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Science News Archive May 2016


Page 7 of 38

Closer to the source of the itch

Researchers found that IL-17A stimulates skin cells to express genes maintaining an inflammatory microenvironment, leading to psoriasis. The study identified NFKBIZ gene as playing a significant role in the IL-17A pathway.

Scientists capture the elusive structure of essential digestive enzyme

Researchers at Princeton University have revealed new insights into the mechanism of phenylalanine hydroxylase, a critical liver enzyme for human health. By applying unique approaches combining small-angle x-ray scattering and chromatography, they provided evidence for a model of the active structure of the enzyme.

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's OSIRIS-REx mission will have a map for that

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will study asteroid Bennu in detail, collecting a sample to be analyzed on Earth. Four top-level maps will guide the sample collection process, assessing safety, navigation, surface material, and scientific value.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Multiple personality disorder may be rooted in traumatic experiences

A new King's College London study challenges the fantasy model of multiple personality disorder, suggesting that traumatic experiences such as neglect or abuse in childhood are a major contributing factor. Researchers found a continuum of trauma-related symptom severity across groups, with patients with DID exhibiting the highest scores.

Is aging inevitable? Not necessarily for sea urchins

Researchers found that sea urchins with shorter life expectancies do not experience a decline in regenerative capacity with age, contradicting the prevailing theory on evolution of aging. The study suggests that aging may not be inevitable and could be influenced by other factors.

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.

Making some of the world's most durable materials corrosion-resistant

Drexel materials scientists have created a boride material that resists oxidation at extremely high temperatures, thanks to its nanolaminated structure and protective aluminum oxide coating. The material's unique behavior has potential applications in harsh environments, such as combustion engines and cutting tools.

DNA sequencing enables treatment for some types of intellectual disability

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that genome-wide sequencing can diagnose genetic conditions leading to intellectual disability, enabling targeted treatments. Researchers discovered new disease genes and described physical traits associated with known diseases, offering hope for personalized medicine.

Strength and ductility for alloys

Researchers have developed a new type of metallic material that is both extremely strong and ductile. This breakthrough solves the long-standing problem of choosing between these two properties in steels.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Dialing up chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer with ultrasound

Researchers in Norway used ultrasound to enhance absorption of chemotherapeutic compounds Gemcitabine into pancreatic cells, increasing treatment cycles and median survival time from 7 months to 18 months. The technique, called sonoporation, showed promising results without increased toxicity or side effects.

Women cooking with biomass fuels more likely to have cataracts

A population-based study of nearly 6,000 people aged 60 and over found that Indian women who cook with biomass fuels were nearly 50% more likely to have visually impairing nuclear cataracts compared to those using clean fuels. The association was stronger for women cooking with longer duration of biomass fuels.

New veterinary research helps distinguish accidents from abuse

Researchers at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine found different injury patterns in abused animals and those hit by cars, with abused animals showing more head injuries and rib fractures. The study aims to help uncover animal abuse and provide a tool for forensic veterinarians.

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.

Wayne State aims to improve imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers

A Wayne State University researcher aims to improve upconversion nanocrystals' composition and atomic structure to expand the library of bright and multicolor emitters. The project is expected to lead to better diagnosing and treatment plans for numerous health issues by enhancing imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers.

Cleveland researchers developing GPS for rectal cancer surgery

Researchers aim to reduce unnecessary surgeries and pelvic sepsis by analyzing magnetic resonance images and pathological specimens. They will develop a risk-assessment scoring system to determine which patients need surgery after chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Investigating how 'chemo brain' develops in cancer patients

Research on carboplatin therapy in rats suggests that chemotherapy can affect dopamine and serotonin levels, leading to cognitive issues. The study provides new insights into the development of chemo brain, a condition affecting up to one-third of chemotherapy patients.

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.

No dessert for you! When it comes to diabetes, 'nagging is caring'

A national study led by Michigan State University sociologist Hui Liu found that for men, an unhappy marriage may actually slow the development of diabetes and promote successful treatment once they do get the disease. Women with good-quality marriages were more likely to have a lower risk of developing diabetes five years later.

Richard Benton and Ben Lehner awarded EMBO Gold Medal 2016

Researchers Richard Benton and Ben Lehner received the 2016 EMBO Gold Medal for their groundbreaking work on insect olfaction and developmental biology. They discovered novel genes in odorant receptors, shedding light on the evolution of scent perception, and revealed stochastic variances in gene expression driving phenotypic diversity.

Obese young adults unaware of kidney disease risk, study finds

A nationwide study found that obese young adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease due to undetected albuminuria, with Mexican Americans and blacks showing higher rates. The study suggests that healthcare providers should test for kidney damage in obese young adults, emphasizing the importance of prevention through lifestyle changes.

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.

NYU WIRELESS study predicts trouble and solution for 5G cellular

A new study by NYU WIRELESS suggests that the current channel model used in 5G cellular systems may under-predict signal coverage at close distances and over-predict it at far distances. A simpler alternative model using a single parameter, the path loss exponent, is proposed to improve predictive accuracy.

NSF grant will help decipher cells' electric properties

Researchers will focus on ion channels and their role in producing electrical pulses, with potential applications in understanding heritable diseases of the nervous system. The study aims to identify genetic changes that enable fast or slow channel operation.

Targeted treatment for liver cancer under way

Researchers at University of Eastern Finland found that inhibiting Aurora kinase A protein can inhibit liver cancer cell growth, offering potential new treatment option. The study's findings can be used to develop treatments for patients with p53-altered liver cancer.

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.

Harnessing nature's vast array of venoms for drug discovery

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute develop a method to rapidly identify and optimize venoms for therapeutic use, finding potential treatments for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. They create a library of venom genes and use a cell-based selection system to find potent molecules that block key targets.

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.

Researchers find higher than expected carbon emissions from inland waterways

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters found that greenhouse-gas emissions from lakes and inland waterways may be up to 45% greater than previously thought. The researchers used a yearlong series of continuous measurements to gather data, revealing higher nighttime emissions and storms creating spikes.

Great apes communicate cooperatively

Research on great ape communication reveals cooperative turn-taking sequences in both bonobos and chimpanzees, differing in their styles of gaze-based and signal-pause response based interactions. These findings suggest that cooperative communication may have arisen to coordinate collaborative activities more efficiently.

Money really does matter in relationships

Researchers found that wealthy men prioritize physical attractiveness and engage in short-term mating, while committed women may adopt more consistent strategies due to reproductive costs. The study suggests evolutionary psychology principles influence mate selection across cultures.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Light can 'heal' defects in new solar cell materials

Researchers at MIT have discovered a process to remove defects in new solar cell materials using intense light, improving their efficiency and consistency. The technique, called photo-induced cleaning, uses illumination to migrate ions that sweep away most of the defects in the material.

Gigantic ultrafast spin currents

Researchers from TU Wien have proposed a new method to create gigantic spin currents in a very small period of time using ultra short laser pulses. The spin current is injected into silicon without creating a charge current due to a spin-selective effect, leading to extremely strong spin-polarization.

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.

More than a myth: Drink spiking happens

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 7.8% of college students reported being drugged, with women more likely to be victims and experience negative consequences. The research highlights the need for interventions targeting those who engage in drink spiking, focusing on consent and the dangers of overdosing.

Exercise, future anticancer therapy?

A groundbreaking Phase 3 clinical trial aims to demonstrate that intense physical exercise can extend the life of patients with metastatic prostate cancer, potentially reducing mortality by at least 22% and offering a new anticancer therapy.

Money back guarantees for non-reproducible results?

An editorial published by The BMJ argues that money back guarantees are not the answer to improving data reproducibility in research. Instead, it advocates for open science and open data as key solutions. This approach would involve making all protocols, hypotheses, raw data, methods, and analyses publicly available.

High-speed camera captures amazing lightning flash

Scientists capture lightning flash using high-speed camera at 7,000 frames per second as part of research on thunderstorm dynamics. The camera will be used to study upward electrical discharges from starters, jets and gigantic jets.

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.

Urine tests not reliable for dehydration in older adults

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that urine tests are not reliable for detecting dehydration in older adults. The researchers tested 383 participants over 65 and found that urine tests were too low to be useful, missing some dehydrated individuals and incorrectly identifying others.

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.

Study shows how air pollution fosters heart disease

A decade-long study of thousands of Americans found that exposure to fine particulate matter and traffic-related pollutants accelerates the progression of coronary artery calcium scores. This acceleration is associated with a 20% faster rate of calcium deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Cell Labelling via Photobleaching: A precious ally for scientific research

Researchers introduce a novel method for labelling individual cells using photobleaching, enabling precise targeting of unique cells in vast populations. This technology has the potential to transform our understanding of diseases by allowing researchers to study specific cells responsible for disease progression.

We need the full picture to plan for climate change impacts

A new study highlights the importance of an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to climate change assessment to provide a more complete picture of impacts. Single sector studies often misrepresent the spatial pattern and magnitude of impacts due to omitted interdependencies within human and environmental systems.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

New tools to manipulate biology

Researchers at Université de Genève have developed new tools to manipulate biology, including a novel co-factor that enables proteins to perform tasks previously thought impossible. Meanwhile, another team has created a method to visualize mRNA in live animals, providing real-time insights into cellular processes.