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Science News Archive October 2015


Page 22 of 38

Study charts 'genomic biography' of form of leukemia

Researchers analyzed genetic material from over 500 CLL patients, identifying dozens of genetic abnormalities linked to the disease. The study found that specific mutations affect treatment response and disease progression, providing insights into the complex interplay between different mutations in cancer cells.

Flowing toward red blood cell breakthroughs

A team of researchers is using the Cray XK7 Titan supercomputer to simulate hundreds of millions of red blood cells in an attempt to develop better drug delivery methods and predictors for diseases like sickle cell anemia. The simulations are focused on understanding how these diseases interact with human blood vessels, particularly in...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mode control for square microresonator lasers suitable for integration

Square optical microresonators support whispering-gallery modes, suitable for unidirectional microlasers. Microsquare lasers offer better modulation behaviors and higher output power than microdisk lasers. Mode selection is achieved by adjusting the output waveguide width, enabling continuous tuning of lasing wavelength.

Don't stop at 'Don't do that again!'

A new study by the University of Iowa found that parents' conversations with their children after an injury play a crucial role in shaping their safety values. The study revealed that parents are more likely to urge daughters than sons to be more careful and discuss why certain activities are dangerous, especially for older children. B...

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.

Study shows antioxidant use may promote spread of cancer

Researchers found that antioxidants can allow melanoma cells to survive and spread more quickly in mice. The study suggests that cancer cells benefit more from antioxidants than normal cells do, raising concerns about the use of dietary antioxidants by patients with cancer.

Six Degrees of Francis Bacon launches

The site recreates the British early modern social network to trace personal relationships among figures like Bacon, Shakespeare, and Newton. It identifies over 13,000 individuals and 200,000 relationships, providing new ways for scholars to consider communities, factions, influences, and sources.

Prehistoric mammal likely suffered from hair disease

A team of researchers found a fossilized mammal from the Cretaceous period that may have suffered from a fungal infection affecting its fur. The Spinolestes had fused hairs resembling hedgehog spines and reinforced spine structures, indicating a unique adaptation to its environment.

Developing Saurolophus dino found at 'Dragon's Tomb'

A team of scientists has discovered a group of perinatal Saurolophus angustirostris dinosaurs found at the Dragon's Tomb site in Mongolia. The young dinosaurs, likely from the same nest, exhibit characteristics similar to those of adult Saurolophus angustirostris, including an upwardly directed snout and poorly developed crest.

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.

One step closer to a new drug for alcohol dependence

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that OSU6162 can reduce craving for alcohol in people with alcohol dependence, normalizing dopamine levels in brain reward system. Thorough clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy.

Biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems during climate extremes

A study of 46 grasslands in North America and Europe found that increasing plant diversity decreases the extent to which extreme wet or dry conditions disrupt grassland productivity. Higher biodiversity communities are more stable, exhibiting resistance during extreme climate events.

Lehigh researchers enlisted for new center to protect US power grid

A new center at Lehigh University is working on developing new technologies to protect the US power grid from cyber attacks. Researchers will identify and develop solutions for vulnerabilities across the grid, including protecting core power grid controls and communications infrastructure.

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.

Unique breed of investors helps universities launch start-ups

A new model of investing has been developed to help bridge the funding gap between university labs and the marketplace, with some stunning successes reported. The traditional venture capital approach doesn't provide long-term investments necessary for early research development.

Rising seas will drown mangrove forests

Mangrove forests around the Indo-Pacific region are at risk of submersion due to sea-level rise. However, some areas such as east Africa and north-western Australia may be able to persist despite rising seas.

Computers match doctors in predicting patient discharges

A new study from the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University finds that computers can accurately predict patient discharges, improving hospital resource management. The model uses fewer than 30 variables, including patient demographics and medical history, to make predictions, outperforming doctors in some cases.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How to fall gracefully if you're a robot

Researchers at Georgia Tech developed an algorithm to teach robots how to fall safely by determining the optimal sequence of movements to slow their momentum. The planning algorithm was validated through physics simulation and experimental testing on a humanoid robot, enabling potential applications in healthcare and domestic tasks.

The brain's dress code

A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study found that The Dress activates frontal and parietal brain areas, depending on perception. Researchers identified differential brain activity in participants perceiving the dress as white-gold versus black-blue.

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.

Suicide prevention program associated with reduction in suicide attempts

A recent study found that counties implementing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program experienced lower rates of suicide attempts among young people aged 16-23. The program's comprehensive activities, including education and mental health awareness, contributed to these findings. The results suggest significant impl...

Free app empowers public to locate, recognize ancient fossils

The Digital Atlas of Ancient Life app enables anyone to discover and classify fossils with the eye of a scientist, featuring pictures, maps, and information on fossil origins. The app is available for download and can be used by farmers, amateur paleontologists, teachers, and biologists to learn about fossils in the field.

New research could revolutionize flexible electronics, solar cells

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a method to pattern electrically conductive features into individual graphene oxide sheets with unprecedented spatial control. This enables the potential integration of graphene oxide into future technologies such as flexible electronics, solar cells, and biomedical instruments.

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.

Different types of child abuse: Similar consequences

A study by McGill University researchers found that emotional abuse has equivalent, broad, and universal effects on children's behavior and mental health, comparable to physical abuse and neglect. The study suggests that effective treatments for maltreatment of any sort are likely to have comprehensive benefits.

Mother's gestational diabetes diagnosis slows fetal brain response after meals

A recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that mothers with gestational diabetes have slower-firing brains in their unborn children. This may be due to the mother's metabolism influencing her child's development and increasing their risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.

USC researchers find gene facilitating repair of acutely injured kidney

Researchers have discovered a gene called Sox9 that enables kidney cells to switch on and repair damaged tissue after acute injury, offering new hope for treating this serious condition. The study found that the Sox9 gene promotes timely repair of the nephron's cellular lining and repairs the kidney after AKI.

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.

Larger brains do not lead to high IQs

A recent meta-analysis published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews found a weak association between brain size and IQ, with brain structure and integrity appearing more important as a biological foundation of intelligence. The study also highlights the importance of compensatory mechanisms of cognitive functions.

Latest experiment at Large Hadron Collider reports first results

The CMS collaboration at CERN has reported the first particle collisions from the Large Hadron Collider's second run, producing an average of 22 charged particles per collision. The results provide a precise picture of a typical proton collision, which will help scientists sift through background events to detect rare particles.

Researchers find neural switch that turns dreams on and off

UC Berkeley researchers discovered a neural switch in the medulla that activates rapid transition to REM sleep, characterized by muscle paralysis and cortical activation. Activating this group of neurons can send mice into dreamland, while inactivating them reduces or eliminates REM sleep.

$6.7 million project aims to improve dialysis care

A new project at the University of Michigan aims to educate patients and healthcare professionals on how to make dialysis sessions safer, reducing instability and its associated risks. The study will use a combination of peer mentoring and provider education to support behavior change.

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.

A successful intervention boosts the gender diversity of STEM faculty

A three-step intervention increases hiring of female STEM applicants by 6.3 times, with women constituting 50% of those hired after its application to all STEM-faculty hiring at Montana State University. The approach is based on self-determination theory and aims to enhance competence, autonomy, and relatedness in the search process.

New concept to help set priorities in water management

Researchers have developed a theoretical framework, ecological simplification, to address the complexity of ecological relationships in ecosystems. By systematically observing components of complexity, causes of simplification can be recognized and countermeasures can be introduced.

A step forward in obtaining blood stem cells in laboratory

Researchers at IMIM have found that Notch protein activation intensity determines cell fate, revealing a competition between two proteins for hematopoietic stem cell formation. This study could lead to more efficient and reproducible lab-grown blood stem cells for patients with no compatible donors.

Soft robot changes color as it grips and walks (video)

A new advancement in soft robotics has been reported, enabling elastic material to change color when stretched. This feature can help robots camouflage themselves, indicating areas of vulnerability, while also allowing for potential applications in medicine delivery and repair.

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.

Biochemists uncover structure of cellular memory mechanism

Researchers have imaged the structure of IP3R, a calcium ion channel that controls cell function, offering insights into diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer. The discovery could lead to new treatments by enabling drug design venues.

Deadly bacteria stiff-arm the immune system

Researchers discovered M1 strep's ability to inactivate antimicrobial peptides, a key component of the immune system's defense. This finding highlights the need to fortify or optimize antimicrobial peptides to improve the immune system's odds of fending off infections.

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.

Affordable Care Act benefitted low-income HIV patients in Virginia, study finds

Researchers found that low-income Virginians with HIV who enrolled in Affordable Care Act healthcare plans had better virologic suppression rates (85.5%) compared to those receiving care under the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) (78.7%). Patients enrolling earlier in ACA insurance also tended to have better health outcomes.

Fracking chemicals tied to reduced sperm count in mice

A new study published in Endocrinology found that prenatal exposure to fracking chemicals can lower sperm counts in male mice. The researchers tested 24 chemicals used in fracking and found that 23 of them were endocrine-disrupting chemicals, mimicking or interfering with hormones.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Extra brain cells make males remember sex

A pair of neurons found in the brains of male nematode worms, called 'mystery cells of the male' or 'MCMs', are responsible for sex-based differences in learning and behavior. These MCMs create behavioral differences between males and females by changing a brain circuit common to both sexes.

Passenger Express Train to receive 2015 User-Centered Product Design Award

The Hitachi Class 800/801 Train, designed to accommodate more passengers and be environmentally sustainable, received the award for its multidisciplinary design approach that prioritized human factors. The train's design improved safety, efficiency, and user experience through prototyping and user research.

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.