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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 9


Page 9 of 35

Women with moderate beer consumption run lower risk of heart attack

A Swedish study found that women with moderate beer consumption have a 30% lower risk of heart attack compared to those who drink heavily or not at all. The study also reveals an increased risk of cancer among high spirit consumers, while moderate wine consumption had no protective effect.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care·DateSep 24, 2015

Australian researchers unlock secrets of a cellular nanomachine

Monash University researchers have discovered the mechanism behind how proteins enter mitochondria, a crucial step in cellular energy production. The breakthrough uses novel technology to visualize the process at an atomic level, enabling scientists to study fundamental biological pathways.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers uncover genetic basis for kin recognition in mice

A study published in Current Biology identified a species-specific genetic marker called MUP used by female house mice to select closely related females as nest partners. The researchers also found that the vertebrate-wide MHC is not involved in kin recognition, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Vaccination on the horizon for severe viral infection of the brain

Researchers at University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich develop new treatment methods for rare brain disease PML. A vaccine against the disease could be developed using specific antibodies that recognize the most important mutants of the JC virus.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Lower sperm motility in men exposed to common chemical

A Lund University study found that men with higher exposure to the chemical DEHP have lower sperm motility. This could lead to difficulties conceiving children. The study analyzed metabolite levels of DEHP in urine and semen quality among 300 young men.

SourceLund University·JournalEnvironment International·DateSep 24, 2015

Hubble zooms in on shrapnel from an exploded star

The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a small section of the expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago. The Veil Nebula, covering six full moons on the sky, is composed of wisps of gas that were once a star 20 times more massive than our sun.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 24, 2015

Principals express satisfaction with Teach For America teachers

A RAND Corporation study found that more than 80 percent of school principals expressed satisfaction with Teach For America teachers, particularly those with experience. Principals rated corps members' abilities to improve student performance and develop positive relationships with colleagues and administrators. However, alumni were mo...

SourceRAND Corporation·DateSep 24, 2015

Green storage for green energy

Harvard scientists have developed a rechargeable battery that can store electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power. The new technology uses non-toxic, abundant elements dissolved in water solution, making it safer and cheaper than traditional batteries.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 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.

Rapidly assessing the next influenza pandemic

A recent study by international researchers has developed a predictive tool to assess the likely impact of a new influenza pandemic. By analyzing clinical episode data from military personnel, they estimated key parameters such as transmissibility and severity, enabling early mitigation strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 24, 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.

Fungi may lead to cheaper cancer treatment: University of Guelph study

Beneficial fungi in yew trees serve as a combination bandage-immune system, producing taxol to protect against pathogenic fungi while allowing the tree's own tissues to heal. Researchers hope this discovery could lead to cheaper and more efficient production of cancer-fighting drug Taxol.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Nano-mechanical study offers new assessment of silicon for next-gen batteries

Researchers have reported surprisingly high damage tolerance in electrochemically-lithiated silicon materials, suggesting all-silicon anodes may be commercially viable. The study found that above a certain concentration of lithium, the material becomes more tolerant to damage, making it possible to design durable silicon-based batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015

Newly identified mechanism solves enduring mystery of key element of cellular organization

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a mechanism underlying the formation of stress granules in cells under stress, which are linked to degenerative diseases such as ALS. The study reveals that mutations in proteins involved in stress granule assembly can lead to toxic fibrils and disease progression.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 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.

Information handling by some health apps not as secure as it should be

A recent study found that some health apps, despite being clinically-accredited, were transmitting unencrypted personal and health information, compromising user privacy. The study reviewed 79 apps listed on the UK NHS Health Apps Library and found 23 sent identifying info over the internet without encryption.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Female genital cutting is based on private values rather than social norms

A study of female genital cutting practices in Sudan found tremendous heterogeneity between and within communities, with attitudes and cutting habits varying widely. The research challenges the assumption that cutting is a social norm-based decision, instead suggesting that private values play a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

MS researchers correlate BICAMS and performance of everyday life activities

Researchers found that the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) can predict performance on daily living tasks. The study used Actual Reality technology to assess internet access and ordering tasks, showing poor BICAMS scores correlated with poor task performance.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalMultiple Sclerosis Journal·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.

'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind

A Duke University study found that assigning public schools failing grades leads to increased turnout among affluent voters, but has little impact on low-income families. The research suggests that providing citizens with information about school performance does not necessarily address imbalances in civic engagement.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateSep 24, 2015

Gel study uncovers unexpected dynamics

Research reveals alginate gel biofilms are highly dynamic and exchangeable, challenging previous assumptions about their structure. The findings may lead to new ways of modifying or disrupting these materials to combat bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalSoft Matter·DateSep 24, 2015

DARPA awards $32 million contract to MIT, Broad Institute Foundry

The MIT, Broad Institute Foundry aims to revolutionize genetic engineering by enabling the rapid design, testing, and fabrication of large sequences of genetic information. The facility collaborates with academic and industrial partners to develop innovative pipeline tools for efficient and precise DNA design.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·DateSep 24, 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.

Grant for natural hazards research at UC Davis centrifuge

The National Science Foundation awards UC Davis a five-year, $5 million grant to utilize the large earthquake-simulating centrifuge for natural hazards engineering research. Researchers can build complex models and conduct accurate scale-model studies of soils and soil-structure systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateSep 24, 2015

UCI brain-computer interface enables paralyzed man to walk

A paraplegic man was able to take steps without manual control using an electroencephalogram-based system that bypasses the spinal cord. The study, led by Zoran Nenadic and An Do, used a custom-made system to process brain waves into signals that stimulate leg muscles.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·DateSep 24, 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.

Research published in NEJM about treatment for unexplained infertility

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has found that clomiphene citrate is a more effective treatment option than ovarian stimulation with letrozole or gonadotropins for unexplained infertility, reducing multiple gestations without lowering pregnancy rates.

SourceCare New England·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 24, 2015

Do patients with age-related macular degeneration have trouble with touch screens?

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that patients with age-related macular degeneration can accurately complete touch screen tasks, but their performance is slowed due to difficulties exploring the interface. The research suggests adapting touch screen applications to aid individuals with AMD.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateSep 24, 2015

Researchers propose ecological route to plant disease control

Scientists have discovered a potential ecological route to control plant disease by harnessing the power of soil microbial communities. The study found that increasing competition between resident bacteria and invading pathogens can constrain the spread of bacterial wilt, reducing its devastating impact on global food production.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015

Blacklists protect the rainforest

The University of Bonn study found that Brazil's 'blacklisting' policy reduced Amazon forest loss by 26% per year. The researchers used data from 2008 to 2012 and compared listed communities with comparable non-listed communities.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 24, 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.

Of brains and bones: How hunger neurons control bone mass

Researchers at Yale University have found that hunger neurons control not only hunger and appetite but also regulate bone mass. The study reveals that lower levels of hunger are associated with lower bone density, highlighting a new mechanism in the regulation of skeletal bone metabolism.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 24, 2015

A twist for control of orbital angular momentum of neutron waves

Researchers at University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing have controlled the orbital angular momentum of neutron waves for the first time. This breakthrough enables probing of material properties like magnetism and crystalline structure, opening doors to deeper studies of superconducting and chiral materials.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature·DateSep 24, 2015

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards NARSAD Young Investigator grants

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $13.3 million in NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to 191 promising young scientists working on groundbreaking neurobiological research to identify causes, improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.

SourceBrain & Behavior Research Foundation·DateSep 24, 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.

Antidepressants plus blood-thinners slow down brain cancer

Researchers have discovered that combining tricyclic antidepressants with anticoagulant drugs can slow down glioma tumors in mice by causing excessive autophagy. The study, published in Cancer Cell, found that the combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with gliomas.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 24, 2015

Lean and safe industry

Research emphasizes that lean efforts must consider health and safety regulations to maintain quality and productivity without compromising employee well-being. The lean philosophy aims to minimize waste, including non-value adding activities that result in accidents and employee compensation.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Lean Enterprise Research·DateSep 24, 2015

Designed defects in liquid crystals can guide construction of nanomaterials

Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a method for assembling molecules within liquid crystal defects, creating miniscule tubing that can direct molecular organization. This technique has potential applications in electronics, medicine, and designing selective membranes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 24, 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.

FAU receives $1.2 million grant from US Department of Education

Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.2 million grant to develop a graduate program preparing teachers to work with students with autism spectrum disorder. The program will provide tuition support and state endorsement for teachers earning a master's degree in ASD.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·DateSep 24, 2015

UAF model used to estimate Antarctic ice sheet melting

Scientists used UAF's Parallel Ice Sheet Model to estimate the impact of fossil fuels on Antarctica's ice sheet. The study found that releasing 10,000 gigatons of carbon could raise global temps by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, melting the Antarctic ice sheet and causing sea levels to rise by over 160 feet.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 24, 2015

Weight loss, exercise improve fertility in women with PCOS

A clinical trial found that weight loss and exercise improve ovulation in women with PCOS, increasing pregnancy rates. The study also showed benefits for insulin sensitivity and triglyceride levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateSep 24, 2015

Tumor necrosis factor in colitis -- bad actor or hero?

Investigators found that inhibiting TNFR2 can alleviate intestinal inflammation in mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for patients with IBD who do not respond to anti-TNF medications. This discovery could lead to new treatment options for the 65% of individuals with IBD who do not respond or become resistant to current therapies.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateSep 24, 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.

Scientists build wrench 1.7 nanometers wide

Researchers at University of Vermont invent a new way to use chirality to make a nanoscale wrench, allowing for precise control over the shape of molecules. The discovery holds promise as a highly accurate and fast method of creating customized molecules.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 24, 2015

MD Anderson study identifies leukemia tumor suppressor

A protein-coding gene called hnRNP K has been identified as a potential target for treating acute myeloid leukemia. The study found that expression of hnRNP K is significantly reduced in AML patients who carry a specific genetic deletion, suggesting it acts as a tumor suppressor.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 24, 2015

Tiny plankton can play a major role in CO2 storage in the oceans

Research reveals that tiny plankton can store large amounts of CO2, potentially doubling estimates of ocean carbon absorption. The copepod lipid pump mechanism is a significant discovery, as it was not previously considered in climate models.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2015

'SMART Cougars Plus' expands HIV, HCV testing for students

The University of Houston will provide free, rapid-HIV testing and counseling to UH students and young people in the surrounding community, with a focus on minority groups. The new grant expands testing to other minority youth and veterans, aiming to increase awareness and early detection of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateSep 24, 2015

100 years to find a cure: Can the process be accelerated?

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes mapped the discovery path to two FDA-approved drugs, revealing that a large network of scientists contributed over decades. The study proposes new metrics to quantify the influence of individual scientists in accelerating future cures.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 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.

Shooting lightning out of the sky

Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have demonstrated new techniques that bring lasers as lighting rods closer to reality. They created a channel of plasma by firing a powerful laser, extending the lifetime of the plasma channel by more than a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·DateSep 24, 2015

From brain, to fat, to weight loss

A breakthrough study has identified a neural mechanism responsible for fat breakdown, allowing researchers to develop novel anti-obesity therapies. The study found that fat tissue is innervated and direct stimulation of neurons in fat can induce fat breakdown, providing new hopes for treating central leptin resistance.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalCell·DateSep 24, 2015

Female gamers a new risk group for overweight

A Swedish study found that young women who play computer games for over an hour a day are more likely to develop overweight. The researchers calculated that this would result in an additional weight gain of 3.7 kilos, taking other risk factors into account.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Public Health·DateSep 24, 2015