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Science News Archive May 2016 - Page 33


Page 33 of 38

Superbug infections tracked across Europe

Scientists have developed a web-based system to track the spread of antibiotic-resistant MRSA and other superbugs across Europe, providing valuable insights for infection control teams. The tool, Microreact.org, uses whole-genome sequencing to identify patterns of resistance and help policymakers implement prevention strategies.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalmBio·DateMay 5, 2016

Sylvester researchers develop novel disease model to study multiple myeloma

Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed an animal model of multiple myeloma, allowing them to better understand its mechanisms and test potential treatments. The study has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with this incurable disease.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 5, 2016

Measuring a black hole 660 million times as massive as our sun

Researchers use ALMA to accurately measure the mass of a supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy NGC 1332, shedding light on how galaxies and their black holes form. The findings suggest a coordinated growth between galaxies and their central black holes.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 5, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Oregon scientists link signaling network to heart valve defects

Researchers at the University of Oregon found that manipulating a cellular signaling network in mice can help understand how heart valves initially form. The study revealed that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling enables transitions between stages of valve development, controlling growth and size.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalDevelopment·DateMay 5, 2016

Study links sleep duration and frequent snoring to poorer breast cancer survival

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that women who slept less than 7 hours per night and were frequent snorers before their cancer diagnosis had a poorer prognosis. The study suggests that poor sleep quality may contribute to accelerated tumor growth and shortened cancer survival.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMay 5, 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.

Immunization rates climb when pediatricians have easy access to vaccination records

The study found significant improvements in up-to-date vaccination rates, with a 7% increase from 75% to 82%. Over-immunization for adolescents also decreased significantly. The data exchange allowed clinicians to easily access patient immunization information, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary vaccinations.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 5, 2016

Portable device worn on eyeglasses offers hope for people with low vision

A miniature camera using optical character-recognition technology mounted on eyeglasses significantly improves the ability to read and perform daily living activities. The device, called OrCam, recognizes text, faces, and commercial products, offering a new hope for those with age-related macular degeneration or advanced-stage glaucoma.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateMay 5, 2016

Scientists watch bacterial sensor respond to light in real time

Researchers used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to take snapshots of an ultrafast structural transition in a protein, capturing atomic motions as fast as 100 quadrillionths of a second. The technique could benefit studies of light-driven atomic motions and reveal how visual pigments respond to light.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMay 5, 2016

World's shallowest slow-motion earthquakes detected offshore of New Zealand

Researchers have discovered a slow-slip event that lasted two weeks, resulting in 15-20 centimeters of movement along the fault. The finding increases understanding of the relationship between slow slip and normal earthquakes, highlighting the potential for using offshore monitoring systems to predict damaging earthquakes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateMay 5, 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.

Progress and promise of gene transfer and gene editing to cure beta-thalassemias

Promising results from clinical trials of globin gene transfer have eliminated the need for blood transfusions in some individuals with beta-thalassemias. Gene editing technologies hold promise to correct beta-globin deficiencies and reactivate fetal hemoglobin production, potentially leading to a cure for severe globin disorders.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateMay 5, 2016

How a female sex hormone may protect against STIs: Study

A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that estradiol, a female sex hormone, enhances anti-viral responses in mice infected with HSV-2. The researchers discovered that estradiol primes dendritic cells to initiate anti-viral T cell immunity, providing protection against STIs.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 5, 2016

IU-led study reveals new insights into light color sensing and transfer of genetic traits

An international team led by IU biologist David M. Kehoe uncovered the regulation of a system that allows Synechococcus to efficiently capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis. The study also provides insight into how genes can be easily transferred between cells in the marine environment through horizontal gene transfer.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2016

Study finds link between handedness and mathematical skills

Researchers discovered a moderate correlation between handedness and mathematical skill, accounting for around 5-10% of mathematics scores. The study also found that degree of handedness influenced by age, task type, and gender, with lateralized children performing worse in certain tasks.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·DateMay 5, 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.

Depressed moms not 'in sync' with their children

A study found that mothers with depression are not physiologically synchronized with their kids, even during positive interactions. The researchers measured heart rate variability and found that depressed moms missed matching their children's physiology, leading to a mismatch in social engagement.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMay 5, 2016

Researchers track critical development in the young brain

A recent study published in NeuroImage tracked the rate of myelination in children's brains, revealing insights into the rapid growth of nerve fibers during childhood. The findings have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders and diseases like multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNeuroImage·DateMay 5, 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.

Women ratchet themselves up the social ladder, 1 high heel at a time

Research finds that women adjust their fashion choices to fit in with wealthy groups, adopting local trends when moving to higher SES cities but ignoring them in lower SES cities. This 'trickle down conformity' is driven by a deep human urge for status and social standing.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 4, 2016

As global temperatures rise, children must be central climate change debates

A new journal by Princeton University and Brookings Institution highlights the need for children to be central to climate change debates due to their larger stake in the outcome. The issue outlines policies to mitigate harm caused by climate change on children's health and wellbeing.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalThe Future of Children·DateMay 4, 2016

New device reduces volume of radiographic dye in patients at risk of developing AKI

A new device called AVERT significantly reduced the volume of radiographic dye used in patients at risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) during coronary angiography and PCI, but did not reduce contrast-induced AKI. The study found a 15.5% relative reduction in CMV for all patients and a 22.8% reduction for PCI patients.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·DateMay 4, 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.

Made better through science: Calcite tuned to be mollusk-tough

Researchers at Cornell University have successfully controlled the introduction of amino acids to pure calcite, increasing its hardness to values equivalent to biogenic calcite. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating stronger calcite systems and has significant implications for various applications.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 4, 2016

Australian technology behind the world's largest telescope

The Five hundred metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in China features technology developed by CSIRO engineers, making it one of the most sensitive telescopes globally. The telescope will explore the nature and evolution of the universe, helping to detect thousands of new pulsars.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateMay 4, 2016

Johns Hopkins scientist programs robot for 'soft tissue' surgery

A Johns Hopkins University computer scientist has successfully programmed a robot to adjust to the subtle movement of soft tissues during surgery, promising improved safety and efficiency. The robotic system, called STAR, was compared with human surgeons and showed comparable performance in terms of suture spacing and seam leakage.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 4, 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.

USDA announces $15.6 million in grants to strengthen rural communities

The US Department of Agriculture has awarded $15.6 million in grants to support research, education, and extension programs focused on promoting rural community development, economic growth, and sustainability. The grants aim to help rural areas address persistent poverty and create self-sustaining long-term economic development.

SourceNational Institute of Food and Agriculture·DateMay 4, 2016

Study offers new insights on postpartum depression among women of color

A new study provides first-person perspectives from African-American and Latina mothers on their experiences with postpartum depression, revealing that conventional treatments often provide little relief. The research highlights the need for concrete services like transportation and flexible work environments to manage depression effec...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalSocial Work in Mental Health·DateMay 4, 2016

Squished cells could shape design of synthetic materials

Scientists recreate aspects of bacterial design in synthetic systems, discovering that strain in complex fluids can shape the properties of soft materials. The study reveals previously unappreciated parameters governing the behavior of biological membranes and opens up new avenues for designing synthetic materials.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2016

The oldest crystals in the world

Researchers from Trinity College and Swedish Museum of Natural History found zircon crystals formed in younger impact craters are indistinguishable from ancient ones, suggesting many ancient crystals formed in violent impact settings. This challenges the long-held theory that these crystals formed during tectonic plate collisions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMay 4, 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.

Call to re-examine '14-day rule' limiting in vitro human-embryo research

Researchers propose revisiting the internationally recognized '14-day rule', which restricts in vitro research on human embryos. The rule has been theoretical until now, but technological advancements have enabled scientists to sustain human embryos in vitro for up to 14 days, raising questions about its relevance and implications.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature·DateMay 4, 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.

Our brain uses statistics to calculate confidence, make decisions

Researchers found that human brains produce feelings of confidence that mirror statistical calculations, informing decisions. The study's model suggests that confidence is an objective computation, with the brain acting as a 'statistician' to make informed choices.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNeuron·DateMay 4, 2016

Werner Siemens Foundation fosters synthetic biotechnology

The Werner Siemens Foundation has donated 11.5 million euros to support the launch of Synthetic Biotechnology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). This new focus integrates research approaches from biochemistry, bioinformatics, and industrial biotechnology.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateMay 4, 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.

Expectations can minimize unethical behavior in the powerful

A recent study suggests that activating prescriptive expectations in powerful individuals can lead them to behave more ethically and cheat less than those with low power. This finding offers new insights into curbing unethical behavior by those with power.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 4, 2016

Clinical study suggests the origin of glioblastoma subtypes

A clinical study reveals that glioblastoma subtypes develop in distinct brain regions, shedding light on the origins of these aggressive brain cancers. The discovery may lead to more effective personalized treatment approaches by identifying specific subtype markers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateMay 4, 2016

Hermits in American culture

A research project by Dr. Ina Bergmann explores solitude in US culture through literature and history, focusing on the experiences of Robert, a former slave who became a hermit. Her work will be published in book projects and essays collected from conferences.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateMay 4, 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.

Three PNNL scientists receive DOE Early Career Research awards

Three PNNL scientists, Yingge Du, Kirsten Hofmockel, and James Moran, have been selected to receive Early Career Research Program grants from the Department of Energy. They will conduct research in climate science, energy storage, and other areas, with each receiving at least $2.5 million over five years.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateMay 4, 2016

Searching for signs of disease in spit

Researchers have discovered unique molecular signatures, known as saliva fingerprints, which may be used to detect diseases in a non-invasive and stress-free manner. These signatures are distinct from those found in urine samples and remain relatively stable despite dietary variations.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateMay 4, 2016

Virtual dermatology care increases access to specialists for Medicaid enrollees

A new study found that virtual dermatology care can nearly double the number of patients receiving dermatological care from a specialist. Teledermatology expanded access to younger and healthier patients with targeted skin conditions like acne and warts, while serving half of all enrollees who received any dermatology care.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateMay 4, 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.

Oklahoma researchers find that a biological 'good guy' has a dark side

Researchers at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation found that an enzyme thought to be beneficial can pose significant danger to developing embryos. They discovered excessive plasmin activity can lead to liver blood vessels becoming fragile and prone to bleeding.

SourceOklahoma Medical Research Foundation·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 4, 2016

Researchers reveal top 10 most popular reptiles (they're also the scariest...)

The study found that venomous and endangered species, as well as those with higher body mass or posing a threat to humans, tend to be more interesting overall. The top 10 reptiles accessed on Wikipedia in 2014 were dominated by fearsome species like the Komodo dragon, saltwater crocodile, and king cobra.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMay 4, 2016

JILA extends laser 'combing' method to identify large, complex molecules

Researchers at JILA have developed a new technique using laser frequency comb spectroscopy to detect and identify large, complex molecules. The upgraded system cools molecules to near absolute zero, simplifying and strengthening absorption signals and greatly boosting the ability to identify the molecules.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateMay 4, 2016

Children in developing world infected with parasite may be more prone

A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that nearly three-quarters of poor children in a Bangladeshi slum were infected with Cryptosporidium, leading to stunted growth and malnutrition. The parasite can cause permanent damage to the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients, even if symptoms are not present.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 4, 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.