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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 27


Page 27 of 39

Handwriting analysis provides clues for dating of old testament texts

A Tel Aviv University study analyzed 16 inscriptions from the fort of Arad and found evidence of high literacy rates within Judah's administrative apparatus. The findings suggest that widespread literacy was required for the compilation of key biblical texts, dating back to 600 BCE.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2016

Three-way battles in the quantum world

Researchers create a quantum simulator to study novel phase transitions resulting from energetic three-way battles between interaction energy, motional energy and long-range interaction.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateApr 11, 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.

Researchers find key to zinc rich plants to combat malnutrition

A team of scientists has identified a mechanism responsible for delivering zinc into crop seeds, paving the way for breeding plants with enhanced zinc content. The discovery could lead to improved nutritional value in a large part of the human diet.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 11, 2016

Highly-sensitive detection method makes close monitoring of HDL kinetics possible

Researchers have developed a highly-sensitive detection method to monitor HDL kinetics, revealing new lipid biology and potential therapeutic targets. The technique allows for the identification of HDL subfractions and their unique proteomes, which may help pharmaceutical companies design more effective drugs.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateApr 11, 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.

Breakthrough may stop multiple sclerosis in its tracks

Researchers at University of Queensland have developed a new plant-derived drug, T20K, that can block the progression of multiple sclerosis. The treatment, extracted from the Oldenlandia affinis plant, has shown success in an animal model and may offer a new quality of life for people with the debilitating disease.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2016

Zika virus tested in brain precursor cells

Researchers tested Zika virus in human neural stem cells to understand its effects on developing brains. The study found that the virus preferentially killed brain cells, reducing growth by 40% in a brain organoid model.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 11, 2016

More males born to Indian-born women in Canada who already have daughters

A large study in CMAJ found that Indian-born women living in Ontario, Canada, who already have two daughters are more likely to have a boy. The likelihood of male births increases if women had an induced abortion before the birth. Birth ratios fell within natural ranges for Canadian-born and immigrant women from most other countries.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 11, 2016

Angiogenesis factor found to promote three age-related diseases of the eye

Research found that overexpression of VEGF-A in animal models promotes both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation. The study identified the NRLP3 inflammasome as a key component in this process, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing or inhibiting these diseases.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateApr 11, 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.

St. Jude researchers reveal how 2 types of immune cells can arise from 1

Scientists have discovered a key mechanism controlling the production of daughter cells in the immune system, which could lead to more effective vaccines and cancer treatments. Asymmetric cell division generates two types of cells with distinct properties, influenced by the distribution of c-Myc signaling protein.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature·DateApr 11, 2016

Solving a genetic mystery in type 1 diabetes

Scientists have found that the RGS1 gene affects the frequency of T follicular helper cells, which are important for B cell production and seem to be crucial for the disease. The study suggests that while inhibiting RGS1 did not prevent autoimmune diabetes, it changes the way cells move within lymph nodes and spleen.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalGenes and Immunity·DateApr 11, 2016

Even low levels of air pollution appear to affect a child's lungs

A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that exposure to even low levels of air pollution affects children's lung function. Children living near major highways showed significant reductions in lung function, with those exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) a...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 11, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hybrid strategy works best when high-technology companies go global

A new Finnish study shows that hybrid competitive strategies lead to better financial outcomes for high-technology companies internationalizing. The research found that the effectiveness of a hybrid strategy depends on the globalization stage and key resources of the company.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalIndustrial Marketing Management·DateApr 11, 2016

Battery components can take the heat

Researchers at Rice University have developed a combined electrolyte and separator for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can operate at high temperatures, including 150 degrees Celsius, with negligible loss of efficiency. The 'white graphene' composite eliminates the need for conventional plastic or polymer separators and is desi...

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 11, 2016

Smokers may have a tougher time finding a job, earn less money

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that unemployed smokers were less likely to get new jobs and earned an average of $5 less per hour than nonsmokers. This results in a significant wage deficit, with smokers facing a loss of over $8,300 annually.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 11, 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.

Brittle is better for making cement

Rice University scientists have discovered that certain types of tricalcium silicates are more efficient to produce cement due to their structural properties. These findings could lead to lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with concrete production, a major contributor to climate change.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Ceramic Society·DateApr 11, 2016

Smokers have harder time getting jobs, Stanford study finds

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that smokers have a much harder time finding work than nonsmokers. After controlling for various factors, the research showed that smokers remained unemployed longer and earned substantially less than their non-smoking counterparts.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 11, 2016

A novel mechanism of crizotinib resistance in a ROS1+ NSCLC patient

Researchers identified a novel mutation in the KIT gene that contributes to crizotinib resistance in ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer patients. Ponatinib, a KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor, demonstrates potential as a therapeutic option for overcoming this resistance.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateApr 11, 2016

Bronchial thermoplasty improves asthma regardless of socioeconomic status

A study published by the American College of Chest Physicians found that bronchial thermoplasty improves asthma quality of life for severe refractory asthmatics, regardless of their demographic factors. The procedure was shown to be effective in reducing resource utilization and improving patient outcomes.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateApr 11, 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.

Can more fiber restore microbiome diversity?

Researchers at the University of Alberta advocate for increasing dietary fiber intake to regain lost microbial biodiversity. A recent study found that mice fed a Western diet with low fiber transferred lower beneficial microbial species to future generations, indicating extinctions had occurred in just a few generations.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateApr 11, 2016

The fourth dimension

Researchers propose an algorithm to retrieve four-dimensional surface deformation field using space-borne SAR data, crucial for interpreting complex geological phenomena. The method demonstrates its validity in areas where large and/or rapid surface deformation occurs, such as the Afar depression system.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateApr 11, 2016

Being married may help prolong survival in cancer patients

Research found unmarried cancer patients had higher death rates than married patients, with whites benefiting the most from marriage. Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander cancer patients who were born in the US experienced a greater benefit than those born outside the country.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateApr 11, 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.

Selection pressures push plants over adaption cliff

Researchers found that plants can only withstand a limited number of genetic changes before population collapse and extinction. The study challenges common thinking on plant adaptability and has significant implications for agriculture and horticulture in the face of rapid climate change.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateApr 11, 2016

Vascular Medicine editorial on PAD recommendations to MEDCAC panel

The Society for Vascular Medicine coalition advocates for PAD treatment guidelines that improve health outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries. The recommendations include reclassifying the ankle brachial index, comprehensive medical intervention, and supervised exercise training programs.

SourceSAGE·JournalVascular Medicine·DateApr 11, 2016

Wayne State study provides new understanding of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Researchers at Wayne State University have discovered that dendritic cells play a crucial role in guiding sensory nerve regeneration after wounding, but their interactions are disrupted in diabetic corneas. The study found that applying exogenous CNTF and its soluble receptor CNTFR-alpha can partially reverse the adverse effects of dia...

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 11, 2016

Mount Sinai and Sage Bionetworks report analysis of nearly 600,000 genomes for resilience project

The Mount Sinai Hospital and Sage Bionetworks conducted a genome study of over 589,000 adults to identify individuals resistant to severe Mendelian childhood diseases. Thirteen healthy people with associated genetic variants were found, but limitations in the original studies' informed consent policies hinder further analysis.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 11, 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.

Study finds unexpected long-range particle interactions

A team of researchers at MIT found that spinning particles, even when separated by tens of times their size, will ultimately migrate toward each other due to long-range interactions. The phenomenon was observed in a liquid medium with inert particles and has potential applications in biological systems and synthetic materials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2016

New study shows how age and sex affect the social activity

A recent study found that social connections peak at 25 years old for both men and women, with patterns shifting as individuals grow older. After 60s, social isolation increases, but older adults still use mobile technology less often than younger generations.

SourceAalto University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateApr 11, 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.

Antibiotics don't promote swapping of resistance genes

Researchers at Duke University found that antibiotics do not promote the spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance through genetic swapping, contrary to previous assumptions. The study's results suggest that differential birth and death rates, rather than DNA donation, are to blame for the spread of resistance.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateApr 11, 2016

New imaging technology could help save UK/EU steel industry

A new grant will develop an innovative induction tomography system to assess the solidification process of metal, improving continuous casting of steel. This technology will detect defects in molten steel as it cools, enabling industry to monitor and alter the cooling process for better quality, safety, productivity, and competitiveness.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateApr 11, 2016

A different route to drug resistance

A team of researchers has identified an alternate mechanism for evading therapy in brain cancer cells, which adapts within as little as three days of treatment. By targeting both the original and new signaling pathways, they can durably suppress tumor growth.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 11, 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.

Maryland's 2011 alcohol sales tax reduced alcohol sales, study suggests

A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Maryland's 2011 increase in alcohol sales tax led to a 3.8% decrease in total alcohol sales. Sales of spirits were 5.1% lower, beer sales were 3.2% lower, and wine sales were 2.5% lower.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateApr 11, 2016

Why do people with Alzheimer's stop recognizing their loved ones?

Research by Dr. Sven Joubert reveals that Alzheimer's disease affects holistic face perception, leading to difficulties in recognizing faces of family members or celebrities. This impairment is observed even in the early stages of the disease, highlighting potential strategies for patients to recognize their loved ones for longer.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·DateApr 11, 2016

Face- and eye-muscle research sheds new light on Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A new study reveals that muscles controlling the eyes and eyelids are selectively spared in Duchenne muscular dystrophy due to higher utrophin levels. Researchers also found ECC machinery and calcium regulation similar to those of quadriceps muscles, challenging current understanding of muscle function.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateApr 11, 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.

New hybrid drug plugs the hole in malaria drug resistance

A new hybrid drug combines parts of chloroquine and a chemoreversal agent to counteract malaria resistance. The dual-acting mechanism kills the parasite by concentrating the drug in its stomach.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateApr 11, 2016

Wealth of unsuspected new microbes expands tree of life

Researchers have discovered over 1,000 new types of bacteria and Archaea, dramatically expanding the tree of life. The newly added organisms come from diverse environments and are characterized by their genome sequences, offering a new perspective on microbiology and its implications for our understanding of biology.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Microbiology·DateApr 11, 2016

International network to spy on trees: ANU media release

A global network is being set up to use surveillance camera networks and drone data to track changes in trees' growth patterns. Researchers will be able to access time-lapse image data to better understand how climate change affects forests worldwide.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 11, 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.

E-cigarettes have immediate effects on pulmonary function

Researchers have discovered that e-cigarettes cause immediate damage to pulmonary function in healthy and mild asthmatic young smokers. The study, presented at CHEST World Congress 2016, found e-cigarette use led to worse airway obstruction and inflammation compared to cigarette smoking.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateApr 11, 2016

Shark population threatened due to fin harvesting

A recent study highlights the need for sustainable shark conservation in Indonesia, where fin harvesting contributes to over 3 million shark deaths annually. Implementing no-fishing zones and providing alternative livelihood options can help protect shark populations and support local communities.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateApr 11, 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.

Beta cells from love handles

Scientists have successfully extracted stem cells from a 50-year-old test subject's fatty tissue, applied genetic reprogramming, and produced mature, insulin-producing beta cells. The researchers' technique has the potential to treat diabetes by implanting new functional beta cells made from the patient's own adipose tissue.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 11, 2016