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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 11


Page 11 of 38

Astronomers peer inside stars, finding giant magnets

Researchers used asteroseismology to probe magnetic fields in the cores of red giants, finding them strongly magnetized. The strong fields disrupt gravity waves, causing energy loss and affecting star evolution.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How parasites take a bigger bite

Researchers at McGill University Health Centre uncover mechanism behind Leishmania parasite's infectious life cycle, revealing exosomes play key role in boosting infection. The study provides potential vaccine targets and diagnostic tools for Leishmania and other parasitic diseases.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 22, 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.

Language literacy in kindergarten important for success in learning English

A new analysis from Oregon State University reveals that students entering kindergarten with a strong grasp of academic language literacy are more likely to become proficient English speakers. Research suggests that building literacy skills prior to kindergarten can set students on a path to success.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEducational Policy·DateOct 22, 2015

Researchers transform slow emitters into fast light sources

By rapidly changing the environment around phosphor emitters, researchers have developed a method to modulate their emission at high speeds, overcoming the limitation of slow optical lifetimes. This breakthrough could enable the use of phosphors in new applications, such as optical communications networks on computer chips.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2015

Babies' babbles reflect their own involvement in language development

Researchers found that babies with profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants soon babbled as often as their hearing peers, allowing them to catch up developmentally. Infants are actively engaged in their own developmental process and motivated by hearing their own sounds.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateOct 22, 2015

Discovering the secret to success and innovation in commercializing biotechnology

Biotech expert Mitchell Finer shares his experiences and strategies for achieving commercial success, including the importance of clinical data and access to capital. He also discusses the growth of companies like bluebird bio and Cell Genesys, and the potential for gene therapy to revolutionize treatment options.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateOct 22, 2015

Simple test to detect diabetes risk after pregnancy

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a method to predict the probability of developing postpartum diabetes after childbirth, using BMI and genetic predisposition as key factors. The test showed that women with low-risk scores had an 11% risk of developing diabetes within five years.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalActa Diabetologica·DateOct 22, 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.

Calls vs. balls: Monkeys with more impressive roars produce less sperm

Researchers found that larger vocal organs and deeper roars in male howler monkeys correspond to smaller testes and lower sperm production. This trade-off is related to the mating system, where males with large hyoids and deep roars live in small groups with one dominant male.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Biologists unravel drug-resistance mechanism in tumor cells

Scientists at MIT have found a mechanism by which cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. The MK2 pathway takes over when p53 is disabled, allowing cells to continue dividing even with extensive DNA damage. Measuring the levels of specific RNAs could help predict patients' response to chemotherapy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCancer Cell·DateOct 22, 2015

Creating a new market for Northeast forest products

A UMass Amherst study aims to create a market for locally sourced timber by using underused wood species in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. CLT's structural viability will be demonstrated, and computer models will be developed for advanced engineering analysis and design.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateOct 22, 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.

Is freshwater supply more dependent on good governance than geography?

A study of 119 low-per capita income countries found that institutional controls are a significant factor in freshwater supply management. Many geographically disparate nations have similar water supply vulnerability 'fingerprints', highlighting the importance of good governance.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 22, 2015

Researchers uncover a novel link between genetics and movement control

A team of researchers at the University of Sussex has discovered a novel link between genetics and movement control in fruit flies. The study found that specific microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating precise movements, which could have significant implications for understanding human disorders like Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015
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.

Study finds key molecular mechanism regulating plant translational activity

Plant researchers have identified a key molecular mechanism regulating plant translational activity in response to ethylene, a major gaseous stress hormone. The study shows that transcription of certain genes is triggered, but protein production is restricted until ethylene levels drop, allowing plants to quickly respond and recover.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCell·DateOct 22, 2015

Allina Health study could save breast cancer patients time, money and side effects

A recent study by Allina Health found that most breast cancer patients with invasive lobular carcinoma can be treated with hormones alone, reducing treatment time, cost, and side effects. The study identified a model that predicts recurrence risk using characteristics such as progesterone receptor expression and patient age.

SourceAllina Health·JournalClinical Breast Cancer·DateOct 22, 2015

Deeper calls, smaller balls

A study found that male howler monkeys with larger hyoid bones produce deeper calls but have smaller testicles, while those with smaller hyoids have larger testes. This tradeoff is thought to increase mating success by allowing males to either sire more offspring or attract females.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Advocating for raising the smoking age to 21

Raising the smoking age to 21 would help curb early access to tobacco products, leading to reduced smoking rates. E-cigarettes are largely unproven as a smoking cessation tool with potential health risks unknown.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateOct 22, 2015

Reducing the sweetness to survive

Researchers found that glycosidase-silenced larvae are more susceptible to predators and have reduced survival rates, indicating the importance of detoxification. The study reveals a novel mechanism where removing a sugar molecule from a plant's defensive compound can result in detoxification.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 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.

Optical scanner shows potential for real-time 3-D breast cancer screening

Researchers have developed a hand-held optical scanner that can image breast tissues in real time, offering benefits over mammography without ionizing radiation. The device uses near-infrared laser diode source to map optical absorption, which may indicate higher blood flow due to abnormalities like tumors.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiomedical Physics & Engineering Express·DateOct 22, 2015

Cardiac muscle cells as good as progenitors for heart repair

Human embryonic stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes surpass bone marrow-derived cells in repairing damaged heart tissue, suggesting a better option for future therapies. The study's findings also indicate that more mature and stable heart muscle cells may be more effective than progenitor cells in clinical studies.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 22, 2015

Deaths from chronic diseases now hitting poorest households hard in Bangladesh

A 24-year study found that chronic diseases disproportionately affect Bangladesh's poor, with mortality rates increasing dramatically among the lowest-income households. The shift underscores how chronic diseases have become 'diseases of poverty', dragging more people into poverty.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateOct 22, 2015

NASA study shows that common coolants contribute to ozone depletion

A NASA study shows that widely used chemical coolants known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) contribute to ozone depletion. The study found that HFC emissions cause increased warming of the stratosphere, speeding up chemical reactions that destroy ozone molecules.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 22, 2015

The power of 2 may help explain brain design

Dr. Joe Z. Tsien's Theory of Connectivity proposes that the brain uses the power of two to create a prewired framework for connecting neurons, enabling knowledge and flexibility. This equation provides a way to wire brain cells in such a way to turn infinite possibilities into organized knowledge.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateOct 22, 2015
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.

Looking at the earliest galaxies

The discovery of over 250 dwarf galaxies at z=6-8 provides strong evidence that faint dwarf galaxies were responsible for cosmic reionization. The team's analysis determined that the smallest and most abundant galaxies in the study were vital to the process.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateOct 22, 2015

These social bees farm and eat fungus or die

Researchers have discovered that a Brazilian social bee must cultivate fungus to survive, highlighting the importance of symbiotic relationships in colony health. The fungus is grown in the nest and is transferred to newly built cells, with larvae surviving 76% of the time when fed fungal mycelia.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Preeclampsia increases risk of heart defects in infants

A new study published in JAMA found that pregnant women with preeclampsia have a higher risk of delivering an infant with a congenital heart defect. The research examined hospital records of over 1.9 million mother and infant pairs, revealing significant association between the diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJAMA·DateOct 22, 2015

Implant procedure helps patients with sacroiliac joint pain

A clinical trial reports superior outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion using triangular titanium implants, compared to nonsurgical management. The study shows significant reductions in pain, disability, and quality of life for patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalNeurosurgery·DateOct 22, 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.

Subliminal effect of facial color on fearful faces

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology found that facial color affects early stage of subliminal processing of facial expression. Facial bluish color increases N170 latency effect compared to natural color, indicating modulation of fearful expressions in the subliminal condition.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalNeuroscience·DateOct 22, 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.

Research points way to more bat-friendly roads and railways

Scientists have developed best practice principles for assessing the impact of new roads and railways on bats, highlighting the need for a more rigorous approach to protecting wildlife. Existing mitigation structures, such as underpasses and wire gantries, are often ineffective, while green overpasses and underpasses show promise.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateOct 22, 2015

NASA's RapidScat looks at Hurricane Olaf's winds

RapidScat measured sustained winds of over 80 mph near the center of Hurricane Olaf, with tropical storm force winds extending up to 155 miles from the center. The hurricane is forecast to move slowly northward, bringing life-threatening surf to Hawaiian Islands

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 22, 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.

Family Medicine and Community Health journal examines cancer and primary care

This special issue examines cancer screening, treatment, survivorship, access to care, and global health. Research articles investigate colorectal cancer screening, patient perceptions of stool DNA-based testing, financial barriers to specialty care for uninsured patients, and the role of primary health care in China's reform.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalFamily Medicine and Community Health·DateOct 22, 2015

Gene therapy treats all muscles in the body in muscular dystrophy dogs

Researchers successfully treated dogs with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using gene therapy, developing a miniature version of the dystrophin protein that protects all muscles. The treatment uses a common virus to deliver the gene, which has shown no symptoms in human bodies and is being planned for human clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateOct 22, 2015

Deep-sea bacteria could help neutralize greenhouse gas, researchers find

Researchers at the University of Florida have identified a type of deep-sea bacteria that can convert industrial carbon dioxide into bicarbonate, a process that could help neutralize greenhouse gases. The enzyme produced by the bacterium has high thermal stability, making it suitable for industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Florida·DateOct 22, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Collaborative research reveals a new view of cell division

Researchers have discovered that cell division mechanisms involve an excitable cortex that participates in the process. This excitable state allows for precise control of contractile proteins and enzymes to assemble at the right place and time during cell division, enabling accurate and adaptive management of the cell's shape.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Certain vulnerable groups are less likely to use e-health resources

A study found disparities in kidney disease patients' access to electronic health record portals, which may reinforce existing health-related inequities. Patients with black race, lower neighborhood household income, older age, and Medicaid/Medicare insurance status were less likely to adopt the portal.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 22, 2015

NIH-funded study reveals why malaria vaccine only partially protected children, infants

The NIH-funded study found that the RTS,S vaccine was most effective against malaria in children with the same protein variant, while a mismatch corresponded to lesser protection. The research used advanced genomic sequencing technology to investigate genetic variations in the CS protein, which may limit or restrict vaccine protection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 22, 2015

New study provides first field observations of rare Omura's whales

A recent study published in the Royal Society Open Science journal has made the first-ever field observations of Omura's whales off the coast of Madagascar. The research team observed 44 groups of whales, collected skin biopsies from 18 adult whales, and recorded song-like vocalizations that may indicate reproductive behavior.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateOct 22, 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.

Shining more light on solar panels

Michigan Technological University researchers have developed a method to increase the output of solar panels by 30 percent or more by using reflectors to bounce sunlight back onto panels. This innovation could lead to major retrofits for existing solar farms, making solar energy more efficient and cost-effective.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalIEEE Journal of Photovoltaics·DateOct 22, 2015

Monitoring critical blood levels in real time in the ICU

The new system monitors five substances, including glucose and lactate, and can detect up to 40 molecules in real time. This reduces the need for invasive monitoring devices, providing a practical advantage for medical staff and loved ones.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateOct 22, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New depression diagnosis and treatment

Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggest that microglia cells may be a key to causing depression, leading to potential new treatments. The study proposes a personalized medical approach using drugs that restore normal microglia function to diagnose and treat depression.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateOct 22, 2015

Researchers identify potential new leukemia drug target

Acute myeloid leukemia cells are addicted to the presence of JMJD1C, a protein that plays a key role in cancer-promoting effects. The team identified JMJD1C as a potential therapeutic target for multiple types of leukemia.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 22, 2015

Vibrations tell bees where mates are from

Researchers found that red mason bee females prefer males from their own region based on specific vibration patterns. This discovery suggests that vibrational signals carry complex information about a male's place of origin.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

For howler monkeys, deeper roars mean less sperm

Researchers found that howler monkey species with larger hyoid bones produce sounds with lower frequencies, suggesting a larger body size. This is associated with smaller testes and vice versa, indicating a trade-off between vocal investment and sperm production.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015