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Science News for February 26, 2016


Breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue -- Differences in outcome with four different techniques

A new study compared four types of abdominal flaps used in breast reconstruction, revealing that muscle-sparing techniques like DIEP and msf-TRAM reduce hernia risks and improve patient satisfaction. The study found these methods to have lower rates of fat necrosis and abdominal morbidity compared to traditional flaps.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 26, 2016

Determining the structures of nanocrystalline pharmaceuticals by electron diffraction

Researchers have developed a new method to determine the structures of nanocrystalline pharmaceuticals, reducing radiation damage and allowing for study at room temperature. The approach uses low-dose electron diffraction with a high-sensitivity detector, enabling the collection of high-quality data for direct crystallography methods.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section A·DateFeb 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.

HIV in Rhode Island: Newly diagnosed men often 'hooked up' online

A study found that over 60% of newly diagnosed men in Rhode Island who have sex with men reported meeting sexual partners online. The researchers propose partnering with companies producing hookup websites and apps to share public health messages about the risks of sexual encounters arranged online.

SourceBrown University·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateFeb 26, 2016

First in-human vaccine study for malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax

Researchers tested a Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidate in 30 volunteers and found that it significantly delayed parasitemia in 59% of vaccinated subjects. The study also identified limitations to primaquine treatment, highlighting the need for improved vaccines.

SourceThe U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 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.

Being overweight linked to poorer memory

Researchers found an association between high BMI and poorer performance on a test of episodic memory in young adults. The study suggests that obesity may be linked to changes in brain structure and function, potentially affecting memory and decision-making abilities.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 26, 2016

NASA's IBEX observations pin down interstellar magnetic field

A new study uses IBEX data to determine the strength and direction of the interstellar magnetic field beyond the solar system, providing insight into the galaxy's magnetic forces. The findings are based on simulations that correctly predict the locations of neutral ribbon particles and agree with Voyager 1 measurements.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 26, 2016

UT Dallas study: WikiLeaks list did not lead to attacks

A new study published in the International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection found no evidence that the WikiLeaks list was a target list for terrorists. The study analyzed over 40,000 terrorism incidents and compared them with the facilities listed on the WikiLeaks memo.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalInternational Journal of Critical Infrastructures·DateFeb 26, 2016

Nature Communications: How metal clusters grow

A team of researchers from Marburg and Karlsruhe has studied the stepwise formation of metal clusters, finding that a transition metal plays a key role in cluster growth. The study provides knowledge for customized optoelectronic and magnetic properties.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 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.

The couple that sings together stays together

Researchers at Cornell University found that fairy-wren pairs who sing duets are less likely to mate with other males, resulting in higher rates of their own genetic offspring. The strong duet-singing response also reduces cuckoldry in these pairs.

SourceCornell University·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 26, 2016

Building living, breathing supercomputers

A team of researchers led by Prof. Nicolau has created a model bio-supercomputer that processes information quickly and accurately using parallel networks, powered by proteins present in all living cells. The device uses much less energy than traditional electronic supercomputers, making it more sustainable.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 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.

Consumers care about carbon footprint

Research shows carbon footprint labels influence consumer choice, with usage-related emissions being most important factor. Consumers value recycling and prefer manufacturers to offset emissions, rather than taking direct action.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making·DateFeb 26, 2016

108 million people have correctable vision impairment, global study estimates

A global study estimates that 101.2 million people suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error (URE), while seven million are blind. The study, published in Optometry and Vision Science, suggests that providing access to affordable glasses could improve the burden of vision loss.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateFeb 26, 2016

Homeless people suffer geriatric conditions decades early, UCSF study shows

Researchers at UCSF discovered that homeless individuals aged 50+ often experience difficulties with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Cognitive and visual impairments are also common, with rates comparable to those of people in their 80s.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateFeb 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.

New research adds additional layer of complexity to human protein landscape

Researchers have discovered alternative protein versions, known as proteoforms, which are stable and tightly regulated, challenging the single gene-single protein theory. This study adds an extra dimension to the human protein landscape, potentially affecting gene editing techniques.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateFeb 26, 2016

Electron microscopy captures snapshot of structure coronaviruses use to enter cells

Researchers have captured a snapshot of how coronaviruses enter cells using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. The atomic model suggests specific vaccine strategies against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. A fusion peptide on the outer edge of the spike protein may be an ideal target for neutralizing coronaviruses.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2016

Women who feel more at risk of crime also prefer physically dominant partners

A study from the University of Leicester found that women who feel more at risk of crime tend to be attracted to physically dominant men. The researchers suggest that this attraction is not based on a desire for protection, but rather a psychological mechanism related to feelings of vulnerability.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateFeb 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.

Artificial control of exciplexes opens possibilities for new electronics

Scientists at Kyushu University developed a strategy to widely vary the emission color and efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes based on exciplexes by changing the distance between key molecules. This technique could lead to new kinds of electronic devices with switching behavior or light emission that reacts to external factors.

SourceKyushu University, OPERA·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 26, 2016

Extreme events in the brain

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new model that simulates the behavior of neurons in the brain during extreme events, such as epileptic seizures. The model reveals how small-world networks can exhibit spontaneous changes, shedding light on the conditions under which these events develop.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 26, 2016

Non-integrating viral vector delivers chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic cancer cells

Researchers develop integrase-defective lentiviral vector to deliver chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic tumor cells, reducing risk of insertional mutagenesis. The system enables high efficacy delivery of the gene that encodes for DCK protein to cancer cells, making them more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateFeb 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.

K-Glass 3 offers users a keyboard to type text

Researchers at KAIST developed K-Glass 3, a smart glasses device with a low-power multicore processor enabling convenient typing and screen pointing. The device features stereo vision and deep-learning algorithms, allowing users to enjoy enhanced AR experiences.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·DateFeb 26, 2016

St. Joseph's Hospital research reveals standard treatment for ovarian cancer

Researchers at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center found that a standard front-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer should involve every three week chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel plus bevacizumab, or weekly dose intense paclitaxel without bevacizumab

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 26, 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.

Zika virus: Approaching the unknown

The Zika virus has been linked to neurological diseases, with estimated 1.5 million cases reported so far. Researchers are urging a rigorous approach to understanding the effects of the virus and developing treatment measures.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2016

Researchers develop realistic system to study impact of residential mold on health

A team of Danish investigators has created a modeling system that actually mimics indoor fungal aerosols, studying the impact of residential mold on human health. The system, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, contains at least eleven species of fungus associated with water damage, found in both Danish and US buildings.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 26, 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.

How plants protect photosynthesis from oxygen

Scientists have identified a protein crucial to assembling the photosynthetic apparatus, which protects it from oxygen's disruptive effects. This discovery sheds light on the early history of photosynthesis and its adaptation to changing atmospheric conditions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2016

World's first parallel computer based on biomolecular motors

Researchers develop new parallel-computing method using nanofabricated channels explored by protein filaments propelled by molecular motors, solving combinatorial problems in a dramatic improvement over conventional computers. The approach is fully scalable with existing technologies and uses orders of magnitude less energy.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2016

Researcher evaluation measures do not add up

The h-index is a widely used measure, but it has significant limitations, including being skewed by specific fields and failing to account for impact beyond the scientific community. Researchers should consider alternative metrics like altmetrics to gain a more complete understanding of a researcher's influence.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Humanities·DateFeb 26, 2016

Researchers find association between oral bacteria and esophageal cancer

Researchers found that Porphyromonas gingivalis is present in 61% of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a type of esophageal cancer. The bacteria was only detected in 12% of tissues adjacent to the cancerous cells, suggesting it may be a risk factor for ESCC.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalInfectious Agents and Cancer·DateFeb 26, 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.

Systems analysis -- from the nanoscale to the global

Researchers will work on two programmes: Nano-Engineered Flow Technologies and MISTRAL, aiming to improve infrastructure design and modeling at the nanoscale. The projects will focus on enhancing fuel efficiency, cooling electronics, and developing visionary technologies.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateFeb 26, 2016

Demirel receives proof-of-concept grant

Demirel is using proteins to coat biomedical swabs, enabling gene analysis from tiny amounts of blood or biological samples. The project has market potential in forensics, genetics and medicine industries.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 26, 2016

Structure of a hantavirus protein as a promising model for drug design

Researchers have identified the three-dimensional structure of a hantavirus protein, providing a promising model for developing drugs against the disease. The protein's circular complexes may play a role in inhibiting viral growth, making it an ideal target for future treatments.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 26, 2016

Preventing protein unfolding

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed a way to prevent protein unfolding under mechanical stress, which causes devastating neurodegenerative diseases. By attaching polymers to proteins, they can stabilize their shape and prevent them from unfolding even when subjected to large forces.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 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.

New research unveils graphene 'moth eyes' to power future smart technologies

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new graphene material with enhanced light absorption, enabling applications such as 'smart wallpaper' that can generate electricity from waste light or heat. The technology uses nanotexturing to localise light into narrow spaces, increasing light absorption by 90%.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 26, 2016

Learn how to fly a plane from expert-pilot brainwave patterns

Researchers from HRL Laboratories used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve pilot learning in a realistic flight simulator. The study found that subjects who received tDCS showed improved piloting abilities, with enhanced skill retention and faster learning rates.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateFeb 26, 2016

Solar cells as light as a soap bubble

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to making solar cells, resulting in the thinnest and lightest complete solar cells ever made. The new process enables the creation of ultra-thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into various materials or surfaces, opening up new possibilities for portable electronic devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Electronics·DateFeb 26, 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.

Why people oppose same-sex marriage

A UCLA psychology study concludes that many people oppose same-sex marriage due to perceived promiscuity among gay individuals, threatening their own marriages and way of life. The researchers measured attitudes and found a strong association between gay couples and the concept of promiscuity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 26, 2016