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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 398


Page 398 of 423

Gene study points towards therapies for common brain disorders

Researchers have pinpointed cell types responsible for common brain diseases, including Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. The findings suggest that developing medicines targeting microglial cells could offer hope for treating these conditions.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJan 27, 2016

Paracetamol use in pregnancy can cut female fertility, study finds

A recent study suggests that using paracetamol during pregnancy may reduce female fertility in subsequent generations. Researchers tested the effects of paracetamol and another painkiller on rats and found that female offspring had fewer eggs, smaller ovaries, and reduced reproductive function compared to those not exposed to the drugs.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2016

Edited stem cells offer hope of precision therapy for blindness

Researchers have successfully corrected a blindness-causing gene mutation in stem cells derived from a patient's skin cells, offering hope for personalized, precision medicine. The technology uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to repair the damaged gene, and the corrected tissue can be transplanted without harm.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Seagrass genome sequence lends insights to salt tolerance

Researchers sequenced a seagrass genome, revealing genes that enable plants to adapt to saline environments. The study provides insights into salt tolerance and could inform crop breeding to improve resilience in the face of climate change.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 2016

An alternative to platinum: Iron-nitrogen compounds as catalysts in graphene

Researchers have discovered a new class of catalysts that use iron-nitrogen compounds in graphene, achieving levels of activity comparable to platinum-based catalysts. The purification process allows for the creation of exclusively FeN4 centres, which provide high catalytic efficiency even without promoters.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 27, 2016

Recommendation to omit radiation therapy after lumpectomy is not frequently implemented

A new study found that nearly two-thirds of women aged 70 and older with stage I breast cancer who are eligible to safely omit subsequent radiation therapy do not receive it. Despite guidelines recommending against radiation therapy for this group, the study suggests a lack of compliance or poor awareness among healthcare providers.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 27, 2016

Ongoing HIV replication replenishes viral reservoirs during therapy

A new study funded by NIH suggests that ongoing HIV replication in lymphoid tissues maintains stores of the virus, a prerequisite for achieving a cure. Current ART regimens cannot eliminate persistent viral reservoirs, but sequencing data shows continued evolution over time without accumulating drug-resistant mutations.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 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.

Capitalize on 'life transitions' to instill better environmental behaviors

Researchers at University of Bath found that life transitions like moving house can provide a window of opportunity to instill better environmental behaviors, such as recycling and energy use. The study suggests that targeted interventions during these times are more effective than blanket campaigns.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·DateJan 27, 2016

New finding shows that males can drive creation of new species

Researchers show that intense male competition can lead to speciation, erasing boundaries between species and creating new ones. This process is independent of natural selection and has significant implications for understanding biodiversity.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 27, 2016

Examination of effectiveness of mesh materials used for abdominal hernia repair

A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the use of biological mesh materials for abdominal wall hernia repair does not demonstrate added clinical benefits over synthetic mesh. The authors reviewed 20 studies and concluded that the expense associated with these devices cannot be justified without clear evidence of superiority.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJan 27, 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.

Study: Head shape and genetics augment understanding of rattlesnake species

The study found that different subspecies of western rattlesnakes have distinct head shapes, which have evolved to accommodate feeding and reproductive behaviors. Combining head shape with genetic analysis confirmed that some groups should be classified as separate species.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 27, 2016

Depressive symptoms prevalent among Division I college athletes

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that nearly a quarter of Division I college athletes reported depressive symptoms. Women were almost twice as likely to experience symptoms than their male peers. The researchers also discovered significant differences in depression rates across different sports, with fe...

SourceDrexel University·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJan 27, 2016

Palmer amaranth could affect Illinois soybean yield

New research reveals Palmer amaranth can cause significant soybean yield loss in Illinois, up to 30% in short periods, highlighting the need for early detection and management strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWeed Science·DateJan 27, 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.

How queen bees control the princesses : ANU media release

Researchers found that queen bees emit a chemical pheromone that alters the DNA of their daughters, keeping them as sterile and industrious workers. This process involves DNA methylation, which suppresses queenly characteristics in workers.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJan 27, 2016

NASA Webb Telescope mirrors installed with robotic arm precision

The James Webb Space Telescope's 18 primary flight mirror segments are being installed using a high-precision robotic arm, requiring fraction-of-a-millimeter accuracy. The team uses lasers to measure distance and a coordinate system to place each segment, achieving precision better than the thickness of a piece of paper.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 27, 2016
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.

JAMA Viewpoint: Emerging Zika pandemic requires more WHO action now

Two Georgetown University professors urge the World Health Organization to convene an Emergency Committee to advise on the emerging Zika pandemic and galvanize global action. They highlight the need for decisive action, mosquito control, health information campaigns, country-issued travel advisories, accelerated research, and vaccine d...

SourceO'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law·JournalJAMA·DateJan 27, 2016

Health and thinking skills linked to same genes, study shows

A study found that genes associated with diseases like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism also impact cognitive functions. Researchers analyzed data from 100,000 people in the UK Biobank to discover shared genetic influences between health and thinking skills.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 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.

Too many minions spoil the plot

Researchers show that large groups of people sharing in a conspiracy will very quickly give themselves away, using equation to estimate time before exposure. For instance, moon landing hoax would be revealed in just 3 years and 8 months.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2016

A look into the evolution of the eye

Researchers successfully reconstructed the internal structure of a compound eye from a predatory crustacean dating back 160 million years. This groundbreaking discovery reveals that soft tissue was preserved and provides new insights into the evolution of visual systems, challenging previous assumptions about fossil preservation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 26, 2016

Model explains huge recurring rainstorms in tropical Indian and Pacific oceans

University of Washington scientists developed a mathematical model to explain the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a massive cluster of thunderstorms that affects global weather. The model predicts storm movement and formation, helping improve tropical rainstorm forecasts and medium-range global forecasts.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 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.

New fluorescent nanomaterials whose inspiration was taken from plant antenna systems

The Molecular Spectroscopy Group has created new multifunctional materials that mimic the photosynthetic organisms of plants. These materials capture a broad spectral range of light and convert it into chemical energy. They have been applied in various photonic applications, including tunable lasers and light modulators.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalInternational Reviews in Physical Chemistry·DateJan 26, 2016

Scientists prove key aspect of evolutionary theory

Researchers demonstrate Meselson effect for first time in any organism at genome-wide level, studying a parasite called T.b. gambiense. The study reveals that the parasite's inability to recombine with each other prevents genes from being exchanged between strains.

SourceeLife·DateJan 26, 2016

Being married might hurt your chances of weight loss after surgery

A recent review of 13 studies on weight-loss surgery found that being married might actually work against patients' chances of losing weight and keeping it off. The Ohio State University researchers discovered evidence that the impact of surgery extends to romantic relationships and family, potentially worsening marital dynamics.

SourceOhio State University·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJan 26, 2016

An ancestor of the rabbit connects Europe and Asia

A new species of the genus Amphilagus has been discovered in southeastern Siberia, revealing a biogeographic link between Asia and Europe during the Middle Miocene. The discovery confirms the widespread distribution of this group and sheds light on paleogeographic and environmental conditions that favored its expansion.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalHistorical Biology·DateJan 26, 2016

Sleep apnea treatment associated with reduced readmissions for patients with heart failure

A recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea may reduce six-month readmissions for patients hospitalized with heart failure. Researchers discovered a significant reduction in hospital visits among patients who used positive airway pressure therapy regularly.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalThe American Journal of Cardiology·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

Social media use in young adults linked to sleep disturbance

A recent study published by the University of Pittsburgh found a significant link between social media use and sleep disturbances in young adults. Participants who checked their accounts frequently or spent more time on social media had three times and twice the likelihood of sleep difficulties, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJan 26, 2016

Research: Many Latino kids struggle to reach a healthy weight by kindergarten

Research shows that Latino kids are more likely to be obese by ages 2-5 due to maternal obesity, less exclusive breastfeeding, and workplace issues. Breastfeeding can reduce obesity by 47 percent among Latino kids, but many Latina moms face barriers to initiating and maintaining breastfeeding.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateJan 26, 2016

UW-Madison researchers find Zika virus in Colombia, look for ways to stop it

Researchers have identified over 13,000 Zika cases in Colombia, with the country now second only to Brazil in reported infections. The team is exploring ways to control the spread of the virus using a bacterium that infects mosquitoes, aiming to prevent transmission and mitigate serious consequences like microcephaly.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJan 26, 2016

Molecular method promises to speed development of food crops

A new study has demonstrated a molecular method that reduces the wait time to confirm transgenic work from weeks to just a few days. Digital drop PCR (ddPCR) was found to be reliable, fast and high throughput, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·DateJan 26, 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.

Bed bugs that feed are more likely to survive pesticide exposure

Researchers found that bed bugs that fed after being treated with insecticides had significantly lower mortality rates than those that didn't. The study suggests that feeding stimulates detoxification enzymes, leading to increased resistance and survival.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJan 26, 2016

Solving hard quantum problems: Everything is connected

Scientists Kaspar Sakmann and Mark Kasevich developed a new method to calculate effects in ultra-cold atom clouds, which can only be explained by quantum correlations between many atoms. This breakthrough enables accurate descriptions of complex many-body systems, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and collisions between these states.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 26, 2016

Toxic exposures caused illness in Gulf War veterans, new report says

A new report by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher links Gulf War toxins to illness in veterans, citing pesticide and nerve gas exposure as causally associated with Gulf War Illness. The study found structural and electrical abnormalities in the central nervous systems of deployed troops with GWI.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCortex·DateJan 26, 2016

Messages from the food police

Researchers found that dieters ate 39% more cookies after seeing a negative message about sugary snacks compared to those who saw a positive message. Dieters who saw a two-sided message chose 47% fewer unhealthy snacks than those who saw a negative message.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJan 26, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Scientists identify potential 'guardian' against neurodegeneration

Scientists have identified a protein called Tet3FL that acts as a 'guardian' against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Tet3FL removes molecules called methyl groups from specific genes, keeping them active and maintaining cellular 'trash removal' processes.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 26, 2016

BU study finds link between state gun ownership rates and murders of women

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a substantial association between state-level firearm ownership rates and killings of women by guns. State gun ownership rates explain 40 percent of the variation in women's homicide victimization rates, compared to just 1.5 percent for men.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalViolence and Gender·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

Spanish missions triggered Native American population collapse, indirect impact on climate

New research reveals that Native American populations in the Southwest US collapsed rapidly in the 17th century due to sustained daily interaction with European colonizers, resulting in epidemic diseases, violence, and famine. The population decline had indirect effects on forest fires and climate, with findings published in PNAS.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 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.

Pension benchmarks give consumers false impression of fund performance

Research finds that personal pension funds beat their benchmarks on average due to the selection of easy-to-outperform benchmarks rather than investment skill. Focusing on a broader asset class can lead to better returns. The study also highlights the importance of considering diversification in pension saving allocation.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalReview of Quantitative Finance and Accounting·DateJan 26, 2016

Cancer in China

A new report estimates 4.3 million new cancer cases and 2.8 million deaths in China in 2015, with lung cancer the leading cause of cancer death. The study highlights the need to reduce risk factors and improve clinical care delivery to prevent avoidable cancer deaths.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·DateJan 26, 2016

For breast cancer patients, never too late to quit smoking

A large study of over 20,600 breast cancer survivors found that those who quit smoking after diagnosis had a significantly lower risk of death from breast cancer. Quitting smoking led to a 33% reduction in mortality rate, with the highest risks observed among long-term smokers and former smokers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 26, 2016

Delivering the Internet of the future -- at the speed of light and open sourced

Researchers have developed a high-performance network infrastructure that is open and programmable, using light to carry internet traffic. This technology has the potential to revolutionize optical network infrastructure, making it accessible to traditional programmers and application developers.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJan 26, 2016
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.