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Science News Archive November 2015 - Page 18


Page 18 of 35

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

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

Fossilized bees were finicky pollen collectors

A study found that fossilized bees from 50 million years ago were finicky about the pollen they fed their larvae, always collecting it from the same plants. The bees also ate a wide variety of things on their own flights, showing they didn't waste time searching for specific food sources.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 12, 2015

Mass extinctions don't favor large vertebrates

A new study supports the Lilliput effect, where mass extinctions lead to temporary size reductions in species. Smaller vertebrates with higher reproductive rates and shorter lifespans were more resilient to extinction events, while large vertebrates struggled to adapt.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Barriers to health care increase disease, death risk for rural elderly

A new study by Oregon State University reveals that rural residents aged 85 or older have higher levels of chronic disease, take more medications, and die earlier than their urban counterparts. The research highlights the challenges faced by older populations in rural areas due to limited access to healthcare services.

SourceOregon State University·JournalThe Journal of Rural Health·DateNov 12, 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.

Feeding at-risk infants gluten increases risk of developing celiac disease

A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that feeding at-risk infants gluten until two years of age increases the risk of developing celiac disease. The research suggests that early gluten intake plays a role in disease course, particularly in children with genetic risk factors for celiac disease.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateNov 12, 2015

Less effective antimalarial therapies can help fight malaria better

A computer simulation study suggests that treating malaria with a combination of more effective and less effective drugs can slow the spread of drug-resistant parasites. The non-artemisinin therapy, even when only 85% effective, works best in this approach.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateNov 12, 2015

Lead exposure impacts children's sleep

A new study found that lead exposure in early childhood is associated with an increased risk of sleep problems and excessive daytime sleepiness in later childhood. The research, published in the December issue of SLEEP, investigated the impact of lead exposure on children's sleep patterns over six years.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalSLEEP·DateNov 12, 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.

Photons on a chip set new paths for secure communications

Researchers at RMIT University have successfully created photon pairs that fit on a tiny computer chip, enabling ultra-secure telecommunications. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of scalable integrated devices that exploit mixing of polarization on a single photon level.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2015

New stem cell gene correction process puts time on researchers' side

Researchers have developed a new method to genetically correct stem cells in just two weeks, compared to conventional approaches that take over three months. This breakthrough could make personalized stem cell therapies possible for patients with genetic disorders, such as severe combined immunodeficiency and retinal degeneration.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateNov 12, 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.

Psychiatric assessments for predicting violence are ineffective

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found that standard psychiatric assessments are poor at identifying future violent behavior, but a new causal approach based on risk factors with clear links to violence yields better results. The study suggests that targeting these underlying factors is key to preventing violence.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 12, 2015

Blood sample new way of detecting cancer

Researchers developed a new method to detect, classify, and pinpoint cancer location using blood platelet RNA analysis, achieving 96% accuracy. The study identified nearly all cancer types and showed immense potential for improving early cancer detection.

SourceUmea University·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 12, 2015

Protein's work in eye lens suggests a way to tame cancer

Researchers discovered connexin protein's ability to suppress cancer growth by tethering itself to cell-proliferating molecules. This finding could lead to new cancer therapies based on connexin molecules.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 12, 2015

Shocking new way to get the salt out

A new approach to desalination, called shock electrodialysis, uses an electrically driven shockwave to separate salty and fresh water streams, allowing easy separation without filters or boiling. This method can be scaled up for large-scale seawater desalination and may also sterilize contaminated water.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateNov 12, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The Lancet: UN report shows that despite substantial progress, the world fell short of the maternal mortality target in the Millennium Development Goals

Despite a 44% reduction in maternal mortality between 1990 and 2015, the world failed to meet the 75% target set by the Millennium Development Goals. Global progress varied significantly across regions, with some countries achieving impressive declines while others struggled with high mortality rates.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 12, 2015

Searching for answers in the real world

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found significant increases in functional connectivity in localized brain networks when subjects viewed art they considered aesthetically pleasing. The research team collected data from over 400 people, including men and women of different ages, using EEG headsets.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateNov 12, 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.

In new study, Illinois scientists trace activity of cancer-fighting tomato component

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a process to track the movement of lycopene, a cancer-fighting compound found in tomatoes, in the human body. The study used plant biofactories to produce heavier versions of lycopene, which can be easily tracked in the body.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 12, 2015

NASA's Cassini finds monstrous ice cloud in Titan's south polar region

Scientists have detected a monstrous new cloud of frozen compounds in the moon's low- to mid-stratosphere, peaking at an altitude of about 124 miles. This discovery provides insight into the nature and severity of Titan's winter, which is expected to be harsher than its northern counterpart.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 12, 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.

Uneven growth of identical twins may begin in first few days after conception

A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports suggests that genetic identical twins may exhibit uneven growth as early as the first few days after conception. This phenomenon occurs when two inner cell masses within a single embryo are at different stages of development, leading to unequal growth throughout pregnancy.

SourceKing's College London·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateNov 12, 2015

NIST team proves 'spooky action at a distance' is really real

Researchers demonstrate entanglement's role in quantum mechanics, ruling out local realism with highly correlated particle measurements. The NIST experiment achieves definitive results, surpassing previous studies' limitations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateNov 12, 2015

Dietary potassium may help prevent kidney and heart problems in diabetics

Higher levels of urinary potassium excretion were linked with slower declines in kidney function and lower cardiovascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes. A diet rich in potassium may help protect heart and kidney health, according to the study.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 12, 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.

Eggs without yolk can hatch too

Biologists from KU Leuven discovered that nematode eggs can hatch without egg yolk, defying the rule that no yolk means no offspring. The finding opens new avenues for deworming products without side effects on humans.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 12, 2015

Baffin Island provides insights into origin of Earth's water

Analysis of Baffin Island lava flows provides new insights into Earth's water origins, suggesting water-soaked dust grains present early in the solar system may be the source. The study found lower deuterium levels than previous studies, providing a potential baseline for Earth's original water signature.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 2015

Shrinking shelf and faster flow for Greenland glacier

Zachariæ Isstrøm's acceleration increased by a factor of three in 2012 due to rising air and ocean temperatures. The glacier's floating shelf shrank by 95% between 2002 and 2014, posing significant sea level rise concerns.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 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.

NASA spies Extra-Tropical Storm Kate racing through North Atlantic

Extra-Tropical Storm Kate rapidly intensified off the US East Coast, producing hurricane-force winds before transitioning to an extratropical cyclone. As it moves northeast, Kate's winds are expected to weaken over the next few days, eventually being absorbed by another low-pressure system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 12, 2015

New study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma

A new study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma, revealing that individuals with anxiety sensitivity experience greater asthma symptoms and decreased lung function. The researchers recommend interventions such as exposure therapy to reduce anxiety sensitivity and alleviate asthma symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateNov 12, 2015

TGen identifies drug that could limit the spread of deadly brain tumors

A new study funded by The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation has identified propentofylline as a potential drug that could help treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain tumor. The research found that PPF can limit the spread of GBM and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·DateNov 12, 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.