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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 21


Page 21 of 38

First scientific results from flyby of Pluto

Data from New Horizons' flyby of Pluto suggest the dwarf planet has been frequently resurfaced by erosion or crustal recycling. The study also reveals large regions of differing brightness on Pluto's surface, carved out by structures similar to terrestrial glaciers.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Team describes rapid, sensitive test for HIV mutations

A new method allows patients to get effective treatment quickly with improved sensitivity and speed. The system operates directly on the virus' RNA rather than requiring extra steps, enabling faster detection of drug-resistant strains.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateOct 15, 2015

Our ancestors probably didn't get 8 hours a night, either

Researchers studied sleeping patterns among Hadza of Tanzania, San of Namibia, and Tsimane of Bolivia, finding that these groups slept an average of six hours and 25 minutes per night, similar to what humans evolved to have. No evidence suggests a negative impact on health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 15, 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.

Africa's future -- can biosciences help?

A new series of assays explores how African smallholders can meet SDG2 by using biosciences to protect crops from diseases and pests, increase yields, and promote food security. The results provide recommendations for policymakers, educationalists, and those interested in smallholder agriculture.

SourceRichard Hayhurst Associates·DateOct 15, 2015

New drug candidate is promising therapeutic option for angiogenic retinal diseases

A research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has identified a small molecule that prevents the overgrowth of blood vessels in animal models of aged macular degeneration and retinopathy of prematurity. The new findings show that this molecule, named Vasotide, can be delivered in eye drops, offering a promising alternative to ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 14, 2015

Sticky situation

Researchers at the University of South Carolina developed a method to identify deteriorated magnetic tapes using infrared spectroscopy. The technique can distinguish between intact and degraded tapes, which have similar appearances but different chemical compositions.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateOct 14, 2015

What smacks into Ceres stays on Ceres, research suggests

Researchers found that impacts on Ceres tend to retain large proportions of material, suggesting a homogeneous surface composed of meteoritic material collected over billions of years. This could have implications for asteroid sample return missions and require careful landing site selection.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 14, 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.

Scientists convert skin cells into functional placenta-generating cells

Researchers have successfully converted skin cells into stable and fully functional placenta-generating cells, overcoming two major bottlenecks in regenerative medicine. This breakthrough resolves ethical and immune rejection issues, offering new hope for women with recurrent miscarriage and placental dysfunction diseases.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 14, 2015

New guidelines for managing thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer in adults

The new guidelines focus on initial evaluation, biopsy criteria, molecular marker studies, risk assessment, and cancer screening for patients with thyroid nodules. For differentiated thyroid cancer, the guidelines emphasize screening, staging, and surveillance strategies, as well as long-term management and treatment options.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThyroid·DateOct 14, 2015

Bio-molecules in human breast milk stop inflammation

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in human breast milk that resolve inflammation, stimulate immune response, and heal wounds. These findings suggest a critical role for SPMs in infant development and immune system maturation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalMucosal Immunology·DateOct 14, 2015

Rice U. study: Customer feedback helps spur employee creativity

A Rice University study found that customer feedback helps spur employee creativity and improves customer satisfaction by enabling employees to think outside the box and solve problems in novel ways. The research suggests that service organizations can benefit from strategically marketing to customers to encourage them to empower their...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateOct 14, 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.

Chemical microdroplet computers are easier to teach than to design

Researchers developed a novel strategy to create chemical microdroplet computers that can search databases and process information. Computer simulations confirmed the approach, achieving accuracy rates of over 90% in classifying cancer tumours.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateOct 14, 2015

New position paper supports use of telemedicine by sleep specialists

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a position paper supporting the use of telemedicine in sleep medicine practices. The paper outlines recommendations for integrating telemedicine into practice, including clinical care standards and quality assurance processes. Fair reimbursement for telemedicine services is also supp...

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateOct 14, 2015

Crohn's disease treatments don't fully restore healthy gut microbes in children

A recent study found that diet-based and anti-inflammatory therapies alter different components of the microbial community without fully restoring the normal balance of gut bacteria and fungi in children with Crohn's disease. The treatment did not restore the normal balance of gut microbes, despite reducing inflammation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 14, 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.

USC researcher Min Yu receives the NIH's New Innovator Award

Min Yu, USC scientist, wins $2.475 million NIH New Innovator Award to target breast cancer stem cells for personalized treatment. Her research aims to identify biomarkers and tailor drugs to individual patients, addressing the significant challenge of metastatic cancer stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·DateOct 14, 2015

More than one-third of perimenopausal women develop insomnia

A new study finds that perimenopausal women are at a higher risk of developing insomnia, with symptoms escalating over the transition period to menopause. The odds of having any one symptom of insomnia were 1.3 times greater for those in late stage versus early stage of perimenopause.

SourceThe Menopause Society·DateOct 14, 2015

CWRU researcher lands grant to build stealthy brain tumor treatment

Case Western Reserve University researcher Efstathios Karathanasis has received a $2.82 million grant to develop a treatment that eradicates glioblastoma multiforme with one safe dose. The treatment uses chain-like nanoparticles carrying chemotherapy medicine and inhibitors to target brain tumor cells.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateOct 14, 2015

IASLC names Elsevier new publisher of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has appointed Elsevier as the new publisher of its official journal, Journal of Thoracic Oncology. This partnership aims to enhance the journal's reputation and influence while expanding its global communities of contributors and readers.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 14, 2015

Could contaminated land actually be good for trees?

Trees grown in contaminated soil exhibit enhanced defense mechanisms against pests, as genetic information from other organisms is expressed differently. This phenomenon enables trees to better fend off biotic stresses, potentially revolutionizing phytoremediation processes.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateOct 14, 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.

Differences in treatment effect on out-of-balance microbiome in Crohn's disease

A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that different treatments for Crohn's disease in children have distinct effects on their gut microbiome. The use of antibiotics suppressed bacterial growth but facilitated fungal growth, while immunosuppressant medications reduced inflammation and bacteri...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 14, 2015

Most teen mood swings decline with age

A new longitudinal study found that adolescents' mood swings decline gradually as they get older, stabilizing by mid-adolescence. This decrease in mood variability is linked to fewer significant life events and better emotional regulation skills.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateOct 14, 2015

Effectively using the advice of experts

A new framework provides eight key ways to improve the advice of experts, including using groups with diverse members and minimizing psychological bias. The framework aims to balance conventional expert advice with methods that alleviate biases and ensure accountability.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2015

A molecular switch to stop inflammation

Researchers at Umeå University have discovered a molecular switch called MYSM1 that can suppress an overactive immune response and prevent inflammation. The study found that MYSM1 accumulates outside the nucleus during infection or inflammation, disrupting signaling molecules involved in activating pattern-recognition receptors.

SourceUmea University·JournalImmunity·DateOct 14, 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.

Treatment restores some function in animal models of spinal muscular atrophy

Researchers have developed a new mouse model for spinal muscular atrophy that responds to therapy, allowing for post-symptomatic treatment and potentially improving outcomes for patients. The treatment, an antisense oligonucleotide, restores motor unit function in the muscles even after symptoms have begun.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2015

Oxytocin nose-drop brings marmoset partners closer

Researchers found that oxytocin-treated marmosets attracted more physical proximity and grooming from their long-term mates. The study suggests that oxytocin may increase the social attractiveness of treated individuals, which could be beneficial for people with social deficit disorders like autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateOct 14, 2015

Researchers develop tool to predict need for life support

Researchers developed a simple tool to predict an individual's five-year risk of requiring mechanical ventilation. The scoring system uses factors such as age, gender, diabetes, and hospitalization history to estimate the probability of needing life support.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 14, 2015
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New insights into the dynamics of past climate change

A new study has found that changes in the polar regions can significantly affect the ocean and climate on the opposite side of the world, far quicker than previously thought. The research linked ocean currents to climate conditions during the last ice age, revealing a tight connection between the two.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 14, 2015

Study challenges scientific principle about Alzheimer's protein amyloid beta

A recent IRB Barcelona study has questioned the widely accepted premise about the number of molecules and shape of amyloid beta protein's initial aggregates. The research found that Abeta 40 and Abeta 42 form the same aggregation states, contradicting previous findings, which used a technique that may be biased.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 14, 2015

The dilemma of screening for prostate cancer

Primary care providers should screen men aged 45 and older with a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. If the patient is asymptomatic, a 5-year screening interval may be considered.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Practice·DateOct 14, 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.

Researchers link organ transplant drug to rise in rare lymphoma

Researchers found a link between MMF and an increased risk of CNS lymphoma in solid organ transplant patients. However, combining MMF with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) appears to protect against this rare form of lymphoma, according to the study published in Oncotarget.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateOct 14, 2015

What metabolism could reveal about aging and mortality

Researchers used Caenorhabditis elegans worms to develop a method to predict lifespan based on metabolic profiles. The study found that middle age was a key turning point in aging, with normal lifespan worms aging 40% faster than long-lived counterparts at this stage.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateOct 14, 2015

Can work stress be linked to stroke?

A meta-analysis of six studies found that people with high stress jobs had a 22% higher risk of stroke than those with low stress jobs. Women with high stress jobs were 33% more likely to experience an ischemic stroke.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 14, 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.

Endangered orangutans face a new threat

A Rutgers study found that Bornean orangutan populations thrive in Indonesian peat-swamp forests with sufficient high-energy food, but struggle in areas with limited nutrition. Conservation efforts must prioritize suitable habitats for successful reintroduction and population increase.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 2015

Invasive species as junk food for predators

Researchers found that predators benefit from eating invasive prey only when their traditional diet remains intact. Native prey is necessary for predators to stay healthy and prosper. Invasive species may provide a supplemental food source, but they don't replace native prey, which is essential for predator survival.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 14, 2015

Expert passport officers better at detecting fraud using face recognition technology

A new study by the University of New South Wales found that passport officers using face recognition software are 20% more accurate when paired with staff naturally skilled at face recognition. The researchers tested untrained students, non-expert passport officers, and specialist facial examiners, finding that those with natural talen...

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 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.

Blood T cells are resistant to HIV's primary death pathway

Blood T cells are resistant to HIV's primary death pathway, but not lymphoid tissue T cells. The researchers suggest that studying lymphoid tissue T cells could lead to a better understanding of the virus and potentially new treatments.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 14, 2015

Redefining temperature with precision lasers

A team of Australian scientists developed a precision laser device to measure temperature with high accuracy. The breakthrough enables any laboratory worldwide to accurately measure temperature, bringing a universally agreed temperature scale to the globe.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2015

ALMA telescope unveils rapid formation of new stars in distant galaxies

Researchers using ALMA telescope detected a burst of new stars in seven distant galaxies nine billion years ago. The galaxies' gas content was already depleted despite high rates of star formation, suggesting an increase in efficiency above the main sequence. This study pushes galaxies at z~1.6 well-above the star-forming main sequence.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 14, 2015

Despite promise, vitamin D and calcium do not reduce colorectal cancer risk

Researchers found no significant difference in new polyp formation between patients with vitamin D and/or calcium supplements and those without. The study's results contradict previous findings in models and smaller human trials, highlighting the need for further research on promising cancer prevention strategies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 14, 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.

Research that is simply beyond belief

Researchers found that directing magnetic energy into the brain reduced belief in God by 32.8% and increased positive feelings towards immigrants by 28.5%. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily shut down specific brain regions.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateOct 14, 2015

To save on weight, a detour to the moon is the best route to Mars

A new MIT study proposes refueling on the moon to reduce launch mass for a Martian mission, with the potential to save 68% of cargo. The research suggests that establishing an infrastructure in space could enable sustainable travel between planetary bodies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets·DateOct 14, 2015

The gaze that hinders expression

A new study by researchers at SISSA found that individuals with autism have difficulty interpreting facial expressions due to impaired facial mimicry, which can be exacerbated when making joint attention. The study suggests that understanding the interaction between these two functions is crucial for social interaction.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalAutism Research·DateOct 14, 2015

New data may help physicians better understand risk of lung cancer

A new scoring system for a common lung cancer diagnostic test has been developed, allowing physicians to more accurately assess the risk of malignancy. The EBUS-TBFNA procedure provides an accurate positive diagnosis of lung cancer 84% of the time and an accurate negative diagnosis of 68%.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of the American Society of Cytopathology·DateOct 14, 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.

Tracking agricultural water use on a smartphone

The new EEFLUX application allows farmers to view field-scale maps of water consumption in near real-time, providing insights into evapotranspiration and water management. With Landsat satellite imagery, experts can track water consumption year over year, making it easier to monitor the effectiveness of conservation projects.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 14, 2015

Likely drug interactions in placenta could harm fetus

A new laboratory study finds that mothers taking certain medications during pregnancy may be at risk of birth defects or stunted fetal growth. The research highlights the need for more detailed knowledge of placental drug transport to preserve fetal health.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateOct 14, 2015