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Science News for September 9, 2016


That stings: Insecticide hurts queen bees' egg-laying abilities

A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that exposure to imidacloprid, a popular insecticide, significantly reduces the number of eggs laid by queen bees. This impairment can lead to colony decline and death, highlighting the need for beekeepers to take precautions when using neonicotinoids.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 9, 2016

CHORI study reveals potential improvements for effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines

A study by UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute has found a new mutant vaccine antigen that significantly improves protective antibody responses against meningococcus. The results show up to 15-fold greater protection, with potential implications for improved vaccines for infants and young children.

SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 9, 2016

UCLA-Caltech study identifies brain cells that help us learn by watching others

A UCLA-Caltech study has pinpointed the individual neurons in the brain that support observational learning, a skill essential for human decision-making. The research team discovered that these neurons fire in response to schadenfreude, the pleasure of seeing someone else make a mistake.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Maternal gastric bypass may be associated with low birth weight babies

Women who undergo gastric bypass surgery for weight loss may give birth to babies with lower average birth weights due to nutrient deficiencies. The study found that 23% of newborns were small for their gestational age and had lower levels of key nutrients like calcium and zinc.

SourceEuropean Society for Paediatric Endocrinology·DateSep 9, 2016

Researchers outline barriers to treating fear and anxiety

A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that a misinterpretation of brain function has hindered the development of effective treatments for fear and anxiety disorders. The researchers propose a new framework that recognizes the distinction between conscious feelings and behavioral/physiological responses.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 9, 2016

Chinese investigators characterize the world of resistance gene exchange among bacteria

A team of Chinese researchers characterized the 'mobile resistome,' a network of easily transferred antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, including humans and animals. The study found that these genes are shared among multiple human pathogens and can be disabling for six major classes of antibiotics.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 9, 2016

Voices of patients and oncologists must be heard, study says

A study published in JAMA Oncology found that training oncologists and their patients to have high-quality discussions improves communication and leads to more clinically meaningful conversations. Despite the focused efforts, shared understanding about prognosis was lacking among patients.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateSep 9, 2016

A versatile method to pattern functionalized nanowires

Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a versatile method to pattern functionalized nanowires using structure-controllable amyloid peptides. The technique achieved a 67% tandem yield and showed geometrical patterns that can be controlled by adjusting the peptide mix ratio.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 9, 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.

New research sheds light 'gender gap' in cystic fibrosis

Researchers have made new insights into the underlying mechanisms of cystic fibrosis, a deadly genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs. The study reveals how estrogen disrupts ion transport in patients with CF, leading to more severe symptoms and shorter life expectancy for women.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 9, 2016

Researchers prototype system for reading closed books

A new computational imaging method identifies letters printed on the first 9 pages of a stack of paper, demonstrating the feasibility of reading closed books. The MIT system exploits the unique properties of terahertz radiation to penetrate surfaces and analyze materials in thin layers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2016

UMD physicists discover 'smoke rings' made of laser light

Researchers have discovered 'spatiotemporal optical vortices,' or STOVs, which are 3-D ring structures generated by high-intensity lasers. These structures have the potential to manipulate particles moving at the speed of light and may be useful for designing powerful microscopes and more efficient telecommunication lines.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 9, 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.

What's nature worth? Count the selfies

A University of Vermont-led team analyzed over 7,000 geotagged photos to calculate the economic impact of conserved lands on tourism in Vermont. The study found that these lands contributed significantly to the state's tourism industry between 2007-2014.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 9, 2016

Reports detail how to help older adults avoid financial fraud

New technologies can assist in protecting older adults from financial fraud, including transactions via wearable technologies and bank cards with chip-and-signature security features. Professionals should be trained to recognize signs of cognitive decline and help clients plan for the possibility of future impairment.

SourceFeinstein Kean Healthcare·DateSep 9, 2016