Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for December 26, 2016


Dental implants with antibacterial activity

Scientists at the University of the Basque Country have created coatings for dental implants that can prevent bacterial colonization and adhesion. The new coatings were developed using sol-gel synthesis and added antibacterial agents, achieving successful results in preventing osseointegration problems and infections.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateDec 26, 2016

Scientists develop method to warn of toxic algae blooms before they develop

Scientists have developed a method to predict full-scale algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs, enabling resource managers to take action before they develop. Automated monitoring systems that identify regime shifts can detect early warnings more than two weeks prior to the bloom.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 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.

Synthetic stem cells could offer therapeutic benefits, reduced risks

Researchers have developed synthetic stem cells that mimic natural cardiac stem cells, promoting tissue repair and reducing risks of tumor growth and immune rejection. These cells are more durable, can be used off-the-shelf, and can tolerate harsh freezing and thawing.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 26, 2016

Scientists develop novel assay to decode functional elements of genome

Researchers have created a novel method called RESA to identify mRNA-regulatory sequences in embryos, providing insights into the maternal-to-zygote transition and gene regulation. This breakthrough has broad applications for studying genetics and biology across various species.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 26, 2016

Sprinting towards extinction? Cheetah numbers crash globally

The cheetah is sprinting towards extinction with only 7,100 individuals remaining, highlighting the need for landscape-wide conservation efforts. The species' dramatic decline is driven by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trafficking, requiring a paradigm shift in conservation approaches.

SourcePanthera·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2016

Experimental therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome shows promise in mice

Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare genetic disorder affecting children, by activating silenced genes. The NIH-funded study found that two drugs, UNC0638 and UNC0642, improved survival and growth outcomes in mice with PWS.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 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.

Nanodiscs deliver personalized cancer therapy to immune system

Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully tested nanodiscs in mice for personalized cancer immunotherapy. The therapeutic vaccine targets cancer mutations and generates T-cells that recognize unique neoantigens, leading to the elimination of cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 26, 2016

Study: Hospital readmission rates decrease after passage of ACA financial penalties

A new analysis found that hospitals with high readmission rates for Medicare patients with certain health conditions saw significant decreases after the passage of the Affordable Care Act's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. The poorest performing hospitals achieved the greatest reductions in readmission rates, suggesting that fi...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 26, 2016

Potential drug appears to ease effects of Prader-Willi syndrome

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome using G9a inhibitors. The study suggests that these small molecules can activate the maternal copy of the gene responsible for the disorder, leading to improved growth and lifespan in mice with Prader-Willi syndrome.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 26, 2016

Naturally occurring mechanism of cancer drug-resistance may itself be a treatment target

A new study reveals that cancer cells can develop resistance to proteasome inhibitors by suppressing the expression of proteasome subunits, leading to a broadly altered cell state with unique vulnerabilities. This finding may expose opportunities for targeted therapies that can be effective against diverse cancers.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 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.

Calcium aids chromosome condensation prior to cell division

Researchers at Osaka University have found that calcium ions control chromosome condensation during mitosis, preventing misalignment and promoting compaction. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind chromosome structure and organization.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 26, 2016

Could disease 'tolerance' genes give new life to UK ash trees?

Researchers at the University of York have identified genetic markers for disease tolerance in UK ash trees, suggesting they may be able to withstand a devastating fungal infection. This discovery could contribute to breeding new varieties of ash that are tolerant to the disease.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature·DateDec 26, 2016

Shoulder pain linked to increased heart disease risk

A new study finds that individuals with symptoms at increased risk for heart disease are more likely to have shoulder problems, including joint pain and rotator cuff injury. The research suggests that controlling blood pressure and other heart risk factors may alleviate shoulder discomfort.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·DateDec 26, 2016
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.

Fat fuels the road to cancer cell spread

A study published in Nature discovered that fat utilization is required for the development and growth of lymphatic vessels, a key route for cancer cell spread. Researchers found that inhibiting fat usage can control lymphatic vessel growth, offering new avenues for preventing metastasis and treating complications like lymphedema.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature·DateDec 26, 2016

Ash tree genome aids fight against disease

Scientists have sequenced the ash tree genome, which aids the breeding of resistant trees against ash dieback fungus. The UK is home to over 1,000 species that rely on ash trees, making their conservation crucial.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature·DateDec 26, 2016

Biology's 'breadboard'

Researchers have developed a novel GAL4-UAS system for C. elegans, allowing for systematic perturbation of the nervous system and creation of a database linking neural activity to behaviors. This 'breadboard' system enables precise control of neural activity, simplifying the study of nervous system function.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 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.

Single protein may hold secret to treating Parkinson's disease and more

Researchers have found that activating the protein Nrf2 can restore normal levels of disease-causing proteins in cells, preventing cell death. In models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, Nrf2 was shown to protect cells against the disease better than any other treatment.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 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.

Preventing too much immunity

Researchers at Osaka University discovered a molecular mechanism underlying some autoimmune diseases. Satb1 regulates the development of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), which are essential for controlling hyperactive immune systems.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Immunology·DateDec 26, 2016

Ash dieback: Insect threat to fungus-resistant trees

Scientists found that resistant ash trees have low levels of chemicals defending against insects, highlighting a potential trade-off in tree resilience. Researchers warn against selecting trees for fungal resistance at the expense of insect protection.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·DateDec 26, 2016

Mechanisms in reversible infantile liver failure illuminated

A novel murine model reveals MTU1's importance in regulating mitochondrial protein translation and embryonic development. The study found a conditional knockout mouse line with liver-specific MTU1 deficiency exhibited signs of liver damage, altered metabolism, and increased FGF21 levels.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 26, 2016

Researchers map how the brain processes faces from sight to recognition

A study published in PNAS used MEG and computational methods to measure real-time brain processes converting face appearance into recognition. The research team mapped brain activity for each point in time, identifying which parts of the brain encode appearance-based information versus identity-based information.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 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.