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Science News for January 15, 2016


Poverty linked to childhood depression, changes in brain connectivity

Researchers found that children raised in poverty have weaker connections between the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain areas, increasing their risk of depression. The study highlights the importance of early intervention to foster positive brain development and reduce adverse outcomes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 15, 2016

NASA provides in-depth analysis of unusual Tropical Storm Alex

Tropical Storm Alex formed in January 2016, becoming the earliest hurricane to do so since 1938. NASA analyzed storm data using AIRS, RapidScat, GPM, and Suomi NPP satellites, revealing strongest winds at 30 meters per second and rainfall rates decreasing significantly after declaration as a hurricane.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2016

FAU researchers investigate how light behaves in curved space

Researchers used intensity interferometry to study light propagation in curved spaces, demonstrating the importance of surface curvature on geometry and physics. The findings have implications for astronomical observations and manufacturing techniques, potentially leading to new materials and optical systems.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 15, 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.

NIST simulates fast, accurate DNA sequencing through graphene nanopore

Researchers at NIST have simulated a new concept for rapid, accurate gene sequencing by pulling DNA through a graphene nanopore and detecting changes in electrical current. The method could identify about 66 million bases per second with 90% accuracy, potentially revolutionizing forensics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNanoscale·DateJan 15, 2016

2-for-1 bacterial virulence factor revealed

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a virulence factor secreted by the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to traditional antibiotics. The discovery could lead to the development of new antivirulence antibiotics that can suppress pathogen growth without eliminating susceptible bacteria.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 2016

Gregarious chimps harbor richer gut microbiomes

Researchers found that the number of bacterial species in a chimp's GI tract increases when they are more gregarious. The study suggests that social interactions with other chimps help maintain gut microbial diversity over a lifetime, just as initial exposure from mom does.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 15, 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.

Signs of second largest black hole in the Milky Way

A team of astronomers has detected a gas cloud with a wide velocity dispersion, suggesting the presence of an intermediate mass black hole. The cloud's elliptical shape and composition indicate a compact but low-density component and a dense component extending 10 light years.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 15, 2016

Extreme turbulence roiling 'most luminous galaxy' in the universe

Astronomers have discovered a highly turbulent galaxy that may soon lose its supply of star-forming gas due to violent motion. The galaxy, W2246-0526, is an obscured quasar with a supermassive black hole at its center, causing intense radiation that exerts pressure on the entire galaxy.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 15, 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.

CU researchers study hospital readmissions from post-acute care facilities

A recent study published in JAMDA found that nearly half of hospital readmissions from post-acute care facilities occur within 14 days, and patients who experience readmission have a higher mortality rate. The researchers also identified the need for invasive devices and advanced care as contributing factors to readmissions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateJan 15, 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.

FAU researchers show how mother-of-pearl is formed from nanoparticles

Researchers at FAU have discovered that mother-of-pearl is formed through the aggregation of nanoparticles within an organic matrix, rather than crystallisation. This unique process, found in nature, has implications for developing new high-performance ceramics with improved mechanical properties.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 15, 2016

Bone marrow lesions can help predict rapidly progressing joint disease

Researchers at the University of Southampton found that bone marrow lesions on MRI scans can predict more rapid progression of osteoarthritis. Individuals with BMLs had a loss rate of 0.10mm per year faster than those without, potentially leading to earlier need for joint replacement.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Journal of Rheumatology·DateJan 15, 2016

The turbulent birth of a quasar

Researchers used ALMA to study W2246-0526, the most luminous galaxy known, finding it's ejecting its star-forming gas due to intense infrared radiation. This turbulence could lead to the galaxy evolving into a traditional quasar.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 15, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Alberta researcher tracks tyrannosaur's trail

A team of researchers tracked a rare 66-million-year-old tyrannosaur footprint trail in Wyoming, shedding new light on the dinosaur's speed and hunting habits. The study suggests that even young tyrannosaurs were capable of rapid movement, challenging previous theories about their sluggish nature.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalCretaceous Research·DateJan 15, 2016

France's WWII 'petits réfugiés' offered 'a voice' for first time

A new Anglo-French research project will give a voice to French children who became displaced during WWII, shedding light on their experiences and challenges. Dr. Lindsey Dodd's project aims to disrupt the established narrative of the period, which often focuses on resistance and collaboration.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateJan 15, 2016

Link found between obesity and blood clots in pediatric patients

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found an association between obesity and the formation of blood clots in children and adolescents. Obesity was a statistically significant predictor of blood clot formation in juveniles, contributing to increased incidence of pediatric venous thromboembolism.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateJan 15, 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.

Mentally challenging activities key to a healthy aging mind

Researchers found that high-challenge activities improved memory performance and brain activity efficiency in older adults. The study suggests that mentally demanding activities may be neuroprotective and essential for maintaining a healthy brain into late adulthood. Enhanced neural efficiency was maintained a year after participation.

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateJan 15, 2016

Predictability of DNA markers for population-level study based on species-level variation

Researchers used cactus species to test whether regions variable across closely related species show predictable intraspecific variability. The study found that rate-heterogeneity poses a practical challenge for researchers, and screening steps are necessary to discover regions of the genome with sufficient variability.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJan 15, 2016

Public contributions to science increasingly common

The study reveals that citizen science has become a significant force in various scientific disciplines. Citizen scientists contribute millions of observations to research projects, with notable success in biology, ecology, and astronomy. However, the quality of these contributions is often not acknowledged by researchers.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2016

€400,000 EU serious games project to combat domestic violence

A €400,000 EU-funded project at the University of Huddersfield aims to reduce levels of domestic violence through an interactive computer game. The game, designed to educate and influence attitude change among potential perpetrators, will be piloted in Caribbean countries and the UK.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateJan 15, 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.

Link between obesity and increased risk of colorectal cancer revealed

Research at Thomas Jefferson University reveals obesity is associated with a key hormone's absence, leading to tumor suppressor pathway deactivation and increased colorectal cancer risk. A therapeutic approach using the pill linaclotide, structurally related to the lost hormone, may prevent cancer in obese patients.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 15, 2016

Simulator-based training in veterinary medicine

A recent study by Vetmeduni Vienna's Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer found that simulator-based training in large animal gynaecology is nearly as efficient as animal-based training. Students who trained four times on horses scored best with regard to a correct diagnosis, while those trained solely on the simulato...

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalTheriogenology·DateJan 15, 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.

Former Hurricane Pali peters out near Equator

The remnants of former Hurricane Pali have dissipated and elongated due to strong vertical wind shear, losing its closed center. It is no longer possible to definitively locate a closed center in the system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2016

Sociable chimps harbor richer gut microbiomes

Researchers found that chimpanzees with more frequent social interactions had more diverse gut microbiomes. The study suggests that social networks play a crucial role in maintaining healthy gut microbial diversity, a finding with potential implications for human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 15, 2016

Fires did not destroy (as fast as we thought)

A new study shows that Aboriginal burning practices in Australia had a minimal effect on the erosion of their inhabited landscapes. The researchers used beryllium-10 to model the impact of fire on landscape erosion and found that it was not intense enough to change the natural rate of erosion over thousands of years.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJan 15, 2016