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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 6 of 32

Huntington's disease linked to dysfunction of brain structure

Researchers identified a link between Huntington's disease and dysfunction of the subthalamic nucleus, leading to progressive loss of nerve cells and debilitating symptoms. The study suggests that early problems in the subthalamic nucleus contribute to the development of the disease.

Inside the world of cell signaling: A G-protein breakthrough

Researchers have developed small proteins called peptides that selectively block a certain type of G-protein signaling. These peptides will be used to study this process in cells and develop potential drugs for diseases involving abnormal G-protein signaling, including melanoma.

Speeding up comprehension with grasping actions

Grasping actions have been shown to accelerate the brain's comprehension process, allowing for a faster interpretation of words. This new method could be used in therapies for aphasia, a language disorder affecting stroke patients, by utilizing motor training through grip movements to strengthen word recognition.

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.

Hawaii's newest species named in honor of President Obama

Scientists have discovered a new species of coral-reef fish, Tosanoides obama, that lives exclusively within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The fish is special because it is the only known species of coral-reef fish endemic to the Monument.

Rat study provides insights on tendon overuse injuries

Researchers found rotator cuff tendon overuse leads to degeneration of the shoulder tendon and osteoarthritis-like changes to neighboring cartilage. The study may help clinicians determine optimal treatment for tendon overuse injuries, reducing further damage.

Threading the RSV vaccine needle

Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have engineered a live attenuated RSV vaccine candidate that is highly effective in mice and cotton rats. The vaccine, called OE4, induces high levels of antibody production while maintaining its immunogenicity, making it a promising candidate for further clinical investigation.

NEJM reports on study of waitlisted opioid-dependent adults

A study by Stacey Sigmon found that an Interim Buprenorphine Treatment regimen significantly reduced illicit opioid use and psychological symptoms in waitlisted adults. The treatment involved daily monitoring calls and bi-weekly clinic visits, resulting in excellent adherence rates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New instrumentation for research

The DFG is funding 12 projects to develop new instrumentation technologies for basic research. A new X-ray system will be built at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, enabling researchers to analyze reinforced concrete components in unprecedented detail.

Magnetic force pulls baby reef fish back home

A groundbreaking study has shown that baby reef fish possess an internal magnetic 'compass' that enables them to swim towards their home reef at night. The researchers, led by Professor Mike Kingsford, found that the tiny Cardinal fish can use their magnetic senses to orient themselves in total darkness.

Cerium hexaboride challenges physicists to come up with new theory

Researchers discovered unusual phenomena in a single cerium hexaboride crystal, exceeding theoretical expectations and sparking new research directions. The study offers a way to test the validity of accepted scientific theories, emphasizing the importance of recognizing fundamental results over practical applications.

Distinctive brain pattern may underlie dyslexia

A new study suggests that reduced neural adaptation in people with dyslexia may underlie their difficulty learning to read. This reduced plasticity affects not only reading but also other perceptual tasks, indicating a broader impact on the brain.

Analysis examines characteristics of users of online infidelity matchmaking

Researchers studied data from Ashley Madison to identify key characteristics of its users. Income proved to be a significant factor, indicating the service behaves like a luxury good. Religiosity also showed a notable correlation with user spending rates, decreasing by 18% for every additional religious congregation per 1,000 people.

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.

NASA looks at rainfall rates in Tropical Cyclone Yvette

Tropical Cyclone Yvette formed in the Indian Ocean with intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall rates of over 127 mm per hour. The GPM satellite revealed the 3D structure of precipitation in storms near the center of circulation, with some storm tops reaching altitudes above 17 km.

Impact of climate change on microbial biodiversity

Research suggests that climate change affects microbial biodiversity most strongly in natural environments and those with high nutrient levels. The study found that warming temperatures lead to a decline in biodiversity as enrichment increases.

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.

Study shows discrimination interacts with genetics and impacts health

A University of Florida study found that discrimination interacts with certain genetic variants to alter blood pressure and increase the risk of hypertension. Vicarious unfair treatment, or experiencing discrimination through close friends and family, also had a significant impact on stress levels.

Driverless platoons

MIT engineers analyzed a simple vehicle-platooning scenario and found that relatively simple scheduling policies can save fuel and minimize delays for autonomous vehicle fleets. The findings may also apply to conventional long-distance trucking and ride-sharing services.

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.

Coffee-ring phenomenon explained in new theory

Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have modeled how a colloidal droplet evaporates and found a previously overlooked mechanism that determines particle deposition dynamics. The discovery builds on existing work, allowing scientists to manipulate solute particles by altering surface tension.

Discovering the origin of mouth and anus

A Norwegian ground-breaking study reveals that the mouth and anus do not originate from a common blastopore as previously thought. The research suggests that the formation of either organ is a consequence of how each embryo is organized during early development.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Pittsburgh teen girls take barely half the steps recommended for health

A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that teenage girls in urban settings took significantly fewer steps per day than their suburban counterparts, averaging only about 5% of the recommended daily activity level. This disparity puts them at risk for poor quality of life and chronic diseases.

Gelatin supplements, good for your joints?

A new study found that consuming gelatin supplements combined with intense exercise can improve collagen synthesis and strengthen engineered lab-grown ligaments. The research suggests a potential role for gelatin and vitamin C in injury prevention and tissue repair.

Cancer registries in resource-constrained countries can inform policy

A special issue of Cancer Epidemiology shows that cancer registries in Kenya, Uganda, Colombia, India, and Barbados can provide valuable data for policy-making on cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. The low cost of registration per person and economies of scale make them a viable option for resource-constrained countries.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study provides clues to improving fecal microbiota transplantation

A study published in mBio found that fecal microbiota transplantation was effective in treating recurrent C. difficile infection, with cure rates over 90%. The researchers identified specific microorganisms, such as Clostridium Xia clade and Holdemania, which are key for a successful transplant.

As children with autism age, services to help with transition needed

Adolescents with autism face significant stress as they transition to adulthood, with difficulties in accessing services and adapting to change being major concerns. Social workers can play a vital role in supporting families by coordinating essential services such as medical treatment and independent living.

Model demonstrates high-quality patient care while reducing costs

A pilot study at Nationwide Children's Hospital demonstrates that a local learning health system can improve clinical quality while reducing healthcare costs. The study implemented an electronic health record and robust care coordination system, resulting in significant reductions in hospital days, admissions, and urgent care visits, a...

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.

Double effort against Rett's syndrome

Scientists at SISSA have developed a method to stimulate genes to work twice as hard to compensate for missing genes, potentially treating diseases like Rett's syndrome by leveraging the gene's natural endogenous regulation

New model more accurately predicts breast cancer risk in Hispanic women

A new breast cancer model developed by Kaiser Permanente researcher Matthew P. Banegas accurately predicts breast cancer risk in Hispanic patients based on data from Hispanic women. The model, added to the National Cancer Institute's online tool, corrects underestimation of breast cancer risk in Hispanic women.

Good news and bad news about forest fragmentation

A recent study found that fragmented forest edges in New England absorb more carbon than expected due to increased growth rates, but also experience more heat stress. This mixed outcome suggests that while forests may be valuable carbon sinks, they are also sensitive to climate change.

Why some people may not respond to the malaria vaccine

Researchers found that exposure to malaria's blood stage inhibits the formation of protective immune cells and antibodies. This discovery highlights the need for a vaccine that targets both stages of infection to effectively prevent malaria.

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.

Climate change skepticism may hinge on personal experience

A study by Boston University professor Robert Kaufmann found that experiencing record high or low temperatures affects people's belief in climate change. Local high and low temperatures can influence whether individuals in the US believe in global warming, with recent record lows promoting skepticism.

Predicting future sports rankings from evolving performance

A team of Mexican scientists used tennis, chess, golf, poker, and football performances to identify universal features in hierarchical structure creation. They found that ranking hierarchies may be driven by the same underlying generic mechanisms as rank formation, regardless of sport characteristics.

Mapping the molecules made by a lichen's resident microbes

An international team of researchers has spatially mapped molecules produced by an intact, complex microbial community for the first time. They used imaging mass spectrometry to track and plot metabolites made by both bacterial and fungal lichen members.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Neutron diffraction probes forms of carbon dioxide in extreme environments

Researchers use neutron diffraction to study high-pressure and high-temperature phases of solid carbon dioxide, shedding light on the Earth's carbon cycle and potential for carbon substitution with silicon dioxide. The study provides new insights into the behavior of carbon dioxide under extreme conditions.

Dynamic changes, regulatory rewiring occur as Tcells respond to infection

Researchers mapped the molecular pathways and signaling circuits of CD8+ T cells responding to infections and cancer. They identified novel biological pathways and discovered highly dynamic processes as these cells develop. The study aims to help advance vaccine development and cancer immunotherapy.

A social network for fish

Researchers at the University of Lincoln have secured £300,000 funding to develop an automated social network analysis tool for monitoring zebrafish and rainbow trout welfare.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Heart valves strive to get oxygen one way or another

Rice University scientists studied physical and computer models of heart valves to learn how oxygen feeds them. The study revealed that aortic and mitral valves handle stress differently, with the former prompting angiogenesis and the latter transforming into cartilage-like tissue. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to new ways to...

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.

UMass Amherst nursing students learn brief effective substance abuse screening

UMass Amherst nursing students are trained in the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) technique to identify signs of substance abuse and provide early interventions. The program aims to equip healthcare workers with skills to address addictive behaviors and promote holistic approaches to patient care.

Traffic fatalities decline in states with medical marijuana laws

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that states with medical marijuana laws experienced an 11% reduction in traffic fatalities, with the greatest impact on drivers aged 15-24 and 25-44. Dispensaries were also associated with a significant reduction in traffic fatalities among this age group.

Spicy molecule inhibits growth of breast cancer cells

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that capsaicin, an active ingredient in chilli peppers, inhibits the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells by activating the TRPV1 receptor. The treatment also causes tumour cells to die and reduces their ability to form metastases.

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.