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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 11


Page 11 of 44

Flexible optical design method for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Researchers at NICT have developed a flexible optical design method for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, enabling high detection efficiency over a precise spectral range while rejecting other wavelengths. This technique has potential applications in quantum cryptography, fluorescence spectroscopy, and remote sensing.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 24, 2016

Genetic hallmarks of acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype uncovered

Researchers identified genetic changes in DUX4 and ERG transcription factors that underpin a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children. The study found a unique mechanism involving the interplay between these two transcription factors, leading to deregulated expression of ERG and development of leukemia.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 24, 2016

Fighting cancer with the power of immunity

A new cancer treatment combines four therapies to activate both branches of the immune system, leading to complete disappearance of large tumors in mice. The approach allows the immune system to remember the target and destroy new cancer cells that appear after treatment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 24, 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.

Dinosaurs of a feather flock and die together?

A new study finds that bird-like dinosaurs were social animals, living and dying together in groups. The discovery of a rare bonebed in Mongolia highlights the increasing trend of gregariousness in dinosaurs and emphasizes the need to protect against fossil poaching.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 24, 2016

Crowdsourcing and cellphone data could help guide urban revitalization

Researchers at MIT used cellphone data and crowd-sourced images to identify visual features that contribute to perceptions of safety in urban environments. The study found that buildings with street-facing windows, green spaces, and well-maintained areas increase people's sense of safety, while poorly maintained areas decrease it.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 24, 2016

How does pregnancy affect risk of stroke in older, younger women?

Younger pregnant women are at increased risk of stroke compared to their nonpregnant counterparts, with the youngest group seeing more than doubling of stroke risk. The study found that PAS accounted for 15% of strokes in younger women, and death was lower among those with PAS.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateOct 24, 2016

Driving mosquito evolution to fight malaria

Researchers propose using insect repellents along with insecticides to drive mosquito evolution that yields greater aversion to repellents, potentially slowing malaria development. This strategy could extend the lifetime of current insecticides and reduce resistance by favoring repelled mosquitoes over those developing resistance.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateOct 24, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study: People can tell if they are voting on a secure system

Researchers found that voters perceive enhanced security measures as more secure than systems with fake security elements. Participants also reported increased confidence in the voting system when it included robust security features.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting·DateOct 24, 2016

New worm strain to facilitate study of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers created a novel nematode strain that produces amyloid beta protein fragments, displaying neuromuscular defects and age-dependent behavioral dysfunction. The findings suggest mitochondrial bioenergetic deficit as an early event in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceYale-NUS College·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 24, 2016

How lying takes our brains down a 'slippery slope'

Research at University College London reveals that small lies desensitize our brains to associated negative emotions and may encourage us to tell larger lies. The study found that the brain's response to lying declines with each lie, predicting bigger lies in the future.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 24, 2016

Study determines efficacy of 2 drugs to treat a form of leukemia

Researchers have determined that combining CX-4945 and JQ1 can efficiently kill T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells while sparing normal blood cells. The findings provide new hope for the treatment of refractory/relapsed T-cell leukemia, a form of cancer with a high mortality rate.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalHaematologica·DateOct 24, 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.

How hooded seals are transferring contaminants to their pups

PFASs found in hooded seal mothers' plasma and milk, with concentrations higher than those in other species. This exposure can lead to reduced birth weight and developmental effects, threatening the survival of young seals.

SourceSociety of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateOct 24, 2016

UT Southwestern study links small RNA molecule to pregnancy complication

A recent UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that microRNA-515-5p affects placental development in ways that could contribute to preeclampsia. The research suggests miRNA-515-5p might be used to identify women at risk for the condition and potentially lead to a new treatment target.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2016

Development of a new thermoelectric material for a sustainable society

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have successfully synthesized a new thermoelectric material, CaMgSi, with sufficient size and thermoelectric properties comparable to those of previously developed materials. The material exhibits both n- and p-type conductivity, making it suitable for power-generation modules.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateOct 24, 2016

'Farming' bacteria to boost growth in the oceans

Researchers discover that certain bacteria can fix nitrogen, a limiting nutrient in the ocean. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient marine ecosystems and potentially even 'fertilize' the surrounding habitat.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 24, 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.

Tumor markers can reveal lethality of bladder cancers, guide treatment

Researchers found that detecting poorly differentiated basal tumor cells in early-stage cancers and overexpressing cell division cycle 25C can predict an increased risk of death. A test for this protein could help determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from drug treatment.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 24, 2016

The tale of the bats, dark matter and a plastic surgeon

A study published in Journal of Anatomy found a connection between certain bat species and humans with cleft lip and palate. Researchers used anatomical dissection, micro CT scans, and genomic analysis to identify the genetic causes of clefts.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of Anatomy·DateOct 24, 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.

Salk scientists adapt computer program to gauge eye spasm severity

Researchers have adapted a facial analysis software to quantify how often patients' eyes closed when instructed to keep them open, finding a correlation with clinician ratings. The new program has the potential to help study facial tics and twitches in other contexts, including Tourette Syndrome, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeurology·DateOct 24, 2016

Competing attitudes about the homeless complicate public policy

Research shows that policies targeting the homeless, such as banning lying down in public, have significant support from the public. However, the same people also want government to spend a lot on helping the homeless, indicating a disconnect between attitudes and policy goals. Disgust plays a key role in this disconnect, with many peo...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPolitical Behavior·DateOct 24, 2016
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.

Cytomegalovirus infection relies on human RNA-binding protein

Researchers discovered that cytomegalovirus (CMV) hijacks the molecular machinery in human cells to survive and replicate, relying on the human protein CPEB1. Suppressing CPEB1 levels during CMV infection reverses harmful cellular changes and reduces viral production tenfold.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 24, 2016

Stent, bypass outcomes better for those who stick to medical therapy

A recent study found that patients who continued with their prescribed medical therapy after stent or bypass surgery had significantly better outcomes than non-adherent patients. Adherence to antiplatelets and statins was a more powerful predictor of adverse event-free survival than the type of revascularization procedure.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCirculation·DateOct 24, 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.

Helping dementia patients recall grandchildren's names

A new telemedicine program offers specialized speech therapy for people with dementia-related language problems, significantly improving their ability to recall words they had lost. The Communication Bridge program uses a secure video-chat platform and home assignments like virtual flashcards to support language memory.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateOct 24, 2016

Creeping gel

A new type of gel has been developed that periodically swells and shrinks to model the waves of muscular contraction and relaxation involved in crawling. The gel responds to light, producing two types of crawling motion, similar to those used by land snails, earthworms, and limpets.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 24, 2016

Research on rare genetic disease reveals new stem cell pathway

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes identify a gene mutation that enhances the efficiency of stem cell reprogramming, improving the number of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from skin cells. This breakthrough could have significant implications for regenerative medicine and drug discovery.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 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.

Choline deficiency during pregnancy influences milk composition in sows

Researchers found that choline deficiency during pregnancy alters choline metabolite profiles, fatty acid compositions, and amino acid levels in sow milk. This study provides new insights into the importance of choline for human development and highlights the need for mandatory fortification programs to address this nutrient deficiency.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateOct 24, 2016

Genetic mutation in whale eyes may increase mortality risks

A genetic mutation in whale eyes impairs their ability to see in bright light, making them more susceptible to fatal entanglements in fishing gear. This study may also provide insight into how vision works in other mammals, including humans.

SourceFlorida Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateOct 24, 2016

Scientists uncover why hepatitis C virus vaccine has been difficult to make

Researchers found that the key viral protein used in candidate HCV vaccines is surprisingly flexible, elicit a wide variety of antibodies that cannot block viral infection. This flexibility may be why current vaccines have been ineffective in preventing HCV infection.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

'Middle England' faces lowest psychosis risk

A new study suggests that 'Middle England', a group of affluent, older white British people living in rural areas, face the lowest risk of developing psychosis. The research found that people from more urban and deprived communities are at a higher risk of experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 24, 2016

Growing stem cells on a chip

A team of researchers has created a microfluidic device that allows for the growth of human pluripotent stem cells in optimal, three-dimensional conditions. This technology enables fine-tuning of the culture environment and creates an ideal artificial microenvironment for hPSC analysis.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateOct 24, 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.

New UTSA study describes method to detect dishonesty online

A new study by UTSA researcher Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo describes a method to detect people using multiple online accounts to spread propaganda. The algorithm analyzes writing samples and detects whether one person or multiple people are responsible for the posts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalConcurrency and Computation Practice and Experience·DateOct 24, 2016

Robotic tutors for primary school children

Researchers developed an integrated computational architecture to detect emotional states and provide pedagogic interventions with robot tutors, aiming to improve learning outcomes. The platform was tested on two primary school volunteers, showing that children preferred the robot tutor but still required human guidance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateOct 24, 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.

Rabies vaccine effective even after warm storage

A WSU-led research team found that a commonly used rabies vaccine produces the same protective antibodies in dogs after being stored for six months at warmer temperatures. This could lead to improved vaccination coverage in hard-to-reach areas of Africa and Asia, reducing the likelihood of rabies returning to communities.

SourceWashington State University·JournalVaccine·DateOct 24, 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.

Vitamin A orange maize improves night vision

A new study found that vitamin A-biofortified orange maize significantly improves visual functions in children, particularly in night vision. The study used a portable device to measure pupil response and showed improved adaptability to low-light conditions within six months.

SourceHarvestPlus·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateOct 24, 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.

Rheological and emulsification behavior of Xinjiang heavy oil and model oils

This study compares the rheological properties, oil-water interfacial tensions, and emulsion stability of Xinjiang crude oil and two common model oils. The results show that white mineral oil and crude oil are pseudo plastic fluids, while silicon oil is a Newtonian fluid.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Fuels & Energy Science Journal·DateOct 24, 2016