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Science News for July 17, 2015


Nanowires give 'solar fuel cell' efficiency a tenfold boost

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a novel solar fuel cell that produces hydrogen gas from liquid water using gallium phosphide nanowires. The yield is increased by a factor of ten, and the material usage is reduced to 10,000 times less.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 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.

Imaging glucose uptake activity inside single cells

A new approach to visualize glucose uptake activity in single living cells has been developed by Columbia University researchers. This technique uses stimulated Raman scattering imaging with a small alkyne tag to generate a strong Raman signal, allowing for high-sensitivity imaging of glucose uptake at the cellular level.

SourceColumbia University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 17, 2015

New malaria treatment thwarts parasite resistance

Scientists have identified a potent agent, DSM265, that thwarts drug resistance in malaria parasites. This breakthrough treatment has the potential to be used for both single-dose and once-weekly doses, offering new hope against the disease.

SourceGriffith University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 17, 2015

Researchers discover a possible reason for drug resistance in breast tumors

Researchers used Liquid STEM to study HER2 dimers in breast cancer cells, finding that a sub-population without these dimers may have self-renewing properties and be resistant to HER2-antibody therapy. This discovery could provide new insights into drug resistance and tumor growth.

SourceINM -Leibniz Insitute for New Materials·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 17, 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.

Tropical storm Enrique re-classified as a Tropical Storm

NASA's RapidScat instrument and Europe's METOP satellite detected tropical-storm-force winds in the northwest quadrant of Cyclone Enrique. The storm was re-classified as a tropical storm on July 17, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65 kph) and higher gusts.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 2015

A fish too deep for science

Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a new species of goby fish that differs significantly from its relatives in terms of size, color, and habitat depth. The study highlights the importance of exploring deep-sea reefs to understand the true extent of tropical reef biodiversity.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJul 17, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA sees Tropical Storm Dolores weakening

Tropical Storm Dolores is weakening due to colder water and increased wind shear, forecasted to become a remnant low in a few days. Swells generated by the storm affect southwestern Mexico and western Baja California.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 2015

Lymphomas tied to metabolic disruption

Researchers found a metabolic imbalance that is oncogenic in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, characterized by a deficiency of alpha-ketoglutarate. This imbalance disrupts dioxygenase function, leading to various disturbances. The study suggests that metabolic regulation plays a critical role in cancer biology.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2015

Physicists discover long-sought 'pentaquark' particle

A Syracuse University team funded by NSF has discovered the long-sought pentaquark particle using the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The discovery confirms pentaquarks, which are formed of four quarks and one antiquark, could provide insight into ordinary baryons' properties.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateJul 17, 2015

ISTAR researchers, clients turn to video to treat stuttering

A pilot study by researchers at ISTAR found that video self-modelling (VSM) helps reduce stuttering frequency in adults who experienced relapse after therapy. Participants watched videos of themselves speaking fluently, with improved results for those viewing their videos regularly.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Fluency Disorders·DateJul 17, 2015

NASA sees thunderstorms flaring up on Halola's eastern side

NASA detected strongest thunderstorms east of Tropical Storm Halola's circulation center with cloud top temperatures reaching -63F/-53C. The storm is forecast to intensify and reach typhoon status over the next several days, posing a threat to the island of Iwo To, Japan.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 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.

New limb-lengthening technique is less cumbersome for patients, study finds

A new study has found an alternative limb-lengthening technique that significantly reduces the amount of time patients spend in the external fixator, from 11 months to seven months. The technique combines an internal titanium rod with the external fixator, resulting in good-to-excellent outcomes for trauma patients.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 17, 2015

Centuries-old shipwreck discovered off North Carolina coast

A previously unknown shipwreck was discovered more than a mile deep off the North Carolina coast using scientific sonar. The wreck is believed to date back to the late 18th or early 19th century and contains artifacts such as an iron chain, wooden timbers, and navigational instruments.

SourceDuke University·DateJul 17, 2015

Siting wind farms more quickly, cheaply

A new statistical technique predicts wind speeds more accurately than existing methods, even with limited data. The model uses non-Gaussian distributions and nonlinear correlations to improve accuracy, doubling predictions in some cases.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 17, 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.

RNA springs

Researchers developed an RNA dynamics model using beads and springs, achieving accurate predictions comparable to Molecular Dynamics simulations. The model's simplicity allows for near real-time processing and may be a viable alternative to expensive computer simulation methods.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 17, 2015

Marine plankton brighten clouds over Southern Ocean

New research reveals that marine plankton in the Southern Ocean produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds. The study found correlations between phytoplankton blooms and increased cloud droplet concentrations, which reflect about 4 watts of solar energy per square meter.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 17, 2015
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.

New device offers more detailed look at aquifers

The University of Wyoming will receive a new borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument to measure aquifer levels, enhancing its subsurface hydrology research capabilities. The Javelin device, developed by Vista Clara Inc., will visualize water storage and changes in aquifers.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·DateJul 17, 2015

UT Dallas study delves into regulators' decision-making in bank closures

A new UT Dallas study found that commercial bank regulators consider non-monetary factors, such as property holdings and political pressure, when deciding to close a troubled bank. Regulators resist closing very large and small banks due to potential future costs, while those with significant assets are more likely to remain open.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalReview of Financial Studies·DateJul 17, 2015

U of M study explains why hemp and marijuana are different

A University of Minnesota study identifies a single gene responsible for the difference in psychoactive content between hemp and marijuana. The discovery could strengthen hemp producers' arguments that their products should not be subject to the same narcotics laws as hemp's cannabinoid cousin.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJul 17, 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.

Malaysia's 'black panthers' finally reveal their leopard's spots

A team of wildlife experts has successfully revealed the black leopard's spots using a modified infrared flash on automatic camera traps, allowing scientists to study and monitor this unique population. The research provides a new tool for conservation efforts, which are critical due to widespread poaching and habitat loss in Malaysia.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateJul 17, 2015

Study in mice may identify new ways to treat immune thrombocytopenia

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that certain antibodies targeting specific proteins on platelets lead to destruction in the liver or spleen. Researchers discovered that drugs like Tamiflu may inhibit liver's immune response, offering a potential new approach for treating the autoimmune disease.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2015

Diarrhea in cats

A study found that intestinal parasites, such as Giardia, were the most commonly found parasite in cats across Austria, with over 56% testing positive. The parasites can be transmitted through contact with infected cat faeces, and households with multiple cats are at higher risk.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalParasitology Research·DateJul 17, 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.

Bringing back the magic in metamaterials

Scientists have made significant progress in overcoming the challenges of creating a perfect lens using metamaterials. The team proposes a novel approach that utilizes negative index materials and plasmon-injection schemes to shield desired light waves, allowing them to pass through unscathed. This breakthrough has the potential to rev...

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 17, 2015

NASA sees Tropical Storm Nangka moving into Sea of Japan

Tropical Storm Nangka caused the evacuation of over 200,000 people in Japan and is moving towards the Sea of Japan. The storm's wind speed decreased to 40 mph as it moved northeastward, with forecasters predicting its dissipation in a day or two.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 2015

Cholesterol metabolism in immune cells linked to HIV progression

Research found that enhanced cholesterol metabolism in certain immune cells may help explain why some HIV-infected people naturally control disease progression. The study analyzed gene expression data from immune cells and found higher levels of cholesterol-related genes associated with defective viral transmission.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJul 17, 2015

Dairy products boost effectiveness of probiotics

A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology suggests that dairy products can boost the effectiveness of probiotics. The researchers found that mice fed milk with the probiotic Lactobacillus casei BL23 had reduced symptoms compared to those without the probiotic.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 17, 2015