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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 23 of 32

Researchers reveal 3-D structure of cell's inflammation sensor and its inhibitors

Scientists at University of California San Diego determined the 3D structure of CCR2 simultaneously bound to two inhibitors, providing insights for developing anti-inflammatory drugs. The study reveals how these molecules turn the receptor 'off' by blocking natural chemokine binding and preventing inflammatory signal transmission.

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.

Despite evolutionary inexperience, northern sockeye manage heat stress

Researchers at Oregon State University found that northern sockeye salmon can thermostate to find water temperatures that meet their physiological needs, reducing energy expenditure during heat waves. By moving to tributary plumes or deeper water, the fish conserve energy and avoid extreme temperatures.

Stamping technique creates tiny circuits with electronic ink

Researchers at MIT have developed a fast and precise printing process that can fabricate electronic surfaces for a wide range of applications. The team has created stamps made from carbon nanotubes that can print electronic inks onto rigid and flexible surfaces, enabling the creation of high-performance, fully printed electronics.

Helping children achieve more in school

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology shows that learning strategies are crucial for academic success among underachieving students. The research highlights the importance of reinforcing these strategies and promoting autonomy and responsibility in teachers and parents. By targeting interventions inspired by overachievers...

Dark matter may be smoother than expected

A team of astronomers from institutions around the world has processed images from the Kilo Degree Survey to make one of the most precise measurements ever made of cosmic shear, a subtle variant of weak gravitational lensing. The results suggest that dark matter in the cosmic web is less clumpy than previously believed.

Perceived long-term job insecurity puts pressure on older workers

A new study suggests that persistent job insecurity over a 25-year career can lead to increased psychological distress among older workers. The research found that stress from perceived job insecurity was particularly high among minorities and those without a high school degree, and that this stress can have significant impacts on health.

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.

MAO is a possible Alzheimer's disease biomarker

A study published in ACS Central Science reveals that MAO activity increases with Aβ plaque formation in patients with Alzheimer's, suggesting it could serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring. The research also identified three distinct phases of MAO activity that change along with disease progression.

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone 05B form

Tropical Cyclone 05B has formed over the Anadaman and Nicobar Islands, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm is expected to move northwest toward India, making landfall by Dec. 12 south of Visakhapatnam.

Cellular immunotherapy targets a common human cancer mutation

A study led by Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg identified a method to target the cancer-causing protein produced by a mutant form of the KRAS gene, leading to cancer regression in a patient with colorectal cancer. The treatment involved infusing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes into the patient, which recognized and attacked the mutated cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New approach may open up speech recognition to more languages

Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a new system that analyzes correspondences between images and spoken descriptions to train speech-recognition systems. The system can potentially provide automatic speech recognition for less-resourced languages, leading to fully automated translation capabilities.

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.

Half of people believe fake facts

A study by the University of Warwick found that around 50% of participants believed they had experienced fictitious events, such as taking a childhood hot air balloon ride. The findings have significant implications for fields like forensic investigations, therapy treatments, and courtrooms, where memories are used to inform decisions.

One specific gene explains many diseases

A genetic difference in the FADS1 gene affects levels of LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, as well as the risk for allergies, inflammatory diseases, and certain types of cancer. This imbalance is thought to have evolved over time due to changes in human diet.

Tumor cells are dependent on fat to start metastasis

Researchers at IRB Barcelona identify CD36 as a general marker of metastatic cells, which are responsible for initiating and promoting metastasis in several types of human tumors. High-fat diets have been shown to enhance the formation of metastases in mice inoculated with oral cancer cells.

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.

Optimism may reduce risk of dying prematurely among women

A new study found that optimism is associated with a significantly reduced risk of dying prematurely among women. The most optimistic women had a nearly 30% lower risk of dying from any disease analyzed in the study, including cancer, heart disease, and infection.

Brain activity may predict risk of falls in older people

A study published in Neurology found that higher levels of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex were associated with a higher risk of falls in healthy older adults. The association remained even after accounting for other factors, such as slow walking speed and frailty.

The secret slimming effect of sweet potato waste

A new study found that sweet potato peptide, produced from the water wasted during processing, helps reduce body weight and fat levels in mice fed high-fat diets. The peptide activates appetite suppression and controls lipid metabolism, suggesting a potential slimming effect.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Baby teethers soothe, but many contain low levels of BPA

A study by the American Chemical Society found that all tested plastic teethers contained BPA and other endocrine-disruptors, which can leach out into water. The researchers detected a range of parabens and antimicrobials in most teethers, raising concerns about infant exposure to potentially toxic chemicals.

What comes before new-onset major depressive disorder in kids, teens?

A new study examines data from a high-risk group of children with depressed parents to identify signs and symptoms preceding new-onset MDD during adolescence. Analyzed clinical antecedents found irritability and fear/anxiety associated with the first onset of adolescent MDD, highlighting multiple routes to the condition.

Supportive care for cancer patients remains inadequate

Supportive care, including pain relief and medication to prevent side effects, remains insufficient for many cancer patients, especially those on government-funded schemes in India. This can lead to delayed treatment cycles and poor quality of life. Researchers emphasize the need for better policies and access to effective treatments.

Scientists can now better diagnose diseases with multiple genetic causes

Researchers used whole exome sequencing to analyze nearly 7,400 patients, identifying a genetic cause in 28 percent. The study shows that multiple genes can be involved in complex diseases, leading to imprecise diagnoses. A unified analysis combining clinical and genetic features provides more precise diagnoses.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Patients wait 4 months before seeking cancer diagnosis

Patients with longer delays were more likely to receive palliative treatment, while early diagnosis and treatment improve cancer outcomes. The study found that patients and primary care physicians contributed significant delays, highlighting the need for increased patient awareness about symptoms and screening.

Enzyme that digests vitamin A also may regulate testosterone levels

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that mice lacking functional copies of the Bco1 gene had lower blood concentrations of testosterone and smaller prostates. The study suggests that Bco1 may also play a role in regulating prostate growth and androgen synthesis, challenging current understanding of carotenoid metabolism.

Cheaper and more sustainable sweeteners

Researchers at ICIQ and ETH have developed a new process to produce polyalcohols from biomass using two consecutive metallic catalysts featuring molybdenum and ruthenium. This method is more sustainable, cheaper, and efficient than traditional biochemical processes that require controlled temperatures, concentrations, and pH.

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.

Critical zone, critical research

The Earth's critical zone is a vital layer that supports life and human activities. Research in this area reveals the importance of time, depth, and coupling in understanding the zone's dynamics. This knowledge helps predict and mitigate negative effects, such as soil degradation and water quality issues.

How your parenting tactics influence your teen's problem behaviors

Researchers at UC Riverside found that when teens view their parents' parenting tactics more negatively, they show elevated levels of aggressive behaviors. The study highlights the importance of adolescents' evaluation of their parents' responses to challenging behaviors.

Do thoughts of death change our shopping habits?

A study by Michel Laroche and Marcelo Nepomuceno found that people with certain world views react differently to thoughts of death. Compulsive shoppers are more likely to buy when thinking about mortality, while anti-consumers resist consumption more strongly.

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.

'Pulling' bacteria out of blood

Scientists at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) are working on a novel treatment approach for blood poisoning. They aim to remove bacteria from the blood using magnetic purification, which could potentially replace antibiotics in some cases.

When neurons are 'born' impacts olfactory behavior in mice

A study by NC State University researchers found that adult-born olfactory neurons play a crucial role in processing novel food odors, but not aversive odors. The researchers used chemogenetic methods to selectively silence these neurons and observed the impact on behavior.

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.

New moms moving toward the bottle

A UBC study found that new moms transitioning to expressed breast milk typically stop breastfeeding earlier than peers, raising concerns about infant health. The research suggests inadequate lactation support may contribute to this trend.

Molecular switches researched in detail

The researchers used spectroscopy to visualize the arginine finger bonded to the GTP molecule at high precision, revealing how its snap affects geometry and charge distribution. This discovery has implications for understanding switch processes in the body and developing treatments for cancer and genetic diseases.

Study proposes new protocol for treatment of thalassemia

Researchers found that administering amlodipine alongside chelation therapy effectively reduces cardiac iron in patients with thalassemia major, potentially combating heart failure and fatal arrhythmias. The treatment is considered safe and inexpensive, with no significant side effects.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Greenland on thin ice?

Two studies published in Nature offer new perspectives on the past behavior of Greenland's ice sheet, with one suggesting continuous presence for seven million years while another proposes it was nearly ice-free for at least 280,000 years. The findings highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of the ice sheet.

Blocks of ice demonstrate levitated and directed motion

A team led by Stéphane Dorbolo found that a disk of ice becomes highly mobile due to a levitating layer of water between it and the smooth surface on which it rests and melts. By controlling the flow dynamics of the melted ice, they can direct its motion.

Beware: Children can passively 'smoke' marijuana, too

A new study detected traces of THC, a primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana, in the urine of children exposed to secondary marijuana smoke. Higher concentrations were found in non-white children compared to white children. Researchers call for further investigation into secondhand marijuana smoke exposure as a potential health risk.

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.

Big data approach to water quality applied at shale drilling sites

Researchers at Penn State are using a computer program to analyze water quality data from Pennsylvania's streams, rivers, and private wells to detect potential environmental impacts of Marcellus Shale gas drilling. The study found that methane concentrations tend to be higher around fault lines.

Common insecticides are riskier than thought to predatory insects

Common insecticides like neonicotinoids significantly reduce populations of predatory insects in North American and European farming systems, posing a threat to crop yields. The use of integrated pest management strategies is recommended to conserve beneficial insect species.

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.