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Science News for December 8, 2017


Three kinds of information from a single X-ray measurement

Physicists from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed a new method to obtain multiple types of information simultaneously from the interior of nanoscale building blocks. The method uses a finely focussed X-ray beam to extract data on composition, oxidation grade and internal electrical fields without damaging the components.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 8, 2017

Study reveals Viagra to be 'ineffective' for fetal growth restriction

A University of Liverpool-led trial found that sildenafil, commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, is ineffective in improving outcomes for pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction. The study recruited 135 pregnant women with severely growth-restricted fetuses and found no benefits from administering sildenafil.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateDec 8, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What's in a name? How Taking a spouse's surname can define power in marriage

A new study reveals that men whose wives retain their own surnames after marriage are perceived as submissive and less powerful. The research, conducted by UNLV psychology professor Rachael Robnett, found a connection between gender-typed personality traits and perceived power dynamics in relationships.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalSex Roles·DateDec 8, 2017

For women with genetic risk, bi-annual MRI beats mammograms

A study found that bi-annual dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) exams were more effective in detecting breast cancer in younger women with a high-risk genetic profile than an annual mammogram. The intensive surveillance strategy reduced anxiety levels and improved quality of life for participants.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·DateDec 8, 2017

Many more bacteria have electrically conducting filaments

A UMass Amherst team discovers electrically conducting filaments in several microbe species, greatly broadening the research field. The discovery reveals that some larger pilins can also yield e-pili, and the ability to express e-pili has arisen independently multiple times.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateDec 8, 2017

Sandy claws

Research by University of Delaware scientist Danielle Dixson and her team found that decorator crabs primarily decorate their arms and legs first, which helps them hide from predators. The study also showed that habitat presence affects decorating patterns, with crabs decorating faster in the absence of a shelter.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateDec 8, 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.

Mars' atmosphere well protected from the solar wind

Researchers found that Mars' atmosphere is well-protected from the solar wind due to its induced magnetosphere. The study, led by Robin Ramstad, suggests that only a small portion of atmospheric pressure was lost over 3.9 billion years, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceSwedish Research Council·DateDec 8, 2017

Molecular beacon signals low oxygen with ultrasound

University of Illinois researchers create an oxygen-sensitive molecular beacon that emits ultrasound signals in response to light, enabling real-time imaging of hypoxic tumors and constricted arteries. This non-invasive method has the potential to guide surgical procedures and treatment plans.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 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.

Children bear the brunt of secondhand smoke in Bangladesh

In a concerning study, nearly 500 Bangladeshi children aged 9-12 tested positive for recent second-hand smoke exposure. The results reveal alarming rates of SHS exposure among Bangladeshi children, with 95% showing evidence of biochemically validated exposure.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateDec 8, 2017

Transformation to wind and solar achievable with low indirect GHG emissions

A comprehensive study found that wind and solar energy have lower indirect greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-based technologies. The researchers' findings suggest that a full decarbonization of the global power sector is achievable with these clean energy sources, resulting in modest indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Energy·DateDec 8, 2017
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Novel compound restores immune response in patients with melanoma

A novel compound omaveloxolone has been shown to restore immune response in patients with melanoma, improving antitumour responses when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. The study found a 57% overall response rate in patients who had not received prior checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateDec 8, 2017

ERC grant: €2 million for synthetic biology at TU Darmstadt

The European Research Council has awarded a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to TU Darmstadt's Heinz Koeppl for his project 'CONSYN', which aims to improve the design of synthetic genetic circuits. The grant will support computational modelling and computer-aided circuit synthesis to overcome experimental challenges in synthetic biology.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·DateDec 8, 2017

Long-term prevention of organ rejection

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have successfully prevented chronic antibody-mediated organ rejection in a rat model using immunoproteasome inhibition with the selective inhibitor ONX 0914. This approach reduces activated plasma cells producing allo-antibodies and leads to improved renal function.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalKidney International·DateDec 8, 2017

Extreme fieldwork, climate modeling yields new insight into predicting Greenland's melt

A UCLA-led team used extreme fieldwork and climate modeling to unravel a meltwater mystery on Greenland's ice sheet. They discovered that sunlight penetrating into the ice causes subsurface melting and storage of meltwater, leading to discrepancies between models' estimates and real-time data.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 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.

Taurine lends hand to repair cells damaged in multiple sclerosis

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute found that taurine helps spark a process called remyelination, crucial for repairing nerve cells damaged in multiple sclerosis. Combining taurine with existing MS drugs and future remyelination-inducing treatments may improve overall efficacy.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 8, 2017

NUS scientist develops 'toolboxes' for quantum cybersecurity

Researchers developed a QKD system that achieves high secret key rates using time-bin encoding, resolving major challenges for practical applications. This breakthrough enables ultra-high rate quantum secure communication, paving the way for image and video encryption and large encrypted databases.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 8, 2017

PARP inhibitor improves progression-free survival in patients with advanced breast cancers and BRCA

A Phase III trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that talazoparib, a PARP inhibitor, extends progression-free survival and improves quality-of-life measures for patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations. Talazoparib was associated with a 46% lower risk of progression compared to chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateDec 8, 2017

Insights on fast cockroaches can help teach robots to walk

Researchers studied fast cockroach locomotion to develop more energy-efficient robot movement. At high speeds, cockroaches adapt their gait by reducing leg coordination, allowing for stable movement on slippery surfaces. This discovery could help robots achieve better endurance and cross-country mobility.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateDec 8, 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.

Revolutionizing electronics using Kirigami

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed an ultrastretchable bioprobe using Kirigami designs, reducing strain-force characteristic and enabling low-invasive biological signal recording. The Kirigami-based bioprobes can follow the shape of spherical and large deformable biological samples.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateDec 8, 2017

New study shows HIV-infected women not using statins as recommended

A new study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs found that HIV-infected women do not use statins as recommended by guidelines, which control blood lipid levels to prevent heart disease. This underuse may accelerate cardiovascular disease in HIV-positive individuals, underscoring the need for improved cardiac health monitoring.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs·DateDec 8, 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.

Boosting the antibiotic arsenal

MIT researchers discovered a way to make bacteria more vulnerable to quinolones, enabling existing drugs to kill bacteria that cause chronic infections. Delivering quinolones along with glucose and fumarate can eliminate several types of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 8, 2017

Can data save dolphins?

Scientists analyze NASA data to investigate solar storm impact on cetaceans' internal compasses. While space weather is not primary driver of strandings, it may be one factor among several contributing to the phenomenon.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 8, 2017

Controlled burns limited severity of Rim Fire

Researchers found that areas recently treated with controlled burns fared better in the 2013 Rim Fire. The best predictor of fire severity was how severe the area last burned, indicating that reducing initial burn severity can limit future fires.

SourcePenn State·JournalEcosphere·DateDec 8, 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.

New tool could help maintain quality during cheese production

A team of Norwegian researchers has developed a tool to monitor bacterial strains in cheese cultures, enabling prompt detection and countermeasures to maintain quality. The tool uses next-generation sequencing to analyze the epsD gene, which is involved in resisting phage and producing exopolysaccharide.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 8, 2017

Study finds genetic mutation causes 'vicious cycle' in most common form of ALS

A study published in Nature Communications reveals a genetic mutation in the C9orf72 gene causes a vicious cycle of toxic protein production, driving neuronal death in ALS. The researchers found that cell stress activates more toxic protein production, creating a loop that potentially drives disease progression.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2017

A search for innovative ways to deal with self-harm

A University of Strathclyde project aims to enhance online support for self-harming young people by exploring technology-enabled care and digital innovations. The six-month study, funded £60,000, will investigate impact on families and develop new solutions to advance unmet needs.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·DateDec 8, 2017

Guanidinium stabilizes perovskite solar cells at 19 percent efficiency

Scientists at EPFL Valais Wallis discovered that guanidinium can improve perovskite stability, delivering an average power conversion efficiency of 19.2% and stabilizing performance for 1000 hours under continuous light illumination. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Energy·DateDec 8, 2017
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.

Going undercover to fight tuberculosis

Researchers have developed a new antibiotic, EZ120, that targets the mycomembrane biosynthesis of tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By inhibiting key enzymes, EZ120 significantly increases the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, offering a novel approach for tuberculosis treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 8, 2017

Acrobatic duo in the cells

The protein Trigger factor recognizes a partner with unstable domains to form a stable protein duo. Chaperones like TF help folding of other proteins.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2017

How a seahorse-shaped brain structure may help us recognize others

A new study in mice has identified an oxytocin-fueled brain circuit that regulates social recognition, revealing the seahorse-shaped hippocampus plays a key role in differentiating similar memories. The findings provide insight into how the brain computes cues to distinguish friend from foe and threat from reward.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2017

Physicists excited by discovery of new form of matter, excitonium

Excitonium is a condensate that defies reason, consisting of a boson formed by an escaped electron and a hole it left behind. Researchers at the University of Illinois used a novel technique to measure collective excitations and observed soft plasmon phase, providing definitive evidence for excitonium discovery.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 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.

Lymph node surgery may raise risk of arm morbidity in younger women

A study found that younger women with breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node dissection were more likely to experience arm swelling and decreased range of motion compared to those who received sentinel lymph node biopsies. The study highlights the importance of de-escalating axillary treatment in young patients.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateDec 8, 2017

Paper heralds new science collaboration with Middle East

A new international collaboration between neuroscientists from the Middle East and West is being launched to advance basic and translational life science research. The Science Bridge project, led by Mazahir Hasan, aims to foster a partnership between Western and Middle Eastern neuroscience communities.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNeuron·DateDec 8, 2017

CU Boulder solar instruments, experiments headed for space

CU Boulder's Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) instrument suite is set for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aiming to monitor the planet's climate by measuring solar radiation. The mission will help distinguish between natural and human influences on climate, with implications for understanding Earth's processes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateDec 8, 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.

How individuals with schizophrenia view their experiences and confidence in judgments may influence treatment targets

Researchers at Penn Medicine found that individuals with schizophrenia's own perceptions of their experiences can influence treatment outcomes. Cognitive insight, measured by the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, is a significant predictor of neurocognition and not vice versa.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateDec 8, 2017

25 species revealed for 25 Genomes Project

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has sequenced 25 new genomes of UK species, including Grey Squirrels and European Robins. The project aims to understand the biodiversity of the UK and aid conservation efforts.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·DateDec 8, 2017

Industrial Revolution left a damaging psychological 'imprint' on today's populations

A new study found that people living in former industrial heartlands of England and Wales are more prone to negative emotions, anxiety, and depression. The researchers suggest this is due to selective migrations during mass industrialization compounded by social effects of severe work and living conditions.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 8, 2017

Hot bodies are attractive

Researchers at UC Berkeley found that blackbody radiation from a warm object can attract cesium atoms, with an effect 20 times stronger than gravity. This discovery has implications for precise measurements of fundamental constants and tests of general relativity.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 8, 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.

USC researchers develop method to ensure human rights in public health services

USC researchers have developed a new methodology to measure the success of public health work while considering human rights concerns. The approach identifies approximately 40 key indicators that can monitor human rights dimensions in public health services, helping ensure that services serve the people they intend to reach.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 8, 2017