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Science News Archive March 2015


Page 28 of 38

Blood-based genetic biomarkers identify young boys with autism

A new blood-based test has been developed to diagnose autism in young males as early as one to two years old, outperforming existing behavioral and genetic screens. The test uses genomic biomarkers that differentiate ASD toddlers from typically developing children with high accuracy.

Johns Hopkins researchers engineer custom blood cells

Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating patients with sickle cell disease by engineering custom blood cells that can evade the immune system. Lab-grown stem cells were reprogrammed and edited using CRISPR to replace the defective gene, resulting in healthy red blood cells that function just as well as those from unaffected donors.

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.

Electrons in slow motion

Researchers developed a method to measure electron interactions in high-temperature copper oxide superconductors, finding that these interactions are mediated by the spin of electrons. This breakthrough allows for better understanding of the mechanism enabling superconductivity.

Progeny of old parents have fewer offspring

A long-term study on house sparrows found that offspring of older parents produced fewer young. This transgenerational age effect was confirmed by researchers for the first time in free-living animals.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Seeing tiny twins

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have made a groundbreaking discovery in the study of nanomaterials, revealing that tiny tungsten crystals can exhibit deformation twinning, which affects their strength and function. This phenomenon has significant implications for the development of nanostructured metals and alloys.

Tip sheet from Annals of Internal Medicine, March 10, 2015

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that the appropriate use criteria for diagnostic cardiac catheterization may not be reliable for guiding clinical decisions. The researchers evaluated a cohort of 48,336 patients without a history of coronary artery disease and found that obstructive CAD is more likely to be diagno...

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.

TUM Prof. Arthur Konnerth shares in million-euro Brain Prize

The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation has awarded TUM Prof. Arthur Konnerth the million-euro Brain Prize for his work on two-photon microscopy, enabling detailed images of individual nerve cells and synapses in living brains. His research has improved understanding of brain development, plasticity, and functional circui...

Mother's own immune system may cause pregnancy complications

Researchers found that restricting maternal immune cells from the placenta can protect against pregnancy complications during maternal infection and complications not triggered by prenatal infection. Blocking CXCR3 effectively eliminated fetal resorption and restored healthy live offspring to Listeria infected mice.

Biofuel proteomics

Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute used proteomics to analyze switchgrass, a promising fuel crop candidate, and identified 1,750 unique proteins. This study demonstrates the potential of proteomics in optimizing biofuel production from switchgrass.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Two-step treatment improved function and decreased pain severity in veterans

A new study by researchers from the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, the Regenstrief Institute, and Indiana University School of Medicine reports that a stepped-care strategy improved function and decreased pain severity in veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain, producing at least a 30 percent improvement in pain-related di...

Interdependence explained

A UCSB ecologist examines how human disturbance affects landscape and wildlife, revealing links between conservation and human health. She finds that land-use change increases plague transmission by moving rodents closer to human habitats, while environmental conditions affect flea infestations.

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.

Canadians' preferences for receiving incidental findings from genetic testing

A survey of 1200 Canadians found that most valued news of incidental findings, but personal utility depended on the type of findings. Individuals preferred hearing about diseases with lifestyle modifications or treatment available, while those without treatment options saw less value in receiving such information.

Quantum sensor's advantages survive entanglement breakdown

Researchers at MIT demonstrate that quantum sensors can outperform classical systems even when entanglement breaks down due to environmental influences. The study shows that correlations between entangled beams remain strong enough to improve signal-to-noise ratio, leading to increased sensitivity.

Cancer-linked protein helps control fate of intestinal stem cells

Researchers discovered that Snai1 protein controls the fate of intestinal stem cells in mice, regulating their survival and differentiation. By reducing Snai1 activity, intestinal stem cells shifted towards secretory roles, impairing regeneration and promoting tumor growth.

A real eye-opener: Narcolepsy bears classic autoimmune hallmarks

Researchers have found that narcolepsy bears the hallmarks of a classic autoimmune disorder, with a particular autoantibody process triggering the loss of orexin neurons. This discovery opens up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to a better understanding of the disease.

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.

Eviction can result in depression, poorer health and higher stress

Research shows that eviction from housing can result in multiple negative consequences, including depression, poorer health, and higher levels of stress. Evicted mothers are more likely to experience depression, poor child health, and material hardship, highlighting the need for eviction-prevention initiatives.

Societally engaged adults see their lives as redemption stories

Research found that socially engaged middle-aged adults with good mental health are more likely to view their lives as stories of personal redemption. This narrative format is associated with healthy psychosocial adaptation in the midlife years and resonates particularly deeply with African American adults.

Vaccinate against measles

A recent study examines reasons people refuse vaccines and highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. The study found that vaccine refusal can lead to unnecessary risk to children, with cases reporting complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.

Assumptions of equality lead to poorer group decisions

New research from University College London suggests that people with differing competence give each other's views equal weight, preventing optimal group decisions. This 'equality bias' affects decision-making processes in various contexts, including everyday situations and high-level policy decisions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The climate is starting to change faster

Researchers analyzed changes in climate over several decades, finding that the Earth is now entering a period of faster-than-natural warming. The study suggests that decision-makers need to better prepare for the impacts of climate change by understanding how quickly temperatures will rise.

One step closer to artificial photosynthesis and 'solar fuels'

Researchers at Caltech have developed a nickel oxide film that enables record-efficient and stable chemical processes in the production of fuels like hydrogen. The film works well with a membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, ensuring safety and efficiency in the system.

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.

Childhood leukemia study reveals disease subtypes, new treatment option

A new study has identified two distinct subtypes of childhood leukemia and found that about 13 percent of ALL cases may be successfully treated with targeted drugs. The research developed a simple lab test to determine which patients fall into the less-common subtype, opening up new hope for treatment options.

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.

T cell population altered in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity

A new study reveals that mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are dramatically reduced in individuals with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity, yet abundant in adipose tissue. MAIT cell abnormalities may contribute to obesity-associated metabolic alterations after weight loss restored circulating MAIT cells.

Advances of alternating EM field for earthquake monitoring in China

The study introduces a new developed CSELF technique and experimental examples, which can observe not only crustal resistivity but also electromagnetic fields. The technique is found effective for data analysis, e.g., EM spectra and apparent resistivities, using software such as the 'wavelet maxima' method.

March/April 2015 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Researchers predict a shortage of over 33,000 primary care physicians by 2035 due to demographic changes and insurance expansion. To eliminate this deficit, experts suggest increasing residency production by nearly 2,200 positions by 2020.

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.

Go meta: New technique expands possibilities for molecular designers

Chemists at Scripps Research Institute have developed a broadly useful technique for building new drug molecules and other chemical products by expanding the meta-C-H activation method. The new method enables the attachment of functional groups at the meta position, previously difficult to achieve.

Quick, easy and early diagnosis with rare earth ions

A new compound based on rare earth ions has been developed to measure oxygen concentrations in living tissue with high precision. The compound works by emitting coloured light that varies in colour with the amount of oxygen present, making it possible to measure oxygen using optical microscopes already present in hospitals.

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.

Innovative light therapy reaches deep tumors

Researchers have developed a new light therapy that can reach deep tumors using nanoparticles and FDG, producing different kinds of free radicals that overwhelm tumor cells. This treatment shows promise in reducing cancer growth and increasing survival rates with minimal toxic side effects.

CEO bonuses could cost companies in the long term

A new study published in the Review of Financial Studies suggests that regulating CEO payments and performance bonuses can lead to more profitable companies in the long term. The research found that relying on bonuses can encourage CEOs to pursue short-term gains, leading to poor strategic decisions.

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.

'Ouch zone' in the brain identified

A new brain imaging study has identified a specific brain area, the dorsal posterior insula, directly related to pain intensity. This discovery could help detect pain in people with limited communication abilities.

Traffic light food labels strengthen self-control

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that traffic light labels are more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than traditional nutrition labels. The study participants were willing to pay significantly more for healthy products with green labels and less for unhealthy products with red labels.

'Exercise hormone' irisin may be a myth

Recent research suggests that irisin, believed to travel from muscle to fat tissue after exercise, may not exist in humans. New tests used in previous studies found antibodies were poorly vetted and nonspecific, leading to false positive results.

Protein in the brain can 'put the brakes' on binge drinking

Researchers have identified a naturally occurring protein in the brain that can act to suppress binge alcohol drinking. The study found that Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases inhibition on cells producing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), leading to reduced binge drinking.

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.

TSRI scientists reveal structural secrets of nature's little locomotive

Researchers have determined the basic structural organization of the dynein-dynactin complex, a molecular motor responsible for cellular activities such as cell division and intracellular transport. The findings shed light on diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS, and could lead to new treatments.

Seeding mixtures recommended for midwest lawns

The study recommends seeding mixtures with a higher proportion of perennial ryegrass (PRG) to speed initial establishment, while maintaining a balance between PRG and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG). The recommended ratios vary depending on the region's climate and weed pressure, suggesting a more tailored approach for Midwest lawns.