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Science News for December 28, 2016


Fenofibrate may reduce heart disease risk in some patients with type 2 diabetes

A new study found that fenofibrate therapy may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes who take statins but still have high triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests a potential benefit of combining fenofibrate with statin treatment for this specific patient population.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateDec 28, 2016

Study unmasks the genetic complexity of cancer cells within the same tumor

A recent study has identified more than 2,000 genetic mutations in tissue samples of esophageal tumors, revealing the complexity of cancer cells within individual tumors. The findings demonstrate that different areas of a tumor have unique genetic patterns, making it difficult to target a specific genetic defect.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 28, 2016

State, regional differences in melanoma rates 2003 vs 2013

According to the study, 11 of the 49 states with reported melanoma incidence rates saw a decrease, while 38 states experienced an increase. The researchers suggest that better treatment may be prolonging the life of patients with melanoma.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateDec 28, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Magnetic stem cells for gene engineering

Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed magnetic stem cells that can target cancer cells with precision and deliver medication directly to the tumor site. The technology uses patient's own magnet-controlled cells, which are not rejected by the immune system and cause less harm.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateDec 28, 2016

Strip tillage, rowcovers for organic cucurbit production

Researchers found that strip tillage systems with rowcovers had lower yields than plasticulture systems, mainly due to specialized equipment needs and weed pressure. Rowcovers reduced insecticide applications but had no significant impact on yield in both systems.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateDec 28, 2016

For welders, Parkinson-like symptoms get worse with exposure

A study published in Neurology found that welders who work with manganese fumes are more likely to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms. The researchers analyzed data from 886 workers and found that cumulative exposure to manganese was associated with a yearly increase in movement problems.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 28, 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.

Management practices recommended for specialty cider apples

A recent study provides recommendations for harvesting and storing specialty cider apples to minimize production costs without compromising juice quality. The study showed that mechanically harvested apples stored for 2-4 weeks had lower yield losses than hand-harvested apples, but may be more prone to rot.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateDec 28, 2016

Economics of forest biomass raise hurdles for rural development

A study by Oregon State University economists found that using residual forest biomass for rural development faces significant economic challenges. The researchers estimated costs of collecting, transporting, and processing biomass, concluding that targeted subsidies or support are needed to make facilities viable in remote communities.

SourceOregon State University·JournalForest Policy and Economics·DateDec 28, 2016

Divide and conquer pattern searching

Researchers at KAUST developed ScaleMine, a system that accelerates frequent subgraph mining (FSM) by up to ten-fold, allowing for faster analysis of large graph data. The new approach uses a two-step process to divide and conquer the search space, resulting in significant performance improvements.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·DateDec 28, 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.

Report: New treatment for glioblastoma multiforme developed by NFCR scientists

Researchers from the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) have discovered a new pharmacological agent to treat glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly brain cancer. The treatment has shown profound survival benefits in pre-clinical models when combined with radiation.

SourceNational Foundation for Cancer Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 28, 2016

Predicting and preventing violence against criminal justice officials

A scoring system, known as Dr. Logan's triage tool, can help law enforcement identify high-risk individuals who may pose a threat to criminal justice officials. The tool assesses danger-related factors such as rule breaking, violence at a young age, and substance abuse to predict attacks against police, judges, and other officials.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalViolence and Gender·DateDec 28, 2016

Cycling in bed is safe for ICU patients: Hamilton study

Researchers at McMaster University have demonstrated that early in-bed cycling sessions can safely start with critically ill ICU patients. The TryCYCLE study shows cycling within four days of mechanical ventilation can help these patients walk farther upon hospital discharge.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 28, 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.

Study provides evidence on movement of potato famine pathogen

A study by NC State researchers analyzed 183 phytophthora infestans samples from across the globe to track the pathogen's movement. FAM-1 lineage was found in US, Europe, and Colombia, suggesting a South American origin. The pathogen has caused massive disease outbreaks worldwide, with billions spent annually on control measures.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 28, 2016

Lotus stir-fry scores high in consumer panels

A new study reveals a niche market opportunity for locally cultivated lotus rhizomes in the US, with participants preferring stir-fry over other preparations. The research suggests potential demand for fresh lotus rhizomes among health-conscious individuals.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateDec 28, 2016

New Neiman Health Policy Institute reports examine MACRA's impact on radiologists

The reports found that CMS' proposed criteria for special considerations would result in many radiologists being evaluated using measures not reflective of their practice. Alternative criteria could help ensure fair opportunities for success in performance review under MIPS.

SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateDec 28, 2016