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Science News for November 13, 2015


Streamlining mobile image processing

Researchers developed a system that sends highly compressed images to servers, which then process the images and send back modified files with reduced bandwidth consumption. The technique reduces bandwidth usage by over 98% and energy consumption by up to 85%, making it ideal for mobile image processing applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateNov 13, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Strong odor challenge of mercaptans

A new palladium-based catalyst has been developed to efficiently convert thiols, the source of strong-smelling mercaptans, into stable and useful vinyl thioethers. The catalyst enables the atom-economic synthesis of these monomers with high yield and selectivity.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences·JournalACS Catalysis·DateNov 13, 2015

Have an apple-shaped body? You may be more susceptible to binge eating

A new study from Drexel University found that women with greater fat stores in their midsections reported being less satisfied with their bodies and were more likely to develop loss-of-control eating. The researchers suggest that targeting individuals with centralized fat distribution could be beneficial for preventing eating disorders.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 13, 2015

How DNA and a supercomputer can help sustain honey bee populations

Researchers used DNA sequencing and a supercomputer to analyze pollen from beehives, identifying key plants bees rely on. The multi-locus metabarcoding approach provides quantitative measurements of plant proportions, helping to enhance landscapes and sustain robust bee populations.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateNov 13, 2015

Irradiated anthrax can be sequenced -- fast!

Scientists have developed a fast method to sequence irradiated anthrax spores, which can aid in tracking biocrimes. The new approach uses computer programming to reconstruct full DNA sequences from broken fragments.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 13, 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.

Invasive freshwater species in Europe's lakes and rivers: How do they come in?

The study highlights the main pathways of alien species introduction in European lakes and rivers, including escape from aquaculture facilities and pet/aquarium trade releases. It emphasizes the need for stricter regulation and control measures to mitigate these threats and achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Target 9.

SourceEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre·JournalAquatic Invasions·DateNov 13, 2015

Large study sums up health issues for new child refugees to US

A large-scale study of newly arrived refugee children in the US has identified key public health concerns, including hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and parasitic worms. The study suggests that existing medical screening guidelines remain relevant but recommends further analysis and resource allocation for refugee populations.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 13, 2015

Hackers gonna hack: UH Gets $2.6 million to protect next-gen 911 centers

The University of Houston is developing technology to help protect emergency response systems, such as current and next-generation 911 systems, against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The team aims to develop low-cost mitigation strategies to strengthen the resilience of emergency response systems.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateNov 13, 2015
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Loss of diversity near melting coastal glaciers

Research divers have found that sedimentation is impacting an entire ecosystem on the seafloor due to melting glaciers. This has led to a decline in species diversity among benthos, with some species being extremely sensitive to higher sedimentation rates and subsequently dying out.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2015

Living liver donors satisfied with donation process says study

A study of living liver donors found that most donors were highly satisfied with the donation process and reported improved health outcomes. The study's results suggest that living liver donation is a positive experience for donors, with 97% indicating they would donate again.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateNov 13, 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.

Parasitic fungi and the battle against coffee rust disease

Researchers have identified more than 300 species of fungi living on coffee leaves, including 15 likely fungal parasites that could be used to combat coffee rust disease. The study suggests using natural enemies to prevent the spread of the disease rather than relying on chemical control.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 13, 2015

3-D printing aids in understanding food enjoyment

Researchers used a 3D printed model of the human airway to study how airflow affects the transfer of volatile particles from the back of the mouth to the nasal cavity. They found that slow, steady breathing optimizes the delivery of these particles, leading to better food enjoyment.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2015

Seniors expend as much energy as Tour de France cyclists

Researchers found that well-trained seniors can expend as much energy as elite athletes during maximal physical exertion. The study, conducted by the University of Copenhagen, revealed that seniors can perform at near-maximum rates for longer periods than expected.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 13, 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.

Sea ice plays a pivotal role in the Arctic methane cycle

The Arctic Ocean is a significant source of atmospheric methane due to interactions between the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. The study found that sea ice can be a source of methane, releasing it into the atmosphere during melting and freezing processes.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 13, 2015

Super environmentally friendly: The 'fool's gold' battery

Researchers at Empa have created a 'fool's gold' battery using magnesium and pyrite, offering safe, durable, and affordable storage. The battery has withstood 40 charging cycles without compromising performance.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateNov 13, 2015

Lasers could rapidly make materials hotter than the Sun

Researchers from Imperial College London have discovered a method to heat ions directly using high-intensity lasers, potentially leading to faster and more efficient fusion reactions. The technique, which uses electrostatic shockwaves to accelerate ions, could be used at many laser facilities worldwide.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2015

Scientists sniff out female mouse scents that make males frisky

Researchers identified two chemical scents in female mouse urine that arouse sexual behavior in males, providing insight into mouse pheromones controlling behavior. The chemicals, waste products of steroid metabolism, were found to mimic the increased interest shown by males towards female urine.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·DateNov 13, 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.

Not so happy old age?

A recent study published in Psychology and Aging suggests that depressive symptoms continue to increase throughout old age, contrary to previous studies which only examined the issue up to age 85. The research found that levels of physical impairment, medical conditions, and death's approach significantly contribute to these increases.

SourceUniversity of Bradford·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateNov 13, 2015

Lucentis proves effective against proliferative diabetic retinopathy

A clinical trial has found that ranibizumab (Lucentis) is highly effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, with patients showing improved central vision and reduced risk of surgery compared to laser therapy. The study also suggests that Lucentis may help prevent diabetic macular edema.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalJAMA·DateNov 13, 2015

Network analysis shows systemic risk in mineral markets

A new study examines trade flows of 71 mineral commodities between 107 countries and finds that regional shortages of essential minerals can lead to cascading shocks and instabilities in the global market. The research proposes policy measures, such as commodity risk taxes, to create more stable markets.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2015
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.

DFG to fund sixteen new research training groups

The DFG is establishing 16 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany. The groups will focus on topics such as the mechanisms of aging, cultures of critique, and the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity. Funding for the programs is approximately €72 million over a four-and-a-half-year period.

SourceDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft·DateNov 13, 2015

Building with nature: Ecological design for next-generation cities

The article explores ecological innovations for infrastructure in the face of climate change, focusing on harmony rather than control. It highlights the importance of understanding natural systems to create sustainable and resilient cities.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateNov 13, 2015

Child abuse rises in connection with soldiers' deployments

A large study by CHOP PolicyLab found an increased risk of child abuse and neglect among US Army soldier-parents when they return from deployment, especially in the first six months. The risk was highest among families with soldiers deployed twice, with abuse often perpetrated by non-soldier caregivers.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 13, 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.

Receiving curative lung cancer surgery varies by state

Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients receive varying levels of curative-intent surgery across US states, with disparities seen by race and socioeconomic factors. The study found that Massachusetts had the highest rates of curative surgery, while Wyoming had the lowest rate at 25%.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateNov 13, 2015

New microscopy technology may help surgeons save more lives

Researchers have invented a device that provides real-time augmented images under the microscope, allowing surgeons to clearly distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue. This technology can improve surgical accuracy and efficiency in brain cancer and aneurysm patients.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateNov 13, 2015

Isle of Skye fossil makes three species one

Researchers from the University of Oxford discovered a 170-million-year-old fossil on the Isle of Skye that challenges the existence of three previously recognized species. The find reveals that the three species are actually one, with differences in tooth shape being present in the single lower jaw found on the Isle of Skye.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPalaeontology·DateNov 13, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Chemists turn bacterial molecules into potential drug molecules

A team of chemists led by Yan-Yeung Luk has created synthetic disaccharide derivatives (DSDs) that mimic and dominate the functions of rhamnolipid molecules produced by bacteria. The new molecules have been shown to control various activities, including biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalChemBioChem·DateNov 13, 2015

Researchers design and patent graphene biosensors

Researchers have designed graphene biosensors that can detect low concentrations of molecular substances without labels, improving the reliability of biochemical reactions. The sensors use surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and are expected to revolutionize pharmaceutical biodetection, enabling the testing of small molecules.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 13, 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.

New model helps predict breast cancer risk in Hispanic women

A new breast cancer risk-prediction model for Hispanic women has been developed using data from the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study. The model incorporates factors such as age at first full-term pregnancy, age at first menstrual period, history of benign breast disease, and family history of breast cancer to estimate risk.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateNov 13, 2015

Lucentis effective for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

A clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health found that Lucentis is highly effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, improving vision by about half a line on an eye chart compared to laser therapy. The study also showed lower rates of complications such as vitrectomy and serious systemic adverse events.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalJAMA·DateNov 13, 2015

Cyclin' out of gear: Malaria parasites grinding to a halt

Researchers from University of Nottingham uncover cyclin's crucial role in malaria parasite development within mosquitoes and mammal hosts. The study identifies three types of cyclin, shedding light on the disease's complex life cycle.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 13, 2015

Simultaneous pregnancy and leukaemia offer a treatment challenge

A 36-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) becomes unintentionally pregnant and seeks a treatment approach that balances cancer remission and healthy delivery. Through her successful experience, doctors and patients gain insight into the complexities of managing CLL during pregnancy.

Sourceecancermedicalscience·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateNov 13, 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.