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Science News for January 16, 2015


How does a machine smell? Better than it did

Researchers at the University of Manchester and University of Bari have created a biosensor that can differentiate between mirror image smells. The system uses odorant binding proteins to detect unique chemical changes, approaching human nose detection limits.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Dramatic decline in risk for heart attacks among HIV-positive Kaiser Permanente members

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that the adjusted risk ratio for heart attacks among HIV-positive patients decreased from an 80% increased risk in 1996 to no increased risk in 2010-2011. The improved care and treatments led by Kaiser Permanente's early awareness of cardiovascular disease risks have result...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 16, 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.

Solving an organic semiconductor mystery

Researchers discover cluttered jumble of randomly oriented nanocrystallites at interface, impeding charge-carrier mobility and device performance. A novel microscopy technique reveals the role of solution-processing methods in creating optimal film structures.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Islamic fundamentalism is not a marginal phenomenon in Europe

A new study by Ruud Koopmans finds that between 40-45% of European Muslims hold fundamentalist religious ideas, while Christian fundamentalism reaches 12%. The study also shows that Islamic fundamentalism decreases with higher social and economic status, but remains a significant phenomenon in Europe.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies·DateJan 16, 2015

New genetic clues found in fragile X syndrome

Researchers have discovered a unique case of fragile X syndrome with only two classic symptoms, allowing them to identify a previously unknown function of the gene. The study suggests that drugs recently tested as treatments for fragile X may be ineffective due to overactive transmitters.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2015

NASA spots newborn Tropical Storm Chedza making landfall

Tropical Storm Chedza rapidly intensified from a tropical low pressure area to a tropical storm on January 16 near Madagascar's southwestern coast. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 50 knots (57.5 mph/92.6 kph) with a defined low-level circulation center and deep convective banding.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 16, 2015

New 'triggered-release' mechanism could improve drug delivery

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new triggered-release mechanism for nanoparticles that could improve drug delivery and reduce side effects. The mechanism uses two nanoparticles to release medication only when taken into cells, potentially leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 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.

Picture this -- biosecurity seen from the inside

Researchers have developed a fluorescent hormone biosensor that reveals the dynamics of jasmonate signalling in plants, allowing for the imaging of plant defence mechanisms in real time. This breakthrough enables the study of how plants coordinate their defence responses to mechanical damage and disease.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Pre-sleep drinking disrupts sleep

Pre-sleep drinking causes initial increase in slow wave sleep power but also increases frontal alpha power, disrupting normal sleep properties. This can lead to detrimental effects on daytime functioning and neurocognitive processes.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateJan 16, 2015

UK-led Beagle 2 Lander found on Mars

The UK-led Beagle 2 Mars Lander has been found on the Martian surface, ending the mystery of its disappearance in 2003. The lander's partial deployment confirms that it successfully touched down on Mars on Christmas Day 2003.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·DateJan 16, 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.

Study shows how planetary building blocks evolved from porous to hard objects

A team of scientists found that collisions helped transform initially porous materials into solid asteroids and meteorites by absorbing energy in the porous matrix. This process likely occurred due to electrostatics and shock waves generated by high-velocity collisions, resulting in a cosmic speed limit for colliding objects.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Brain recalls old memories via new pathways

A recent study suggests that brain circuitry for fear retrieval shifts over time, potentially worsening symptoms of anxiety disorders. The discovery could change scientists' view of post-traumatic stress disorder and inform the development of new treatments.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature·DateJan 16, 2015

New trick found for how cells stay organized

New evidence from Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that RNA granules have a dynamic envelope that stabilizes them, separating them from the surrounding watery space. This discovery provides insight into how cells organize their contents and activities.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateJan 16, 2015

Mitigation-driven animal translocations are problematic

The study found that millions of dollars are spent annually on animal translocations to mitigate human interference, but outcomes are often poor and rarely monitored. Successful science-based translocations provide a model for improving mitigation efforts and achieving legislative goals for species conservation.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJan 16, 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.

Stem cells derived from amniotic tissues have immunosuppressive properties

Researchers found that stem cells derived from amniotic tissues have immunosuppressive properties, specifically inhibiting natural killer cell activity and inducing white blood cell activation. The study identified interleukin-10 and prostaglandin E2 as key factors contributing to these effects.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateJan 16, 2015

Software that knows the risks

Researchers at MIT have developed software that assesses risk in planning algorithms, suggesting low-risk alternatives when a solution is not possible. The system uses probabilistic models to determine the feasibility of a plan and can offer modifications to relax constraints or add resources to mitigate risks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJan 16, 2015

Heart arrhythmias detected in deep-diving marine mammals

A new study found that bottlenose dolphins and Weddell seals experience cardiac arrhythmias during the deepest dives, with over 70% of deep dives affected. The conflicting signals to the heart from exercise-induced tachycardia and dive-induced bradycardia put the heart in an unsteady state.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Aboriginal women address high rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in remote Australia

A landmark study in remote Fitzroy Valley communities in Western Australia found that one in eight children have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a preventable condition. The research, led by Aboriginal community leaders, provides Australia's first comprehensive data on the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in remote communities.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health·DateJan 16, 2015
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.

Rare mutations do not explain 'missing heritability' in asthma

A large-scale study found rare genetic mutations in three genes (GRASP, GSDMB, and MTHFR) associated with asthma risk, but only in specific ethnicities. These findings suggest gaps in the current understanding of asthma genetics.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Is it possible to reset our biological clocks?

Researchers at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute found that glucocorticoid tablets can synchronize peripheral biological clocks in white blood cells, improving synchronization of the body's internal clocks. This breakthrough could lead to innovative therapies for travelers, night-shift workers, and those with sleep disorders.

SourceDouglas Mental Health University Institute·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 16, 2015

Finding farmland: New maps offer a clearer view of global agriculture

Two new global maps, developed by IIASA and IFPRI, provide more accurate information on cropland extent and field size. The maps, released in the journal Global Change Biology, improve regional food security planning and local economic conditions.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 16, 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.

Three nearly Earth-size planets found orbiting nearby star

Astronomers have discovered a star with three planets only slightly larger than Earth, one of which orbits in the habitable zone where surface temperatures could be moderate enough for liquid water and life to exist. The study found that these planets are about 2.1, 1.7, and 1.5 times the size of Earth.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateJan 16, 2015
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.

New evidence for anthropic theory that fundamental physics constants underlie life-enabling universe

A new study by Professor Ulf-G Meißner finds that fundamental physics constants are fine-tuned to allow for the emergence of a life-enabling universe. The researcher used high-performance computers to simulate worlds with altered light quark masses and found that variations up to 2-3% do not prevent the formation of carbon and oxygen.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJan 16, 2015

Satellite telemetry tracks bearded vultures

A study using satellite tracking reveals the home range of bearded vultures in the Pyrenees spans an average 11,700 km2, with notable differences between individuals. The birds' movements are also influenced by supplementary feeding points and predictable food sources.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalArdeola·DateJan 16, 2015

As Austin grows, so does its traffic woes

The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Transportation Research is using advanced models to understand and visualize alternative solutions for traffic issues. A collaboration with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) has enabled faster simulations, allowing researchers to better analyze spatial data and gain clarity into t...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateJan 16, 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.