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Science News Archive December 2017 - Page 13


Page 13 of 33

Supercoiling pushes molecular handcuffs along chromatin fibers

A team of scientists found that supercoiling powers the movement of cohesin protein complex along chromatin fibers, a key piece in understanding gene expression regulation. This discovery establishes a new chemo-mechanical process in chromosomes shaping optimal gene regulation through structural arrangements.

SourceSwiss Institute of Bioinformatics·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateDec 14, 2017

Scientists discover blood sample detection method for multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a method to quickly detect signs of multiple sclerosis using blood samples. The discovery identifies two natural biomarker compounds, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine, which are found to be at significantly lower concentrations in patients with MS.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalAnalytical Methods·DateDec 14, 2017

Revealing the best-kept secrets of proteins

Scientists at Salk Institute develop novel approach to discover critical contacts on proteins, uncovering new functions for well-studied proteins. The technique has significant implications for therapeutic drug development, which relies heavily on physical interaction with cellular targets.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalGenetics·DateDec 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.

ANU archaeologist finds world's oldest funereal fish hooks

Archaeologist Sue O'Connor discovered the world's oldest known fish-hooks placed in a burial ritual on Alor Island, Indonesia. The five hooks date back to the Pleistocene era and provide evidence that fishing equipment was viewed as essential for transition to the afterlife.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalAntiquity·DateDec 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.

To trade or not to trade? Breaking the ivory deadlock

A new policy process aims to overcome the stalemate on ivory trade, recognizing the moral perspectives of both proponents and opponents. The researchers' structured approach seeks to help stakeholders understand each other's views, making informed decisions that balance conservation with economic interests.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateDec 14, 2017

Software enables robots to be controlled in virtual reality

Researchers at Brown University have created software that allows users to control robots remotely using virtual reality, enhancing the manipulation tasks of autonomous robots. The system uses a robot's sensors to create a point-cloud model of the environment, transmitted to a remote computer connected to a virtual reality headset.

SourceBrown University·DateDec 14, 2017

Bioluminescent worm found to have iron superpowers

A new study found that a bioluminescent worm's ferritin is nearly eight times faster at storing and releasing iron than human capabilities, with potential applications in biomedical research and medical treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBiochemical Journal·DateDec 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.

Drinking hot tea every day linked to lower glaucoma risk

A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that drinking hot tea at least once a day is linked to a significantly lower risk of developing glaucoma. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 US adults and found that hot tea-drinkers were 74% less likely to have glaucoma compared to non-tea drinkers.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateDec 14, 2017

Conserving the forests

A new study estimates that sustainability certification significantly reduced deforestation in Indonesian plantations, saving 21 square kilometers of forests from destruction. However, the actual area conserved was surprisingly small, and more robust protection is necessary to effectively conserve tropical forests.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2017

New cellular approach found to control progression of chronic kidney disease

Researchers have discovered that extracellular vesicles isolated from amniotic fluid stem cells can slow the progression of kidney damage in mice with Alport syndrome. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of kidney disease and point to a potential new approach for improved treatments.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 14, 2017

Vaping popular among teens; opioid misuse at historic lows

The 2017 NIH Monitoring the Future survey shows that nearly one in three 12th graders use some kind of vaping device, with significant declines in hookah and cigarette use. Meanwhile, teen opioid misuse has reached historic lows, with past year misuse of Vicodin dropping to 2% among high school seniors.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·DateDec 14, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Autism traits increase thoughts of suicide in people with psychosis

Research led by Professor Stephen Wood at Orygen found that individuals with autism traits and psychosis are at a greater risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that identifying autism traits can help identify those most at risk of suicide, highlighting the need for better training and assessments.

SourceOrygen·JournalSchizophrenia Research·DateDec 14, 2017

Researchers track muscle stem cell dynamics in response to injury and aging

A new study by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute describes the biology behind why muscle stem cells respond differently to aging or injury. Adult muscle stem cells are essential for repairing and regenerating muscle throughout life, but their ability to cope with different stimuli varies depending on the...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateDec 14, 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.

All politics -- and cannabis marketing -- are local

A study of medical cannabis dispensaries in Washington and Colorado reveals how communities vote affects marketing strategies, with traditional approaches dominating counties where recreational use was rejected. Dispensaries in favor of recreational sales adopted more risk-taking marketing tactics, emphasizing convenience and price.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalOrganization Science·DateDec 14, 2017

Allergens widespread in largest study of US homes

The study found that 90% of US homes have at least one elevated allergen level, with pets and pests playing a major role. Housing characteristics and geographic locations also impact allergen exposure levels. Preventive actions can help reduce exposure to indoor allergens.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateDec 14, 2017

UNH researchers find effects of climate change could accelerate by mid-century

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that climate change effects could worsen by mid-century, leading to fewer snow days, more extreme heat, and reduced cold water fish habitats. The study used models benchmarked to field measurements to evaluate the Merrimack River watershed in New Hampshire.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalEcology and Society·DateDec 14, 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.

Liquid biopsy results differed substantially between 2 providers

Researchers found significant disparities in liquid biopsy results from Guardant360 and Personal Genome Diagnostics for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Inconsistencies were found even when analyzing DNA from the same blood sample, highlighting the need for improved certification and quality control.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 14, 2017

Bioluminescent succinate detection monitors dioxygenases and JMJC demethylases

A new homogeneous assay detects succinate using luminescence, enabling the investigation of a large number of structurally conserved enzymes belonging to the Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily. This method has significant applications in dioxygenase research and has the potential to impact human diseases.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS DISCOVERY·DateDec 14, 2017

Food-induced anaphylaxis common among children despite adult supervision

A new study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology reveals that food-induced anaphylaxis reactions occur frequently under adult supervision, with adults other than parents often present. The research highlights the importance of increasing education and awareness among all caregivers of food-allergic children.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology·DateDec 14, 2017

ASU scientists develop new, rapid pipeline for antimicrobials

Researchers at Arizona State University have created a high-throughput technology that can produce up to 1,000 doses of antimicrobial treatments within a week. The system uses synthetic antibodies, or synbodies, which are made from short protein fragments and can be quickly screened against a large number of pathogens.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 14, 2017

Falling faster: The surprising leap of Felix Baumgartner

Researchers studied Felix Baumgartner's free fall and found that his irregularly shaped equipment allowed him to break the sound barrier faster than a smooth, symmetrical body. The investigation revealed that surface irregularities can reduce aerodynamic drag at speeds close to the speed of sound.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 14, 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.

Journaling inspires altruism through an attitude of gratitude

A study at the University of Oregon discovered that women who practiced gratitude in a journal showed increased altruism, particularly when viewing transactions donating to charity. This suggests that an attitude of gratitude can lead to more generous behavior towards others.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateDec 14, 2017

Behavior of millions still shaped by Industrial Revolution

Researchers found that people living in former industrial heartlands are more prone to negative emotions, impulsive behaviors, and struggle with planning and self-motivation. This psychological adversity is thought to be the result of selective migrations during mass industrialization and its social effects on work and living conditions.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 14, 2017

Finding a less poopy solution for fecal transplant regulation

The American Association for the Advancement of Science proposes a new regulatory approach for fecal transplant treatments. Stool banks would be required to report patient outcomes, while doctors and laboratories could distribute stool for CDI treatment at their discretion.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 14, 2017

GAMBIT narrows the hiding places for 'new physics'

The GAMBIT Collaboration has developed software tools to analyze data from various experiments and compare them with predictions of new theories. This comprehensive analysis narrows the search areas for 'new physics' and eliminates models whose predictions have not been confirmed.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateDec 14, 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.

Offbeat brainwaves during sleep make older adults forget

Research at UC Berkeley found that older adults' slow brainwaves during deep sleep fail to synchronize with speedy electrical bursts, preventing them from effectively consolidating new memories. The aging brain's failure to coordinate these two brain waves is likely due to degradation or atrophy of the medial frontal cortex.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNeuron·DateDec 14, 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.

'Bet hedging' explains the efficacy of many combination cancer therapies

The efficacy of many FDA-approved cancer drug combinations is not due to synergistic interactions between drugs, but rather to a form of bet hedging. Genetic variations in cancer lead to differences in drug response, making combination therapy more effective by boosting the likelihood that a patient will benefit from at least one drug.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateDec 14, 2017

Synthetic protein packages its own genetic material and evolves

Scientists have developed the first synthetic protein assemblies that encapsulate their own genetic materials and evolve new traits in complex environments. These assemblies are computationally designed and can package RNA with improved efficiency, resist degradation, and increase circulation time in living mice.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 14, 2017

Computer systems predict objects' responses to physical forces

Researchers at MIT develop computer systems that approximate human cognitive abilities to navigate the world. The systems learn to perceive physics by inferring object shapes and properties from visual data, and predicting how objects will behave based on that data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 14, 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.

Mild traumatic brain injury causes long-term damage in mice

Researchers found that mild traumatic brain injury can lead to lifelong degenerative changes, including learning and working memory impairment. Studies on mice revealed ongoing neuroinflammation and neuron projection degeneration after a single or repetitive TBI, with some animals showing motor deficits.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateDec 14, 2017

Coalition seeks to increase transparency on life science career prospects

Nine US research universities have formed a coalition to provide clear, standardized data on life science career prospects, including admission rates, education and training opportunities, and job outcomes. The initiative aims to help students make informed choices and universities better target their programs to actual career outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience·DateDec 14, 2017

Sovereign debt in the twentieth century

The research examines the actions of individual agents incurring debt, exploring social consequences and international regulation. The interdisciplinary network analyzes the phenomenon of debt in complexity, investigating changing responses to public debt over time.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·DateDec 14, 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.

Researchers discover how cells remember infections decades later

A study led by UC Berkeley researchers found that a small pool of immune cells remain alive for years after vaccination, developing unique features such as methylation patterns to keep them primed and ready to respond to the same microbe. This discovery may help scientists develop better vaccines and understand differences among diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateDec 14, 2017

Climate scientists study the odds of a US megadrought

Researchers developed a statistical model to understand the frequency and severity of megadroughts in the western US. They analyzed tree ring evidence from 800 to 1300 A.D. and found that megadroughts occur naturally, with some events potentially linked to solar activity or other non-climatic factors.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Climate·DateDec 14, 2017

An ultradilute quantum liquid made from ultra-cold atoms

Scientists have created a liquid one hundred million times more dilute than water and one million times thinner than air by cooling down potassium atoms to -273.15 degrees Celsius. The liquid droplets exhibit fascinating macroscopic behavior due to quantum fluctuations, allowing researchers to study unique quantum effects.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience·DateDec 14, 2017

A complex genetic network controls whether fruit flies need to sleep in

Researchers identified 126 genetic variations in wild fruit flies that affect sleep duration, with some individuals needing more or less sleep than others. The study suggests that multiple signaling pathways contribute to sleep duration and may explain why a single purpose for sleep has been difficult to pin down.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 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.

Study: Forest resilience declines in face of wildfires, climate change

A new study found significant decreases in tree regeneration following 21st century wildfires, highlighting the loss of forest resilience. The research team analyzed data from over 1,500 sites across five states, measuring seedlings growing in areas burned by wildfires during the past three decades.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalEcology Letters·DateDec 14, 2017

Testing the accuracy of FDA-approved and lab-developed cancer genetics tests

A new study published in JAMA Oncology analyzed data from almost 7,000 tests and found that both FDA-approved companion diagnostics and laboratory-developed tests demonstrated excellent performance on proficiency testing, exceeding 97% accuracy combined across three cancer genes. Most laboratories purchasing in vitro diagnostics for FD...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 14, 2017

Despite removal of many obstacles, UK child organ donation rates remain low

Despite efforts to streamline the process, UK child organ donation rates have failed to rise, with many families of dying children not being considered as donors. The authors argue that family refusal remains a major obstacle and call for improved consent rates and support for family decision-making.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateDec 14, 2017