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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 5


Page 5 of 34

Research grasps how the brain plans gripping motion

The study found that neurons in the ventral premotor cortex retain information about objects and generate unique grip patterns. This advances brain-computer interfaces, enabling people with severe paralysis to control robotic arms and hands using their thoughts.

SourceBrown University·DateJul 28, 2015

Firms 'underinvest' in long-term cancer research

A study by MIT economists found that pharmaceutical firms tend to invest more in drugs for earlier-stage cancers, resulting in a lack of investment in late-stage cancer treatments. This has resulted in a loss of 890,000 life-years among people diagnosed with cancer in 2003.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateJul 28, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Identifying ever-growing disturbances leading to freak waves

Researchers have made significant progress in identifying growing localised patterns as early indicators of freak waves. By resolving the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, they can extract pertinent information from localised disturbances' characteristics, shedding light on complex dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 28, 2015

Barrow scientists 'rewrite' history books

Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that Massot's modern neurosurgical techniques played a critical role in Kutuzov's survival and ultimate victory over Napoleon. The brain surgery allowed Kutuzov to make the best decision, avoiding a confrontation with Napoleon's superior forces.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateJul 28, 2015

Washington, DC sinking fast, adding to threat of sea-level rise

New research confirms Washington D.C. is sinking rapidly, with a projected six-inch drop by 2100, exacerbating flooding and sea-level rise concerns. The study's detailed field data reveal the region's land subsidence is primarily driven by geological processes, not human influence.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGSA Today·DateJul 28, 2015

Practice doesn't always make perfect (depending on your brain)

A new study at McGill University found that the brain's capacity to learn is influenced by individual predisposition, rather than just training. The research used brain imaging studies of young adults with little musical background, showing a clear distinction between innate talent and training-induced plasticity.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJul 28, 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.

Red and White Fleet going green

Sandia National Laboratories is helping Red and White Fleet design, build, and operate a high-speed hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry and hydrogen refueling station. The project aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality in harbor areas.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJul 28, 2015

UV light can kill foodborne pathogens on certain fruits

Researchers at Washington State University have found that UVC light can effectively inactivate up to 99.9% of foodborne pathogens on apples and pears, but listeria was more resistant. The technology is simple to implement and inexpensive, making it a promising solution for organic fruit processors.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·DateJul 28, 2015

Chimpanzees binge on clay to detox and boost the minerals in their diet

Wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Budongo Forest are increasingly eating clay to supplement the minerals in their diet, which also helps them 'detox' and digest their food. The researchers observed that accessing clay with leaf sponges provided higher mineral concentrations than taking clay-water or clay directly from the ground.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 28, 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.

Autism costs estimated to reach nearly $500 billion, potentially $1 trillion, by 2025

UC Davis researchers estimate that the total costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder will range from $162 to $367 billion in 2015 and potentially reach $1 trillion by 2025. The study recommends increased investment in research and early intervention programs to reduce these costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJul 28, 2015

Researchers provide new details about sea stars' immunity

A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that sea stars have an immune response characterized by various types of immunities, including the first melanin gene ever recorded in a sea star. The team also found changes in genes related to collagen and nervous system function, which may contribute to the disease's effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 28, 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.

Diabetics who skip breakfast provoke hazardous blood sugar spikes

A new study reveals that skipping breakfast triggers major blood sugar spikes and impairs insulin responses in type-2 diabetics throughout the day. The researchers found that fasting until noon causes extraordinary glucose peaks after lunch and dinner, highlighting the importance of not skipping meals for diabetics.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJul 28, 2015

Brain disease scenarios revised by step-by-step imaging of toxic aggregation

Scientists at EPFL have successfully distinguished between the disease-causing aggregation forms of proteins using step-by-step imaging. This breakthrough can help change pharmaceutical treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, which are caused by misfolded protein aggregates.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2015

A new litmus test for chaos?

Researchers from the University of Maryland have described a new definition of chaos that can be applied to a wide range of chaotic systems. Expansion entropy, a flexible type of entropy, is used to identify chaotic behavior in models that are forced by external inputs. This new definition has the potential to help advance computer mod...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateJul 28, 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.

Major European mouse study reveals the role of genes in disease

A major European mouse study has identified the roles of 320 genes in mice, shedding light on their functions and potential links to human diseases. The study, led by Helmholtz Munich, provides valuable insights into genetic variations that can be used to develop personalized medicine approaches.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 28, 2015

A single hair shows researchers what a bear has been eating

Scientists use new technology to determine grizzly bears' protein intake and mercury levels by analyzing a single hair sample. The technique has potential applications in determining the recovery of threatened bears and their habitat needs.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 28, 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.

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.

Understanding the molecular origin of epigenetic markers

The study reveals how lysine acetylation in histone tails influences gene activity by altering their structure. This modification makes DNA molecules more accessible to effector proteins, leading to increased gene expression.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 28, 2015

'Carbon sink' detected underneath world's deserts

A new study suggests that the world's deserts may be storing significant amounts of climate-changing carbon dioxide, with estimates suggesting up to 20 billion metric tons stored in underground aquifers. This discovery could improve models used to predict future climate change and enhance calculations of the Earth's carbon budget.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 28, 2015

Past and present sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay Region, USA

Researchers have found that sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay region deviate from global trends due to glacio-isostatic adjustment, with implications for future subsidence and sea-level rise. The study suggests that the region will continue to experience subsidence for millennia, exacerbating coastal erosion and resource loss.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJul 28, 2015

Parents' health literacy affects child weight-loss tactics, study finds

A new study reveals that parents with low health literacy are less likely to choose government-recommended weight-loss strategies for their children. Parents with higher health literacy select more weight-control strategies, including neutral methods like counting calories.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAppetite·DateJul 28, 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.

Plant light sensors came from ancient algae

A new study from Duke University found that plant light-sensing molecules were inherited from ancient algae, contradicting the prevailing idea of bacterial origins. The researchers analyzed 300 DNA and RNA sequences from phytochrome proteins in a wide range of algae and land plants.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2015

Many dialysis patients are unprepared for natural disasters

A study found that 26.3% of dialysis patients missed sessions and 66.1% received treatment at non-regular units after Hurricane Sandy. Patients with emergency packets had their medical records stored at home, highlighting the need for preparedness.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 28, 2015

Link between mood, pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Researchers link positive and negative mood to daily pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting that interventions targeting depression and momentary mood may improve pain and quality of life. The study's findings may have implications for individuals with chronic pain beyond rheumatoid arthritis.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJul 28, 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.

Monitoring wildlife may shed light on spread of antibiotic resistance in humans

Researchers found that multidrug-resistant bacteria were widespread among African wildlife, including species with high exposure to antibiotics through diet. These findings suggest that wildlife may serve as sentinels for antimicrobial resistance in ecosystems, providing clues to the spread of resistant microbes.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateJul 28, 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.

Doctor warns about lead poisoning risk from recycling older electronic equipment

A pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center warns that recycling older electronic equipment poses a lead poisoning risk to children. Elevated blood lead levels have been detected in two cases, highlighting the importance of preventing take-home exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateJul 28, 2015

BMJ partners with European Society for Medical Oncology

BMJ has partnered with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) to publish a new open access cancer journal called ESMO Open. The journal will cover various aspects of cancer treatment and include study protocols and phase I clinical trials. It aims to provide rapid access to high-quality research on cancer care worldwide.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 28, 2015

Fatty acid increases performance of cellular powerhouse

Researchers at DKFZ found a new control mechanism that regulates mitochondrial fusion and fragmentation, improving energy production. Adding stearic acid to fly food enhanced mitochondrial performance, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for mitochondrial diseases.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNature·DateJul 28, 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.

Origins of life: New model may explain emergence of self-replication on early Earth

A new model suggests that template-assisted ligation could have enabled the leap from monomers to self-replicating polymer chains in primordial soup. The model proposes a cycle between 'day' and 'night' phases, driven by environmental changes, where polymers join together to form longer chains via template-assisted ligation.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 28, 2015

Pharmacy expenditures for children with serious chronic illness

Outpatient pharmacy expenditures totaled $475,718,130 for publicly insured children with serious chronic illness in California. Antihemophilic factor was the most expensive medication, accounting for 98% of its class's expenditures and 41% of total pharmacy expenditures.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 28, 2015

Experimental MERS vaccine shows promise in animal studies

A two-step regimen of experimental vaccines against Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) prompted immune responses in mice and rhesus macaques, producing broadly neutralizing antibodies against multiple strains of the MERS coronavirus. Vaccinated macaques were protected from severe lung damage when later exposed to MERS-CoV.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2015

More secondary schools serve healthier lunches

Significant improvements were made in National School Lunch Program nutrition for middle and high school students after the US Department of Agriculture updated its nutrition standards in 2012-13. At least 80% of secondary students attended schools that offered nonfat milk and fruits and vegetables daily by 2013.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateJul 28, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

RED Epic Dragon Camera captures riveting images on space station

The RED Epic Dragon camera is capable of recording images with six times more detail than previous cameras, capturing high-resolution footage of astronauts on the International Space Station. The camera's ability to record at high resolution and up to 300 frames per second makes it ideal for science investigations and dynamic events.

SourceNASA/Johnson Space Center·DateJul 28, 2015

Dog sledding offers a healthy dose of adventure for children with cancer

A new study shows that children with cancer can benefit from adapted physical activities, such as dog sledding, which improves their physical and psychological health. The expedition successfully completed by the children demonstrated statistically significant improvement in both areas.

Sourceecancermedicalscience·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateJul 28, 2015

How to digitally stoke that old-time auction fever

Researchers found that auctions with intense time pressure and social competition lead to higher bids due to emotional arousal. Ascending auctions were more rewarding for participants than descending ones.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateJul 28, 2015

New therapy delivers long-term relief for chronic back, leg pain, study finds

A new therapy called HF10 has been shown to provide significantly greater long-term relief for chronic back and leg pain compared to traditional SCS therapy. The study found that patients receiving HF10 therapy experienced a higher percentage of pain reduction and reported higher levels of satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateJul 28, 2015

Ewing's sarcoma: A dangerous liaison

Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München elucidated the molecular level interactions between an inherited mutation and a spontaneous somatic mutation in Ewing's sarcoma. The team discovered that a germline susceptibility variant increases risk for the disease by interacting with a driver mutation, promoting tumorigenesis.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 28, 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.

ASU researchers demonstrate the world's first white lasers

Researchers at Arizona State University have created a novel nanosheet that emits light of all visible colors, producing a white laser. This technological advance brings lasers closer to being a mainstream light source, potentially replacing LEDs in various applications.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 28, 2015

New tool uses 'drug spillover' to match cancer patients with treatments

A new tool called the Kinase Addiction Ranker (KAR) improves the ability to match drugs to disease by predicting what genetics are truly driving a patient's cancer. The tool clarifies the best drug or combination of drugs that targets specific genetic abnormalities, leading to more effective treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalBioinformatics·DateJul 28, 2015

Specific cardiovascular risk factors may predict Alzheimer's disease

A study published in Radiology found associations between specific cardiovascular risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, and reduced brain volume in key regions. These findings suggest that risk factors may be early indicators of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateJul 28, 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.