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Science News Archive January 2016 - Page 11


Page 11 of 31

Why some cuckoos have blue eggs

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that the blue egg color in cuckoos is inherited solely from the mother through mitochondrial DNA. This discovery challenges previous theories and highlights the importance of genetic inheritance in avian species.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 2016

Empathy more common in animals than thought

A new study by James Burkett and colleagues found that prairie voles console loved ones who are feeling stressed, suggesting a complex form of empathy. The researchers discovered that the 'love hormone' oxytocin is involved in this behavior, which occurs only between familiar individuals, not strangers.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study identifies important regulator of chronic, low-level inflammation

A new study by Rosalind Franklin University researchers has discovered that hydrogen sulfide levels regulate chronic inflammation caused by obesity. The findings suggest targeting the Orai3 calcium channel as a novel treatment for obesity-related inflammation and related health issues.

SourceRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science·JournalScience Signaling·DateJan 21, 2016

Survey: Most Americans support smart guns

A survey of nearly 4,000 people found that 60% of Americans would buy a smart or childproof gun, debunking the argument that there is no market for such guns. The technology uses fingerprint or RFID verification to prevent unauthorized use.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 21, 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.

Soybean meal produced in US has greater energy values when fed to pigs than previously estimated

Research at the University of Illinois found that US-grown soybean meal contains at least 200 kcal more digestible, metabolizable, and net energy than current estimates. This increases its economic value and can reduce diet costs if used in pig feed formulations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateJan 21, 2016

Mitochondrial troublemakers unmasked in lupus

Researchers discovered that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species induce cell death by NETosis in a process dependent on RNA-protein immune complexes found in lupus patients. The extracellular release of oxidized mitochondrial DNA promotes an inflammatory reaction, and scavengers that clean up the overflow can reduce type I interferon ...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 21, 2016

Guidelines for human genome editing

McGill University researchers suggest a model for guiding policy on germline gene editing, based on pre-implantation genetic diagnosis after in vitro fertilization. The PGD model provides a robust approach to regulation, outlining medically determined requirements and substantial risk of occurrence for genetic testing.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 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.

Evolutionary clock ticks for snowshoe hares facing climate change

A North Carolina State University study finds that snowshoe hares experiencing a mismatch in their coat colors due to climate change suffer a 7% drop in weekly survival rate. The researchers suggest that natural selection may enable the adaptation of some individuals, but whether it can save hare populations quickly enough is uncertain.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 21, 2016

Smithsonian botanist discovers new ground-flowering plant in Panama

The discovery of Calathea galdamesiana highlights the importance of botanical research and conservation efforts in Panama. The new species is distinguished by its unique leaf shape and ground-dwelling inflorescences, and was discovered during a biological diversity inventory organized by the Panamanian Ministry of the Environment.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateJan 21, 2016

University of Arizona sociologists: Teen pregnancy not an isolated issue

Researchers Christina Diaz and Jeremy E. Fiel found that socioeconomic disadvantage can mitigate the negative impact of young motherhood on educational attainment and future wages. Their study analyzed data from over 3,600 young women and found that better-off teenagers were more affected by early pregnancy.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalDemography·DateJan 21, 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.

Diagnosing depression before it starts

A new brain imaging study from MIT and Harvard Medical School may lead to a screen that could identify children at high risk of developing depression later in life. The researchers found distinctive brain differences in children known to be at high risk due to family history of depression, suggesting an early intervention strategy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2016

Sensory function: Thalamus enhances and stores sensory information

The thalamus enhances and stores sensory information, allowing the brain to filter out important data and forward it in an amplified form. Researchers have identified the higher-order thalamus as a key player in this process, which has implications for understanding sensory perception and behavior.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 21, 2016

Personal history with street gangs sparks U. of I. graduate student's research

A recent study by University of Illinois graduate student Gabriel Merrin found that youths who resisted pressure to join street gangs were more likely to perceive fair treatment by teachers and have at least one adult in their life for support. These findings underscore the importance of positive educational experiences and supportive ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry·DateJan 21, 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.

New study zeros in on plate tectonics' start date

A new study from the University of Maryland provides geochemical evidence for the onset of plate tectonics around 3 billion years ago. The analysis of trace element ratios correlates to magnesium content in ancient rocks suggests that this process began during the Archean eon.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2016

Government funds nearly two-thirds of US health care: AJPH study

A new study finds that government funds account for 64% of US health care spending, exceeding private spending and surpassing other nations with universal health programs. Taxpayers pay the highest health-related taxes per capita, yet millions remain uninsured.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 21, 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.

Seeing the big picture in photosynthetic light harvesting

The new model simulates light-harvesting across a thylakoid membrane, enabling the explanation of PSII's high quantum efficiency. The research paves the way for improving food crop yields and developing artificial photosynthesis technologies for solar energy systems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2016

NYU study explains why mistakes slow us down, but not necessarily for the better

A NYU study investigates how brain mechanisms affect decision-making after errors. The research found that a combination of adaptive and maladaptive neural processes influence slowing, but ultimately lead to no change in accuracy. Insights from the study may offer new perspectives on afflictions like Alzheimer's Disease and ADHD.

SourceNew York University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 21, 2016

Kidney fibrosis in older transplants links to failure

Researchers found mild fibrosis in biopsies taken a few months after transplant correlated with acute kidney injury gene expression, while advanced fibrosis reflected ongoing injury. Older transplants with fibrosis were associated with an increased risk of kidney failure.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateJan 21, 2016

Glowing tumors could help surgeons cut out cancer

Researchers have made significant progress in developing fluorescent chemical probes that can target specific cancer cells, allowing for more accurate tumor removal. These probes have the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for repeat surgeries.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateJan 21, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Mitochondrial DNA levels in the blood may predict risk of developing kidney disease

A study found that high levels of mitochondrial DNA in the blood are associated with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers analyzed data from over 9,500 participants and discovered that individuals with higher mitochondrial DNA copy numbers had a 25% lower risk of CKD compared to those with lower levels.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 21, 2016

Mixed emotions a sign of emotional depth, not indecision, say researchers

Researchers found that people living in self-oriented cultures are less emotionally complex than those in other-oriented cultures, which prioritize feelings of duty and familial bonds. People in various parts of Asia and Russia showed more emotional complexity.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 21, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Small farms benefit significantly from a few extra pollinators

Small-scale agriculture in developing nations can significantly benefit from increased pollinator density, with a 24% yield increase possible. Large farms may require diverse pollinators to achieve similar benefits, highlighting the importance of agricultural strategies to support pollinator health.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2016

UI biologists find sexuality, not extra chromosomes, benefits animal

A study of freshwater snails found that asexuality, rather than polyploidy, is the key to their rapid growth and reproductive success. The researchers discovered that asexual females grew twice as fast and reached reproductive maturity 30% faster than sexual females.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateJan 21, 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.

Why sports wins and sunshine may lead you to gamble

Researchers found that unexpected sports wins and sunny days increased daily lottery purchases in New York City neighborhoods. The effect was seen across both wealthy and poorer areas, with a total increase of $160,000 in spending on lottery gambling on days with multiple sports team wins.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 21, 2016

Antibodies may provide 'silver bullet' for Ebola viruses

Human monoclonal antibodies isolated from Ebola survivors can neutralize multiple species of the virus, including Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Zaire viruses. These findings suggest a common therapeutic or vaccine strategy could solve all Ebola viruses.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalCell·DateJan 21, 2016

Screening gets top marks for picking up bowel cancer early

New figures show that screening picks up the majority of bowel cancer cases at an early stage. Screening detected more than a third of bowel cancers at stage one and fewer than one in ten advanced to stage four. Patients whose cancers are picked up at an earlier stage have better chances of survival due to effective treatment.

SourceCancer Research UK·DateJan 21, 2016

60 genetic disorders affect skin and nervous system

Researchers from Loyola University Medical Center identified 60 genetic diseases that involve the skin, central nervous system, and/or peripheral nervous system. These conditions, including neurofibromatosis, can cause a range of symptoms such as tumors, learning disabilities, and bone deformities.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalCurrent Neurology and Neuroscience Reports·DateJan 21, 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.

Study examines associations of HPV types, risk of head and neck

A new study reveals a strong association between human papillomavirus (HPV) types and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Detection of HPV-16 in the oral cavity significantly increases the risk of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting the role of HPV in HNSCC.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJan 21, 2016

New insights into the supercritical state of water

Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study supercritical water, revealing differences in hydrogen bond networks between three states: liquid water at room temperature, high-density and low-density supercritical states. The study aims to interpret experimental results using terahertz spectroscopy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 21, 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.

Study: Controlling parents create mean college kids

A new study by University of Vermont psychologist Jamie Abaied found that college students whose parents exert psychological control are more likely to engage in hostile behavior with their peers. The study suggests that parental control can stunt independence and lead to relational aggression, which involves harming feelings or damagi...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateJan 21, 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.

Why are habits so hard to break?

New research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits like sugar addiction manifest in the brain's basal ganglia circuitry, leading to a 'go' signal that primes cravings. The study found that mice with formed habits had altered brain activity patterns, including a change in timing between go and stop signals.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 21, 2016

Identification of a driver of fibrosis in chronic kidney disease

A study in JCI Insight identifies Dickkopf-3 as a driver of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. DKK3 expression is elevated in stressed tubular epithelia and associates with profibrotic T cell responses, leading to interstitial fibrosis and impaired kidney function.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateJan 21, 2016

Study reveals climate change impacts on Buzzards Bay

A long-term analysis of water quality monitoring data reveals that climate change is affecting Buzzards Bay's ecosystem by increasing average summertime temperatures by almost 2 degrees Celsius. This warming fueling an increase in algae growth, which in turn worsens water quality and poses challenges for coastal ecosystems.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalBiogeosciences·DateJan 21, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New finding may explain heat loss in fusion reactors

Researchers at MIT have found a key to solving the great unsolved problem of heat loss in fusion reactors. Interactions between turbulence at the tiniest scale, that of electrons, and turbulence at a much larger scale, that of ions, can account for the discrepancy between theory and experimental results.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateJan 21, 2016

When it comes to newborns, age matters

Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a reliable method to estimate an infant's gestational age using a metabolic profile derived from routine newborn screenings. This technique can help doctors determine if a baby was born on time or prematurely, which is crucial for deciding medical care and identifying potential health is...

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 21, 2016

Examining genetic diversity of T. cruzi from California kissing bugs

The study reveals a low prevalence of T. cruzi parasites with limited genetic diversity, contradicting previous assumptions about the parasite's presence in the US. This suggests that local transmission of Chagas disease may be lower than previously thought, but also highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnosis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 21, 2016