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Science News Archive June 2015


Page 26 of 36

Geological game changer

A comprehensive biological study refutes a long-standing geological fact, showing plants and animals migrated between North and South America nearly 30 million years ago. This new information changes our understanding of biodiversity and climate, both at regional and global levels.

Study: Crop-rotation resistant rootworms have a lot going on in their guts

Researchers found that western corn rootworm beetles develop resistance to crop rotation through gene expression changes in their guts, involving immune regulation and antimicrobial functions. The study sheds light on the complex interplay of forces behind rotation resistance and could help develop more sustainable agricultural practices.

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.

Images reveal structure of heart cells that may hold heart attack clues

Researchers have discovered the 'bicycle spoke' structure of healthy heart cells, which carries an electrical signal through the cell. After a heart attack, this structure is lost and leads to damaged heart muscle and potential heart failure. The study aims to find out why this process happens and develop strategies to intervene.

Mean light timing may influence body mass index and body fat

A new study found that individuals with earlier exposure to moderate light had lower body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat. The study, published in the journal Sleep, suggests changes in environmental light exposure may impact body weight regulation.

Study redefines role of estrogen in cervical cancer

A recent study has found that estrogen receptors are almost entirely absent in cervical cancer tumors, but still present in the tumor microenvironment. This finding highlights a critical communication between the microenvironment and tumor cells, allowing the tumor to thrive despite its inability to respond to estrogen.

No waiting game: Immediate birth control implant more cost-effective

A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that immediate birth control implant insertion after childbirth is more cost-effective than delaying it to a 6-8 week postpartum visit. The study estimates that immediate contraception can avert 191 unintended pregnancies and save over $1 million in the first year.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Overall rate of traumatic spinal cord injury remains stable in US

The incidence rate of acute traumatic spinal cord injury remained relatively stable between 1993 and 2012, with a slight increase among older adults. The majority of cases were associated with falls, leading to a significant rise in spinal cord injuries among those 65 years or older.

Predicting tree mortality

A study analyzing drought, heat, and insects found that a combination of these factors contributes to over 12 million dead trees in California. Researchers expect this number to rise with climate change.

MCAT predicts differently for students who test with extra time

Applicants with disabilities who took MCAT with extra time had no significant difference in medical school admission rates but lower USMLE Step exam pass rates and graduation rates. The redesigned MCAT increases testing time, which may impact predictive scores.

How a gut feeling for infection programs our immune response

Scientists have identified a key role for gut tissue in programming immune cells, known as monocytes, to either repair or protect the body. The discovery has implications for treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases and certain cancers.

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.

Low glycemic index diet reduces symptoms of autism in mice

Researchers at Salk Institute found that a low glycemic index diet reduced symptoms of autism in mice, including impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The diet may influence gut bacteria and inflammation, which are linked to the development of autism.

'Myths' persist about the increase in human-caused seismic activity

Induced earthquakes, caused by injecting fluids into the earth, are increasingly felt in the US. Research reveals that most of these earthquakes stem from oil and gas wastewater disposal, not hydraulic fracturing. Experts recommend proactive approaches to mitigate seismic risks.

Epic fails in 2015 elections: Does polling jeopardize fairness?

Researchers found that pre-election polls can influence voter behavior, leading to biased electoral results. A study on French elections showed that exit polls influenced voters in territories, resulting in higher turnout and a 'bandwagon effect'. This insight suggests that polling errors can sway election outcomes, even in the UK.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

The food-waste paradox

A study from Cornell Food & Brand Lab reveals that buying too much food, preparing in abundance, and improper storage lead to significant household food waste. Implementing efficient meal planning strategies and proper food storage techniques can significantly reduce waste and save money.

Pitt engineer receives $200,000 grant to explore use of bamboo

A University of Pittsburgh-led consortium has received a $200,000 grant to explore the use of bamboo as a safe and sustainable construction resource in urban areas. The research aims to reduce the environmental impact of housing while addressing global grand challenges of urbanization and resilience.

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.

Study: Juvenile incarceration yields less schooling, more crime

A new study by MIT scholars finds that juvenile incarceration significantly lowers high-school graduation rates by 13 percentage points and increases adult incarceration by 23 percentage points. The research project analyzed tens of thousands of teenagers in Illinois, using a natural experiment to isolate the effects of sentencing on k...

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.

Body's response to spicy foods guides design of new pain relief drugs

UC Davis researchers identified molecular interactions between capsaicin and the TRPV1 receptor, paving the way for more selective and effective pain relief drugs. The study found that sweet peppers contain a compound called capsiate, which is almost identical to capsaicin but differs at one key interaction site.

GLP-1 alters how the brain responds to food

Researchers found that GLP-1 receptor activation decreases anticipatory food reward, reducing cravings, and increases feeling of food reward during consumption, reducing overeating. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target for substance abuse disorders, offering new insights into the mechanisms of obesity.

Nearby 'dwarf' galaxy is home to luminous star cluster

A team of astronomers has discovered a massive star cluster in the NGC 5253 dwarf galaxy, containing over 7,000 massive O-type stars. The cluster, dubbed Cloud D, is incredibly efficient at forming stars and creating dust, with a gas cloud rate that is ten times greater than in our own Milky Way.

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.

Molecular docking site of a bacterial toxin identified

A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has discovered how the toxins of Clostridium difficile bacteria enter the interiors of cells. The surface protein LSR receptor is responsible for binding to the CDT toxin, allowing it to penetrate the cell membrane and exert its lethal effect.

WSU Spokane researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date

Scientists have isolated the smallest unit of sleep, discovering that it originates from small neural networks. The research, published in European Journal of Neuroscience, allows for the independent isolation of sleep for research without physiological factors.

Parasite re-infection reduced by handwashing or nail clipping in Ethiopian children

A cluster randomized controlled trial in Ethiopian children found that promoting handwashing with soap significantly reduces intestinal parasite re-infection rates, with a 14% re-infection rate compared to 29% in non-handwashing groups. Additionally, weekly nail clipping interventions also showed efficacy, particularly when combined wi...

Discovery of new rock property earns prize

Scientists at the National Oceanography Centre have discovered a new fundamental rock property that allows electricity to flow more easily through sedimentary rocks in the vertical direction. This finding will improve the interpretation of geological fluid flow from geophysical surveys.

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.

MIPT physicists develop ultrasensitive nanomechanical biosensor

The new sensor can track changes in mass of a few kilodaltons in real time, enabling early diagnosis of diseases like cancer. It detects biological objects, such as viral disease markers, through cantilever oscillations, making it a highly sensitive and scalable technology.

Are the data underlying the US dietary guidelines flawed?

Researchers question the validity of US dietary guidelines citing memory-based dietary assessment methods and their inability to accurately capture food consumption. Experts counter that multiple data sources can mitigate these issues, providing a more accurate representation of dietary habits.

UM College of Arts & Sciences assistant professor wins 2015 Erdos-Renyi Prize

Chaoming Song, assistant professor of physics at the University of Miami, was awarded the 2015 Erdos-Renyi Prize for his influential work on network science. His research has a significant impact on various areas of Network Science, including statistical physics, biological science, and computational social science.

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.

A step towards a type 1 diabetes vaccine by using nanotherapy

Researchers have developed a novel approach using liposomes to prevent the onset of Type 1 Diabetes in mice, offering a promising candidate for human vaccination. The technique avoids damaging insulin-producing pancreatic cells and induces immunological tolerance, providing a potential solution for this incurable disease.

Floods as war weapons

A new study reveals that humans deliberately caused about a third of floods in southwestern Netherlands between 1500 and 2000. The deliberate flooding was used as a tactic during the Eighty Years' War, with significant changes to the landscape resulting from these inundations.

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 see ripples of a particle-separating wave in primordial plasma

The STAR collaboration has observed a 'chiral magnetic wave' rippling through the quark-gluon plasma created at RHIC's energetic particle smashups. This finding provides evidence for the chiral magnetic effect, a quantum phenomenon causing electric charge separation along the axis of a magnetic field.

Progress in safety verification of Chinese high-speed train control system

A Chinese research team proposes a novel approach to verify the correctness of high-speed train control systems, combining simulation and formal verification. The method models the system using Simulink/Stateflow and then transforms it into a formal Hybrid CSP model for verification, advancing the state-of-the-art in verifying train co...

Quenched glasses, asteroid impacts, and ancient life on Mars

Researchers have identified glass formations on Mars that could preserve signs of ancient biological activity. The glass-rich impactites found by Kevin Cannon and John Mustard are preserved on billion-year timescales and could provide a promising target for searching for possible ancient Martian life.

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.

PET detects more prostate cancer than conventional imaging

A new molecular imaging agent has been developed to detect prostate cancer that has spread to other tissues. The agent targets the PSMA enzyme, which is associated with prostate cancer, and has shown high accuracy in detecting disease sites, including those not identified by conventional methods.

Making organic molecules in hydrothermal vents in the absence of life

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered that methane formation occurs independently of venting process and is produced on geological time scales deep beneath seafloor. Abiotic compound formate is formed during vent circulation process, providing evidence for purely chemical processes in origin of life.

Ultrafast heat conduction can manipulate nanoscale magnets

Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered a way to manipulate magnetic information using heat. They create a separation of electron spins in a magnetic material, generating a spin current that can be used to control nanomagnets.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Controller in the cell

Researchers identify a new autophagy receptor, FAM134B, which ensures proper breakdown and disposal of dysfunctional endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in FAM134B cause rare hereditary disease HSAN II, highlighting the importance of autophagy in cellular quality control.

Molecular imaging reveals marker of neurodegenerative disease

A specialized PET tracer has been developed to visualize the function of nerve cells that lead to neuronal loss and cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases. The tracer binds to a transporter of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, allowing for the quantification of cholinergic neuron loss and its effects on cognition.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Molecular MRI aims at component of multiple cancers

Researchers have developed three new MRI agents that successfully target the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) biomarker in multiple cancers. PSMA is found in both primary and metastatic prostate tumors, as well as in newly developing blood vessels of many non-prostate cancers.