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Science News for July 22, 2016


When it comes to empathy, don't always trust your gut

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that systematic thinking is more effective than intuition in accurately inferring another's feelings. The research involved over 900 participants and three out of four studies relied on professionals and managers, highlighting the importance of empathic accuracy in workp...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJul 22, 2016

Pathogenic bacteria hitchhiking to North and Baltic Seas?

Researchers found evidence of Vibrio species thriving on microplastic particles, posing a potential risk to human health. The study suggests that climate change could contribute to the proliferation of these bacteria.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalMarine Environmental Research·DateJul 22, 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.

Hey robot, shimmy like a centipede

The study reveals that taming instability is a key factor in the centipede's success, allowing it to move quickly and over obstacles with ease. By harnessing instability, the creature produces an undulating movement that enhances its locomotion maneuverability.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2016

New gene therapy prevents muscle wasting associated with cancer

Australian researchers have developed a novel gene therapy that targets muscle cells to prevent cachexia, a condition of weight loss and frailty associated with severe muscle wasting. The approach has shown promise in pre-clinical mouse models, suggesting potential benefits for treating frailty in other chronic illnesses.

SourceBaker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 22, 2016

Significant pain increases the risk of opioid addiction by 41 percent

A recent study found that adults with moderate or more severe pain are at a 41% higher risk of developing prescription opioid use disorders. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 34,000 adults and confirmed previous findings on age and sex as risk factors.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 22, 2016

Mice survive brain cancer tumors lacking key surface proteins

Case Western Reserve University researchers uncover key surface proteins in brain tumors that allow them to evade the immune system. The study found that blocking protein Cdk5 enables CD4+ T cells to remove tumor cells, suggesting a potential new therapy for brain cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience·DateJul 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.

Shaken baby syndrome accepted as diagnoses by majority of physicians

A survey of 628 US physicians reveals that shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma are widely accepted diagnoses among medical professionals. The study found that 88% of respondents acknowledged the validity of shaken baby syndrome, while 93% affirmed abusive head trauma as a diagnosis.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 22, 2016

New remote-controlled microrobots for medical operations

Researchers created complex reconfigurable microrobots that can be manufactured with high throughput, mimicking the behavior of bacteria to deliver drugs or perform precise operations. The robots are soft, flexible, and motor-less, using electromagnetic fields and heat to control their movement.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2016

Behavioral activation as effective as CBT for depression, at lower cost

A large-scale study finds Behavioral Activation (BA) to be as effective as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating depression, with a significant cost savings. BA encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities driven by personal values, reducing depressive symptoms and improving outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 22, 2016

Lichen: Apparently happy couple really a threesome

Researchers discovered yeast living in the cortex of lichen species, suggesting a possible role in creating large structures and solving the mystery of why macrolichens are hard to grow in the lab. The study found a variety of yeast species associated with different lichen species from around the world.

SourceCIFAR·JournalScience·DateJul 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.

The Lancet: Simpler, cheaper psychological treatment as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy for treating depression

A large trial has shown that behavioral activation therapy is non-inferior to cognitive behavioral therapy in treating depression, with two-thirds of participants reporting a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms. The treatment is also cheaper and more accessible, with average intervention costs £974.81 compared to CBT's £1235.23.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 22, 2016

Vaccine strategy induces antibodies that can target multiple influenza viruses

Researchers have identified three types of vaccine-induced antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of influenza virus, which could guide development of a universal flu vaccine. The discovery provides clear evidence that these antibodies can be induced by a vaccine, making them a potential basis for a universal flu vaccine.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalCell·DateJul 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.

Flower bud uniformity beholden to time and space

Researchers found that cells growing at different rates and directions average out over time, creating uniform flowers on plants. The study identifies a gene, FtsH4, that affects reactive oxygen species accumulation, which stiffens cell walls and regulates growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 22, 2016

NASA's GPM observes newly formed Tropical Storm Georgette

Tropical Storm Georgette developed in the eastern Pacific Ocean, intensifying into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 45 mph. GPM data revealed extremely heavy rain and storm top heights over 14 km, indicating favorable conditions for cyclone formation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 22, 2016

Similarities unite 3 distinct gene mutations of Treacher Collins syndrome

Scientists at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered a unifying cellular mechanism underlying Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare congenital disorder. Loss-of-function mutations in genes TCOF1, POLR1C, and POLR1D cause the condition, which affects craniofacial development and survival of progenitor neural crest cells.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 22, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Blood of King Albert I identified after 80 years

Forensic geneticists confirm that the blood found on the scene in 1934 is indeed that of King Albert I, contradicting conspiracy theories about his death. The study used DNA comparison with two distant relatives to verify the king's identity, providing historical importance and closure.

SourceKU Leuven·DateJul 22, 2016

Ultrasensitive sensor using N-doped graphene

Researchers developed an ultrasensitive chemical sensor using N-doped graphene and Raman spectroscopy, detecting trace amounts of molecules in solutions. The technique significantly enhances the Raman signal, allowing for detection of organic molecules at very low concentrations.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 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.

A 'smart dress' for oil-degrading bacteria

Scientists from Kazan Federal University and Louisiana Tech University created a 'smart dress' for oil-degrading bacteria by coating them with magnetic nanoparticles. The modified bacteria retained their ability to form biofilms, crucial for attaching to oil droplets in natural environments.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalLangmuir·DateJul 22, 2016

Researchers get new insight into deadly fungal infections

A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers has identified key aspects of the Mucorales fungi that may lead to treatment development. The fungus invades weakened immune systems, causing sometimes-deadly mucormycosis infections.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2016

Study confirms: Forms of HIV can cross from chimps to humans

A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has confirmed that certain strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) can infect human cells, supporting a hypothesis that HIV originated from chimpanzee transmission. The research found that SIV strains with genetic similarities to HIV-1 M were more likely to infect humans.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalJournal of Virology·DateJul 22, 2016

Novel compounds arrested epilepsy development in mice

A team of researchers developed neuroprotective compounds that prevented seizures and damaged dendritic spines in mice with experimental epilepsy. The study suggests the process of epilepsy development has been arrested up to 100 days post-treatment, offering a potential new approach to disease-modifying treatments.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2016

Us suicide rate for people with Epilepsy exceeds levels in general population

A recent study published in Epilepsy and Behavior found that individuals with epilepsy have a higher annual suicide mortality rate of 22% compared to the general population. The study also revealed specific risk factors, such as increased likelihood of dying from poisoning or using residential locations for suicides.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEpilepsy Currents·DateJul 22, 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.

NASA catches Estelle becoming post-tropical

Tropical Storm Estelle was transitioning to a post-tropical cyclone when NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its visible image on July 22. The storm showed minimal convection and was moving west-northwest at 16 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 22, 2016

Newly discovered material property may lead to high temp superconductivity

Researchers at Ames Laboratory have found a charge density wave in purple bronze that could enable new high-temperature superconducting materials. The unusual phenomenon has been observed at temperatures as high as 220K and is accompanied by significant increases in the energy gap.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 22, 2016

One giant leap for space robotics

A new UK-RAS Network white paper led by Professor Yang Gao showcases the future of space robotics, predicting autonomous robots will replicate insects, birds, animals, and even humans on future missions. The report highlights technological advancements with applications in sectors like healthcare, mining, agriculture, and more.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·DateJul 22, 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.

Drug targeting BRAF mutation slows thyroid cancer, too

A phase II clinical study found that treating metastatic thyroid cancer patients with the BRAF mutation showed promising anti-tumor activity in a third of patients, with an overall response rate of 38%. The therapy vemurafenib joins other effective treatments for this patient population.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJul 22, 2016

Why do consumers participate in 'green' programs?

A new study co-led by Michigan State University researcher finds that consumers participating in 'green' programs are more satisfied with the service. Rewards that benefit other organizations, such as charitable donations, create the highest rate of satisfaction among participants.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 22, 2016

Do think-tanks matter? A UBC professor says 'think again'

A UBC professor found that government policy professionals give more credibility to reports from academics than think tanks or advocacy groups. The study's results suggest policymakers are skeptical of biased reports and may be relying too heavily on academic research.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPolicy Studies Journal·DateJul 22, 2016

Attosecond physics: Mapping electromagnetic waveforms

Researchers create ultrafast electron imaging instrument to map electromagnetic fields oscillating at billions of cycles per second. The new technology enables precise detection and measurement of tiny, rapidly oscillating electromagnetic fields.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 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.