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Science News Archive July 2016 - Page 12


Page 12 of 36

CCNY research gleans climate change insight from lizard genome

Using genomic data from three lizard species, City College of New York-led researchers gained insights on the impact of climate change on animal populations in South American forests. The findings improve ways to model biodiversity distribution in the past and future.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2016

Lichens' secret symbiotic threesome

A new study has revealed that lichens form a complex symbiotic relationship involving three species, including yeast and fungi, which produces the toxic substance vulpinic acid. The research found that the yeast cells are vital to the lichen's health and may play a crucial role in its shape.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 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.

Unconventional quasiparticles predicted in conventional crystals

An international team predicts several new types of quantum particles in materials, distinguished by intrinsic properties such as responses to magnetic and electric fields. The researchers propose that these fermions can appear in the bulk of materials, enabling a more systematic way to determine whether a system is a protected metal.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateJul 21, 2016

A new method for prostate cancer imaging

Researchers developed an analog of an investigational drug that binds to portions of the androgen receptor common to full-length and variant forms. This compound specifically detected prostate cancer cells expressing androgen receptor in a mouse model using SPECT/CT imaging.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateJul 21, 2016

A new key to understanding molecular evolution in space

Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a key to understanding molecular evolution in space by revealing the temperature-dependent energy-state conversion of molecular hydrogen on ice surfaces. This finding challenges existing theories and opens new horizons for studying molecular formation and evolution.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 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.

NASA sees Darby's strongest storms north of center

NASA's Aqua satellite detected coldest cloud top temperatures between minus 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms remained north of Tropical Storm Darby's center. The storms are expected to generate heavy rainfall due to their high altitude in the troposphere.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 21, 2016

Carnegie Mellon algorithm characterizes how cancer genomes get scrambled

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze scrambled cancer genomes, allowing for the simultaneous identification of two types of genetic changes and their connections. This tool, called Weaver, may help identify characteristics that distinguish cancers and inform personalized treatments.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCell Systems·DateJul 21, 2016

Does social status affect generosity?

Research by Michigan State University scholars found that high-status individuals who don't feel they deserve their position are more generous. Generosity can alleviate feelings of inequity and promote a sense of fairness.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJul 21, 2016
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.

Case western reserve researcher receives NIH grant for HIV research in Uganda

Drs. Henry Boom and Moses Joloba at Case Western Reserve University and Makerere University, respectively, have received a $1.5 million five-year grant to strengthen Ugandan biomedical research capacity. The program aims to provide PhD-level training in microbiology and immunology to talented young Ugandan scientists.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateJul 21, 2016

Stanford researchers reveal cost-effective path to drought resiliency

A new Stanford study reveals that managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an effective and affordable way to balance local groundwater decisions with regional and statewide management. The median cost of MAR projects is $410 per acre-foot, compared to $2,100 for surface water projects.

SourceStanford University·JournalSan Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science·DateJul 21, 2016

Airbags, seat belts associated with reduced likelihood of facial fractures

Airbags and seat belts significantly reduce the likelihood of facial fractures in motor vehicle collisions. The study found that using an airbag alone reduced the risk by 18%, a seat belt by 43%, and combining both devices by 53%. Facial fractures were more common among young males who used alcohol during the collision.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Facial Plastic Surgery·DateJul 21, 2016

Stop the rogue ADAM gene and you stop asthma

Researchers at the University of Southampton have found a potential method for preventing asthma by targeting the ADAM33 gene, which is associated with airway remodelling and inflammation. Stopping the rogue gene can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in mice, suggesting a new approach to disease modification therapy.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 21, 2016
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.

Stress-coping mechanism helps mice make new friends

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science identified a stress mechanism that regulates social behavior in mice, determining their willingness to form new relationships. The findings suggest that similar mechanisms may operate in humans, potentially informing treatments for social anxiety and other disorders.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 21, 2016

Cinnamon may be fragrant medicine for the brain

A study by Dr. Kalipada Pahan found that cinnamon improves learning in poor mice by increasing sodium benzoate, a chemical produced as cinnamon breaks down in the body. The effect appears to be due mainly to sodium benzoate's ability to stimulate hippocampal plasticity and enhance the structural integrity of brain cells.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalJournal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology·DateJul 21, 2016

Collective hum: Buzzing midges inspire new swarm theory

Scientists have discovered a mathematical resemblance between swarm dynamics and gravitational interactions in midge swarms. The team proposes an 'adaptive gravity' model that explains how swarming insects maintain cohesion despite the dominant interaction being long-range.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 21, 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's Hubble looks to the final frontier

The Hubble Space Telescope has explored the farthest objects in the universe, unveiling a warping-of-space phenomenon predicted by Einstein. The telescope has magnified images of galaxies much farther away, allowing astronomers to study the early universe and understand dark matter.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 21, 2016

We're lucky climate change didn't happen sooner

Naturally occurring carbon dioxide concentrations allowed for a relatively slow onset of climate change effects. Scientists have a longer window to understand and mitigate human-induced climate change.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateJul 21, 2016

Stop the snails

A study published in PLOS NTDs found that 19 programs using widespread snail control reduced schistosomiasis prevalence by over 90%, while 29 with little or no snail control achieved less than 40% reduction. Ecological, economic, and political factors also contributed to successful elimination.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJul 21, 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.

First free comprehensive data facility for patient-centered care

A new web-based data facility has been launched to aid the creation and implementation of patient-centered care policy. The Measure for Person Centred Coordinated Care (P3C) provides a compendium of measures for person centred care, making it easier to source information for commissioners and researchers.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·DateJul 21, 2016

Researchers temporarily turn off brain area to better understand function

Researchers at UC Davis used DREADDs technology to temporarily turn off the amygdala, a key region for emotions, and found changes in activity across the entire brain. This study suggests that altered brain connectivity may be used to determine pathology sites in complex disorders like schizophrenia and autism.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNeuron·DateJul 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.

Scientists program cells to remember and respond to series of stimuli

Researchers at MIT have programmed cells to remember and respond to a series of events, including substances commonly used in lab experiments. This approach enables the creation of environmental sensors that store complex histories and biological state machines with different behaviors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 21, 2016

New ASTRO clinical practice statement updates treatment standard for rectal cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has updated its treatment standard for rectal cancer, recommending a more customized approach that may reduce treatment side effects. The new guideline suggests alternatives to the traditional tri-modal approach, including short-course radiation therapy and non-operative management.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateJul 21, 2016

Immune-enhancing treatment may destabilize HIV reservoirs

Researchers found that combining antiretroviral therapy with an immune-enhancing treatment can destabilize viral reservoirs in macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus. The treatment, which targets PD-1, boosted anti-viral CD8+ cells and reduced SIV levels in infected monkeys.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJul 21, 2016

UNIST to develop a new form of futuristic transportation system

Researchers at UNIST are developing a new form of futuristic transportation using the Hyperloop technology, which could reduce travel times from Seoul to Busan to just 16 minutes. The team aims to overcome challenges such as air resistance and friction by using magnetic levitation and innovative power supply systems.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateJul 21, 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.

A more powerful way to develop therapeutics?

A new approach to discover key proteins necessary for biologics has been developed by Philip M. Kim at the University of Toronto, combining high-tech computer simulation and laboratory experiments.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 21, 2016

Penn study models how the immune system might evolve to conquer HIV

Researchers modeled co-evolution of antibodies and viruses to understand conditions for broadly neutralizing antibodies to emerge. They found that presenting the immune system with a large diversity of viral antigens may prompt the emergence of such potent antibodies, which could defeat broad swaths of viral strains.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 21, 2016

GPS jamming: Keeping ships on the 'strait' and narrow

Maritime GPS signal disruption can cause vessels to go off course and collide or run aground due to inaccurate positional information. Researchers investigated the impact of DGPS jamming on shipping lanes and found that even small errors can lead to hazardous situations.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Navigation·DateJul 21, 2016
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Wrist fractures linked to poor balance in elderly patients

Elderly patients with wrist fractures are more likely to have poor balance, increasing the risk of future injuries. Researchers recommend evaluating and treating balance deficiencies after a fracture to prevent further complications.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateJul 21, 2016

Making magnets flip like cats at room temperature

Heusler alloy NiMnSb exhibits spin-orbit torques, a phenomenon that enables magnets to flip themselves through internal electron motion. This effect could lead to improved magnetic random access memory architectures with low power consumption and scalability.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 21, 2016

First atmospheric study of Earth-sized exoplanets reveals rocky worlds

Researchers from MIT and the University of Liège announce a new study on the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, which hosts three potentially habitable, Earth-sized worlds. The team discovers that two innermost planets have compact atmospheres similar to those of rocky planets like Earth, Venus, and Mars.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 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.

Diversifying clinical science to represent diverse populations

A special series in Clinical Psychological Science highlights the importance of broadening traditional scope of clinical science research to address diverse populations. Research reveals ethnic and cultural differences in mental health issues, treatment, and prevention, emphasizing the need for diversity science.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateJul 20, 2016

Diseases that run in families not all down to genes, study shows

A study of 500,000 people found that shared lifestyle and surroundings contribute significantly to a person's risk of disease. Factors such as shared living space and eating habits make a major contribution to diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 20, 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.

More for less in pastures

A nine-year study by R. Howard Skinner found that multispecies pastures produce significantly more forage than two-species mixtures, with an average increase of 31%. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced carbon storage in the soil, allowing it to hold more water and mitigate droughts.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJul 20, 2016

New reaction for the synthesis of nanostructures

Researchers at ICIQ and IMDEA Nanoscience introduce a new surface-confined thermally tunable reaction pathway to selectively synthesize monomeric or low-dimensional phthalocyanine polymers. The discovery presents an interesting alternative for developing polymeric materials with technological applications.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 20, 2016

Greener cities become more unjust

A European Union-funded study reveals that environmental amenities in cities often displace low-income residents, leading to increased housing costs and gentrification. The 'Greenlulus' project aims to develop a ranking of environmentally just cities and promote policies to mitigate the negative social impacts.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·DateJul 20, 2016

Winter overseeding and colorant treatments compared for bermudagrass

A 2-year field study evaluated the effects of winter treatments on 'Tifway' bermudagrass, finding that annual ryegrass maintained acceptable levels of green cover with fall colorant application. Overseeding reduced spring transition of bermudagrass by 40-50% compared to untreated and colorant-treated plots.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateJul 20, 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.

This week from AGU: Amazonian drought, polar ice loss, and 3 research spotlights

A recent study published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles reveals that the Amazon Basin's carbon sink was completely shut down by a severe drought. Meanwhile, an international team is working to provide an up-to-date assessment of polar ice mass losses and their contributions to global sea level rise.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateJul 20, 2016

Columbia University to provide data and research support for NIH PMI cohort

Columbia University Irving Medical Center will play a key role in the launch of the Data and Research Support Center for the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The center will standardize and organize large datasets to help researchers identify individual factors contributing to health and illness.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateJul 20, 2016

How water collector bees know when to quench hot hive's thirst

Researchers discovered that water collector bees respond to thirsty nest mates' begging, increasing their water-bearing activity. The team found that the hive stabilized its temperature at 40°C by controlling its water intake.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJul 20, 2016

North American forests unlikely to save us from climate change, study finds

A new study combining future climate projections and tree-ring records reveals that North American forests will likely struggle to offset climate change. Forests, which currently absorb 25-30% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, are expected to grow slower in the face of warmer temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalEcology Letters·DateJul 20, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Putting software on a diet

Researchers aim to improve energy efficiency in software applications by increasing understanding of their impact on power usage. The three-year project will develop novel automatic analyses and tools to support decision-making, with the goal of enabling software engineers to create more energy-efficient code.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateJul 20, 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.

To protect yourself from malaria sleep with a chicken next to your bed

Researchers found that mosquitoes actively avoid feeding on chickens due to their unique odor, which could provide protection for humans at risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases. The study suggests using the odors emitted by chickens and other non-host species as a natural repellent to control malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 20, 2016