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Science News for April 7, 2017


High-intensity interval training rapidly improves diabetics' glucose metabolism

A two-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program improved glucose metabolism in muscles of people with type 2 diabetes. HIIT surpassed traditional moderate intensity continuous training in its benefits, with significant improvements in insulin sensitivity and endurance noted.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateApr 7, 2017

From the science of learning to the art of teaching

A $4.6-million grant will investigate how students and teachers implement principles from the science of learning in educational settings. The project aims to provide students with tools to learn effectively on their own, regardless of career path.

SourceBoston College·DateApr 7, 2017

Claude-André Faucher-Giguère receives NSF honor for young faculty

Claude-André Faucher-Giguère, a Northwestern University astrophysicist, has received a Faculty Early Career Development Program award from the National Science Foundation. The $794,304 grant will support improved galaxy formation simulations and interactive visualizations for public outreach.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateApr 7, 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.

'Nesting doll' minerals offer clues to Earth's mantle dynamics

A team of scientists has discovered a rare sample of the mineral majorite, which originated at least 235 miles below Earth's surface. The discovery provides valuable insights into the dynamic processes occurring deep inside the Earth and its history, including the formation of mountain ranges that persist today.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 7, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nutrition report calls for greater cooperation and coordination in promotion of pulse as consumer-friendly food stuff

A special issue of Annals highlights the potential of pulses to address global nutrition issues and environmental concerns through increased consumption. The report emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral partnerships, research, and public interventions to promote pulse consumption and yield improvements.

SourceNew York Academy of Sciences·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2017

ERC advanced grant for Jiri Friml

Jiri Friml, a plant biologist at IST Austria, has received an ERC advanced grant to investigate the evolution of auxin transport and polarity in plants. His research will focus on understanding how plants adapt to environmental changes through the dynamic regulation of PIN transporters.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·DateApr 7, 2017

Asthma drug helps patients with skin disorder

Omalizumab, an asthma drug, demonstrates significant symptom improvements and prevention in patients with cold urticaria and symptomatic dermographism. The treatment was found to be effective in nearly half of patients with symptoms after exposure to stimuli.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 7, 2017

Peptide acts as mediator for learning

Researchers have discovered a key peptide called DBI that promotes the production of new neurons in the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory. DBI binds to GABA receptors, suppressing its inhibitory effect and allowing neural stem cells to proliferate.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNeuron·DateApr 7, 2017
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.

AGA releases best practice advice on long-term PPI use

The American Gastroenterological Association recommends a tailored approach to PPI use for different conditions, weighing benefits against risks. Long-term PPI users should have their doses reevaluated regularly to minimize side effects.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 7, 2017

New study reveals how some chickens got striped feathers

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered two independent mutations required for the development of sex-linked barring in chickens, a pattern resembling the common cuckoo's plumage. The study sheds light on the genetic mechanisms behind colour variation and pigmentation in birds.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 7, 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.

Rice University's Cin-Ty Lee wins Guggenheim Fellowship

Cin-Ty Lee, an earth scientist at Rice University, has won a Guggenheim Fellowship to investigate how continents emerged from oceans and their effect on nutrient cycling. He will explore crystal growth and kinetics in magmatic and hydrothermal conditions.

SourceRice University·DateApr 7, 2017

Study: Bipartisan coalitions more likely as Congress becomes more polarized

A new study by Dartmouth College researchers finds that bipartisan coalitions are more likely to form in Congress when it becomes more polarized, enabling lawmakers to override presidential vetoes. This occurs as party leaders gain control over procedures and presidents use veto power strategically.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateApr 7, 2017

Osteoporosis drug found safe in long-term trial

A new study confirms denosumab's short-term and long-term safety in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Women on long-term treatment experienced no increase in adverse effects compared to those on placebo or shorter treatment durations.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 7, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer for land surface radiation models

A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer is proposed, improving the accuracy of land surface radiation models by determining surface albedo and transpiration. The method reveals a relationship between direct and diffuse radiation, treating them separately in previous studies.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 7, 2017

New medication significantly decreases involuntary movement

A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that valbenazine can significantly reduce tardive dyskinesia symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorder. The medication showed a 50% improvement rate compared to the placebo group.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateApr 7, 2017
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.

Money can't buy confidence in birth services, research shows

A study found that less than 50% of eligible women in India take up the Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme due to obstacles such as poor care quality and transport challenges. Community health workers, known as ASHAs, were identified as major enabling factors in accessing delivery care.

SourceLancaster University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateApr 7, 2017

Researchers detect protein that increases effectiveness of vaccines

Researchers have discovered a protein called PorB, found on the exterior of bacteria, which can increase both antibody production and stimulate cytotoxic T cells to fight off infections. The study demonstrates the potential for this protein to enhance vaccine effectiveness against various diseases, including cancer and HIV.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 7, 2017

ERC advanced grant for Carl-Philipp Heisenberg

Biologist Carl-Philipp Heisenberg has been awarded an ERC advanced grant to study the interplay between gene regulatory networks and physical processes in embryonic development. His research will focus on gastrulation, a critical phase of embryonic development where cells are transformed into distinct layers.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·DateApr 7, 2017

Big women have nearly threefold greater risk of atrial fibrillation

Research found that bigger women have a significantly higher risk of atrial fibrillation due to their larger body size, with those in the highest body surface area quartile having nearly three times the risk as those in the lowest. The study's findings suggest that avoiding excess weight may be beneficial for tall individuals.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateApr 7, 2017
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.

PET radiotracer design for monitoring targeted immunotherapy

Researchers developed new engineered PET tracers to image immune checkpoint expression in cancer cells, enabling monitoring of targeted immunotherapy. The study shows practical immunoPET radiotracer design modifications and their effects on human PD-L1 immune checkpoint imaging.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 7, 2017

Birds to help unravel the inner working of nature's most complex societies

A team of scientists led by the University of Exeter aims to understand how individual characteristics and social relationships influence collective movements in birds. The project seeks to decipher the mechanisms behind flocking behavior, with potential implications for crowd safety, crop management, and robotics.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateApr 7, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Puffins that stay close to their partner during migration have more chicks

A new study found that puffin pairs that migrate close together have higher breeding success rates. Female winter foraging efforts also play a crucial role in determining pair breeding success. The study used geolocators to track the migratory movements of 12 pairs of Atlantic Puffins, revealing that pairs following similar migration r...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateApr 7, 2017

Plotting the demise of Alzheimer's

Researchers are testing an anti-amyloid drug on people with elevated amyloid levels but no cognitive decline. The goal is to identify an early stage of the disease and delay onset by five years by 2025, which could save billions in healthcare costs.

SourceHarvard University·DateApr 7, 2017

Rescue protein gives doomed cells a stay of 'execution'

Researchers have discovered a set of proteins that delays the 'executioner' machinery killing damaged or infected cells in necroptosis. The rescue treatments may prevent injuries to transplanted organs and help prevent cancer spread.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·DateApr 7, 2017

400 million years of a stable relationship

A team of scientists has identified a transcription factor called MYB1 that regulates the lifespan of arbuscules in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular basis of balance in AM symbiosis and could lead to more effective symbiosis, potentially improving crop yields.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 7, 2017
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.

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Ernie intensify

Tropical Cyclone Ernie strengthened into a hurricane with an eye forming in visible images captured by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm was located near Western Australia, moving south at 5 knots with maximum sustained winds of 109 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 7, 2017

Scientists uncover isotopic fingerprint of N2O emissions from Arctic tundra

A new study identifies the isotopic fingerprint of nitrous oxide produced by Arctic soils, shedding light on climate change mitigation actions. The research opens up new avenues for predicting future trends in atmospheric nitrous oxide and identifying greenhouse gas sources in the Arctic.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateApr 7, 2017

A moldable scaffold for bone

A new bioactive foam can be molded to fit irregular skull defects, attracting bone cells to naturally regenerate bone. The foam hardens in place, providing a low-cost alternative to current bone grafts.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateApr 7, 2017

Volcanic arcs form by deep melting of rock mixtures

Researchers discovered a previously unknown process involving the melting of intensely-mixed metamorphic rocks, known as mélange rocks, that form through high stress during subduction. This finding changes our understanding of how volcanic arc lavas are formed and may have implications for earthquake studies and volcanic eruption risks.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 7, 2017
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Study: Warm Atlantic waters contribute to sea ice decline

A University of Alaska Fairbanks study found that warmer Atlantic water is a significant contributor to Arctic sea ice loss. Increased mixing in the Eastern Eurasian Basin allows heat from the warmer water to reach the surface, causing sea ice to melt.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience·DateApr 7, 2017

You spy with your little eye -- dogs can adopt the perspective of humans

Cognitive biologists found dogs can correctly interpret cues by humans and find hidden food even if they cannot see it. Dogs adopt human perspectives by following gazes and understanding who knows what, enabling them to identify informants and successfully complete tasks.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateApr 7, 2017