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Science News Archive December 2016 - Page 22


Page 22 of 32
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.

Antidepressant effects of ketamine

A new study suggests that a metabolite of ketamine can produce antidepressant-like effects in mice, potentially leading to further research on the efficacy and safety of ketamine in humans. Ketamine has been shown to have rapid and potent antidepressant effects in humans, even in those resistant to traditional treatments.

SourceAmerican College of Neuropsychopharmacology·DateDec 8, 2016

Moderate exercise improves memory dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes

Researchers found that moderate exercise improved spatial memory impairments in type 2 diabetic rats, possibly due to increased lactate levels and normalization of glycogen levels. Exercise also normalized MCT2 expression, which may be a key mechanism underlying the improved memory function.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalDiabetologia·DateDec 8, 2016

Immune system's 'workaround' may explain heart disease in psoriasis patients

Researchers discovered that blocking IL-6 in psoriasis patients may not prevent skin inflammation, but its levels are central to thrombosis events triggered by skin inflammation. A compensatory 'workaround' mechanism involving other immune system molecules is proposed to explain the findings.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJCI Insight·DateDec 8, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Copeptin levels associated with renal and cardiac disease in type 1 diabetes patients

A study found that type 1 diabetes patients with elevated albumin in their urine had triple the risk of life-threatening kidney and cardiac disease compared to those with normal levels. Copeptin levels were significantly higher in these patients, suggesting a new potential target for therapies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Diabetes and its Complications·DateDec 8, 2016

Researchers question lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis

A team of researchers suggests that the lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis, once thought to be absolute, may not be as robust as previously believed. Studies have shown that even expectant mothers infected with Toxoplasma gondii at birth can still test positive for antibodies, challenging the long-held dogma.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Parasitology·DateDec 8, 2016

Against the tide: A fish adapts quickly to lethal levels of pollution

Atlantic killifish have evolved remarkable resilience to toxic industrial pollutants, with genetic diversity playing a key role in their adaptation. The study's findings could help explain how genetic differences among humans contribute to varying sensitivity to environmental chemicals.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 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.

Transplanted interneurons can help reduce fear in mice

Researchers have discovered that transplanting immature interneurons into the brains of mice can help reduce fear response. The study found that these transplanted cells reactivated a juvenile-like plasticity in the mature amygdala, enhancing synaptic plasticity and modulating fear extinction behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateDec 8, 2016

Going with the flow: Facile synthesis of a complex biologically active oligopeptide

Researchers have developed a facile synthesis method for complex biologically active oligopeptides, including feglymycin. The new approach uses micro-flow amide bond formation to overcome challenges in synthesizing arylglycine-containing peptides, which are present in various natural products with potent biological activity.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2016
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.

GPs not dissatisfied with performance related pay, study finds

A University of Manchester study of 2,000 UK doctors found no link between performance-related pay and GP job satisfaction. Despite concerns over its impact on morale, the study suggests that dropping performance-related pay may not increase satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateDec 8, 2016

An anti-CRISPR for gene editing

Scientists have isolated three families of proteins that can turn off CRISPR-Cas9 systems specifically used for gene editing. This discovery offers a new strategy to prevent unintended changes in the genome, making gene editing more precise and controlled.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 8, 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.

EEG reveals information essential to users

A study by Aalto University and the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology used EEG to model user interest in Wikipedia articles, predicting search intentions and recommending relevant documents. This technology has potential to assist humans by automatically monitoring and gathering information through wearable EEG sensors.

SourceAalto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 8, 2016

What to do with the data?

Researchers are preparing to tackle an onslaught of petabytes of complex data from sophisticated experiments, including CERN's Large Hadron Collider. To keep up with the challenge, experts propose developing exascale supercomputers and smarter networks, as well as reengineering software to adapt to future hardware developments.

SourceDOE/US Department of Energy·DateDec 8, 2016

Perspectives on magnetic reconnection

Researchers provide a major perspective on four key problems in magnetic reconnection, including the rate problem, trigger problem, energetics problem, and interplay of scales problem. The study advances understanding of these puzzles using data from satellite sightings, laboratory experiments, and computer simulations.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateDec 8, 2016

Rice scientists' study of human migration could help understand cancer metastasis

Researchers used a model to simulate human migration in the Americas, finding that east-west migration was easier due to transferable knowledge. The study reveals how modularity of knowledge interacts with asymmetry during migration, with implications for understanding cancer metastasis and other biological systems.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 8, 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.

How miniature predators get their favorite soil bacteria

Tiny soil predators called protists 'eavesdrop' on bacteria's communication using scent, helping them choose the best prey. The discovery could lead to practical applications in biological pest control and agricultural research.

SourceNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateDec 8, 2016

Protein disrupts infectious biofilms

A team of researchers at Caltech and the University of Oxford identified a protein that degrades and inhibits biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the primary pathogen in cystic fibrosis infections. This discovery offers a new approach to inhibit biofilm development and has promise for treating antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

A nano-roundabout for light

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a nano-roundabout for light signals using an atomic switch, allowing for precise control over the direction of circulation. The system utilizes a bottle resonator and a single rubidium atom to break symmetry and define traffic rules.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Child mummy offers revised history of smallpox

Researchers discovered a 17th-century variola virus in a child mummy, providing a more accurate timeline for the evolution of smallpox. The study suggests that smallpox may have appeared in humans more recently than previously thought, and its evolutionary history was influenced by human migration and colonization.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 8, 2016

Mobile money improves economic well-being in Kenya

A study estimates that mobile money improved the lives of 194,000 Kenyan households, lifting them out of extreme poverty. Increased access to mobile money also boosted long-term consumption, especially among female-headed households.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016
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.

Newly discovered bacteria-binding protein in the intestine

Researchers have identified a key role for ZG16 in protecting the body from intestinal bacteria, preventing inflammation and abdominal fat accumulation. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms of inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2016

Why cryptophyte algae are really good at harvesting light

Cryptophyte algae have been found to harness light energy at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the ability of molecular vibrations to enhance photon absorption. This discovery has potential applications in developing more efficient light-harvesting technologies, such as sensors and communication systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem·DateDec 8, 2016

Graphene-infused silly putty detects human respiration, spider footsteps

Researchers created graphene-infused G-putty, a highly sensitive material that detects heart rates through skin and individual spider footsteps. The unique substance surpasses conventional strain sensors in sensitivity, with potential applications in various fields.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

How turtles and crocodiles lost parietal eye and differing color vision adaptations

Scientists have traced back 200 million years of eye evolution in turtles and crocodiles, discovering that their adaptations led to the loss of color vision. Turtles developed reduced color vision for freshwater habitats, while crocodiles adapted for dim light.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateDec 8, 2016

Prof Steve WaiChing Sun wins Air Force's Young Investigator Program Award

Sun, a civil engineering and engineering mechanics professor at Columbia University, has won the award for his project on modeling high-rate responses of wetted granular materials. He aims to improve predictions of large-scale field problems using insights from small-scale observations and simulations.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateDec 8, 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.

Vaping robots measure e-cig vapor delivered to lung cells in the lab

Researchers used smoking/vaping robots to study e-cigarette aerosol's effect on human lung cells. The results show that e-cigarette aerosol is effectively delivered to cell surfaces, despite having a reduced biological impact compared to cigarette smoke.

SourceR&D at British American Tobacco·JournalChemistry Central Journal·DateDec 8, 2016

State of the art sensors made from graphene and children's toy silly putty

Researchers have created extremely sensitive sensors using graphene-infused silly putty, which can measure breathing, pulse, and blood pressure with unprecedented sensitivity. The material shows promise for applications in medical devices and diagnostics, offering a potentially inexpensive alternative to traditional sensors.

SourceAMBER Centre·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Researchers find the incident commander in the brain's defence system

Microglia coordinates reinforcements to warn neighbouring cells of invading virus, recruiting astroglia and neurons to remove injured or killed cells. The discovery aims to contribute to new treatment of brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2016
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.

Keeping electric car design on the right road

Researchers assess environmental costs of electric vehicles, identifying material trade-offs to mitigate climate change. A new framework guides developers in choosing sustainable materials for batteries and fuel cells.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 8, 2016

Report proposes standards for sharing data and code used in computational studies

A new report by University of Illinois professors recommends standardizing sharing of data sets and software code to improve reproducibility in computational research. The recommendations include documenting digital objects, making datasets and workflows accessible, and implementing reproducibility checks before publication.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Scientists reveal 'safety catch' within all dividing cells

Researchers have made a major discovery about how cells control when to divide, revealing a key part of the cellular machinery that prevents cells from dividing until DNA is properly aligned. This finding could lead to new treatments for cancer by forcing cancer cells into premature division and killing them.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 8, 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.

RNA modification important for brain function

Researchers have found that the RNA modification m6A plays a vital role in regulating genes in the nervous system and influencing sex determination in fruit flies. This study sheds light on the importance of m6A in fine-tuning gene expression and neuronal function.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2016

Study: Running actually lowers inflammation in knee joints

New research from Brigham Young University finds that running decreases pro-inflammatory molecules in the knee joint, reducing inflammation. The study suggests exercise can be a type of medicine for preventing osteoarthritis and delaying its onset.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateDec 8, 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.

Dad's exposure to phthalates in plastics may affect embryonic development

A new study found that paternal phthalate exposure before conception may be associated with lower-quality embryos, with certain chemicals inversely linked to high-quality blastocysts. The research, published in Human Reproduction, suggests a potential link between preconception environmental health and reproductive success.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateDec 7, 2016

Research into the theoretical bases of future wireless communications

The project aims to establish a theoretical framework for low-latency wireless communications, enabling the design of novel systems with improved efficiency. Current systems rely on large correction codes to protect against transmission errors, but future systems will exchange information in real-time, requiring shorter correction codes.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·DateDec 7, 2016

Research aims to improve In vitro fertilization success rates

New research from Simon Fraser University aims to revolutionize In vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates using machine vision software. The software analyzes images of embryos with confirmed pregnancy outcomes to identify key developmental attributes, increasing the likelihood of successful clinical pregnancies.

SourceSimon Fraser University·DateDec 7, 2016

Unique visual stimulation may be new treatment for Alzheimer's

Researchers at MIT have developed a noninvasive technique using LED lights to reduce beta amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment induces gamma oscillations, which suppress beta amyloid production and invigorate cells responsible for destroying the plaques.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 7, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New discovery may lead to the development of super premium gasoline

Researchers at the University of Illinois have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the petroleum industry. By altering the molecular structure of alkanes, they can significantly increase their flow rate, potentially reducing fueling times to mere seconds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 7, 2016

Fighting contaminated land with help from the humble fruit

Researchers found a gene from the common fruit fly that can be expressed in plants to improve TNT removal from contaminated soil. The breakthrough has the potential to clean up millions of hectares of land contaminated by munitions.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNew Phytologist·DateDec 7, 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.

TET proteins drive early neurogenesis

Researchers have discovered that TET proteins, which modify methyl groups attached to cytosine, influence gene expression and facilitate the removal of these marks. This dynamic modulation is critical for driving developmental gene expression programs in early embryos, particularly in neural tissue formation.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2016

Brain activity may predict risk of falls in older adults

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that brain activity while walking and talking can predict the risk of falling. The study, published in Neurology, involved 166 healthy older adults who were asked to perform tasks such as walking and reciting letters. The researchers found that elevated brain activity during thes...

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateDec 7, 2016

Applicability of dynamic facilitation theory to binary hard disk systems

A team of scientists used numerical methods to investigate the glass transition behavior of binary mixtures under supercompressed conditions. They found that the dynamic facilitation theory correctly predicted the relaxation dynamics in these systems, supporting its applicability to hard disk systems at high pressure.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2016