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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 29


Page 29 of 38

In the sex lives of male worms in the lab, 1 gene makes a big difference

Researchers found that variation in a single gene, plep-1, produces males with excretory pores attracting other males. This attraction is likely never manifest in nature due to the rarity of males, but highlights the role of molecular biology and genetic differences in shaping sexual behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 8, 2015

Examining contemporary occupational carcinogen exposure, bladder cancer

A recent meta-analysis found increased bladder cancer risk in certain occupations, with workers exposed to aromatic amines and polycystic aromatic hydrocarbons facing the highest risks. The study's findings suggest that efforts to reduce the impact of occupational bladder cancer should be targeted towards these high-risk occupations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 8, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Epigenetic algorithm accurately predicts male sexual orientation

Researchers developed an epigenetic algorithm that accurately predicts male sexual orientation by analyzing DNA methylation patterns in nine specific regions of the genome. The algorithm achieved a 70% accuracy rate in predicting male sexual orientation, providing new insights into the molecular markers underlying human sexuality.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·DateOct 8, 2015

Menopause diminishes impact of good cholesterol

A new study reveals that menopause diminishes the impact of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in preventing plaque buildup and artery hardening. The research found a positive association between increases in HDL levels and greater plaque buildup among women transitioning through menopause.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·DateOct 8, 2015

Women and men react differently to infidelity

A Norwegian study found that men are most jealous of sexual infidelity, while women are more jealous of emotional infidelity. This difference may be due to evolutionary psychology factors, such as paternity insecurity and the need for men to invest resources in their children.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateOct 8, 2015

Researchers create inside-out plants to watch how cellulose forms

By creating inside-out plants, scientists can observe the interior cells synthesizing cellulose in high resolution. The study reveals that plant cells need a high density of enzymes and rapid movement across the cell surface to produce cellulose quickly, with significant implications for plant breeding and industries relying on cellulose.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 2015

Shhh...to make ocean conservation work we should keep the noise down

A new study suggests creating quiet marine zones to better understand the impact of human-generated noise on marine animals. The researchers mapped areas of high and low noise pollution in the oceans around Canada and found a correlation between noise levels and animal behavior.

SourceElsevier·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateOct 8, 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.

Ancient genome from Africa sequenced for the first time

The sequenced ancient human genome from Africa reveals a significant wave of migration back into the continent around 3,000 years ago, affecting all populations across the African continent. This migration predates the 'Eurasian backflow' event and shares genetic similarities with Early Neolithic farmers who brought agriculture to Europe.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 2015

EpiPens save lives but can cut like a knife

A recent case series highlights the risk of EpiPen-related injuries in children, particularly thigh lacerations and embedded needles. The study recommends improving product design and instructions for use to reduce these risks, citing a safer alternative device as Auvi-Q.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateOct 8, 2015

Certain blood markers may indicate early signs of kidney disease

A study discovered six metabolites in the blood that strongly correlate with kidney function. Two of these metabolites, pseudouridine and C-mannosyltryptophan, are equally effective measures of kidney function as creatinine, offering potential improvements in diagnosing chronic kidney disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 8, 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.

Wet paleoclimate of Mars revealed by ancient lakes at Gale Crater

A new paper published in Science reveals that Mars had a more massive atmosphere billions of years ago and a wet climate, with long-lived lakes filling Gale Crater. The discovery contradicts existing climate models and sheds light on the planet's ancient past, similar to the resolution of Earth's continental drift puzzle.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Evidence for functional redundancy in nature

A recent study on diving beetles found that globally, these animals have evolved towards a small number of regularly-spaced body sizes, indicating functional similarity among species. This suggests that evolution drives self-organizing processes into clusters of functionally similar groups.

SourceWageningen University and Research·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 8, 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.

Immune studies suggest remedies for parathyroid hormone-driven bone loss

Researchers identified calcium channel blockers and antibodies blocking IL-17A as potential treatments for parathyroid hormone-driven bone loss. Elevated levels of IL-17A are seen in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease, which sometimes involve bone loss as a secondary symptom.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 8, 2015

Genetic variation is key to fighting viruses

A genome-wide association study has identified subtle genetic changes that affect the immune response to common viruses. The study found correlations between genetic variations and immune responses to four viruses: influenza A, Epstein-Barr, JC polyomavirus, and Merkel cell polyomavirus.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateOct 8, 2015

Mysterious disease may be tied to climate change, says CU Anschutz researcher

A new study suggests that chronic dehydration caused by global climate change may be responsible for the Mesoamerican Nephropathy epidemic, which has killed over 20,000 people. The disease is most prevalent among manual laborers on sugar cane plantations in Central America.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateOct 8, 2015

Mapping the genes that increase lifespan

Researchers at the Buck Institute have identified 238 genes that, when removed, increase the replicative lifespan of yeast cells. The study also reveals a link between these genes and caloric restriction, DNA damage control, and age-extending pathways in higher organisms.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 8, 2015
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.

Difficulty processing speech may be an effect of dyslexia, not a cause

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that individuals with dyslexia struggle to learn complex auditory categories through procedural learning, which may be an effect of the condition. This suggests that difficulty processing speech may be an outcome of dyslexia rather than its underlying cause.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCortex·DateOct 8, 2015

New study shows that varying walking pace burns more calories

A new study published in Biology Letters found that changing walking speeds can burn up to 20% more calories than maintaining a steady pace. The research measured the metabolic cost of varying speeds and found that even small changes in speed can significantly impact calorie burn.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 8, 2015

NYU physicist Gershow receives NSF CAREER award

Gershow's lab will study how fruit fly larvae use the sense of smell to seek out or avoid odor sources using light to read and control individual neurons. The project aims to address broader questions about brain decision-making and sensory input, involving undergraduates and outreach programs.

SourceNew York University·DateOct 8, 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 reveals new clues about how humans become tool users

Researchers found a clear age effect in human children's ability to use tools, with 2-year-olds struggling but improving by 4 years old. In contrast, nonhuman primates rely on their sense of touch, known as haptic senses, to complete spatial reasoning tasks.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 8, 2015

Researchers unlock secrets of troublesome Tribble protein

Researchers have created the first three-dimensional image of the Trib1 protein, which plays a vital role in controlling protein degradation and balancing levels in cells. This discovery could help develop new drugs to treat cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia by blocking overproduction of Trib1.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalStructure·DateOct 8, 2015

Evidence for long-lasting lakes on Mars

New data from Curiosity rover finds ancient lakes in Gale crater were stable for 100-10,000 years, providing insights into Mars' past water patterns and climate. The study suggests that the lakes could have supported life for extended periods, raising hopes for finding signs of life on the Red Planet.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 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.

New study suggests hallucinations, alone, do not predict onset of schizophrenia

A new analysis identified illogical thoughts as most predictive of schizophrenia risk in teens experiencing attenuated psychosis symptoms. Suspiciousness and unusual thought content were found to be the most informative symptoms, while perceptual disturbances - common features of schizophrenia - were not predictive.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalSchizophrenia Research·DateOct 8, 2015

Knit it, braid it, turn it on and use it!

Researchers at ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science have created wearable structures that detect human movement using knitted and braided fibres. The fabrics can also store energy required to power such functions, enabling new applications in sports training and rehabilitation.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 8, 2015

Room temperature magnetic skyrmions, a new type of digital memory?

Researchers have successfully created stable arrays of magnetic skyrmions at room temperature, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of nonvolatile magnetic memory storage. The discovery opens up new possibilities for electronic devices and potentially reduces energy costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 8, 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.

Researchers learn how to grow old brain cells

Researchers have developed a new technique to create brain cells directly from skin samples, retaining age-related signatures. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the effects of aging on the brain without relying on animal models or stem cell reprogramming.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 8, 2015

A quantum simulator of impossible physics

A team of scientists at the University of the Basque Country has successfully simulated actions that contradict the fundamental laws of quantum physics in a laboratory setting. Using trapped atoms, they have reproduced symmetry operations previously thought to be impossible in the atomic world.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 8, 2015

Could candle soot power electric vehicles?

New research shows that candle soot can be used to power the lithium batteries in electric cars, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution. The discovery opens up possibilities for using carbon in more powerful batteries, which could drive down production costs and increase efficiency.

SourceElsevier·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateOct 7, 2015

Shaking up the foundations of epigenetics

Researchers found that chromatin marks are irrelevant for regulating genes expressed in specific tissues during development. The study challenges current beliefs about epigenetics and offers new insights into gene expression.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 7, 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.

Ravens cooperate -- but not with just anyone

A recent study by University of Vienna researchers found that ravens can cooperate to achieve common goals, such as sliding a platform with cheese into reach. However, they also exhibit a sophisticated way of keeping their partners honest, detecting and excluding cheaters from future cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 7, 2015

Attention's place in the human cognitive architecture

Attention plays a critical role in structuring the internal world, prioritizing relevant thoughts and emotions for goal-oriented processing. The integrated theory proposes that attention is a cascade of effects beginning with stimulus detection, suppressing competing stimuli, and resetting upon completion.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 7, 2015

Climate change could benefit northern lizards

Research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology suggests that climate change could have a positive impact on Swedish sand lizard populations by allowing them to lay eggs earlier. This shift enables the females to better adapt to warming temperatures and improve the fitness of their offspring.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateOct 7, 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.

Everyone has their own daily rhythm of digital activity, shows study

Researchers detected distinct daily patterns in digital activities such as calling, texting, and emailing among individuals. These personal rhythms are influenced by geographical and physiological factors, suggesting potential medical applications for monitoring patients' mental health and sleep patterns.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physics·DateOct 7, 2015

Emergency department visit provides opportunity to reduce underage drinking

A five-year trial found that emergency department-based brief interventions significantly reduced underage drinking and related consequences among patients aged 14-20. The study suggests that a single-session intervention can play a role in decreasing underage drinking among youth.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 7, 2015

UK doctors and nurses routinely using own smartphones for patient care

A survey of UK healthcare professionals found that most doctors and nurses use their own smartphones for patient care, with over 92% of doctors and 53% of nurses deeming them 'very useful' or 'useful'. However, the lack of digital security measures and data encryption raises concerns about potential privacy breaches.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Innovations·DateOct 7, 2015
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.

Johns Hopkins biologist leads research shedding light on stem cells

A Johns Hopkins University biologist has made significant progress in understanding the mysterious shape-shifting ways of stem cells. The study found that an enzyme in the niche where stem cells are found can help sustain them and promote other cells to become like stem cells, which has medical implications for diseases such as cancer.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 7, 2015