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Science News Archive January 2015 - Page 14


Page 14 of 28

New antibodies for cancer treatment

Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered ten new antibodies that can inhibit blood vessel formation near tumors, cutting off oxygen and nutrient supply. The antibodies appear to work effectively in laboratory tests and show promising therapeutic potential.

SourceAarhus University·DateJan 20, 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.

CU Denver study shows cities with more transportation options most resilient

A CU Denver study reveals that cities investing in compact street networks and multi-modal infrastructure are better equipped to withstand sudden changes in gas prices. The research found that 69.4% of households would struggle to afford commuting costs if gas prices tripled, highlighting the need for expanded transportation choices.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateJan 20, 2015

Poor social integration = poor health

A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that individuals who experienced prolonged social isolation had decreased heart rate variability, a marker of poor physical health. In contrast, those who formed strong social connections showed increased heart rate variability and improved overall health.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJan 20, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dog-human cooperation is based on social skills of wolves

Researchers propose the 'Canine Cooperation Hypothesis', suggesting wolves' natural social behavior provided the foundation for human-dog relationships. Studies show wolves exhibit similar social skills to dogs, including tolerance and cooperation with humans.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 20, 2015

Crime Victims' Institute investigates human trafficking

The Crime Victims' Institute at Sam Houston State University has released a new series on human trafficking, shedding light on the prevalence of sex trafficking victims worldwide. The research reveals that approximately 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked annually, with 70% of those forced into the sex trade internationally.

SourceSam Houston State University·DateJan 20, 2015

Study advances knowledge of relatively unknown blood-borne bacteria

A new study by University of Bristol researchers has significantly advanced the understanding of haemoplasma immunity in cats. The findings suggest that cats who have previously recovered from infection may be protected against re-infection, paving the way for potential vaccine development.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalClinical and Vaccine Immunology·DateJan 20, 2015

Scientists identify important mechanism involved in production of mosquito eggs

Researchers at UC Riverside have identified microRNA-8 as a crucial regulator of mosquito reproduction, which plays an essential role in the female mosquito's 'fat body'. Depletion of miR-8 results in severe defects in egg development and deposition, highlighting its potential as a novel control strategy for mosquito populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 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.

Tiny plant fossils offer window into Earth's landscape millions of years ago

Researchers discovered a way to determine tree density, vegetation structure, and leaf arrangement in ancient plant fossils, providing insight into how ecosystems have changed over millions of years. This new method allows for quantification of vegetation openness and sheds light on the impact of climate change on Earth's ecosystems.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJan 20, 2015

Found: 'Fight or flight' response control center for the heart

Researchers have uncovered a critical role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) in regulating heart rate frequency. Blocking MCU function in mouse hearts reduced heart rate increases in response to stimuli, suggesting its importance in physiological heart rate regulation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2015

Ocean floor dust gives new insight into supernovae

Scientists analyzed ocean floor dust to determine the amount of heavy elements created by supernovae, finding much less plutonium and uranium than expected. This challenges current theories that these essential materials are created and distributed throughout space.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 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.

Public attitude toward tiger farming and tiger conservation

A recent survey in Beijing shows public inclination towards banning tiger products and supporting conservation breeding over farming. The study highlights the need to maintain suitable population sizes and handle dead individuals during breeding.

SourceWiley·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateJan 20, 2015

Living longer, not healthier

A UMass Medical School study found that long-lived C. elegans mutants spend more time in a frail state than healthy ones, challenging the assumption that longevity and health are linked. The researchers identified genes that control 'healthspan' as separate from those influencing lifespan.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015

Predators, parasites, pests and the paradox of biological control

A new study from University of Michigan researchers reveals that competition between predators and parasites can strengthen biological control systems, rather than weaken them. This counterintuitive finding has potential applications for organic farming and pest control, where synthetic pesticides are not allowed.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2015

New 'microcapsules' have potential to repair damage caused by osteoarthritis

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed microcapsules that can deliver C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), an anti-inflammatory protein, to damaged cartilage in osteoarthritis patients. The microcapsules could potentially slow the progression of osteoarthritis and repair damaged tissue.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJan 20, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Breakthrough may impact flu vaccination

A new analysis of human influenza B viruses sheds light on the pathogen causing seasonal flu, suggesting targeted vaccines and potential eradication of a slower-evolving lineage by expanding quadrivalent vaccine use.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·DateJan 20, 2015

New research defines role of long noncoding RNAs in inflammation

Long noncoding RNAs play a crucial role in regulating inflammatory gene expression and controlling immune responses. Researchers propose lncRNAs as potential targets for novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·DateJan 19, 2015

Researchers identify rare shared genetic mutation for disease in Inuit

A Canadian-Japanese research team has identified a shared genetic mutation responsible for an inherited metabolic disorder, glycogen storage disease type IIIa, in Inuit populations in northern Quebec. The mutation affects approximately 1 in 2500 people in Nunavik and can cause enlarged livers, hypoglycemia, and muscle weakness.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 19, 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.

First successful organ donation from newborn carried out in UK

A UK hospital performed the world's first successful organ donation from a newborn, involving kidney and liver cell transplants. The donor was just over 3 kg at birth and had poor brain oxygenation, leading to her death; however, her parents agreed to donate her organs for other patients in need.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateJan 19, 2015

Snapshot of cosmic burst of radio waves

Astronomers successfully observed a 'fast radio burst', a brief flash of radio waves, in real-time using the Parkes telescope. The event was detected up to 5.5 billion light years away and suggested the presence of a magnetic field nearby.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 19, 2015

Fossil ankles indicate Earth's earliest primates lived in trees

Researchers found evidence of arboreality playing a key role in primate evolution, suggesting subtle changes allowed for easier navigation and better access to food in the trees. The discovery challenges traditional textbook illustrations and provides the oldest fossil evidence to date for this concept.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

Genetics underpinning antimalarial drug resistance revealed

A genome-wide study of the malaria parasite reveals a complex genetic architecture that enables artemisinin resistance. Researchers found 20 mutations in the kelch13 gene and four other genes that work together to support resistance, but monitoring specific genetic backgrounds could help target high-risk regions.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 19, 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.

Study: Melting glaciers have big carbon impact

Researchers estimate that 50% more organic carbon will be exported in glacier outflow over the next 35 years, equivalent to half of the Mississippi River's annual organic carbon influx. This increase has major implications for high-latitude marine ecosystems, particularly those surrounding ice sheets.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 19, 2015

Study suggests increase in falls among the elderly

Researchers found a 30% relative increase in falls among older adults aged 65+, with an 8% absolute increase, from 1998 to 2010. The study suggests that the rise in reported falls may not be due to aging population demographics.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 19, 2015

Predatory sea snails produce weaponized insulin

A new study reveals that cone snails add a unique form of insulin to their venom cocktail, which disrupts blood glucose levels and causes hypoglycemic shock in fish. The snail insulin may help unlock secrets of insulin function and energy metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

UEA research shows group walking cuts risk of life-threatening conditions

Research from the University of East Anglia shows that group walking can reduce blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, weight, and total cholesterol. Joining a walking group is recommended as a low-risk way to boost overall health and reduce risk factors for ill health.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJan 19, 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.

Early parental program improves long-term childhood outcomes

A Penn State study found that a prenatal program aimed at enhancing couples' co-parenting relationship improved children's adjustment and school engagement at age seven. The intervention focused on fostering positive co-parenting, leading to better emotional security and well-being for the child.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateJan 19, 2015

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Jan. 20, 2015

A systematic review found that prolonged sitting is independently associated with negative health outcomes and mortality, especially among those who exercise little. Tips from the author include taking regular breaks to stand or move around, setting achievable goals for reducing sedentary time.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 19, 2015

Researchers discover 'idiosyncratic' brain patterns in autism

New research reveals that individuals with autism display 'idiosyncratic' brain synchronization patterns, which are distinct from those of typically developing individuals. This finding has significant implications for early diagnosis and future treatments of the disorder.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 19, 2015
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.

Know your enemy: Combating whooping cough requires informed vaccine booster schedules

A mathematical model identified booster schedules that result in the greatest reduction in whooping cough disease with the lowest economic cost. The most effective strategies varied depending on the underlying causes of the resurgence, including insufficient vaccine coverage, low vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, and leaky vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

New laser could upgrade the images in tomorrow's technology

A new Yale-developed laser reduces speckle contrast in full-field imaging, enabling brighter and clearer images. The technology combines traditional laser brightness with LED-like properties, addressing a significant barrier in biomedical imaging and microscopy.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 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.

Cellulose with Braille for cells

Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a method to produce pre-structured cellulose materials with three-dimensional micro-structures, enhancing biocompatibility. This leads to reduced inflammation and rejection reactions when using artificial implants.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 19, 2015

New cellular pathway triggering allergic asthma response identified

Researchers have discovered a novel signaling pathway critical to the immune response of cells associated with allergic asthma. Increasing cAMP levels inhibited the cells' inflammatory response, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

New high-speed 3-D microscope -- SCAPE -- gives deeper view of living things

SCAPE, a new high-speed 3D microscope developed by Elizabeth Hillman, overcomes major hurdles in biomedical research imaging. It allows for real-time 3D imaging at cellular resolution in behaving organisms, capturing complex dynamics like neurons firing in the brain or cells moving in the zebrafish heart.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 19, 2015

A voyage from the Earth's crust to its mantle and back again

Researchers analyzed mid-ocean ridge basalts to understand the uranium isotope cycle, revealing a 'fingerprint' of the element in oceanic crust. The study suggests that uranium has been transported from the surface to the deep mantle through subduction, providing insights into Earth's evolution over billions of years.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2015
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.

Twist1: Complex regulator of cell shape and function

Researchers discovered that Twist1, a developmental regulator, primes cells for stem-cell-like properties when activated transiently. This leads to cellular plasticity and regenerative potential. Conversely, chronic Twist1 activity promotes invasive, non-proliferative phenotypes in tumor cells.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 19, 2015

Giant atmospheric rivers add mass to Antarctica's ice sheet

A team of researchers from KU Leuven has made a significant discovery about the impact of atmospheric rivers on Antarctica's ice sheet. They found that these long, narrow water vapor plumes can rapidly transport large amounts of moisture and cause devastating precipitation when they hit coastal areas.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 19, 2015

New laser for computer chips

Scientists have created the first germanium-tin semiconductor laser for silicon chips, enabling faster data transfer and reducing energy consumption. The new material can be applied directly onto a silicon chip, paving the way for high-speed data transmission.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 19, 2015

Transgenic crops: Multiple toxins not a panacea for pest control

A new study led by University of Arizona scientists found that transgenic crops producing two or more Bt toxins do not effectively delay pest evolution. In reality, the actual efficacy against pests often does not live up to computer simulation models, leading to inadequate management guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJan 19, 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.

Self-destructive effects of magnetically-doped ferromagnetic topological insulators

A new study reveals extreme disorder in a fundamental property of the surface electrons known as the Dirac mass in ferromagnetic topological insulators. The research found that the disorder is directly related to fluctuations in the density of magnetic dopant atoms on different parts of the crystal surface.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

Lung transplant patients do worse with lungs from heavy drinkers

A Loyola University Medical Center study found that lung transplant patients who receive lungs from heavy drinkers are nearly nine times more likely to experience primary graft dysfunction, a life-threatening complication. These transplants also displayed poorer gas-exchange and longer ventilator stays.

SourceLoyola Medicine·DateJan 19, 2015
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.

Early knee arthritis symptoms first felt when using stairs

Researchers from the University of Leeds identified using stairs as the first weight-bearing task that triggers pain in people with early osteoarthritis. The study, which tracked over 4,600 participants, aims to improve early detection and treatment of the condition.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateJan 19, 2015

Hidden cell types revealed

A new statistical method for RNA-seq analysis has identified and corrected for hidden structure between cells, revealing new subtypes that may have distinct functions. This breakthrough allows researchers to create more accurate gene-expression profiles and explore cell types in cancers and diseases.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJan 19, 2015