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Science News Archive May 2016 - Page 15


Page 15 of 38

The Samfund to receive ASTRO Survivor Circle Grant

The Samfund, a Boston-based cancer organization, will receive $8,500 from ASTRO for its work in supporting young adult cancer survivors financially. The grant funding will support the development of new financial programs and tools to aid in recovery.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateMay 18, 2016

Robots get creative to cut through clutter

A Carnegie Mellon University software is helping robots cope with clutter, revealing their creativity in solving problems. The rearrangement planner software automatically finds a balance between 'pick and place' and 'push and shove' strategies to efficiently navigate cluttered environments.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 18, 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.

Carnegie Mellon develops bio-mimicry method for preparing and labeling stem cells

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new method for preparing and labeling mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that allows them to be tracked using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This breakthrough technology uses a bio-mimicry approach to create an environment similar to the body, enabling MSCs to internalize iron-ox...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2016

Biomarker may predict endometrial cancer recurrences

Researchers discover USP14 as a promising biomarker for predicting endometrial cancer recurrence. Women with high levels of USP14 are seven times more likely to recur than those with low levels, highlighting the potential for tailored treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateMay 18, 2016

Fish can adapt some to warmer ocean waters, but not necessarily to extreme heat

Researchers found that some fish species can adjust their metabolisms to warmer temperatures, but not their tolerance for extreme heat. This 'plastic floor' of adaptation has limitations, with fish unable to tolerate temperatures beyond a certain threshold, dubbed the 'concrete ceiling'.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 18, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sexual transmission involved in tail end of Ebola epidemic

A study published in Virus Evolution found that unconventional transmission routes like semen and breast milk contributed to the tail-end of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The research used real-time sequencing of Ebola virus genomes to track the source of infection for some final cases.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalVirus Evolution·DateMay 18, 2016

How to calm an anxious mind

Researchers at Concordia University have discovered a more effective way to treat anxiety disorders by incorporating safety behaviors into therapy. The study found that patients who used new safety behaviors during exposure therapy had better outcomes than those who relied on traditional safety behaviors.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders·DateMay 18, 2016

Foreign language teachers facing a confidence conundrum

Researchers at Michigan State University found that foreign language teachers often prioritize accuracy over speaking skills, leading to feelings of inadequacy. To address this issue, the study emphasizes the need for professional development programs that cater to different teacher needs and promote collaboration.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalSystem·DateMay 18, 2016

Ensuring artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is the real deal

Researchers analyzed over 300 samples of Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano cheeses using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They found that PDO-labeled parmesan contained unique cyclopropane fatty acids, while adulterated products showed different fatty acid profiles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 18, 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.

IRIS releases new imagery of Mercury transit

The NASA-funded Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) captured striking images of Mercury during its May 9, 2016 transit across the sun. By observing this phenomenon, researchers can calibrate IRIS and gather data on the sun's lower atmosphere.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 18, 2016

Research suggests new contributor to heart disease

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new culprit behind heart disease: the fragmentation of elastic fibers within the arterial wall. This finding could revolutionize the way we detect and treat heart disease, as it suggests that traditional strategies may not be effective in addressing the underlying cause.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAtherosclerosis·DateMay 18, 2016

3-D-bioprinted placenta could lead to new treatments for preeclampsia

Scientists have bioprinted a 3-D model of placenta tissue that mimics the organ's complex structure, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for preeclampsia. The 3D model includes trophoblasts, epidermal growth factor, and other key components, showing improved cell migration towards the growth factor.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateMay 18, 2016

What big eyes you have! Spider adaptation widened dietary net

Researchers discover large secondary eyes in a spider species enable it to catch larger, more nutritious prey, which may explain the evolution of these enlarged eyes. The findings suggest the spiders' nocturnal nature and reliance on vision to hunt for prey on the ground.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalBiology Letters·DateMay 18, 2016

How repeated spot microdischarges damage microdevices

Researchers found that repeated spot microdischarges in microelectronic devices cause a temperature increase, which reduces the electric field and leads to preferential breakdown at the previous discharge location. This study provides insights into the role of residual heat build-up and its impact on device stability.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMay 18, 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.

USF scientists discover Antarctic sponge extract can help kill MRSA

Researchers from USF have isolated a natural product chemical from an Antarctic sponge that can eliminate over 98% of MRSA cells. The extract, named darwinolide, has shown promise in treating biofilm-based infections, which are resistant to current antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalOrganic Letters·DateMay 18, 2016

Hubbard Brook: Lessons from the forest

The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest has been a hub for long-term ecological research, revealing the impact of acid rain, clear-cutting, and climate change on forest ecosystems. The research has informed policy measures and inspired collaborations among federal agencies and academic scientists.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·DateMay 18, 2016

Researchers shed light on pathway from virus to brain disease

Researchers found that a mutation in the protein shell of the John Cunningham polyomavirus can affect the immune system's response to the infection, leading to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. This discovery may help prevent the disease in autoimmune patients on immunosuppressant therapies.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Virology·DateMay 18, 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.

How your brain learns to ride the subway -- and why AI developers care

A team of researchers from Google DeepMind and the University of Oxford used a navigational game to decode human brain's decision-making processes. They found that brain activity increases with the number of line changes between participants and their destinations, rather than individual stations.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMay 18, 2016

Stellar mystery deepens

A Monash University-led research team has discovered that about half of the stars in the M4 globular cluster are dying prematurely, skipping the Red Giant phase and becoming White Dwarfs millions of years ahead of schedule. The cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery, but it is believed to only occur in sodium-rich/oxygen-poor stars.

SourceMonash University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 18, 2016

New horned dinosaur had spikes at back of neck shield

A new species of horned dinosaur, Machairoceratops cronusi, has been discovered in southern Utah with distinctive back spikes. The discovery increases known centrosaurine diversity and may provide insights into the early evolutionary history of horned dinosaurs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 18, 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.

Hard water linked to risk of eczema in infants

Research suggests that high levels of water hardness in homes may be linked to the development of eczema in early infancy. Living in a hard water area was associated with an up to 87% increased risk of eczema at three months of age, independent of domestic water chlorine content.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 18, 2016

Luminous proteins offer new method to discover viral infections

Researchers at Umeá University have developed a new method to directly follow viral infections in living organisms, making infected cells produce fluorescent proteins. This method enables the manipulation of cells to produce specific proteins, allowing for detailed study of immune system responses.

SourceUmea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 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.

Ocelot density in the Brazilian Amazon may be lower than expected

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that ocelot densities in the Brazilian Amazon may be stable but lower than predicted. The research used camera-trap surveys to estimate ocelot density in a pristine forest area and found an average of 25 ocelots per 100 km2, which is lower than expected for the region.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 18, 2016

Stellar cannibalism transforms star into brown dwarf

A team of astronomers discovered a brown dwarf born as a full-fledged star, stripped to its current mass through stellar cannibalism. The brown dwarf was detected in a binary system with a tight orbit around a white dwarf, where the white dwarf's gravity removes about 90% of the companion's mass.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature·DateMay 18, 2016

OU team develops new antibiotic to fight MRSA

A University of Oklahoma team has developed a new antibiotic formulation that combines traditional antibiotics with polymer BPEI to revive efficacy in obsolete drugs. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce economic burdens by treating MRSA infections.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Journal of Antibiotics·DateMay 18, 2016

Ramizol®: A new treatment for Clostridium difficile associated disease

A new class of styrylbenzene antibiotics, Ramizol®, has been developed to target Clostridium difficile associated disease. The drug stays in the gastrointestinal tract and reaches high concentrations to yield a therapeutic effect, with benefits including low frequency of resistance.

SourceBoulos and Cooper Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd·JournalThe Journal of Antibiotics·DateMay 18, 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 drug combination shows promise for resistant leukemia

Researchers discovered a new way to kill rapidly multiplying cancer cells using necroptosis, an alternative form of cell death. This approach may lead to more effective treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who have resisted traditional therapies.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 18, 2016

New species of horned dinosaur with a spiked 'shield'

A new species of horned dinosaur, Spiclypeus shipporum, has been identified in Montana, featuring sideways-protruding horns and unique bony spikes. The fossil discovery provides insights into the Late Cretaceous period's dinosaur diversity and highlights the importance of dietary specializations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 18, 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.

Novel gene therapy shows potential for lung repair in asthma

A new gene therapy has been developed to repair lungs damaged by chronic allergic asthma, reducing inflammation and improving airway structure and function. The study used a novel biodegradable platform to deliver the thymulin gene therapy, showing effective results in mice with experimental asthma.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 18, 2016

Scientists predict extensive ice loss from huge Antarctic glacier

A new study predicts that Totten Glacier in Antarctica may cross a critical threshold within the next century, triggering an irreversible period of rapid retreat and contributing up to 2.9m to global sea-level rise. The glacier's instability is linked to its geology, which will become unstable if it retreats another 100-150km.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateMay 18, 2016

HIV: Identification of receptors in patients spontaneously controlling infection

Researchers discovered that HIV controllers' CD4+ T cells express specific T cell receptors targeting the HIV capsid protein, enabling sensitive detection and control of viral replication. These findings offer potential for developing immunotherapy strategies to restore antiviral responses in patients with HIV.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 18, 2016
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.

Researchers develop new way to decode large amounts of biological data

Researchers have developed a new computing technique that can analyze large amounts of genomic information, which could lead to better understanding of diseases and environmental issues. The approach, called GISMO, uses Gibbs sampling to find biological signals in the data, improving upon conventional sequence alignment programs.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 18, 2016

Genital size doesn't matter -- for fish

Researchers at ANU tested breeding habits of fish to disprove theory that larger genitals make males more attractive or successful in fathering offspring. They found females don't find bigger genitals more attractive, contradicting previous studies and human research.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 18, 2016

Early-capture HIV study allows for characterization of acute infection period

Researchers analyze high-risk individuals and track their HIV status to understand the evolution of symptoms and signs during acute infection. The study reveals a correlation between peak viremia and set-point viremia, establishing a critical window for intervention strategies.

SourceThe U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 18, 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.

Two-pronged attack on chemotherapy-resistant leukemia cells

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a new way to kill off resistant leukemia cells via necroptosis, a cell death program that can bypass traditional apoptosis. SMAC mimetics, which activate necroptosis, showed promise in killing leukemia cells in 33% of patient samples tested.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 18, 2016

Your friends have more friends than you do

A recent study by McGill University researchers found that users tend to follow those with more connections than themselves, resulting in a phenomenon known as the Generalized Friendship Paradox. This paradox suggests that even active and influential users experience it, with up to 90% of users experiencing this effect.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 18, 2016

The proof is in the pudding

Scientists detect and quantify metastability induced by disorder in granular materials for the first time. The team uses a parameter from liquid crystal physics to measure force chain orientation, confirming the relationship between disorder and metastable energy states.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 18, 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.

Sounding rocket EVE supporting tune-up of SDO EVE instrument

The EVE sounding rocket will provide under-flight calibration for the SDO EVE spectrometers, supporting the calibration of other solar soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet spectrometers. This mission aims to gather data for a tune-up of satellite instruments, helping scientists understand degradation trends.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 18, 2016

Antidote to opioid drug overdoses could become more accessible

A highly effective antidote to opioid overdoses, naloxone, is becoming more accessible to patients and bystanders. New intranasal spray and autoinjector devices have been developed to address issues with getting the drug to those in need.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 18, 2016

Gentle strength for robots

Researchers have developed a soft actuator that allows robots to move freely without harming humans. The actuator uses hyperelastic membranes and electric fields to control movement, enabling robots to give way in case of doubt, making them suitable for applications where human safety is a concern.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 18, 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.