug detectives

A new screening method uses lipid bilayer properties to predict toxicity, identifying probable cytotoxic drugs at an early stage in development. The Gramicidin-Based Fluorescence Assay (GBFA) tracks changes in protein function as a way of monitoring lipid bilayer alterations.

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 8, 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.

Bacteria's hidden traffic control

Researchers have mapped nearly every protein in a bacterial cell for its entire cell cycle, discovering a large number of distinct patterns with subtle spatial and temporal differences. This approach has implications for understanding how bacteria coordinate the timing and location of subcellular processes.

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 8, 2015

'Virtual virus' unfolds the flu on a CPU

Scientists at the University of Oxford have built a complete model of the outer envelope of an influenza A virion using a coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation reveals various characteristics about the membrane components, including the separation of spike proteins and their interactions with host cells. This res...

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 8, 2015

Promising peptide for TBI, heart attack and stroke

Researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev have discovered a promising peptide called humanin that can counteract cell death caused by hypoxia. The peptide's derivatives were tested on neuronal cells and showed successful results, potentially leading to new treatments for necrosis-related diseases.

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 8, 2015

Forcing wounds to close

Researchers at National University of Singapore discover that cells exert directional forces to close gaps in protective epithelial barriers, even when underlying layers are damaged. This 'tug-of-war' mechanism drives mechanical forces responsible for gap closure.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2015

Genetic code cracked for worldwide dog and human parasite

The University of Melbourne-led study cracks the genetic code of T. canis, revealing its molecular biology and providing valuable insights into combating deadly outbreaks. The findings will aid future research on other related parasites, improving global health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 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.

What's next in diets: Chili peppers?

A team of researchers at the University of Wyoming found that adding capsaicin from chili peppers to a diet can stimulate energy metabolism and burn stored fat, potentially preventing obesity. The study used mice on high-fat diets and found that dietary capsaicin increased metabolic activity and energy expenditure.

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 8, 2015

Anorexia nervosa

A study led by Dr. Howard Steiger found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit disorder-relevant alterations in DNA methylation, affecting emotional reactions, physiological functions, and behaviors. Early treatment is crucial to prevent chronicity of the illness.

SourceDouglas Mental Health University Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateFeb 7, 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
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

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
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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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