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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 357


Page 357 of 423

Determining the structures of nanocrystalline pharmaceuticals by electron diffraction

Researchers have developed a new method to determine the structures of nanocrystalline pharmaceuticals, reducing radiation damage and allowing for study at room temperature. The approach uses low-dose electron diffraction with a high-sensitivity detector, enabling the collection of high-quality data for direct crystallography methods.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section A·DateFeb 26, 2016

HIV in Rhode Island: Newly diagnosed men often 'hooked up' online

A study found that over 60% of newly diagnosed men in Rhode Island who have sex with men reported meeting sexual partners online. The researchers propose partnering with companies producing hookup websites and apps to share public health messages about the risks of sexual encounters arranged online.

SourceBrown University·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

First in-human vaccine study for malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax

Researchers tested a Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidate in 30 volunteers and found that it significantly delayed parasitemia in 59% of vaccinated subjects. The study also identified limitations to primaquine treatment, highlighting the need for improved vaccines.

SourceThe U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2016

Being overweight linked to poorer memory

Researchers found an association between high BMI and poorer performance on a test of episodic memory in young adults. The study suggests that obesity may be linked to changes in brain structure and function, potentially affecting memory and decision-making abilities.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

NASA's IBEX observations pin down interstellar magnetic field

A new study uses IBEX data to determine the strength and direction of the interstellar magnetic field beyond the solar system, providing insight into the galaxy's magnetic forces. The findings are based on simulations that correctly predict the locations of neutral ribbon particles and agree with Voyager 1 measurements.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 26, 2016

UT Dallas study: WikiLeaks list did not lead to attacks

A new study published in the International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection found no evidence that the WikiLeaks list was a target list for terrorists. The study analyzed over 40,000 terrorism incidents and compared them with the facilities listed on the WikiLeaks memo.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalInternational Journal of Critical Infrastructures·DateFeb 26, 2016

Nature Communications: How metal clusters grow

A team of researchers from Marburg and Karlsruhe has studied the stepwise formation of metal clusters, finding that a transition metal plays a key role in cluster growth. The study provides knowledge for customized optoelectronic and magnetic properties.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2016

The couple that sings together stays together

Researchers at Cornell University found that fairy-wren pairs who sing duets are less likely to mate with other males, resulting in higher rates of their own genetic offspring. The strong duet-singing response also reduces cuckoldry in these pairs.

SourceCornell University·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 26, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Building living, breathing supercomputers

A team of researchers led by Prof. Nicolau has created a model bio-supercomputer that processes information quickly and accurately using parallel networks, powered by proteins present in all living cells. The device uses much less energy than traditional electronic supercomputers, making it more sustainable.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

Consumers care about carbon footprint

Research shows carbon footprint labels influence consumer choice, with usage-related emissions being most important factor. Consumers value recycling and prefer manufacturers to offset emissions, rather than taking direct action.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making·DateFeb 26, 2016

108 million people have correctable vision impairment, global study estimates

A global study estimates that 101.2 million people suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error (URE), while seven million are blind. The study, published in Optometry and Vision Science, suggests that providing access to affordable glasses could improve the burden of vision loss.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateFeb 26, 2016

Homeless people suffer geriatric conditions decades early, UCSF study shows

Researchers at UCSF discovered that homeless individuals aged 50+ often experience difficulties with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Cognitive and visual impairments are also common, with rates comparable to those of people in their 80s.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateFeb 26, 2016

New research adds additional layer of complexity to human protein landscape

Researchers have discovered alternative protein versions, known as proteoforms, which are stable and tightly regulated, challenging the single gene-single protein theory. This study adds an extra dimension to the human protein landscape, potentially affecting gene editing techniques.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

Electron microscopy captures snapshot of structure coronaviruses use to enter cells

Researchers have captured a snapshot of how coronaviruses enter cells using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. The atomic model suggests specific vaccine strategies against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. A fusion peptide on the outer edge of the spike protein may be an ideal target for neutralizing coronaviruses.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2016

Women who feel more at risk of crime also prefer physically dominant partners

A study from the University of Leicester found that women who feel more at risk of crime tend to be attracted to physically dominant men. The researchers suggest that this attraction is not based on a desire for protection, but rather a psychological mechanism related to feelings of vulnerability.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateFeb 26, 2016

Artificial control of exciplexes opens possibilities for new electronics

Scientists at Kyushu University developed a strategy to widely vary the emission color and efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes based on exciplexes by changing the distance between key molecules. This technique could lead to new kinds of electronic devices with switching behavior or light emission that reacts to external factors.

SourceKyushu University, OPERA·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

Extreme events in the brain

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new model that simulates the behavior of neurons in the brain during extreme events, such as epileptic seizures. The model reveals how small-world networks can exhibit spontaneous changes, shedding light on the conditions under which these events develop.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 26, 2016

Non-integrating viral vector delivers chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic cancer cells

Researchers develop integrase-defective lentiviral vector to deliver chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic tumor cells, reducing risk of insertional mutagenesis. The system enables high efficacy delivery of the gene that encodes for DCK protein to cancer cells, making them more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

K-Glass 3 offers users a keyboard to type text

Researchers at KAIST developed K-Glass 3, a smart glasses device with a low-power multicore processor enabling convenient typing and screen pointing. The device features stereo vision and deep-learning algorithms, allowing users to enjoy enhanced AR experiences.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·DateFeb 26, 2016

St. Joseph's Hospital research reveals standard treatment for ovarian cancer

Researchers at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center found that a standard front-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer should involve every three week chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel plus bevacizumab, or weekly dose intense paclitaxel without bevacizumab

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

Zika virus: Approaching the unknown

The Zika virus has been linked to neurological diseases, with estimated 1.5 million cases reported so far. Researchers are urging a rigorous approach to understanding the effects of the virus and developing treatment measures.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2016

Researchers develop realistic system to study impact of residential mold on health

A team of Danish investigators has created a modeling system that actually mimics indoor fungal aerosols, studying the impact of residential mold on human health. The system, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, contains at least eleven species of fungus associated with water damage, found in both Danish and US buildings.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

How plants protect photosynthesis from oxygen

Scientists have identified a protein crucial to assembling the photosynthetic apparatus, which protects it from oxygen's disruptive effects. This discovery sheds light on the early history of photosynthesis and its adaptation to changing atmospheric conditions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2016

World's first parallel computer based on biomolecular motors

Researchers develop new parallel-computing method using nanofabricated channels explored by protein filaments propelled by molecular motors, solving combinatorial problems in a dramatic improvement over conventional computers. The approach is fully scalable with existing technologies and uses orders of magnitude less energy.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2016

Researcher evaluation measures do not add up

The h-index is a widely used measure, but it has significant limitations, including being skewed by specific fields and failing to account for impact beyond the scientific community. Researchers should consider alternative metrics like altmetrics to gain a more complete understanding of a researcher's influence.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Humanities·DateFeb 26, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers find association between oral bacteria and esophageal cancer

Researchers found that Porphyromonas gingivalis is present in 61% of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a type of esophageal cancer. The bacteria was only detected in 12% of tissues adjacent to the cancerous cells, suggesting it may be a risk factor for ESCC.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalInfectious Agents and Cancer·DateFeb 26, 2016

Systems analysis -- from the nanoscale to the global

Researchers will work on two programmes: Nano-Engineered Flow Technologies and MISTRAL, aiming to improve infrastructure design and modeling at the nanoscale. The projects will focus on enhancing fuel efficiency, cooling electronics, and developing visionary technologies.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateFeb 26, 2016

Demirel receives proof-of-concept grant

Demirel is using proteins to coat biomedical swabs, enabling gene analysis from tiny amounts of blood or biological samples. The project has market potential in forensics, genetics and medicine industries.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 26, 2016

Structure of a hantavirus protein as a promising model for drug design

Researchers have identified the three-dimensional structure of a hantavirus protein, providing a promising model for developing drugs against the disease. The protein's circular complexes may play a role in inhibiting viral growth, making it an ideal target for future treatments.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 26, 2016

Preventing protein unfolding

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed a way to prevent protein unfolding under mechanical stress, which causes devastating neurodegenerative diseases. By attaching polymers to proteins, they can stabilize their shape and prevent them from unfolding even when subjected to large forces.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 26, 2016
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.

New research unveils graphene 'moth eyes' to power future smart technologies

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new graphene material with enhanced light absorption, enabling applications such as 'smart wallpaper' that can generate electricity from waste light or heat. The technology uses nanotexturing to localise light into narrow spaces, increasing light absorption by 90%.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 26, 2016

Learn how to fly a plane from expert-pilot brainwave patterns

Researchers from HRL Laboratories used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve pilot learning in a realistic flight simulator. The study found that subjects who received tDCS showed improved piloting abilities, with enhanced skill retention and faster learning rates.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateFeb 26, 2016

Solar cells as light as a soap bubble

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to making solar cells, resulting in the thinnest and lightest complete solar cells ever made. The new process enables the creation of ultra-thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into various materials or surfaces, opening up new possibilities for portable electronic devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Electronics·DateFeb 26, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Why people oppose same-sex marriage

A UCLA psychology study concludes that many people oppose same-sex marriage due to perceived promiscuity among gay individuals, threatening their own marriages and way of life. The researchers measured attitudes and found a strong association between gay couples and the concept of promiscuity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 26, 2016

Molecular 'brake' prevents excessive inflammation

Macrophages produce excess inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta when damaged mitochondria release signals; p62 coats damaged mitochondria, ensuring removal. This prevents chronic inflammation and potentially age-related diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateFeb 25, 2016

'Big data' helps to discover key factors driving blood cell specification

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified key regulators of blood cell development using a 'big data' approach. By studying six consecutive stages of development, they discovered previous unknown regulators and explained how regulatory elements work together to drive gene expression and stage transitions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 25, 2016
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.

Police violence: What the public doesn't know

According to Matthew Logan, PhD, a retired police officer and psychologist, a small percentage of violent incidents involving the police dominate headlines. The article argues for greater public airing of the police perspective to provide a more balanced understanding of violence.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalViolence and Gender·DateFeb 25, 2016

Zika virus linked to stillbirth, other symptoms in Brazil

A pregnant Brazilian woman infected with the Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects. The case provides evidence that congenital Zika infection may be linked to hydrops fetalis, hydranencephaly, and fetal demise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016