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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 4


Page 4 of 34

Social groups and emotions

Researchers identified a link between cognitive deficits and lesions in areas processing emotions, suggesting a third category of knowledge representation for social groups. This discovery highlights the close relationship between social relations and emotional processing in the human brain.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalCortex·DateJul 29, 2015

Toward a safe antiobesity drug that could block fat absorption

Researchers have developed micelle sequestrant polymers that capture fat particles in the intestines, preventing their absorption and excretion. This breakthrough could lead to a safe and effective anti-obesity drug with long-term benefits.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJul 29, 2015

First detection of lithium from an exploding star

Researchers have detected lithium in material ejected by a nova, resolving a long-standing puzzle about its abundance in young stars. The finding sheds light on the chemical evolution of the Milky Way and could inform models of the Big Bang.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 29, 2015

Closing the gap on developing a vaccine for middle ear infections

A breakthrough discovery has been made in developing a vaccine for middle ear infections by identifying the molecular switch that controls a 'chameleon' bacteria. Researchers have found that this switch allows Haemophilus influenzae to adapt and evade the immune system, making it difficult to develop an effective vaccine.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 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.

Kent research could play major role in curbing illegal ivory sales

Researchers from the University of Kent have developed an automated data mining system that can mimic human expert classification of potentially illegal elephant ivory with high accuracy. The system has shown a 93% accuracy rate and is expected to significantly increase the detection of illegal ivory sales on eBay.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 29, 2015

Study of birds' sense of smell reveals important clues for behavior and adaptation

A recent comparative genomic study found that specific olfactory receptor genes correlate with ecological niches and behaviors in birds. Specialized skills, such as those in birds of prey or aquatic birds, were mirrored by genetic diversity of their OR gene families.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJul 29, 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.

Dense star clusters shown to be binary black hole factories

A recent study suggests that dense star clusters in the universe could be 'factories' of binary black holes. Researchers predict that advanced observatories will detect over 100 merging black holes per year from these clusters.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2015

Playing 'tag' with pollution lets scientists see who's 'it'

Researchers use climate model to tag soot sources and track its impact on the Tibetan Plateau, finding that soot from wildfires in India warms the region more than greenhouse gases. The study suggests that cutting emissions from central Asia's fossil fuel burning can have a significant impact on reducing soot levels on the plateau.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateJul 29, 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.

Scientists identify gene vital for rebuilding intestine after cancer treatment

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a rare type of stem cell that is immune to radiation damage due to high levels of Sox9. This finding could lead to new ways to protect the gastrointestinal system of cancer patients before treatment, allowing for more aggressive treatments to be used.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJul 29, 2015

Malic acid encourages sweet cherry cracking

A new study reveals that malic acid is the primary cause of sweet cherry cracking, even at low water uptake levels. The researchers found that artificial juices composed of malic acid or five abundant osmolytes reproduce the effect on fruit cracking.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalJournal of the American Society for Horticultural Science·DateJul 29, 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.

Researchers design first artificial ribosome

Researchers created a tethered artificial ribosome called Ribo-T, which works nearly as well as the natural cellular component. The engineered ribosome enables production of new drugs and biomaterials, and may lead to better understanding of ribosome function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015

Management strategies to reduce catfacing in peaches

A six-year study found that using narrow vegetation-free strips under trees can reduce damage from hemipteran insects, increasing tree growth and fruit yield. Supplemental irrigation also showed benefits in three of five years, with trees grown with irrigation having larger trunk cross-sectional areas.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateJul 29, 2015

Vaccination rates in older adults fall short of targets

The Alliance for Aging Research released a white paper highlighting the factors driving low vaccination rates among seniors and offering recommendations for improvement. Vaccination rates are lower than target levels set by Healthy People 2020, resulting in significant health issues and deaths among older adults.

SourceAlliance for Aging Research·DateJul 29, 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.

Linda J. S. Allen awarded AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture

Linda J.S. Allen, a renowned mathematician at Texas Tech University, has been recognized with the AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture award for her significant contributions to ordinary differential equations, difference equations, and stochastic models, particularly in the areas of infectious diseases and ecology.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateJul 29, 2015

Black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer compared to white men

Black men in England face a double lifetime risk of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer compared to their white counterparts. The study reveals that Asian men have half the lifetime risk, highlighting the need for targeted awareness-raising and informed decision-making about PSA tests.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJul 29, 2015

Detecting small metallic contaminants in food via magnetization

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a practical magnetic metallic contaminant detector using three high-Tc RF superconducting quantum interference devices for food inspection. The detection technique is based on recording the remnant magnetic field of a contaminant, providing a safe and high-resolution method.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity·DateJul 29, 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.

An all-natural sunscreen derived from algae

Scientists created a novel sunscreen from algae's natural molecules, combined with chitosan, to protect against UV rays. The material is biocompatible, heat-stable, and absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation with high efficiency.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 29, 2015

Intracellular microlasers could allow precise labeling of a trillion individual cells

Researchers have induced structures within cells to produce laser light, emitting specific wavelengths that allow for precise labeling and measurement of individual cells. This technology has the potential to tag up to a trillion cells, matching the estimated number of human body cells, enabling applications in basic research and disea...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 29, 2015

Don't call them stiff: Metal organic frameworks show unexpected flexibility

Researchers have discovered that metal organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit dynamic behavior, shifting between different geometries over time. This finding could lead to the synthesis of brand-new types of materials with enhanced flexibility in applications such as antimicrobial agents, hydrogen-storage materials and solar-cell components.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateJul 29, 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.

Early prosocial behavior good predictor of kids' future

A nearly 20-year study found that kindergarteners' social-emotional skills are a significant predictor of their future success. Students demonstrating better prosocial behavior were more likely to graduate from college, be gainfully employed, and avoid arrest.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 29, 2015

Could a sugar tax help combat obesity?

Experts weigh in on whether a sugar tax can help combat obesity, with some arguing it's a necessary step to reduce consumption and others claiming it would be economically ineffective. A sugar tax on all products may stimulate reformulated products, while taxes on specific food categories could change diets and improve health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 29, 2015

Can we restart the heart?

San Diego State University researchers have developed a way to use biotechnology to rejuvenate cardiac progenitor cells, which replicate indefinitely into new heart cells. By overexpressing an enzyme associated with cancer cell growth, they've shown promise in increasing cell proliferation and lifespan in mice, as well as human tissue.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateJul 29, 2015

Ongoing recovery efforts take toll on hurricane survivors

A new study reveals that Hurricane Sandy's effects on New Jersey residents are still being felt two and a half years after the storm. The study found that 27% of residents with damaged homes experienced moderate or severe mental health distress, while mold was significantly associated with asthma and mental health distress.

SourceNew York University·DateJul 29, 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.

Shoring up Tor

Researchers at MIT and QCRI demonstrate a vulnerability in Tor's design, allowing an adversary to infer a hidden server's location or the source of information reaching a user. However, they also propose defenses, which are being evaluated for inclusion in future versions of the Tor software, to prevent such attacks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 29, 2015

SIAM's Ralph E. Kleinman Prize goes to George Em Karniadakis

Brown University professor George Em Karniadakis has been awarded the Ralph E. Kleinman Prize by SIAM for his contributions to applied mathematics, specifically in computational fluid dynamics and stochastic modeling. The $5,000 prize recognizes his research bridging high-level mathematics with practical applications.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateJul 29, 2015

People walk slower, swerve when texting while distracted

A study found that adults who text while being cognitively distracted exhibit a more cautious gait, including increased obstacle clearance and decreased ability to walk in a straight line. The researchers suggest this adaptation may help prevent accidents when faced with cognitive challenges.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 29, 2015

Real-time imaging of lung lesions during surgery helps localize tumors and improve precision

A new study reports that a targeted molecular contrast agent can be used to cause lung adenocarcinomas to fluoresce during pulmonary surgery, enabling real-time optical imaging and precise visualization of tumor margins. The technique showed promise in localizing tumors and detecting metastatic cancer cells with high accuracy.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateJul 29, 2015

Aquariums deliver health and wellbeing benefits

New research published in Environment & Behavior found that watching aquariums and fish tanks can improve physical and mental wellbeing. The study showed noticeable reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, with higher numbers of fish helping to maintain attention for longer.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateJul 29, 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.

Just say 'No' to drugs -- in water

A 16-year-old scientist has created a solution to remove pharmaceutical drugs from contaminated water, using a plastic adsorbent that can capture the chemicals. The innovative technique, tested over six years, shows promise for scaling up and applying it in real-world water treatment.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 29, 2015

Prostate 'organoid' hints at how early BPA exposure may increase cancer risk

A new study using human embryonic stem cells suggests that early exposure to bisphenol A may lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. The research found that BPA caused the development of prostate organoids to produce an overabundance of prostate stem cells, which could be a risk factor for cancer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 29, 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.

Experts recommend tumor removal as first-line treatment for Cushing's syndrome

The Endocrine Society recommends tumor removal as the first-line treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. This approach is optimal because it preserves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is crucial for the body's central stress response. Other treatment options include medication and radiation therapy.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 29, 2015

Failed stars host powerful aurora displays

Researchers discovered that brown dwarf stars, which are difficult to detect and classify, host powerful auroras similar to Earth's display. The study used radio and optical telescopes to observe a brown dwarf 20 light years away, providing evidence that these stars act like supersized planets.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015

An imbalance of cellular bioenergetics in pancreatic beta-cells links to type 2 diabetes

Research demonstrates impaired activation of mitochondrial energy metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes, leading to decreased insulin secretion. A novel fluorescence microscopic assay reveals a subtle disharmony between bioenergetic supply and demand pathways, suggesting a shift towards systems-level approaches to fight the disease.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalEndocrinology·DateJul 29, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Failed stars' host powerful auroral displays

A team of astronomers led by Gregg Hallinan has discovered that brown dwarfs, which are cool and dim objects, host powerful auroras near their magnetic poles. The findings suggest that these so-called failed stars behave more like giant planets with highly active magnetic fields.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015

Research with bite

A new study reveals that the distinctive, saw-like tooth structure of theropod dinosaurs enabled them to effectively process food, contributing to their success as predators. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of dinosaur dentition and has implications for our understanding of these ancient creatures.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 28, 2015

New treatment may help neonatal liver disease associated with parenteral nutrition

A new study suggests that exogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) treatment can improve the excretion of toxic bile acids and stimulate liver growth in neonatal pigs with parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. This finding supports a beneficial role for GLP-2 as a novel therapy in PNALD.

SourceAmerican Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)·JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·DateJul 28, 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.

Early evidence suggests hybrid cochlear implants may benefit millions with common form of hearing loss

A multicenter study found that hybrid cochlear implant devices led to significant improvements in hearing and speech recognition among individuals with severely damaged high-frequency hearing. The study showed that 45 participants experienced overall improvement in their hearing and speech recognition, with some achieving profound gains.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Laryngoscope·DateJul 28, 2015

Short wavelength plasmons observed in nanotubes

Berkeley Lab researchers have generated and detected plasmons with one of the strongest confinement factors ever, confining photon energy to a spatial dimension smaller than its wavelength. This breakthrough enables novel plasmonic devices with extraordinary sub-wavelength confinement.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 28, 2015

New study data show reduced intracranial pressure

A European clinical trial shows that therapeutic hypothermia can significantly decrease intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The study found a mean reduction of 4.3 mmHg at the first hour of body cooling, continuing throughout the 6-hour hypothermia therapy.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTherapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management·DateJul 28, 2015

Illuminating mechanisms of repetitive thinking

This special series of articles explores the core psychological processes underlying maladaptive thought processes like worry and rumination. The research highlights cutting-edge methodologies and advances our understanding of these processes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateJul 28, 2015
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.