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Science News Archive February 2016


Page 31 of 39

The geometry of histamine understood by Russican scientists

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University studied histamine molecules using gas electron diffraction and quantum-chemical calculations. They were able to determine the molecule's geometric structure and predict its mechanism of tautomerization, a spontaneous transition between structural states.

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.

Motorboat noise gives predators a deadly advantage

Motorboat noise increases stress levels in young coral reef fish, reducing their ability to flee from predators. This study found that boat noise can halve survival chances and double the capture rate of fish.

Discovery: Many white-tailed deer have malaria

Researchers estimate that up to 25% of white-tailed deer along the East Coast of the United States are infected with Plasmodium odocoilei, a previously unknown malaria parasite. The discovery fundamentally changes our understanding of malaria distribution and evolutionary history in mammals.

New analysis method may reduce need for invasive biopsies

Researchers have developed a chimera design that allows antibodies to cross cell membranes, potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsies. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and viral infections.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Proteomics and precision medicine

A research team at the University of Iowa uses proteomics to create personalized molecular diagnoses, tailoring treatments to individual patients. By analyzing protein profiles, doctors can identify specific disease causes and develop targeted therapies.

The iron stepping stones to better wearable tech without semiconductors

Researchers have created a new material using quantum dots of iron on boron nitride nanotubes, which can replace semiconductors in wearable technology. This new material enables transistors to shrink and reduces heat generation, making it suitable for flexible and efficient wearable electronics.

Biophysics: Partitioning by collision

Researchers have found that mixtures of equally sized particles in solution will demix, or sort themselves, if they differ in their diffusion constants. This phenomenon, known as the Brazil Nut effect, was simulated and explained by a theoretical model, showing that random particle motions play a key role in the process.

Central Appalachia flatter due to mountaintop mining

Researchers at Duke University found that 40 years of mountaintop coal mining has made parts of Central Appalachia 40% flatter than before excavation. The study suggests that this change could lead to increased water quality issues due to the creation of valley fills and changes in water movement.

Motorboat noise gives predators a deadly advantage

A new study found that motorboat noise increases stress levels in young coral reef fish, making them more vulnerable to predators. The team recommends creating marine quiet zones or buffer areas to mitigate this effect and protect the marine environment.

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.

Record Missouri flooding was manmade calamity, scientist says

Scientists found that recent developments near the Meramec River, including a levee and landfill, significantly magnified flood levels. The study showed that floods are becoming more chaotic, unpredictable, and severe due to human activities such as development in floodways and floodplains.

Chromosomes reconfigure as cell division ends

A new study reveals that chromosomes undergo a transformation in senescent cells, with some genes moving into more restrictive compartments. This change affects gene expression and may have implications for health conditions such as aging and cancer.

AMP updates pathology residency curriculum recommendations

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has updated its pathology residency curriculum recommendations, focusing on 10 major molecular pathology topics. The new report aims to equip pathologists with the latest scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations in molecular pathology.

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.

Radar reveals the hidden secrets of wombat warrens

Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers mapped wombat warrens, finding that soil warrens consist of a single tunnel underground, while limestone warrens feature extensive tunnels and chambers. This discovery has important implications for estimating wombat numbers and understanding their social structure.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

No Hib booster needed by vaccinated infants in Kenya

A 15-year study in Kilifi, Kenya found that vaccination reduces the chance of Hib disease by 93% and provides long-lasting protection. The current vaccine schedule is effective without a booster dose, suggesting no need for extra doses.

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.

Racial disparities in kidney transplant outcomes are narrowing

A new study reveals reduced racial disparities in kidney transplant outcomes between black and white recipients over the past 2 decades. The findings show improved organ survival rates for black patients, including those who received live donor or deceased donor kidney transplants.

Diagnosis of rare bleeding disorder improved with super-resolution microscopy

A proof-of-concept study demonstrates a new method using super-resolution microscopy can accurately diagnose rare platelet disorders, offering an alternative to costly and resource-intensive electron microscopy. This innovative approach provides personalized treatment options, saving the NHS money and improving patient outcomes.

Removing race from human genetic research

A team of scientists, including Michael Yudell, Dorothy Roberts, and Sarah Tishkoff, recommend phasing out race from genetic research due to its lack of clear-cut genetic boundaries. Instead, they propose using terms like 'ancestry' or 'population' to describe grouping for studies.

Canadian physicists discover new properties of superconductivity

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered electronic nematicity in superconducting materials, which can lead to enhanced superconductivity. The study used soft x-ray scattering to probe electron scattering in specific layers, revealing a universal feature in cuprate high-temperature superconductors.

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.

C. diff study provides insight into antibiotic resistance and risks for infection

Exposure to specific antibiotics is linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant C. difficile , one of the fastest growing bacteria superbugs. The study found that fluoroquinolone and macrolide exposure was more frequent in patients with a highly resistant strain, supporting targeted antibiotic stewardship monitoring programs.

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.

UTHealth research looks at nanotechnology to help prevent preterm birth

Researchers at UTHealth have developed a targeted liposomal indomethacin, called LIPINDORA, which reduces preterm uterine contractions and premature delivery in near-term pregnant mice. The treatment is being tested in human uterine tissue donated from C-sections to assess its effectiveness.

Connective tissue disease increases risk for cardiovascular problems

A study of over 287,000 patients found that African-American patients with connective tissue diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis were twice as likely to develop narrowed or atherosclerotic blood vessels. Young African-Americans with CTD also had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

Lithium battery catalyst found to harm key soil microorganism

New research reveals that a common lithium battery catalyst harms a key soil bacterium, raising concerns about the environmental impact of these materials. The study found that the compound nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) impairs the growth and respiration of Shewanella oneidensis, a hardy soil bacterium.

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.

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.

The odor of stones

Researchers discovered that diatoms are attracted to the smell of silicate minerals and move actively to areas with high concentrations. This ability allows them to colonize specific regions and is a key factor in their survival. Understanding this process could lead to the development of new materials resistant to algal colonization.

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.

For pregnant women with flu, the earlier the better for antiviral treatment

A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that early treatment with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir can shorten the time a pregnant woman spends in the hospital, especially for those with severe illness. Annual flu vaccination is also crucial to prevent complications and protect the newborn baby.

A fast solidification process makes material crackle

Researchers developed a theory that combines vibrations in solid materials and liquid solidification, predicting sound waves formed when compression relaxes. Fast solidification creates large defects, resulting in a 'crackling' sound wave.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Bee virus spread manmade and emanates from Europe

A study found that European honeybee populations are the primary source of Deformed Wing Virus infecting hives worldwide. The pandemic is driven by human trade and transportation of bees for crop pollination, posing significant threats to global bee populations and biodiversity.

Light signals from living cells

Researchers from Goethe University and MIT have developed a new method to deliver protein markers with nanometre precision into living cells. The technique, called cell squeezing, uses high pressure to incorporate fluorescent probes with an efficiency rate greater than 80 percent.

Bone loss associated with leukemia therapy occurs sooner than previously thought

A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that leukemia therapy leads to a significant drop in bone mineral density during the first month of treatment, affecting the lower spine and legs. This earlier onset than previously thought highlights the need for new approaches to mitigate bone toxicity in cancer patients.

Tuning macrophages a 'breakthrough' in cancer immunotherapy

Researchers have successfully flipped macrophages from a pro-cancer, wound-repair promoting phenotype (M2) to an anti-tumor, kill-type (M1) phenotype. This breakthrough could lead to improved cancer immunotherapies by enhancing the body's natural killer cells' ability to target tumor tissue.

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.

How gut inflammation sparks colon cancer

Researchers at Duke University have discovered that gut inflammation sparks colon cancer, with microRNA miR-34a playing a crucial role in controlling stem cell division. Elevated levels of miR-34a may serve as an early warning system for colon cancer, and its expression could be used to treat late-stage cancer.