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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 20


Page 20 of 39

Greenness around homes linked to lower mortality

A study of 108,630 women found that living near areas with high levels of green vegetation was associated with lower mortality rates, particularly from kidney disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. The researchers attributed this to improved mental health, social engagement, physical activity, and reduced air pollution.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 15, 2016

Fred Hutch research highlights at AACR Annual Meeting 2016

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center made significant progress in immunotherapy for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma, with longer response times than standard chemotherapy. Precision prevention of colorectal cancer showed that preventing diseases may not be 'one size fits all', highlighting the need for tailored approaches. Addit...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·DateApr 15, 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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protein-trapped sugar compounds nourish infant gut microbes

Researchers at UC Davis discovered that oligosaccharides, not protein compounds, are key to nourishing beneficial microbes in infants' guts. These findings suggest cow's milk could be used to create therapeutic prebiotics for infants.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 15, 2016

Mothers' milk and the infant gut microbiota: An ancient symbiosis

A team of researchers has identified the compound in mothers' milk that supplies nourishment to infants' gut microbiota. This compound can be obtained from cow's milk and may be used as a prebiotic for infants, potentially improving their formula.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 15, 2016

New debugger finds security flaws in popular web apps

MIT researchers developed a system that can quickly analyze tens of thousands of lines of code to find security flaws in popular web apps. The new debugger, called Space, evaluates data access procedures and identifies seven common ways web applications control access to data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 15, 2016

Study demonstrates benefits of existing treatment for hepatitis D patients

A recent study re-affirms the use of interferon alpha as an effective treatment for patients with Hepatitis delta virus, a severe form of viral hepatitis. The research found that 35% of patients who responded to this therapy achieved sustained suppression of the virus and had favorable outcomes.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 15, 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.

EMBL scientists reveal structure of nuclear pore's inner ring

Researchers at EMBL have determined the structure of the nuclear pore complex's inner ring, a crucial component in controlling molecular traffic to the cell's nucleus. The discovery brings the nuclear pore into focus and holds potential implications for understanding its role in cancer and aging.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2016

Atomically thin sensor detects harmful air pollution in the home

A graphene-based sensor and switch have been developed to detect individual CO2 molecules and VOC gas molecules, which are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations. The technology has the potential to improve air quality in homes with good insulation, reducing health problems such as sick building syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 2016

Numerical simulations of tensile tests of red blood cells

Researchers used numerical simulations to investigate the effect of red blood cell hold position on strain field during tensile testing. The results show significant variations in deformed geometry and strain distribution, highlighting the importance of considering hold position in RBC tensile test interpretation.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalMicro and Nanosystems·DateApr 15, 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.

Additional benefits of type 2 diabetes treatment found for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

A study found that acute exenatide administration enhances glucose uptake and reduces insulin resistance in the liver and adipose tissue of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This treatment also improves glucose control in the liver and fatty cells, offering promising benefits for individuals with this condition.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 15, 2016

New scientific evidence of sexual transmission of the Zika virus

Researchers from Inserm and Aix-Marseille University have confirmed that the ZIKA virus can be transmitted sexually. Genetic analysis showed a 100% correlation between the virus forms present in a man who contracted the virus in Brazil and a woman who had never traveled to an epidemic area but had sexual relations with him.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 15, 2016

A better nutritional facts panel

A new study suggests that improving the nutritional facts panel on food packages could lead to better consumer choices and reduced obesity rates. The research found that adding key nutrients and using a traffic light system improved consumers' ability to make informed decisions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalFood Policy·DateApr 15, 2016
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.

'Odd couple' monolayer semiconductors align to advance optoelectronics

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory synthesized a stack of monolayers of two lattice-mismatched semiconductors, gallium selenide and molybdenum diselenide. The achievement demonstrates the promise of synthesizing mismatched layers to enable new families of functional two-dimensional materials.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 2016

In these microbes, iron works like oxygen

Researchers discovered bacteria capable of using iron as an electron acceptor, enabling them to process energy and potentially leading to the origins of life. The studies also have implications for the search for life on Mars, where iron metabolism could be a crucial component.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 15, 2016

UC Davis study says logos make a group seem real

A UC Davis study found that group symbols like logos and flags create the impression of a unified, effective, and cohesive group, even among diverse members. However, this can come at the cost of appearing less inclusive and warm. The research suggests using symbols strategically to achieve desired impressions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 15, 2016

Bioscience initiative speeds new technologies to consumers

Two UConn projects, a light imaging system for rapid ovarian cancer detection and an artificial salivary gland for dry mouth relief, are developed with the help of the BioScience Pipeline Program. A bone scaffold system that can replace bone grafts is also being created.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut School of Engineering·DateApr 15, 2016
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.

The genetic evolution of Zika virus

A recent study analyzing 40 Zika virus strains identifies significant changes in amino acid and nucleotide sequences, diverging between Asian and African lineages. The data suggests the strains evolved from a common ancestor, with human isolates more closely related to the French Polynesia/2013 strain.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 15, 2016

Too much 'noise' can affect brain development

Researchers found that uncontrolled fluctuations in Retinoic acid levels can lead to disruptions in brain organization during development. Identifying the protein that interacts with RA to reduce noise may improve understanding of developmental disorders and guide future studies.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateApr 15, 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.

'Weirdest martensite': Century-old smectic riddle finally solved

Physicists at Cornell University have finally solved a puzzle that baffled researchers for over a century. Using computer game technology, they discovered the connection between smectics - liquid crystals forming ellipses and hyperbolas - and martensites, a crystalline structure of steel.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 2016

Ultrathin organic material enhances e-skin display

Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed an ultrathin, ultraflexible, protective layer that enables creation of electronic skin displays. The technology allows for wearable electronic devices to be attached to the body without damaging them.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 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.

Shorter treatment course potentially on the horizon for hep C patients

Researchers found that an investigational injectable treatment, RG-101, combined with direct-acting antivirals resulted in high virologic response rates among patients with genotype 1 and 4. The four-week treatment course showed promise in reducing Hepatitis C treatment time.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 15, 2016

Great Barrier Reef risks losing tolerance to bleaching events

A new study found that Great Barrier Reef corals survived past bleaching events by being exposed to a gradual warming pattern. However, this protective mechanism is likely to be lost under near future climate change scenarios. The researchers recommend prioritizing conservation efforts for reefs with retained thermal protection.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalScience·DateApr 14, 2016

Surveillance camera to identify criminals in street crowd online

A new surveillance camera algorithm can process high-resolution 4K videos in real-time, detecting faces, genders, and approximate ages. The algorithm works 10 times faster than existing ones, enabling automatic monitoring and emergency situation identification without operator attention.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateApr 14, 2016

The Red Queen rules

A study by University of Iowa researchers found that female New Zealand freshwater snails that reproduce sexually are more resilient to parasitic worms than females that produce offspring asexually. The team tested the hypothesis in Lake Grasmere, finding that male snails were present even in areas with low parasite activity.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalNew Zealand Journal of Ecology·DateApr 14, 2016

New antibiotic stewardship guidelines focus on practical advice for implementation

The new guidelines focus on customizing interventions based on local issues and resources, recommending preauthorization of broad-spectrum antibiotics, syndrome-specific interventions, and rapid diagnostic testing. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 14, 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.

Forest discovery: Trees trade carbon among each other

Researchers found trees exchange large quantities of carbon among different species through mycorrhizal fungi. This discovery questions the concept of tree individuality and adds a new dimension to the role of these fungal networks in forests.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateApr 14, 2016

JCU scientists develop the first 'pharmalogical' tourniquet

Researchers have developed a potentially life-saving drug therapy called ALM that can reduce internal blood loss by up to 60% in traumatic injuries. The treatment, administered intravenously, has shown promise in treating shock and stabilizing vital organs.

SourceJames Cook University·DateApr 14, 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.

Antibiotics may have lasting impact on the immune system of children

Early antibiotic use can permanently alter the diversity of children's immune cells, potentially leading to increased risks of inflammatory bowel disease and allergies. The study aims to understand how antibiotics impact T cell education and balance in the gut microbiota.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateApr 14, 2016

Brain scan method may help detect autism

Researchers developed a computer algorithm that accurately identified autism spectrum disorders using fMRI brain scans. The classifier worked across diverse populations, including Japanese and American adults, with an average accuracy of 85% and 75%, respectively.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2016

Probing the transforming world of neutrinos

The NOvA particle physics experiment has successfully detected the transformation of muon-type neutrinos into electron-type neutrinos, a process known as neutrino oscillation. This discovery provides valuable insights into the subatomic world and the evolution of the universe.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 14, 2016
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.

New study illuminates key aspects of how we fall asleep and wake up

Scientists at University of Maryland School of Medicine identified a key pathway for regulating the 'switch' between wakefulness and sleep. The study found that BK potassium channels play a critical role in encoding circadian rhythm in the brain, particularly during inactivation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2016

New triple drug combination shows promise in hepatitis C infected patients

A new triple combination treatment of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and GS-9857 achieved a high sustained virologic response rate of 99% in patients with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The treatment was generally safe and effective, even in patients who had previously received direct acting antivirals.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 14, 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.

RERE gene mutations result in features similar to 1p36 deletion syndrome

Mutations in the RERE gene can cause developmental problems typical of 1p36 deletion syndrome, a relatively common cause of intellectual disability. The study identified 10 patients with RERE mutations, who exhibited similar medical conditions to those with 1p36 deletions.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 14, 2016

Osimertinib given as first-line treatment may alter biology of EGFR mutated NSCLC

A late-breaking abstract at the European Lung Cancer Conference presented findings on osimertinib's effectiveness as first-line treatment for EGFR mutated non-small-cell lung cancer. The study showed a high overall response rate and prolonged progression-free survival, suggesting that osimertinib may alter the biology of the disease.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateApr 14, 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.

More exposure to vegetation linked with lower mortality rates in women

A nationwide study found that women living in homes surrounded by more vegetation had a 12% lower overall mortality rate and stronger associations with reduced respiratory disease and cancer mortality. Improved mental health was estimated to explain nearly 30% of the benefit from living around greater vegetation.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 14, 2016

Nanotubes assemble! Rice introduces 'Teslaphoresis'

Researchers at Rice University have discovered 'Teslaphoresis', a phenomenon where carbon nanotubes self-assemble into long wires using a Tesla coil's force field. The team, led by Paul Cherukuri, reported their results in ACS Nano and demonstrated the ability to assemble and power circuits using the force field.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 14, 2016