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Science News for January 22, 2016


Microwaved nanotubes come up clean

Researchers at Rice University and Swansea University have developed a two-step process using microwaves and chlorine to remove iron catalyst residues from carbon nanotubes. This method makes the nanotubes more pristine and suitable for applications such as drug delivery and solar panels.

SourceRice University·JournalRSC Advances·DateJan 22, 2016

A defense protein that causes cancer

A team of Swiss and Russian scientists has deciphered how APOBEC takes advantage of a weakness in DNA replication to induce mutations, primarily affecting early-replicating genes. The study reveals that APOBEC targets single-stranded DNA regions during replication, which are more prone to mutations.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 22, 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.

Biologists develop method for antibiotic susceptibility testing

A team of biologists at UC San Diego has developed a new method to determine if bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics within a few hours. The approach allows doctors to rapidly identify the appropriate treatment for patients with life-threatening bacterial infections, potentially slowing the emergence of drug resistance.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJan 22, 2016

Self-stacking nanogrids

MIT researchers have developed a technique for stacking layers of block-copolymer wires, creating mesh structures with potential applications in memory and optical chips. The ability to easily produce these self-assembled structures could revolutionize the manufacturing process.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 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.

NASA eyes powerful winter storm spreading into mid-Atlantic

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to the Mid-Atlantic region. Snowfall totals may exceed 2 feet in some areas, including Baltimore and Washington D.C., with gusty winds and storm surge flooding also possible.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 22, 2016

Pursuing Alzheimer's dsease from the periphery

Researchers aim to improve measurement methods for amyloid-beta protein production outside the brain, a key area of study for Alzheimer's disease. They plan to develop innovative quantitative proteomics methods to analyze peripheral tissue changes and their relation to brain changes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJan 22, 2016

Conductive concrete could keep roads safer in winter weather

A new type of conductive concrete has been developed that can melt ice and snow in winter storms while remaining safe to the touch. The concrete is made with a pinch of steel shavings and carbon particles and conducts enough electricity to de-ice roads, reducing the need for salt and chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·DateJan 22, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Where wood is chopped, splinters must fall

Bacterial restriction-modification systems can overreact, leading to autoimmunity issues, according to a new study published in Current Biology. The researchers discovered that more efficient systems are prone to making mistakes, which can contribute to genetic variation and adaptive evolution.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 22, 2016

James Poulet receives second grant from the European Research Council

Dr. James Poulet, a neuroscientist at the Max-Delbrück Center, has received a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to continue his research on how the brain generates sensory perception. The funding will support his team's efforts to understand how different sensory inputs are integrated to create a coherent percept.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·DateJan 22, 2016

Will blocking IL-17A help treat kidney disease?

IL-17A and Th17 cells contribute to renal injury, which can lead to permanent scarring in kidneys. Blocking IL-17A/F signaling shows promise as a novel therapy for immune-mediated renal diseases.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Medicinal Chemistry·DateJan 22, 2016

Beetle-inspired discovery could reduce frost's costly sting

Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a beetle-inspired method to control frost growth on surfaces using chemical micropatterns. By attracting water to specific areas and repelling it from others, they created dry zones around frozen dew drops, preventing frost from spreading.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 22, 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.

Melting Greenland ice sheet may affect global ocean circulation, future climate

A new study finds that the influx of freshwater from Greenland is 'freshening' the North Atlantic Ocean and could disrupt the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an important component of global ocean circulation. This could lead to changes in climate, including cooler winters and regional sea level increases.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2016

Fertility experts identify genetic pattern in womb linked to IVF failure

Researchers discovered an abnormal gene expression in the lining of the womb that is associated with IVF failure. This finding could lead to a new test to predict treatment success and guide patient counseling, helping women understand their chances of achieving a pregnancy before starting treatment.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 22, 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.

How to detect and preserve human stem cells in the lab

Scientists have developed a method to detect and preserve human pluripotent stem cells, which can become any cell type, for potential use in treating diseases. The technique allows researchers to isolate and maintain these cells, which are difficult to cultivate, using a reporter linked to fluorescent protein.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Protocols·DateJan 22, 2016

Zebra stripes not for camouflage, new study finds

Researchers reject longstanding hypothesis that zebra stripes provide camouflaging protection, citing limited visibility for zebras and their predators. The study suggests alternative explanations for the evolution of striped patterns in zebras.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJan 22, 2016
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.

UAB researchers find protein that improves mobility after spinal cord injuries

UAB researchers have identified a protein called IL-37 that suppresses the inflammatory response after spinal cord injuries, minimizing tissue degeneration and functional disabilities. This discovery opens the door to a new treatment for acute spinal cord injuries, which currently has no effective treatment available.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2016

Medical society details Syrian health crisis and efforts to help

The Syrian-American Medical Society has helped over two million people with $25-million in aid, providing 24/7 telemedicine consulting and training on portable ultrasound. The healthcare situation in Syria is grim, with 75,000 civilians dying from war injuries and life expectancy plummeting by 20 years.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateJan 22, 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.

Study shows inferior outcomes for African-American pediatric lymphoma patients

Researchers found African-American children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma had significantly lower overall survival rates at 25 years compared to their white and Hispanic counterparts. The study, published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer, analyzed data from over 7,800 patients across Florida and the US.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer·DateJan 22, 2016

New gravity dataset will help unveil the Antarctic continent

A new gravity dataset covering 73% of Antarctica has been released, providing geoscientists with a tool to investigate the deep structure of the continent. The dataset will aid in studying subglacial geology, tectonic structures and their impact on ice sheet dynamics.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 22, 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.

GVSU study: Are football players too obese?

A recent Grand Valley State University study found that college and professional football players have gained an average of 60 pounds in body mass since 1942. The research highlights the risks associated with excess body fat, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceGrand Valley State University·JournalStrength and Conditioning·DateJan 22, 2016

New study identifies lead exposure risk of water pipe replacement

A new long-term simulation study confirms that partial replacement of lead pipes with copper can increase lead exposure to harmful levels. The study found that elevated lead from corrosion worsened over time for the 50% copper configurations, exceeding health safety thresholds.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science·DateJan 22, 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.

NASA sees Corentin reach hurricane strength

Corentin reached hurricane strength on January 22, 2016, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm was centered near 20.2 degrees south latitude and 71.6 degrees east longitude, about 758 miles from Diego Garcia.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 22, 2016