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Science News for February 19, 2016


Gene therapy: T cells target mutations to fight solid tumors

Researchers develop gene therapy using T cells to target cancer mutations, reducing side effects. The approach involves transferring tumor-specific T cell receptors into fresh T cells, enabling them to fight tumors.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 19, 2016

Uninsured children most at risk for insufficient health care experiences

Researchers found that uninsured children have the lowest and most unstable medical home experiences, despite being in greatest need of constant, quality care. The study emphasizes the need for extra efforts to ensure all children have access to quality healthcare, even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateFeb 19, 2016

Georgetown ID specialist discusses global health leadership and Zika at ICID

Georgetown infectious disease expert Daniel Lucey discusses the importance of global health leadership in responding to the Zika virus pandemic. He shares his experience working with clinicians and epidemiologists in Brazil and West Africa, highlighting the need for collaborative approaches to address emerging infectious diseases.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateFeb 19, 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.

New device may speed up DNA insertion into bacteria

A new device may significantly speed up the process of inserting DNA into bacteria, which is a critical first step in genetic engineering. The device, developed by MIT engineers, uses a microfluidic system to identify optimal electric field conditions for reversible membrane poration.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 2016

NASA sees major Tropical Cyclone Winston approaching Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Winston is intensifying near Fiji, with NASA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing images of the strengthening storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts Winston to make landfall on the east coast of Fiji as a major Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic damage and power outages.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 19, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

60 years after pioneering survey, Wisconsin prairies are changing rapidly

A recent study found that human influence has accelerated the rate of species change in Wisconsin prairies, with some sites having fewer than 18% of original species and more than 60% non-native species. Controlled fires are being shown to be beneficial for restoring native habitat.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2016
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.

Some hospice patients experience care transitions near life's end

A study found that hospice patients experience multiple care transitions near the end of life, with more than half going to hospitals. These transitions are often associated with younger or non-white patients, those with multiple chronic conditions, or in-patient hospice care. The number of transitions varies widely by state.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 19, 2016

Seeking Zika: Where and when will Zika-carrying mosquitoes strike next?

Researchers are studying the socio-ecology and climate responses of dengue and Zika virus transmission in coastal Ecuador to understand risk landscape and develop effective interventions. They are developing mathematical models to predict future changes in virus transmission under climate change.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateFeb 19, 2016

Better survival of implanted cells improves healing of bone fractures

Researchers from KU Leuven develop a technique to precondition bone cells for improved survival, increasing their chances of repairing large bone fractures. By activating a dual defense mechanism, the cells can store energy and produce antioxidants, leading to better healing outcomes.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalCell Metabolism·DateFeb 19, 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.

Tracking El Niño's impact

A team of geologists at UC Santa Barbara is measuring coastal erosion and the effects of sea level rise and higher energy storms brought by El Niño this winter. The study aims to simulate future climate conditions and provide insights into California's coast a century from now.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateFeb 19, 2016

Scientists discover secret to promising new cancer drug

Researchers have discovered how nutlins work by activating the body's natural cancer-suppressing mechanism, gene P53, and triggering programmed cell death in blood cancer cells. This breakthrough paves the way for more precise and personalized medical treatments for cancer.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 19, 2016

How a waste product of exercise protects neurons from trauma damage

Researchers discovered that lactate, a waste product of exercise, can protect neurons against excitotoxicity, a process that damages nerve cells after stroke or spinal cord injury. Lactate triggers the production of ATP, activating defense mechanisms that help neurons withstand overwhelming signals from NMDA receptors.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 2016

Researchers demonstrate 'quantum surrealism'

New research by Aephraim Steinberg and colleagues shows that quantum particles can exhibit 'surrealistic' behavior, contradicting the De Broglie-Bohm theory's claim of realistic trajectories. The findings suggest that non-locality is key to understanding these seemingly 'surreal' paths.

SourceCIFAR·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2016

Immunity gene fusions uncovered in plants

Researchers have identified plant immune receptors with additional integrated domains that mimic authentic host targets of pathogen effectors. These discoveries provide new insights into plant disease resistance and may help scientists develop sustainable production methods for key crops.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalBMC Biology·DateFeb 19, 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.

Antibody provide a more exact Alzheimer's diagnosis radioactive tracers

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new PET imaging method that uses monoclonal antibodies to provide more precise information on the brain than traditional radioactive tracers. The method has shown high specificity and can monitor the progression of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for better assessment of medication effects.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2016

Topological insulators: Magnetism is not causing loss of conductivity

Researchers have shown that magnetism does not cause topological insulators to lose their conductivity. Instead, they found a band gap that is significantly larger than predicted by theory and involves a different causal mechanism. The study suggests that scattering processes may be responsible for opening the band gap.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2016

Eye movement affected in former childhood cancer patients

A study from Lund University in Sweden found that childhood cancer survivors who received certain types of chemotherapy may experience impaired eye movement and balance. The study, which included 23 childhood cancer survivors, compared their eye movement skills to those of healthy individuals of the same age.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 19, 2016

Does sexual aggression alter the female brain?

A Rutgers study found that prepubescent female rodents paired with sexually experienced males exhibited elevated stress hormones, reduced learning capabilities, and decreased maternal behaviors. This research sheds light on the consequences of sexual aggression in females, which is crucial for understanding its impact on women's mental...

SourceRutgers University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 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.

Bath salts difficult to detect in biological samples, SHSU study finds

A recent study from Sam Houston State University highlights the difficulties in detecting synthetic cathinones in biological samples due to their thermal degradation and instability. The researchers emphasize the need for a systematic approach to understanding the structural facets of these compounds to improve detection methods.

SourceSam Houston State University·JournalJournal of Analytical Toxicology·DateFeb 19, 2016

Blood test could transform tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment in developing countries

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a simple blood test that can accurately diagnose active tuberculosis, setting the stage for a significant transformation in disease control. The test works on ordinary blood samples and distinguishes patients with active TB from those with latent TB or other diseases.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateFeb 19, 2016

Stretchable nano-devices towards smart contact lenses

Scientists at RMIT University and the University of Adelaide developed a stretchable device that can filter specific colors while remaining transparent. This technology has the potential to make smart contact lenses that can filter harmful optical radiation without interfering with vision.

SourceRMIT University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 19, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Breakthrough in dynamically variable negative stiffness structures

HRL Laboratories developed an active variable stiffness vibration isolator capable of 100x stiffness changes and millisecond actuation times. This innovation solves long-standing challenges in shock and vibration problems for next-generation transportation platforms.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2016

Montana State University microbiologists advance CRISPR research

Researchers from Montana State University and collaborators from Cornell and Johns Hopkins universities have made a breakthrough in understanding how bacteria's CRISPRs distinguish between self and non-self DNA. This discovery has significant implications for the development of novel technologies to treat genetic diseases.

SourceMontana State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 19, 2016

Shape-shifting engineered nanoparticles for delivering cancer drugs to tumors

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed shape-shifting nanoparticles that can target and deliver cancer drugs to specific tumor types. The system uses modular particles attached to DNA sequences to gain access to diseased tissue, minimizing collateral damage.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalScience·DateFeb 19, 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.

TSRI and JCVI scientists find popular stem cell techniques safe

Researchers assessed three methods of induced pluripotent stem cell production and found no significant risk of cancer-causing mutations. However, they warn that harmful mutations can accumulate later on as iPSCs multiply in lab cultures.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 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.

New study finds Transcendental Meditation reduces stress in family caregivers

A recent study found that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and fatigue in family caregivers, while improving spiritual well-being. The technique helped caregivers manage chronic illnesses and their own physical health, leading to a calmer and more patient state.

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalInternational Archives of Nursing and Health Care·DateFeb 19, 2016

'Ice age blob' of warm ocean water discovered south of Greenland

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a warm ocean surface water prevailed during the last ice age, causing gradual climate changes. The Nordic seas, just south of Iceland, followed an Antarctic pattern of warming and cooling, contradicting previous 'seesaw' hypothesis.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 2016

3-D protein map offers new malaria vaccine hope

Scientists have created the first 3D 'map' of a critical protein used by Plasmodium vivax to infect human red blood cells. This discovery could lead to a vaccine targeting both the most prevalent and deadly malaria parasites. Understanding how the parasite enters red blood cells is essential for developing strategies to prevent malaria.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 19, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of obesity

A rat study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that exposure to Beijing's polluted air increases weight and metabolic dysfunctions. The study also showed that pregnant rats exposed to polluted air had higher levels of insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 19, 2016

New research reveals sound of deep-water animal migration

Scientists have discovered a distinct low-frequency hum associated with the daily migrations of deep-sea fish and squid. The sound could help scientists better understand this mysterious ecosystem and potentially inform our understanding of climate change's impact on ocean food webs.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·DateFeb 19, 2016

Common problem for older adults: Losing the 5 key senses

A study found that 94% of older adults experience sensory loss, with hearing and vision being the most affected. Multisensory losses are linked to poor quality of life and increased mortality.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 19, 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.

Ancient lone star lizard lounged in lush, tropical Texas

Researchers discovered a new species of extinct worm lizard in Texas, dubbed the 'Lone Star' lizard. The discovery sheds light on how certain animal groups responded to climate change in the past and provides insight into potential future adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateFeb 19, 2016

Stroke survivors using mail order pharmacies more likely to take meds

Research shows that stroke patients who use mail-order pharmacies have higher medication adherence rates compared to those filling prescriptions at local pharmacies. Medication non-adherence is a significant concern in stroke care, and this study highlights the potential benefits of mail-order pharmacy services.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 19, 2016

Binge drinking dangerous for young adults

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre found that young adults who binge drink have higher blood pressure, increasing the risk of developing hypertension. The study reveals that over one in four young adults who binge drink meet the criterion for pre-hypertension.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateFeb 19, 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.