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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 15


Page 15 of 34

Nonprofit calls for less talk, more action to make the scientific enterprise sustainable

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recommends eight steps to make the scientific enterprise sustainable, including predictable funding and reduced regulations. The recommendations aim to spur action and implement changes at institutions and within the government.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2015

July/August 2015 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Erectile dysfunction is linked to a higher risk of undiagnosed diabetes. Additionally, a study found that ACA Medicaid expansion increased demand for primary care services. Furthermore, sleep apnea may increase the risk of developing panic disorder, while changes in cervical cancer screening guidelines resulted in decreased chlamydia s...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 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.

Archaeologists use new methods to explore move from hunting, gathering to farming

Researchers used dynamical systems theory to understand the origins of plant and animal domestication. They found that changes in resource density, mobility, and population size brought societies closer to or further away from adopting food production. This insight may help explain why farming emerged in some places at different times.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2015

Self-proclaimed experts more vulnerable to the illusion of knowledge

A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals who perceive themselves as experts are more likely to claim knowledge of fake information. This phenomenon, known as 'overclaiming,' can lead to uninformed decisions with devastating consequences.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 20, 2015

Stanford researchers find prawn solution to spread of deadly disease

Freshwater prawns can help control schistosomiasis by preying on parasite-infected snails, providing a source of protein-rich food and reducing the disease burden. The study suggests that stocking prawns in rivers could be an effective natural solution for controlling the disease.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2015

MD Anderson study finds one-third of colorectal cancers diagnosed before 35 are hereditary

Researchers found that 35% of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed before age 35) have a genetic disease, highlighting the need for genetic counseling to identify high-risk family members. Gene panel testing is recommended to uncover underlying mutations, allowing for preventive measures and earlier screening.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 20, 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.

The planetary sweet spot

A new theory proposes that a planet's bulk composition, specifically the abundance of uranium, thorium, and potassium, dictates whether plate tectonics can occur. This affects the planet's internal heating, volcanism, and climate. The Earth's unique composition allows for current plate tectonics to operate.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 20, 2015

Discovered a cause of mental retardation and autism

Scientists have discovered a mutated gene, JMJD1C, responsible for cases of unknown origin intellectual disability and autism. The study analyzed the genome of 215 patients with these conditions and found that this gene contributes to Rett syndrome.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateJul 20, 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.

Technique may reveal the age of moon rocks during spaceflight

A new laser ablation resonance ionization mass spectrometry technique has successfully dated an Earth rock analogous to the rocks covering one-third of the Moon's nearside. This breakthrough enables direct dating of lunar terrains, filling a critical gap in understanding the Solar System's history.

SourceWiley·JournalRapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry·DateJul 20, 2015

Drugs in wastewater contaminate drinking water

Research reveals that wastewater discharge concentrations of cocaine, morphine, and oxycodone remain relatively consistent downstream, indicating ineffective removal by treatment plants. The findings emphasize the importance of improving wastewater treatment to protect potable water sources.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJul 20, 2015

Stopping malaria in its tracks

A new anti-basigin drug has cured mice of established malaria infection with minimal side effects, offering hope for treating the deadly disease. The drug's development path may be less complex than traditional clinical trials, as it builds on existing knowledge of the protein's role in cancer and graft-versus-host disease.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 20, 2015

New study suggests evidence for serotonergic dissociation between anxiety and fear

A recent study published in Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that what was previously grouped as anxiety disorders may not be homogeneous in terms of the functioning of the serotonergic system. The researchers found that acute tryptophan depletion caused worsening symptoms in patients with anxiety disorders more related to fear, ...

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateJul 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.

Health-care providers a major contributor to problem of antibiotic overuse

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that 10% of health care providers write an antibiotic prescription for nearly every patient (95 percent or more) who walks in with a cold, bronchitis or other acute respiratory infection. This variation is driven by individual provider habits rather than differences in patient char...

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 20, 2015

For kids with injured ankles, less treatment may be more

The Low Risk Ankle Rule reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and healthcare costs for children with ankle injuries. Implementing the rule leads to a 22.9% decrease in x-ray orders and $36.93 less in healthcare costs.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 20, 2015

Dartmouth study sheds new light on mind-brain relationship

A new Dartmouth study reveals that the brain encodes conceptual information in a way that combines object category-specific information with non-specific visual features. The research provides valuable insights into the mind-brain relationship, offering a deeper understanding of how we perceive and organize visual stimuli.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNeuroImage·DateJul 20, 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.

Study: Property of non-stick pans improves solar cell efficiency

Researchers found that constructing organic solar cells on a 'non-wetting' plastic surface increased efficiency, allowing for larger grain growth and reduced barriers to electricity production. The technique has potential applications in other technologies like faster transistors and more sensitive photodetectors.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 20, 2015

NASA satellite camera provides 'EPIC' view of Earth

The NASA satellite camera has returned its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth, generating color images using a combination of narrowband filters. The images show effects of sunlight scattered by air molecules, giving them a characteristic bluish tint.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 20, 2015

Dead galaxies in Coma Cluster may be packed with dark matter

Researchers found that galaxies in the Coma Cluster could have as much as 100 times more dark matter than visible matter, allowing them to survive and thrive. The study used computer simulations to model how these 'dead' galaxies evolved into their current state.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 19, 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.

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

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
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 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
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.

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

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
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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
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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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
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.

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

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