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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 8


Page 8 of 35

Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new type of nuclear fusion process that produces almost no neutrons, instead releasing fast and heavy electrons. This allows for the creation of smaller and simpler fusion reactors with instant electrical energy production.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateSep 25, 2015

Study adds to evidence that viruses are alive

Researchers have developed a reliable method to trace viral evolution, supporting the hypothesis that viruses are alive and share a long evolutionary history with cells. The study found that viruses possess unique genetic sequences and protein folds that are unlike anything seen in cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 25, 2015

Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions

Researchers believe that tick spit proteins, such as alpha-gal, can cause severe allergic reactions in humans. A vaccine could be created to target these proteins, potentially providing protection against tick bite allergies.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Parasitology·DateSep 25, 2015

Breaking the anxiety cycle

A new study by UConn Health psychiatrist Golda Ginsburg found that family-based intervention works to prevent anxiety in children. The study, published online September 25 in The American Journal of Psychiatry, found only 9% of children who participated in a therapist-directed family intervention developed anxiety after one year.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 25, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

EUROCARE data show large variations in survival from blood cancers in Europe

The EUROCARE 5 study shows significant geographical variations in survival from blood cancers in Europe, with the highest five-year relative survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma at 81% in Northern European countries. In contrast, chronic myeloid leukemia had a significantly lower survival rate of 53%, particularly in Eastern Europe.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateSep 25, 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.

ORNL demonstrates road to supercapacitors for scrap tires

Researchers at ORNL have created flexible polymer carbon composite films as electrodes for supercapacitors, achieving high power and energy density. The technology can consume up to 50 tons of scrap tires daily, providing relief from the expected 1.5 billion discarded tires by 2035.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalChemSusChem·DateSep 25, 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.

Bravo to biomass

Researchers found significant environmental and public-health benefits from co-firing oat hulls with coal, including 90% reduction in filterable particulate matter. Burning oat hulls also reduced hazardous air pollutants by 41% and heavy metals by 51%.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalFuel·DateSep 25, 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.

Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth

Researchers have found that artificially selected microbiomes can improve plant growth in genetically identical plants. This method of root microbiome engineering uses bacteria from the roots of large plants and transfers them to other plants, leading to improved growth over time.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateSep 25, 2015

War's greatest picture

Seventy-five years after the start of the WWII Blitz, Herbert Mason's portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of Britain's resilience amidst destruction. The iconic image has been widely reproduced and continues to have a lasting impact on visual shorthand for momentous events.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Journal of Modern History·DateSep 25, 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.

Simulation of chiral edge states in a quantum system

Researchers have successfully simulated chiral edge states in a quantum system using ultracold ytterbium atoms. The experiment demonstrates the ability to observe chiral currents at the boundaries of two-dimensional materials, similar to those observed in condensed matter physics.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateSep 25, 2015

Breakthrough study demonstrates survival advantage with immune checkpoint inhibitor for advanced kidney cancer patients

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated a significant median overall survival benefit with nivolumab, increasing it to 25 months compared to 19.6 months for everolimus. The study also showed a higher objective response rate and fewer treatment-related adverse events with nivolumab.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 25, 2015

The origin and spread of 'Emperor's rice'

Researchers have solved the mystery of black rice's origin and spread, revealing a genetic basis for its color. The trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4, which activates anthocyanin production, and was later transferred into other varieties through crossbreeding.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 25, 2015

Research shows dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer

Research shows that a diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota in the colon, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer. The study found increased Bacteroidetes and reduced Firmicutes in the distal colon, as well as reduced aberrant crypts and precancerous lesions.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateSep 25, 2015

'Fossils' of galaxies reveal the formation and evolution of massive galaxies

Researchers discovered massive dead galaxies with stellar content similar to local elliptical galaxies, revealing the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. The team found progenitors of these dead galaxies when they were forming stars at an earlier cosmic epoch, uncovering a consistent picture of galaxy history.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateSep 25, 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.

Scientists stop and search malware hidden in shortened URLs on Twitter

A Cardiff University team developed an intelligent system to detect malicious links disguised in shortened URLs on Twitter, identifying cyber-attacks within 30 seconds with 98% accuracy. The system was tested using tweets from high-traffic events and showed promise in preventing malware infections.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 25, 2015

Diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence

A new study suggests that a diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence, with results showing a 30-40% reduction in consumption and prevention of relapse. The medication works by interfering with the hormone GLP-1, which regulates food intake and reward centers.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAddiction Biology·DateSep 25, 2015

Opening new doors

The University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the US Department of Education to strengthen student success and retention. The grant will focus on two main areas: first-year experiences and faculty professional development, targeting underrepresented students in specific majors and courses.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateSep 25, 2015

Development of trust in B2B relationships calls for common goals

A recent University of Eastern Finland and Cranfield University study found that goal congruence, not power symmetry, drives the development of trust in business-to-business relationships. This finding has implications for companies seeking to establish successful partnerships across different types and sizes of organizations.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalIndustrial Marketing Management·DateSep 25, 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.

Stem cell research hints at evolution of human brain

Researchers have identified a unique group of stem cells in the human brain that generate most neurons, expanding the cortex by 1,000-fold. These stem cells, called outer radial glia (oRGs), exhibit remarkable generative capacity and self-renewal properties.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015

New theory of stealth dark matter may explain universe's missing mass

A new theory suggests that dark matter could be composed of electrically charged constituents that interact with ordinary matter in the early universe. This 'stealthy' dark matter would have been easy to detect at high temperatures but is now difficult to see due to its compositeness and confinement.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 24, 2015

Arteries better than veins for liquid biopsy

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that arterial blood contains a higher number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) than venous blood in uveal melanoma patients. This discovery raises concerns about the effectiveness of current detection techniques, which often rely on venous blood samples.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateSep 24, 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.

Hope against disease targeting children

Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers discovered molecular changes in SMA that explain why motor neurons are affected, diverging from other neurodegenerative diseases. The findings suggest a stress response pathway convergence between SMA and ALS, potentially leading to a single treatment.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 24, 2015

Purdue study: Climate change consensus extends beyond climate scientists

A Purdue University-led survey of nearly 700 scientists from non-climate disciplines found that an overwhelming majority believe in anthropogenic climate change and are highly certain of their beliefs. The study suggests that cultural values, political ideologies, and personal identity influence scientists' views on climate change.

SourcePurdue University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 24, 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.

In the dark polar winter, the animals aren't sleeping

Researchers discovered a world of biological activity beneath the Arctic's polar night, with diverse species reproducing and thriving in the darkness. The findings raise questions about how marine species adapt to the changing climate and highlight the importance of this period for ecosystem reproduction.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts

Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBiomaterials·DateSep 24, 2015

INRS professor Jasmin Raymond recognized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society

Professor Raymond received the Canadian Geotechnical Society's 2016 Colloquium Lecture honour for his proposed talk on precise measurement of thermal properties in geological materials. He is a scientific leader in geothermal energy, advancing knowledge of analysis and energy modelling for geothermal applications.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateSep 24, 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.

Telecommuting works best in moderation, science shows

A comprehensive report finds telecommuting can boost job satisfaction and productivity, but only when implemented carefully. Key moderating factors include employee choice, scheduling control, relationships with supervisors and coworkers, and work dependency.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateSep 24, 2015

Promising drugs turn immune system on cancer

Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 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.

How fossil corals can shed light on the Earth's past climate

Researchers used radiocarbon in deep-sea fossil corals to reconstruct CO2 levels and ocean circulation during the last deglaciation. The study found two massive transient events that flushed out respired carbon, causing rapid CO2 rise and abrupt warming in the North Atlantic region.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Mobile app records our erratic eating habits

A mobile app collected data from over 150 participants, showing that a majority of people eat for 15 hours or longer. The study aimed to test whether reducing daily food intake duration impacts health and found that time-restricted feeding can lead to weight loss and improved energy levels.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 24, 2015

Scientists win $6.4 million to probe smell navigation

Researchers aim to create a 'smellscape' to understand how critters navigate by scent and convert odors into spatial information. They will use computational modeling to simulate odor navigation processes and test their models on diverse species.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateSep 24, 2015

DNA-based nanodevices for molecular medicine

Researchers from Aalto University have developed DNA nanostructures for smart drug-delivery vehicles and molecular devices. These structures provide new applications in molecular medicine, such as targeting cancer cells with tailored payloads.

SourceAalto University·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateSep 24, 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.

Flower declines shrink bee tongues

A new study finds that climate-related changes in flower diversity are causing a significant shortening of alpine bumble bees' tongues, making them poorly suited to feed from deep flowers they were adapted to. This loss of mutualism highlights how climate change can decouple well-established relationships between bees and plants.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

If it's not a norm, why practice female genital cutting?

New research questions prevailing theory on female genital cutting as a social norm, finding no correlation between community norms and cutting practices. Alternative forces like sexual fidelity benefits may sustain the practice, highlighting the need for more effective policy interventions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 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.

Computer scientist seeks stronger security shroud for the cloud

Dr. Zhiqiang Lin has developed a technique that allows monitoring of virtual machines for invasions and viruses, bridging the semantic gap in data structures. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cloud security and protect online services from malicious intruders.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateSep 24, 2015

Geneticists launch Matchmaker Exchange for rare disease gene discovery

The Matchmaker Exchange platform harnesses collective data from across rare disease repositories to uncover similar symptoms and genetic profiles. By protecting patient data privacy while connecting databases through APIs, researchers can identify the genetic causes of rare diseases more efficiently.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalHuman Mutation·DateSep 24, 2015

The life and times of domesticated cheese-making fungi

Researchers have identified crucial metabolic genes that enable cheese-making fungi to thrive on cheese, while also raising concerns about food safety. The study provides insights into the evolutionary history of these fungi and their ability to adapt to domesticated environments.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015