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Science News for August 18, 2017


Histone 1, the guardian of genome stability

Researchers reveal histone 1 prevents accumulation of lethal R-loops and genome instability in heterochromatin, contradicting long-held hypothesis.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2017

Doctors exploring how to prescribe income security

Researchers found that 77% of patients referred to an income security health promotion service needed assistance with increasing income, including filing taxes and applying for social services. The service acts as a bridge between health and social care, helping patients navigate financial and social support systems.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalBMJ Open·DateAug 18, 2017

Smokers 20 percent more likely to quit when cigarettes cost $1 more

A Drexel University study found that older smokers are 20% more likely to quit when cigarette prices increase by $1. The study also showed a 3% overall reduction in smoking risk and a 7% reduction in risk for heavy smokers. Raising cigarette prices appears to be an effective strategy for encouraging smoking cessation across all ages.

SourceDrexel University·JournalEpidemiology·DateAug 18, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Make way for hemoglobin

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the mechanism behind red blood cell specialization, controlled by the enzyme UBE2O. The study reveals that UBE2O marks proteins for destruction, allowing precursor red blood cells to become specialized and well-nourished with oxygen.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2017

A heart made of spider silk

Scientists develop an artificial silk protein that can be used to engineer cardiac tissue, demonstrating its suitability for repairing damaged heart cells. The protein, eADF4(κ16), was produced in large quantities and shown to support the growth of cardiac cells, with potential implications for treating cardiac insufficiency.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 18, 2017

Gene variant activity is surprisingly variable between tissues

A comprehensive analysis of gene variants in 23 different tissues and developmental stages of mice reveals tissue-specific differences in gene variant activity. The study found that genetic and epigenetic differences contribute to these patterns, with some genes escaping X-chromosome inactivation and exhibiting high rates of activity.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2017

Allergies: Cross-reactivity between cypress pollen and peaches/citrus fruits explained

Researchers have discovered a new family of proteins involved in cross-reactivity between cypress pollen and certain fruits, leading to improved allergy diagnosis and treatment. This finding, published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, sheds light on the underlying mechanisms behind pollen food associated syndrome.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 18, 2017
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New study rebuts the claim that antidepressants do not work

A new study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg supports the notion that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) exert a specific antidepressant effect. Contrary to the 'placebo effect' theory, SSRIs are shown to be effective in treating depression, even in patients without side effects.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 18, 2017

To reduce postoperative pain, consider sleep -- and caffeine

A new study reveals that sleep deprivation significantly enhances postoperative pain behaviors and extends recovery time after surgery. Caffeine blocks this effect by blocking adenosine in the brain, suggesting a potential novel intervention for improving postoperative pain management.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 18, 2017

New bioimaging technique is fast and economical

A new approach to optical imaging allows for fast and economical tracking of multiple molecular interactions in large areas of living tissue. The method, developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers, can capture interactions in mere billionths of a second and simultaneously track 16 colors of spatially linked information.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 18, 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.

NASA looks at rainfall in Tropical Storm Harvey

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected extremely heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Harvey, with rates reaching almost 5.8 inches per hour. The satellite's radar showed powerful convective storms west of the storm's center, creating a 3D image of the rainfall structure.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 2017

Organ crosstalk: Fatty liver can cause damage to other organs

Researchers found that fatty liver disease can cause damage to other organs, particularly the pancreas. The protein fetuin-A produced by the fatty liver triggers an inflammatory response in the pancreas, leading to reduced insulin secretion and worsening of blood glucose regulation.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalDiabetologia·DateAug 18, 2017

Identifying individual atmospheric equatorial waves from a total flow field

Researchers developed a new approach to identify individual equatorial waves in wind and geopotential height fields using classical equatorial wave theory. This allows for the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of equatorial waves, including their initiations, propagations, and interactions with tropical convections.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 18, 2017

Can Twitter aid disaster response? New IST research examines how

Researchers at Penn State's IST developed a system that correlates Twitter posts with power outage reports, showing a moderate-to-strong correlation. The tool could enable real-time monitoring and faster deployment of resources during disasters.

SourcePenn State·JournalSustainable and Resilient Infrastructure·DateAug 18, 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.

The power of perovskite

Researchers at OIST have improved the stability of perovskite solar cells by inserting a thin polymer layer, extending their lifespan four-fold. They have also developed a new method to manufacture perovskite LEDs using chemical vapor deposition, which could lead to lower-cost and more efficient lighting solutions.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateAug 18, 2017

Climate change and habitat conversion combine to homogenize nature

A study on Costa Rican tropical bird species reveals that climate change and habitat conversion are driving the loss of biodiversity by favoring similar species in both wetter and drier areas. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting wetter forests and incentivizing private landowners to create forest patches near their farms.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 18, 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.

CAS scientists make autism advance using monkey model

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences create SHANK3-deficient non-human primate model, showing significant reduction in postsynaptic proteins and mature neurons. The study highlights the critical role of SHANK3 in early brain development and its potential for advancing autism research.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell Research·DateAug 18, 2017

Right kind of collaboration is key to solving environmental problems

Researchers find that certain patterns of collaboration are more effective in solving shared environmental problems, with tightly linked actors working together improving outcomes. A socio-ecological 'fit' between networks and ecosystems also increases the possibility of effectively solving environmental problems.

SourceStockholm University·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2017

Discovered: A quick and easy way to shut down instabilities in fusion devices

Researchers have discovered a method to quickly shut down instabilities in fusion devices by injecting highly energetic particles, which can cause fusion reactions to fizzle out. This technique could prove useful for the international fusion facility ITER and demonstrate the ability to confine a burning plasma.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 18, 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.

Hot spot at Hawaii? Not so fast

Researchers developed a method to analyze hot spot tracks and found most groups are fixed and relatively motionless, moving at about 4 millimeters per year. This contradicts previous findings that suggested hot spots moved as much as 33 millimeters a year.

SourceRice University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 18, 2017

Citrus: From luxury item to cash crop

Research reveals citrons and lemons were first citrus fruits to arrive in the Mediterranean, prized for their rarity and symbolic value. The study highlights the crucial role of Muslim traders in dispersing cultivated citrus across Northern Africa and Southern Europe.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalHortScience·DateAug 18, 2017

Flexibility at work key to helping women maintain careers after childbirth

Research by University of Kent shows that flexible work arrangements can help women stay in their jobs after having a child. The study found that women who used flexitime were half as likely to reduce their hours, with those who used it before and after childbirth experiencing the greatest benefit.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalHuman Relations·DateAug 18, 2017

Novel approach to track HIV infection

Researchers have developed a novel approach to track HIV infection by identifying individual viral particles associated with infection. The new method reveals that uncoating leading to infection occurs early in the cytoplasm, around 30 minutes after cell fusion.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 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.

Smart computers

A team of scientists from the University of Freiburg has created a self-learning algorithm that decodes human brain signals measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG) with high accuracy. The algorithm, based on brain-inspired models, can recognize and differentiate between various behavioral patterns from different movements, making it ...

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateAug 18, 2017

Seeking the secret ingredient in the original smallpox vaccine

Researchers explore the origins of the smallpox vaccine, tracing its development from cowpox virus to modern vaccinia virus. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between different types of viruses and lymphs involved in the vaccine's evolution.

SourcePublicase International·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateAug 18, 2017

Research reveals how physical exercise protects the heart

A study by the University of São Paulo found that aerobic exercise facilitates the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria from heart cells, increasing energy supply and reducing toxic molecules. Regular exercise can help prevent heart failure and improve cardiac function.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAutophagy·DateAug 18, 2017

Virus with an eggshell

Researchers found that avian flu viruses isolated from humans have the same gene sequences as those from birds, suggesting transmission through the mineral layer. The mineralized shell changes the electric surface potential of the virus, allowing it to adsorb efficiently onto host cells.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 18, 2017
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.

Despite benefits, half of parents against later school start times

A nationally representative survey found that 51% of parents support later school start times to accommodate their teens' natural circadian rhythms. Teens need 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but many parents underestimate their children's sleep needs, with only half agreeing with existing recommendations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateAug 18, 2017
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.

Special issue of Future Medicinal Chemistry explores immunotherapy edit article

A special focus issue on immunotherapy has been published in Future Medicinal Chemistry, discussing the discovery and development of novel immunotherapeutic agents for use as anti-inflammatories and cancer treatments. The issue addresses recent scientific advances and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

SourceFuture Science Group·JournalFuture Medicinal Chemistry·DateAug 18, 2017

NASA gets a final look at Hurricane Gert's rainfall

Before becoming a post-tropical cyclone, NASA observed Hurricane Gert's intense rainfall of over 2.94 inches per hour. The storm's eastern side was experiencing powerful bands of rain, with some areas reaching up to 7.5 miles in height.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 2017

How whip-like cell appendages promote bodily fluid flow

Researchers at Nagoya University found that Daple protein is essential for the correct arrangement of cilia on brain cells, enabling directional fluid flow. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind hydrocephalus and its related diseases such as asthma and female infertility.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 18, 2017

Scientists from the MSU studied new liquid-crystalline photochrom

Researchers have synthesized new liquid-crystal photochromic polymers with comb-shaped molecules that change molecular orientation under external fields, forming coatings and films. These polymers exhibit photoisomerization and photo-orientation processes, allowing for control over phase behavior and optical properties.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics·DateAug 18, 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.

Lasers used to detect risk of heart attack and stroke

A new diagnostic tool uses near-infrared light to identify high-risk arterial plaques, which can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. By selectively identifying rupture-prone deposits, doctors may be able to detect the threat of an imminent heart attack earlier.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2017

Mechanisms explaining positional diversity of the hindlimb in tetrapod evolution

A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that the protein GDF11 plays a crucial role in determining the position of the hindlimb in tetrapods. The researchers discovered that species-specific hindlimb positioning is linked to changes in the timing or rate of GDF11 expression during embryonic development.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 18, 2017

Paper: Clinical signs best predictors of mortality in critically ill calves

A new study suggests that clinical signs, such as gastrointestinal problems and septic arthritis, are better indicators of mortality in neonatal calves with diarrhea than blood pH levels. The research found that these clinical signs were significant determinants of mortality, while blood pH levels were only a predictor when they droppe...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 18, 2017
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.

GIST tumors linked to NF1 mutations, genetic testing needed

Researchers have found a high frequency of GISTs with NF1 gene mutations in the duodenal-jejunal flexure. This discovery highlights the importance of genomic testing for patients with GIST and potentially affected family members.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJCO Precision Oncology·DateAug 18, 2017

Spoiler alert: Computer simulations provide preview of next week's eclipse

Researchers used supercomputers to create highly-detailed solar simulations, timed to the moment of the eclipse, which provided a preview of the solar corona's appearance. The simulations included improved treatments of energy transport and magnetic shear, increasing the accuracy of the predictions.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateAug 18, 2017

A map of the cell's power station

Scientists from the University of Freiburg successfully mapped the mitochondrial protein landscape, revealing over 200 new proteins not previously attributed to this organelle. This study provides a basis for studying the potential new functions of mitochondria and understanding various diseases.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2017
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.

Ocean channel in Bahamas marks genetic divide in Brazilian free-tailed bats

A study found a dramatic genetic rift between bat populations on either side of the Northwest and Northeast Providence Channels in the Bahamas. The researchers suggest that bats from Florida colonized the northern islands while those from other parts of the Caribbean likely colonized the southern Bahamas.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateAug 18, 2017

UH receives $3.3 million from state cancer research program

The University of Houston has received a $2 million grant to recruit cancer researcher Rohith Reddy, who will focus on next-generation technologies for detecting gynecological cancers. The institution also received a $1.3 million grant to expand tobacco cessation programs in substance abuse treatment centers.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateAug 18, 2017