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Science News for April 14, 2017


Immunotherapy for glioblastoma well tolerated; survival gains observed

A phase one study of 11 patients with glioblastoma who received injections of an investigational vaccine therapy and an approved chemotherapy showed the combination to be well tolerated while also resulting in unexpectedly significant survival increases. The researchers found that the combination significantly slowed the progression of...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateApr 14, 2017

Immunity against melanoma is only skin deep

A new study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that resident memory T cells reside in the skin, where they can quickly eliminate melanoma cells. This finding suggests that these immune cells play a crucial role in protecting against future tumors and may serve as a target for future cancer therapies.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalScience Immunology·DateApr 14, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Understanding money reduces worry about old age

A study by Hiroshima University and Nagoya University found that financial literacy decreases anxiety about life in old age. Financially literate individuals earn more, accumulate assets, and are less anxious about retirement, thanks to better risk perception and planning.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalJournal of Risk Research·DateApr 14, 2017

Hubble sees starbursts in Virgo

Astronomers study starburst galaxies to understand their evolution. Hubble's observations of NGC 4536 reveal high rates of star formation driven by gas supply, which fuels the creation of colorful ionized hydrogen clouds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 14, 2017

SAVI camera ditches long lens for distant images

The SAVI camera uses laser light to capture high-resolution images of distant objects, eliminating the need for a long lens. The technology has potential applications in visible light imaging, with researchers envisioning real-time, high-resolution capture using this synthetic aperture approach.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2017

3-D-printed model of stenotic intracranial artery enables vessel-wall MRI standardization

A collaboration created a 3D-printed phantom of a stenotic intracranial artery to standardize high-resolution MRI protocols for studying intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The phantom enables standardized vessel-wall MRI at multiple sites, facilitating multicenter trials and accelerating research.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateApr 14, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study unravels long-held Fermi puzzle tied to nonlinear systems

An international team of scientists found that strongly nonlinear systems can reach equilibrium, provided certain conditions are met. The breakthrough was made by examining the collisions between solitary waves in a chain of solid spheres and comparing the results with dynamical computer simulations.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical Review E·DateApr 14, 2017

3-D-printed patch can help mend a 'broken' heart

Researchers have developed a 3D-bioprinted patch that can heal scarred heart tissue after a heart attack. The patch was made from cells and structural proteins native to the heart and showed significant improvement in functional capacity in mice after just four weeks.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalCirculation Research·DateApr 14, 2017

Assessing heart disease risk is within arm's reach

Researchers at New York Institute of Technology found that the radial artery may be useful for assessing heart disease risk, as it exhibits positive correlations with key risk factors. This discovery could lead to a new way to measure systemic atherosclerosis and improve cardiovascular health monitoring.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalThe Anatomical Record·DateApr 14, 2017

Study finds worse survival when specific thyroid cancers spread to bone

A large study found patients with follicular and medullary thyroid cancer had the highest rate of bone lesions and fractures, and increased risk of death. Researchers suggest targeting this high-risk population with specific drugs to prevent or treat complications.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 14, 2017
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.

Lice and their bacterial sidekicks have evolved together for millions of years

A Florida Museum study reveals that lice and their vitamin-producing bacterial partners have coevolved continuously for at least 20 to 25 million years. The bacteria's tiny genomes are a result of extensive genome remodeling over time, with genes critical to symbiosis being close together.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 14, 2017

High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet

Gambling addiction is characterized by excessive risk-taking despite negative results, according to Kyoto University research. The study found that addicts have a poor ability to assess and adapt to high-risk situations, leading to an unhealthy bent towards risky choices.

SourceKyoto University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateApr 14, 2017

Plant genes may lack off switch, but have volume control

Scientists discovered that genetic material known as introns can play a dramatic role in plant gene activity. Introns act as volume control for some essential genes, making them silent when removed. This finding suggests that many genes may not have a traditional on/off switch.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateApr 14, 2017
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.

Computers create recipe for two new magnetic materials

Researchers at Duke University have created two new magnetic materials using high-throughput computational models. The success marks a new era for the large-scale design of new magnetic materials, with potential applications in motors, MRI machines and beyond.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2017

Research suggests bans on trans fats linked to healthier communities

A new study found that areas with trans fat bans in restaurants had significantly fewer hospitalizations for heart attack and stroke compared to areas without restrictions. The decline was 6.2%, highlighting the power of public policy to impact cardiovascular health.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateApr 14, 2017

Th17 cells could facilitate wider clinical use of adoptive immunotherapy

Researchers at MUSC found that Th17 cells can be expanded outside the body without losing effectiveness, providing a promising alternative to classic T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy. This breakthrough enables longer window periods for obtaining effective T cells via expansion outside the body.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateApr 14, 2017

Traces of Zika Found in Asian tiger mosquito in Brazil

Research detects fragments of Zika virus RNA in Asian tiger mosquito eggs collected in Brazil, highlighting potential role in Zika transmission. The findings emphasize the need for further research into additional vector species.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateApr 14, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New method for tapping vast plant pharmacopeia to make more effective drugs

Vanderbilt University scientists developed a new approach to identify gene networks responsible for producing biologically active compounds in plants. The method uses co-expression analysis of over 22,000 gene expression studies and identifies dozens of pathways producing small metabolites, including previously identified ones.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateApr 14, 2017

Synthesis and functional evaluation of novel aldose reductase inhibitors

Researchers have synthesized and evaluated three novel aldose reductase inhibitors, showcasing a spirobenzopyran scaffold that inhibits the target enzyme without affecting ARL1. These results suggest a promising tool for developing effective ARIs to treat diabetic complications.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Medicinal Chemistry Journal·DateApr 14, 2017

Helping students learn by sketching

Researchers at Northwestern University developed Sketch Worksheets, a software that analyzes and provides feedback on student sketches to help them learn various subjects. The software uses CogSketch's visual processing algorithms and analogy model to compare student and instructor sketches, providing immediate feedback on mistakes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalTopics in Cognitive Science·DateApr 14, 2017
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.

Lice and bacteria, partners in parasitism

Scientists sequenced the genomes of symbiotic bacteria from human lice and their closely related monkey lice counterparts. The data revealed a single-trunked tree suggesting the bacteria have been associated with lice for millions of years.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 14, 2017

ATV-related injuries in children remain large public health problem

Children are more severely injured from ATV-related accidents than adults, with data showing an estimated 99,600 injuries requiring emergency treatment in the US. The primary causes of these injuries include vehicle rollover, collision with stationary objects, and ejection from the vehicle.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine·DateApr 14, 2017

Researchers design coatings to prevent pipeline clogging

A new coating system developed at MIT can effectively prevent the buildup of hydrates in oil and gas pipelines, which can slow or block flow. The system creates a barrier film between water and the pipe wall, keeping hydrates away.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 14, 2017
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.

Opioid use disorder in pregnancy -- medication treatment improves outcomes for mothers and infants

A research review and update suggests that medication for addiction treatment (MAT) is an appropriate treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD), reducing opioid use, promoting abstinence, and aiding recovery. Comprehensive care programs supporting mothers and infants are crucial for sustained recovery.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Addiction Medicine·DateApr 14, 2017