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Science News for November 4, 2016


Researchers find immunotherapy treatments better for advanced skin cancer

Researchers found a combination of immunotherapy options improves overall survival and lowers the risk of life-threatening events in late-stage melanoma patients. PD-1 inhibitors were associated with the lowest risk of life-threatening events, making them a promising first-line therapy option.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateNov 4, 2016

Study finds female scientists collaborate differently

A Northwestern University study found that female faculty in STEM disciplines have similar collaboration patterns to their male counterparts, but are underrepresented in large teams and international collaborations. The research highlights the need for a level playing field to address unequal opportunities and promote diversity in STEM.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 4, 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.

Tropical Storm Meari forecast to intensify

Tropical Storm Meari is forecast to intensify in the western Pacific Ocean, with a high chance of reaching 85 knots (97mph). The storm's organized low-level circulation and favorable environment will contribute to its steady growth.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 4, 2016

Study finds female faculty are underrepresented in genomics

A Northwestern University study found that female faculty in STEM disciplines, particularly genomics, face challenges in collaboration patterns and career advancement. Despite having similar collaborator numbers, females tend to return to the same collaborators less often than males.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 4, 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.

Rubella virus persists after vaccination in some patients with rare immune disorders

A new study found that patients with rare primary immunodeficiency disorders may be susceptible to serious side effects from the rubella vaccine. The study analyzed data from 14 patients and found that 7 had evidence of persistent rubella virus in their granulomas, leading to skin damage and ulcers.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 4, 2016

Many colorectal cancers would be missed with new criteria for patient referral

A new analysis of 1981 patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms found that the new criteria would miss nearly 20% of colorectal cancers. The study suggests that alarm features indicative of colorectal cancer are common among the general population, limiting their accuracy in predicting a diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateNov 4, 2016

WSU researcher develops safer gene therapy

A WSU researcher has developed a modified viral vector that reduces the risk of cancer cells and can be used for multiple blood diseases. The new delivery system is being translated into a stem cell gene therapy to treat a life-threatening immunodeficiency in newborns.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 4, 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.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria from chickens pose risk to human health

Research reveals that isolates of Helicobacter pullorum from Indian poultry markets are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, posing a potential public health risk. The study suggests that the bacterium could be transmitted from poultry to humans, highlighting the need for increased awareness and regulation.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 4, 2016

Stressed-out rats consume more alcohol, revealing related brain chemistry

A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that stressed rats drink more alcohol due to altered dopamine signaling and changes in the brain's reward system. The team's findings have implications for understanding the root causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and developing new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateNov 4, 2016

In food packaging, color matters

Research suggests that darker tones in food packaging are associated with healthier choices, while light tones may be perceived as less tasty. The study tested consumer reactions to packaged products of varying colors, finding that health-conscious individuals were more likely to associate light colors with inferior taste.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 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.

Compost bedding good for cow claw health

Compost bedded barns showed significantly fewer cases of claw lesions, such as foot rot and white line disease, compared to freestall cubicle barns. Daily aeration and fresh bedding also improved social interaction among dairy cows.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalThe Veterinary Journal·DateNov 4, 2016

Older dogs better at learning new tricks

Research from University College London found that older adolescents and adults can learn certain thinking skills more effectively than younger people. Non-verbal reasoning skills can be readily trained and do not represent an innate ability.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 4, 2016

Fake Tweets, real consequences for the election

A recent study found that 19% of Twitter election-related tweets were created by social robots, distorting the online discussion and potentially polarizing it. The research also highlighted the sophisticated tactics used by 'master puppeteers' to create fake profiles and manipulate public opinion.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFirst Monday·DateNov 4, 2016

Researchers propose mechanism for spread of metastatic breast cancer to bone

Breast cancer cells may use mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow to spread to bone tissue. A study using a 3D scaffold model found that tumor-derived factors can promote maturation of MSCs into bone cells, with mechanical compression stimulating further bone development.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateNov 4, 2016

Genetic cause for shift work fatigue discovered

Finnish researchers found that a melatonin receptor gene influences shift workers' ability to adapt to disrupted daily rhythms. A common variation in the MTNR1A gene is linked to job-related exhaustion experienced by shift workers.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalSLEEP·DateNov 4, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Light drives single-molecule nanoroadsters

Researchers at Rice University and the University of Graz successfully drove single-molecule nanoroadsters using light, demonstrating a new method for propulsion. The vehicles, made of 112 atoms, reached a top speed of 23 nanometers per hour and showed wavelength sensitivity.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 4, 2016

Yesterday's Silk Road could be tomorrow's environmental superhighway

A Michigan State University professor suggests that China's Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) could be a superhighway of environmental progress with global cooperation. The initiative aims to connect 65 countries and shape world economies, but it also creates routes filled with opportunity for sustainability advancements.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEcosystem Health and Sustainability·DateNov 4, 2016

NASA's MMS breaks Guinness World Record

NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) is breaking records with a Guinness World Record for the highest altitude fix of a GPS signal, reaching 43,500 miles above Earth. The four MMS spacecraft maintain tight formations to map magnetic reconnection and study phenomena around the universe.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 4, 2016

Insight into the seat of human consciousness

A team of researchers has identified a network within the brain that may play a role in maintaining human consciousness. The study, published in Neurology, found that two areas in the cortex were significantly connected to the brainstem region involved in arousal and awareness.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateNov 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.

Laser particles could provide sharper images of tissues

Scientists at MIT and Harvard University developed a new imaging technique called LASE microscopy, which uses tiny particles to create sharper images of deep tissue and cells. The particles emit laser light when stimulated by a laser beam, resulting in higher-resolution images.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 4, 2016

Herbivorous mammals have bigger bellies

Researchers reconstructed the body cavity volume in over 120 tetrapods and found that herbivores have twice as large bodies as carnivores of similar size. The study reveals a fundamental difference in morphological principles between mammals and other tetrapods, with possible implications for respiratory systems.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Anatomy·DateNov 4, 2016

An integrated approach to HIV prevention

A five-year study in Tanzania aims to determine whether combining diabetes and hypertension screening with HIV screening will increase HIV testing and care. The integrated approach is expected to improve health outcomes and reduce costs, addressing growing global epidemics of HIV, diabetes, and hypertension.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateNov 4, 2016

Study challenges model of Alzheimer's disease progression

Researchers challenge the widely held belief that Alzheimer's disease originates in the temporal lobe by identifying the basal forebrain region as a critical area of degeneration. The study shows that degeneration in this region predicts subsequent spread to other brain areas, opening new avenues for detection and intervention.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2016

Virtual reality app makes haptics as immersive as visuals

Disney Research has developed a VR360 player with enhanced haptic feedback, allowing users to customize and personalize sensations. The application enables full-body sensations and a wide range of 'feel effects' that can be triggered by user movements or biofeedback.

SourceDisney Research·DateNov 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.

Researchers confirm universal principles of phase transitions

Physicists at the University of Chicago have confirmed a decades-old theory describing continuous phase transitions. The team observed a quantum phase transition in gaseous cesium atoms, demonstrating the Kibble-Zurek mechanism for both space and time.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateNov 4, 2016

Coastal resiliency researchers awarded $1.3 million in grants

The LSU Center for Coastal Resiliency has received $1.3 million in grants to support research on coastal resiliency and sea level rise risks. The projects aim to develop large-scale computer models that can predict coastal dynamics and assess hydrodynamic and ecological impacts.

SourceLouisiana State University·DateNov 4, 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.

Study finds female faculty are underrepresented in genomics

A Northwestern University study found that female faculty are underrepresented in genomics, with unequal collaboration patterns and negative cultural milieus detected. The researchers found that women have as many collaborators as men but tend to return to the same collaborators less often.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 4, 2016

Nanostructures made of pure gold

Researchers at TU Wien have successfully created nanostructures made of pure gold using an additive direct-write lithography technique. The new method allows for the fabrication of three-dimensional gold structures, which are essential for various applications in electronics and sensor technology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 4, 2016

Genetic mutations that lead to macular degeneration blindness mapped by new research

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified two gene mutations that trigger a rare retinal disease causing blindness in males. These findings offer promising insights into the development of gene therapy and potential treatments for X-linked Retinoschisis, a genetic disease leading to macular degeneration.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateNov 4, 2016

E-cig vapor does not induce genetic mutations associated with cigarette smoke exposure

In a lab-based test using the Ames assay, scientists found that e-cigarette vapour did not cause DNA mutations in bacteria, unlike tobacco smoke. The results suggest that e-cigarettes may be less harmful than cigarettes, supporting growing evidence of their potential as a safer alternative.

SourceR&D at British American Tobacco·JournalMutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis·DateNov 4, 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.

On-chip observation of THz graphene plasmons

Scientists developed a technique to image THz photocurrents with nanoscale resolution, visualizing strongly compressed THz waves in a graphene photodetector. The imaging technique, called THz photocurrent nanoscopy, provides unprecedented possibilities for characterizing optoelectronic properties at THz frequencies.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 4, 2016

New winners to be announced at Quantum Technologies showcase

The UK Quantum Technologies Innovation Fund has announced its latest funding recipients, with over 30 live demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge technologies. The joint investment by Innovate UK and EPSRC aims to accelerate the application and exploitation of these technologies.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateNov 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.

Research finds brain changes, needs to be retrained after ACL injury

Researchers found that ACL injuries alter brain activity related to leg movement, relying on visual systems instead of instinctive movement. This study suggests a new rehabilitation approach using strobe glasses to help patients rewire their brains and regain natural movement.

SourceMediaSource·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy·DateNov 4, 2016