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Science News Archive January 2017


Page 14 of 35

To find disease risk, genetics provides mother of all shortcuts

Researchers use genetic correlation to link disease risks, including heart health and diabetes, using data from a long-standing cohort and electronic health records. The method provides opportunities to answer epidemiological questions in weeks rather than decades.

Humans, not climate change, wiped out Australian megafauna

A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that humans, not climate change, led to the extinction of Australian megafauna around 45,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed ancient poop and sediment cores, finding a significant decline in megafaunal populations during this period.

Calabrese says mistake led to adopting the LNT model in toxicology

A UMass Amherst researcher argues that a historical investigation error led to the adoption of the LNT model, which challenged fundamental beliefs about ionizing radiation effects. The corrected research supports a threshold rather than linear dose response for carcinogens.

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.

Cholesterol -- good for the brain, bad for the heart

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that mice with reduced brain cholesterol suffer neurological damage and behavioral abnormalities. The study suggests that cholesterol may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease in people with diabetes.

Student-athletes not sleeping enough, intervention could help

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a program to help student-athletes improve their sleep habits. The study found that 68% of surveyed athletes reported poor sleep quality, with many getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.

Children with asthma may be at higher obesity risk

A study of over 2,000 children found that those with asthma were 51% more likely to become obese than their non-asthmatic peers. The use of asthma rescue medications was shown to reduce the risk of obesity by 43%.

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.

Electrocatalysis can advance green transition

Researchers explore electrocatalysis to transform atmospheric molecules into useful products, such as hydrogen and chemicals, for a sustainable future. Effective catalysts are needed to drive the process, but advancements in theory and experiments hold promise.

Study reveals areas of the brain impacted by PTSD

Researchers found disruptions in brain network communication affect memory regions in individuals with PTSD, linked to avoidance symptoms. The study suggests treatments targeting enhanced communication may improve PTSD symptoms.

A new principle for epigenetic changes

Researchers at Uppsala University have found a new principle for epigenetic changes, involving the tryptase enzyme that cleaves histone tails. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining cellular identity and preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

System for handling database caching yields faster websites

A new system was presented at the Association for Computing Machinery's Symposium on Principles of Programming Languages that automatically handles database caching in web applications written in Ur/Web. This system offers twofold to 30-fold speedups in experiments involving two websites.

US and Brazilian researchers study toxic stress in children

Children living in slums in Brazil and East Lubbock, Texas, experience similar cognitive and behavioral effects due to toxic stress. The research project aims to identify chronic toxic factors common to both regions and promote cross-border scientific partnerships.

Scientists develop first catalysed reaction using iron salts

Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed an efficient iron-catalysed C-C bond-forming spirocyclization cascade, providing access to new 3D heterocyclic frameworks. This breakthrough could lead to huge economic gains in pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals.

Breakthrough by Exeter cell biologists

Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered how peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum interact at the molecular level, crucial for lipid production and cell survival. Loss of this interaction leads to severe disorders, prompting hope for diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New design strategy for longer lasting batteries

A new computational design strategy identifies promising cathode coatings to protect lithium-ion batteries from degradation, extending device lifespan. Northwestern University researchers developed the approach using a massive materials database, ranking top candidates and accelerating experimental testing.

New stem cell technique shows promise for bone repair

A new method of repairing injured bones using stem cells and a carbon material with photocatalytic properties has been developed, showing promising results in accelerating bone regeneration. The technique uses red-light absorbing carbon nitride sheets to activate key transcription factors associated with osteoblast differentiation.

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.

Graphene's sleeping superconductivity awakens

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found a way to trigger graphene's innate ability to act as a superconductor by coupling it with praseodymium cerium copper oxide (PCCO). This breakthrough enhances graphene's potential for industries such as healthcare and electronics. The study suggests that graphene could be used to cre...

As cells age, the fat content within them shifts

Researchers found that as cells age, their fat content changes and lipid-related genes become more actively expressed. Lipid triacylglycerols may help the body cope with oxidative stress, protecting cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

Queen's researcher publishes new findings on how plants manage immune response

A recent study published in Science has identified a previously unknown means by which plants regulate their immune systems to prevent further response once an infection is dealt with. This discovery could lead to the improvement of immune systems in food crops, addressing a significant challenge for global food security.

Type 1 diabetes linked to gut inflammation, bacteria changes

A new study reveals that individuals with Type 1 diabetes exhibit distinct gut inflammation and microbiome changes compared to those without diabetes or celiac disease. The research found specific genes associated with gut inflammation and unique combinations of gut bacteria in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

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.

Global threat to primates concerns us all

The study highlights the alarming rate of primate species extinction, with over half threatened due to human activities. Immediate action is needed to protect primates and their habitats through sustainable land-use initiatives and education.

Women's cognitive decline begins earlier than previously believed

Researchers have found that women's mental sharpness starts to decline as early as their 50s, with an average decline of 5% over 10 years. Cognitive processing speed and verbal memory also show significant declines, highlighting the importance of menopause transition in understanding cognitive changes.

IT network upgrades support LSUHealthNO research enterprise

The LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise will receive a $499,640 NSF grant to upgrade its networking infrastructure and create a Science DMZ. The project aims to facilitate large data exchange, remote collaboration, and leadership in multiple science disciplines.

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.

New, old science combine to make faster medical test

A UCF researcher has developed a method that uses nanoparticles and Faraday rotation to measure protein quantities in test solutions, allowing for faster biochemical immunology test results. This technique could lead to faster diagnoses for HIV, Lyme disease, syphilis, and other infectious conditions.

USDA invests $13.6 million in citrus greening research

The USDA has invested $13.6 million in four new grants to combat citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, which is affecting the US citrus industry. Researchers will use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and nanotechnology approaches to develop resistant varieties and bactericides.

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.

System links data scattered across files, for easy querying

Data Civilizer aggregates scattered data from various files, creating unified datasets for analysis. The system identifies commonalities between columns and traverses a map to find related data, enabling users to compose queries and save results.

Bodywide immune response important for fighting cancer, Stanford researchers say

A study by Stanford researchers found that a systemic, whole-body immune response is essential for effectively attacking and eradicating tumors. The researchers used mass cytometry to monitor the physical attributes of individual cells in samples of millions or billions, revealing an increase in immune cells and regulatory T cells in s...

Ants find their way even while traveling backward

Researchers found that ants can decouple their direction of travel from their body orientation, maintaining a northerly direction by going forward or backward. This challenges the notion of simple stimulus-response behaviors in insects.

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.

Rabies viruses reveal wiring in transparent brains

Researchers used rabies viruses to visualize neural transplant integration in mouse brains, revealing region-specific connections between transplanted cells and host neurons. The approach opens new prospects for predicting and optimizing the ability of neural transplants to functionally integrate into a host nervous system.

Bodyguards in the gut have a chemical weapon

Beneficial bacteria in the gut of moth larvae produce an antimicrobial agent that kills competing bacteria. The symbionts ensure a healthy gut flora and reduce infection risk, making them a potential tool for controlling agricultural pests.

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.

How much drought can a forest take?

A study by University of California - Davis scientists found that trees growing in already dry areas are most susceptible to drought. Dense forests in the driest regions are at risk of mass mortality during extreme droughts, which can take years to surface.

Making AI systems that see the world as humans do

A Northwestern University team developed a new computational model that performs at human levels on the Raven's Progressive Matrices, a nonverbal standardized test. The model's ability to solve complex visual problems and understand analogies provides evidence for the importance of symbolic representations and analogy in visual reasoning.

A role for mutated blood cells in heart disease?

A new study links mutations in blood cells to atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death in the elderly. The research found that accumulated DNA mutations in hematopoietic cells contribute to plaque formation and inflammation.

Statins could halt vein blood clots, research suggests

Researchers found statins reduce venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk by 15-25%, providing evidence for its potential protective effect. A comprehensive review of 36 studies involving over 3.2 million people supported this finding.

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.

Tough aqua material for water purification

Israeli scientists developed a supramolecular aqua material that forms a hybrid membrane with robust filtering properties, easy fabrication, and recyclability. The hybrid membrane is effective in removing toxic heavy metals and small organic molecules from contaminated water.

Pancreatic tumors rely on signals from surrounding cells

Researchers at Salk Institute found that pancreatic cancer cells alter their metabolism in response to signals from surrounding stromal cells. Blocking these signals with a drug called JQ1 can slow tumor growth in mice, paving the way for potential new treatments.

Seeking structure with metagenome sequences

A team led by David Baker used metagenomic sequences to generate structural models for 614 proteins, including those from neglected families. The collaboration between the Baker lab and DOE JGI enabled a powerful way of predicting structures, increasing coverage of known protein families.

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.

Team discovers how bacteria exploit a chink in the body's armor

Researchers have found that Staphylococcus aureus uses a unique enzyme called superoxide dismutase to resist nutritional immunity and cause disease. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibacterial therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

Ants use sun and memories to guide their backwards walk home

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that ants walking backwards use the sun's position and visual memories to set a course relative to the sun. This flexible navigational behavior could inspire novel computer algorithms for guiding robots.

Plan A is to get patients to stick to their blood pressure pills

A study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that fixed-dose combination pills work best to encourage patients with high blood pressure to stick to their prescribed anti-hypertensive medications. Patients on these combined pills were 9% more likely to be persistent in taking their medication, compared to those on sin...