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Science News for June 26, 2015


Emergency visits for childhood food allergy on rise in Illinois

A Northwestern University study finds that severe food allergies are impacting children of all races and income levels in Illinois, with a significant increase in emergency room visits for anaphylaxis. The study also reveals a notable rise in hospitalizations among Hispanic children, up 44% per year.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJun 26, 2015

Attractive female flies harmed by male sexual attention

A recent Australian and Canadian study on fruit flies reveals that too much male sexual attention hinders the species' adaptation to new conditions. The research found that sexually attractive females were overwhelmed by male suitors, leading to a decrease in their egg-laying ability.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 26, 2015

The peaks and valleys of silicon

USC Viterbi researchers have developed new layered semiconducting materials that can be adjusted to achieve unique electronic and optical properties. These materials have potential applications in LIDAR systems, infrared thermal imaging technology, and flexible night vision glasses.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 26, 2015

High blood pressure linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk, meds may be reason

A new study suggests a genetic link between high blood pressure and reduced Alzheimer's disease risk, with antihypertensive drugs possibly playing a protective role. Researchers analyzed genetic data from over 17,000 individuals and found a significant association between higher systolic blood pressure and lower Alzheimer's risk.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 26, 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.

Building a better semiconductor

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new method to change the electronic properties of materials, enabling more efficient solid-state electronics. By using ultrafast laser pulses, they can create new electronic phases with desired properties.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 26, 2015

CCNY researchers develop eco-friendly oil spill solution

Researchers at City College of New York have developed an eco-friendly biodegradable agent derived from the plant-based small molecule phytol, which can replace chemical herders currently in use. The new substance has been shown to contract and thicken oil slicks, making them easier to collect or burn.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 26, 2015

NIDA announces new awards for early stage investigators

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded six researchers $300,000 per year for five years to support innovative studies on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The Avenir Award Program supports creative individuals who wish to pursue research approaches for improved prevention and treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·DateJun 26, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Helium 'balloons' offer new path to control complex materials

Scientists have developed a method to manipulate complex oxide materials using only helium ions, enabling single-axis control over their behavior. This technique allows researchers to tune material properties with precision, advancing the understanding and use of these unique materials.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 26, 2015

Opening a new route to photonics

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new route to ultrahigh density, ultracompact integrated photonic circuitry. By applying mathematical concept 'adiabatic elimination' to optical nanowaveguides, they can effectively control pulses of light in closely packed waveguides, eliminating the crosstalk p...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2015

Orange is the new red

Researchers discovered a key event in cyanobacterial photoprotection, where the carotenoid protein shifts from orange to red state through a large-scale movement. This mechanism triggers nonphotochemical-quenching, safely dissipating excess solar energy as heat.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJun 26, 2015

Watershed science calls for integrated research methods

The article discusses the challenges of watershed science in understanding complex systems and simulating human-nature interactions. Integrated research methods are proposed as a solution, combining approaches from different disciplines, including holism and reductionism.

SourceScience China Press·DateJun 26, 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.

Braking mechanism identified for cell growth pathway linked to several cancers

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a self-regulating loop in the Hippo pathway that maintains cellular balance by controlling cell growth and promoting cell death. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer development and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalGenes & Development·DateJun 26, 2015

Inactivity reduces people's muscle strength

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that inactivity leads to rapid loss of muscle mass and strength, affecting both young and older men equally. Young people lose twice as much muscle mass and experience greater reductions in physical fitness compared to their older counterparts.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Medicine·DateJun 26, 2015

Scientists identify a calcium channel essential for deep sleep

Researchers have discovered a crucial role for Cav3.1 calcium channels in healthy sleep patterns, which helps regulate slow-wave sleep and overall brain activity. The absence of this channel leads to abnormal brain function, including difficulties with falling asleep and staying asleep.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 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.

UT Arlington physics professor wins esteemed Humboldt Research Award

Zdzislaw Musielak, a UT Arlington physics professor, has won the Humboldt Research Award for his exploration of extra-solar planetary systems, dark matter, and dark energy. The award provides him with the opportunity to work on research projects in Germany, furthering his cutting-edge achievements.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJun 26, 2015

A 'hydrothermal siphon' drives water circulation through the seafloor

A new study by UC Santa Cruz scientists reveals the 'hydrothermal siphon' drives global ocean water circulation through the seafloor. The process is sustained by fluid flow and heat transfer through thousands of extinct underwater volcanoes, with smaller seamounts favored as sites of discharge.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2015

High-performance microscope displays pores in the cell nucleus with greater precision

Researchers have developed a new method to display the spatial structure of nuclear pores in high resolution. This has led to a better understanding of how certain molecules are transported into or out of the nucleus. The discovery sheds light on various diseases, including cancer, that involve defective transport through nuclear pores.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2015

Children with asthma likely born in Toronto area with high air pollution

Researchers identified clusters where higher numbers of children who developed asthma were born in Toronto, suggesting early life factors at the neighbourhood level are relevant to childhood asthma. Air pollution during pregnancy and shortly after birth was found to be related to developing asthma later in childhood.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalHealth & Place·DateJun 26, 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.

Key protein may affect risk of stroke

A special protein called FoxF2 found in brain's tiny blood vessels affects the development of the blood-brain barrier, a vital protective function that controls substances reaching the brain's nerve cells. Variations in the FoxF2 gene have been linked to an increased risk of stroke in humans.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 26, 2015

NASA explains why June 30 will get extra second

Leap seconds are added to account for Earth's slow rotation, which has slowed down by about 2 milliseconds per year since the 1820s. The extra second on June 30 helps maintain consistency between the atomic time standard and Coordinated Universal Time.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 26, 2015

Most of amateur athletes undergoing hypoxic training are not advised by specialists

A recent study found that only 25% of amateur athletes undergoing hypoxic training receive specialist monitoring, putting them at risk for health problems such as increased breathlessness, anaemia, and muscle loss. The lack of regulation among amateur athletes leads to ineffective training efforts and increased health risks.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateJun 26, 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.

UC Davis study guides efforts to find new strategies, solutions to fight pediatric asthma

A recent UC Davis study highlights the need for improved primary care support structures to address high pediatric asthma rates in California. The research found that nearly 10% of state children suffer from asthma, with low flu vaccination rates and limited access to primary care providers contributing to these rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPopulation Health Management·DateJun 26, 2015

Action spectrum of sun skin damage documented

Researchers have documented the full spectrum of UV radiation-induced DNA damage in human skin cells, allowing manufacturers to develop targeted sunscreen products. The study's findings reveal that prolonged sun exposure leads to an accumulation of damaging free radicals, causing skin aging and potentially initiating skin cancers.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJun 26, 2015

Rats 'dream' paths to a brighter future

Researchers monitored brain activity in rats and found that during rest, the hippocampus simulates walking to and from food that was previously inaccessible. This suggests that the hippocampus plans routes for the future as well as recording past experiences with motivational cues like food. The study could help explain why people with...

SourceUniversity College London·DateJun 26, 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.

Hartmuth Kolb, PhD, wins 2015 Alzheimer Award

Dr. Hartmuth Kolb was recognized for his pioneering research on neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). His PET imaging tracers showed promise in evaluating NFT pathology, holding potential for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

SourceIOS Press·DateJun 26, 2015