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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 36


Page 36 of 44

Custom-tailored strategy against glioblastomas

Researchers have created a new method to combat glioblastomas, a type of brain tumor that is difficult to treat. The method involves testing multiple substances on individual cancer cells from each patient and identifying effective combinations for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 5, 2016

'Blind dates' in the amber world

Scientists have discovered a 54 million-year-old fossilized biting midge in amber, revealing an unusual vesicular structure at the front edge of its wings. This structure was likely used by the female midge to collect and spray pheromones for attraction, unlike modern biting midges that use simpler methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 5, 2016

Bragging as a strategy: What boasting buys, and costs, a candidate

A new study found that boasting about intelligence can make a person seem more competent, but less moral, than those who remain humble. Self-effacement claims also have consequences, with declaring oneself not particularly smart worse for perceived competence than being shown right or wrong.

SourceBrown University·JournalSocial Psychology·DateOct 5, 2016
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.

Atlantic Ocean's slowdown tied to changes in the Southern Hemisphere

A University of Washington study links Atlantic Ocean slowdown to changes in the Southern Hemisphere, which affects eastern North America and Western Europe. The shift is not driven by Arctic sea ice melting but rather by winds in the Southern Ocean.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 5, 2016

Online software helps citizen scientists solve real-world problems

A new study demonstrates how citizen science can be used to improve environmental decision-making and secure funding for conservation projects. Online software and web-portal platforms enable community groups to design protocols, conduct experiments, and implement plans, making them an invaluable tool in addressing environmental issues.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateOct 5, 2016

The adolescent brain is adapted to learning

New research suggests that teenagers' sensitivity to reward is an evolutionary adaptation to learn from their environment. The study found that adolescents outperformed adults in a picture-based game requiring learning from positive and negative reinforcement cues.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 5, 2016

Penn study: Today's most successful fish weren't always evolutionary standouts

A new analysis of over a thousand fossil fishes reveals that holosteans were as evolutionarily innovative as teleosts, and perhaps even more so. The study, led by the University of Pennsylvania's John Clarke, challenges the traditional view of teleosts' success story.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 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.

UTIA receives grant to improve farm financial performance in Tennessee

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to expand the farm financial management database FINBIN to include Tennessee farms. This expansion will provide benchmark financial information for producers, lenders, and other agricultural professionals, enabling them to make more informed financial decisions.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateOct 5, 2016

To help or not to help?

In emergency situations, people tend to behave either egotistically or prosocially, with some individuals being more cooperative than others. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that most participants helped others less in emergency situations due to time pressure, while prosocial individuals were more willing to help.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 5, 2016

Hebrew University study reveals a biological link between stress and obesity

Researchers have discovered a biological link between anxiety and metabolic disorders, revealing microRNAs as key regulators of inflammation and metabolism. This finding offers novel opportunities for innovative diagnoses and treatments, including manipulation of microRNA activity through DNA-based drugs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 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 shows potential disease treatment in newborns via drug delivery to amniotic fluid

Researchers at Rosalind Franklin University and Oregon Health & Science University developed a breakthrough study on treating congenital diseases in utero using antisense oligonucleotides injected into the amniotic cavity. The procedure resulted in targeted alteration of gene expression for up to a month after birth.

SourceRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateOct 5, 2016

IRCM researchers explain how evolution has equipped our hands with 5 fingers

A team of researchers led by Dr. Marie Kmita discovered that the transition from fin to limb was not accomplished overnight and identified a key difference in gene regulation between fish and mice. By reproducing the fish-type regulation, mice developed up to seven digits per paw, revealing the significance of this difference.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateOct 5, 2016

Brookhaven Lab to play major role in 2 DOE exascale computing application projects

The Computational Science Initiative at Brookhaven Lab will develop modeling and simulation applications for nuclear and high-energy physics, focusing on lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations and computational chemistry code NWChem. The projects aim to optimize societal impact in fields like climate science and materials science.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateOct 5, 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.

Absolute structure determination: Pushing the limits

Current methods for determining compound chirality rely on X-ray diffraction and computer analysis. Recent advancements have improved the accuracy of absolute structure assignment, enabling reliable results for compounds containing heavy atoms.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateOct 5, 2016

Heavy hitters: Obesity rate soars among professional baseball players

Professional baseball players have seen a significant increase in weight and obesity over the last quarter century. The majority of athletes were within the normal BMI range for over 100 years, but around 1991, their average BMI began to rise, with nearly 80% now falling into the overweight or obese category.

SourcePenn State·JournalObesity Research & Clinical Practice·DateOct 5, 2016

Heparin derived from cattle is equivalent to heparin from pigs, study finds

A new study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researchers has found that bovine heparin has equivalent anti-clotting properties to porcine heparin. This breakthrough could help address possible shortages of the essential medication, which is primarily derived from pigs.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalClinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis·DateOct 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.

The incredible shrinking particle accelerator

A new toolkit has been developed to simulate, analyze and visualize particle accelerator studies using advanced visualization tools and supercomputers. This enables faster and more efficient simulations, reducing memory usage and saving computer time.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalIEEE Computer Graphics and Applications·DateOct 5, 2016

Study shows infants pay more attention to native speakers

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 5, 2016

NASA satellite sees stubborn Atlantic Tropical Storm Nicole

Tropical Storm Nicole in the western Atlantic Ocean is resisting erosion from wind shear, a phenomenon that can disrupt tropical cyclones. Despite being battered by strong winds, Nicole has maintained its strength and is expected to remain in strong wind shear conditions for several days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 5, 2016

Redox biomarker could predict progression of epilepsy

A study published in Redox Biology found that a decreased cysteine/cystine ratio in plasma may predict the progression of epilepsy. The study used a rat model and found significant changes in the biomarker after seizures were induced, suggesting its potential as a redox biomarker for epilepsy.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalRedox Biology·DateOct 5, 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.

Planet formation: The death of a planet nursery?

The TW Hydrae system shows a prominent gap that is unlikely to be caused by an actively accreting protoplanet. Instead, researchers attribute the feature to photoevaporation, which heats gas and allows it to fly away from the disk. This process may disperse the disk before planets can form.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 5, 2016

A better blood sugar test for diabetes

A new blood sugar test method developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has been shown to cut diagnostic errors by more than 50% compared to current tests. The technique, which takes into account the age of red blood cells, offers personalized diabetes monitoring for over 400 million diabetics worldwide.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 5, 2016

Research details industry payments to dermatologists

A new study analyzed industry payments to 8,333 dermatologists in 2014, finding that the top 10% collected at least $3,940 and the top 1% received over $93,622. The majority of payments were for speaker fees, consulting, or research activities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateOct 5, 2016

First results on semen quality from the world's oldest group of ICSI men

The study found that ICSI men had almost half the sperm concentration and a two-fold lower total sperm count compared to naturally conceived men. They were also nearly three times more likely to have sperm concentrations below 15 million per millilitre of semen.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateOct 5, 2016

A nerve agent antidote that could be taken before an attack

Scientists have created a potential nerve agent antidote that can be taken before an attack, offering hope for soldiers and others exposed to these molecular weapons. The enzyme-based antidote was encapsulated in a porous metal-organic framework, enhancing its staying power and effectiveness.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 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.

Common US snake actually 3 different species

Research finds yellow-bellied kingsnake has three subspecies with distinct habitats on each side of the Mississippi, challenging long-held biodiversity theory. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding ecological environments in shaping species diversity.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateOct 5, 2016

Clean water-treatment option targets sporadic outbreaks

David Wendell's technology targets harmful pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and protozoa while preserving healthy bacteria in public drinking water. It uses light-generated hydrogen peroxide to eliminate outbreaks, without adding contaminants to the environment.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 5, 2016

Certain citrus species produce repellent against huanglongbing

Researchers discovered that three citrus plants - Citrus reticulata, Swingle citrumelo, and Murcott mandarin - produce essential oils that repel Diaphorina citri, the insect that transmits huanglongbing. These compounds may act as repellents, making the plants less attractive to D. citri for ovipositing purposes.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMolecules·DateOct 5, 2016

Grant to TSRI-led consortium expands to $207 million

The National Institutes of Health has expanded a five-year funding award to The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) from $120 million to $207 million. TSRI will lead the effort to engage one million or more U.S. participants in a historic medical research effort aimed at improving disease prevention and treatment based on individual diff...

SourceScripps Research Institute·DateOct 5, 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.

New imaging method could enable dentists to detect and heal tooth cavities much earlier

A new imaging device uses long-wavelength infrared imaging to detect small thermal radiation emitted from dental caries, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potential reversal. The tool has the benefits of being noncontact, noninvasive, and low-cost, with great potential as a commercially viable diagnostic imaging device.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateOct 5, 2016

Low lead levels in children negatively affect test scores

A new study using data from Rhode Island's lead-abatement program and repeated blood lead level tests found that low reading scores among preschoolers can predict lower scores in subsequent years. The study suggests that lead exposure may contribute to the persistence of gaps in test scores between children from different socioeconomic...

SourceBrown University·DateOct 5, 2016

Physicists 'dissolve' water in an emerald

Researchers successfully confine individual H?O molecules within nanosized cavities in beryl crystals, exhibiting ferroelectric properties. This discovery could have implications for various fields, including biology, chemistry, and geology.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 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.

Age limit for federal food assistance program is increasing food insecurity

A new study found that US federal food assistance programs face a critical issue with their age limits, which can lead to increased food insecurity for families. The current program restricts eligibility for children at the age of five, despite many not attending school immediately after.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateOct 5, 2016

Food scientists: We can detect much more food fraud

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have reviewed the use of NIR spectroscopy to detect food fraud in Current Opinion in Food Science. The method can reveal far more food fraud than current methods, including intentional misrepresentation and undeclared introduction of cheaper substances. By examining large quantities of raw ...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalCurrent Opinion in Food Science·DateOct 5, 2016

Discovery: A new form of light

A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College have discovered a new way that some molecules can make a luminescent glow, breaking Kasha's Rule. The newly discovered pathway to creating light may prove useful in industrial materials, LEDs, and biomedical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Chemistry·DateOct 5, 2016

New method to detect aging cells developed by researchers

Researchers at the University of Manchester developed a universally applicable method to assess senescence across biomedicine. The new biomarker provides unprecedented advantages over existing products, being sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalAging Cell·DateOct 5, 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.

Volunteering may have benefits for memory among older adults

A new study found that volunteering regularly over time may have benefits for older adults' memory and physical health. Volunteering reduces the risk of cognitive problems by 27%, even among those with other risk factors.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 5, 2016

NASA sees Chaba becoming extra-tropical

Tropical Storm Chaba has become an extra-tropical storm, with strong winds and wind shear causing it to resemble a frontal system. NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible images of the storm as it moved northeast through the Sea of Japan, affecting Japan and South Korea.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 5, 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.

How much does that fertilizer REALLY cost?

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment have proposed a framework that accounts for the damages caused by reactive nitrogen, estimating the dollars-and-cents cost of nitrogen pollution. The tool will help integrate nitrogen costs into decisions made by agencies and groups.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 5, 2016

Drug restores hair growth in patients with alopecia areata

A clinical trial found that ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, significantly restored hair growth in 75% of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed promise for treating other forms of hair loss.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 5, 2016

Researchers modify yeast to show how plants respond to a key hormone

Researchers have developed a novel toolkit based on modified yeast cells to tease out how plant genes and proteins respond to auxin, the most ubiquitous plant hormone. The system revealed the basic 'code' of auxin signaling, including how specific combinations of repressing or activating proteins can bind to auxin, DNA, and one another.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2016

Transgender women who begin hormone therapy more likely to quit smoking

A new study found that transgender women on hormone therapy have a higher rate of smoking cessation compared to the general population, with 64% of current smokers quitting after starting treatment. Researchers believe this may be due to the life-changing event of hormone therapy and the associated health risks.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEndocrine Practice·DateOct 5, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Case of the missing continental crust solved: It sank

Researchers computed precise amount of continental crust before and after collision, concluding that half the mass is missing due to sinking into mantle. The finding explains puzzling geochemistry and throws out long-held idea that continental crust can't descend into mantle.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 5, 2016

Solving the problem of glare

Researchers have developed innovative methods to counteract glare and reduce unwanted light in various imaging applications, including microscopy, biomedicine, and astronomy. These new approaches use modified light to minimize glare, offering a promising solution for improving image quality.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 5, 2016

Non-toxic solvent removes barrier to commercialization of perovskite solar cells

Scientists at Oxford University have developed a non-toxic solvent system that can be used to manufacture perovskite solar cells, overcoming a major barrier to their commercialization. The clean solvent quickly crystallizes perovskite films at room temperature, making it suitable for coating large solar panels.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 5, 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.

EBV-derived microRNAs silence immune alarm signals of the host cell

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a mechanism by which EBV virus suppresses alarm signals sent out by infected cells. MicroRNAs made by the virus block production of proteins that would ring the alarm, rendering killer T cells and helper T cells inactive.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2016

Sustainability projects offer potential seeds for a more just future

International researchers have identified six main overarching themes in community initiatives that can potentially play a role in creating a future that is both more just and more sustainable. These include agroecology, green urbanism, future knowledge, urban transformation, fair futures, and sustainable futures.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateOct 5, 2016