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Science News for January 27, 2017


Roots of Alzheimer's disease can extend as far back as the womb

Research from the University of British Columbia found that a vitamin A deficiency in the womb or early infancy can increase production of amyloid beta and lead to cognitive impairments. Providing supplements after birth may help slow the degenerative brain disease.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateJan 27, 2017

The ancient Indus civilization's adaptation to climate change

Researchers analyze how ancient South Asian population coped with changing environmental conditions using lake records and speleothem data. They found that the civilization developed in a diverse environment where water was critical for survival, and its populations were well-adapted to varying climate conditions before urbanization.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateJan 27, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Survival gene' stops strains of TB mutating into deadly 'superbugs'

Researchers have identified a key gene called NucS that reduces mutation rates in mycobacteria, the infectious microbe causing tuberculosis. This discovery has important implications for understanding antibiotic resistance and could help predict and prevent the development of drug-resistant TB strains.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

A systems biology perspective on molecular cytogenetics

The article discusses the importance of considering genome context (karyotype) in systems biology and molecular cytogenetics. It highlights the need for a new genome-based conceptual framework to integrate these fields, which will mutually benefit both disciplines.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Bioinformatics·DateJan 27, 2017

Artificial intelligence uncovers new insight into biophysics of cancer

Researchers used AI to predict a trio of reagents that generated a never-before-seen cancer-like phenotype in tadpoles, demonstrating its potential in controlling complex biological systems. The study showcases how AI can help human researchers achieve new outcomes in fields like oncology and regenerative medicine.

SourceTufts University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 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.

Both accelerator and brake are required for normal movement

Research at Lund University found that both neural pathways in the striatum, called direct and indirect pathway, work together to control movements, not independently. This discovery may lead to new treatments for movement disorders like Parkinson's disease by targeting both pathways.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 27, 2017

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Multi-drug resistant bacteria in China

A recent study found the mcr-1 gene has spread to a wide variety of Escherichia coli strains in China, raising concerns about the emergence of multi-drug resistance. The introduction of colistin in clinical settings is crucial, but caution must be exercised due to risk factors for its spread.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 27, 2017

Chronic sleep deprivation suppresses immune system

Researchers discovered that the twin with shorter sleep duration had a depressed immune system compared to their sibling. The findings suggest that chronic short sleep shuts down programs involved in immune response, leading to lower antibody responses and increased susceptibility to illnesses.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateJan 27, 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.

CAS scientists discover BCAS2 involved in alternative mRNA splicing in spermatogonia and the transit to meiosis

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences found that BCAS2 plays a crucial role in alternative mRNA splicing during mouse spermatogenesis, leading to impaired meiosis initiation. The study provides evidence for the importance of alternative splicing machinery in regulating germ cell development.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

A new approach to 3-D holographic displays greatly improves the image quality

Researchers at KAIST create a 3D holographic display that significantly enhances the performance of existing displays, allowing for larger images and wider viewing angles. By controlling volume speckle fields, they achieve an image size increase of up to 2 cm in length, width, and height.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 27, 2017

Physics: Toward a practical nuclear pendulum

Scientists from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Munich have successfully measured the lifetime of an excited state in an unstable element, paving the way for the development of nuclear clocks. The research team has characterized the energy transition in the 229Th nucleus and achieved a breakthrough in this field.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 27, 2017

Antibodies as 'messengers' in the nervous system

A study at Technical University of Munich found that antibodies can activate human nerve cells within milliseconds, modifying their function. This knowledge improves understanding of illnesses associated with certain types of cancer and paraneoplastic syndromes, which occur when the body's autoimmune reaction attacks its own cells.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2017

Sciences for art

Researchers propose using portable instruments, spectroscopic techniques, and weathering cells to develop strategies for better artwork preservation. Non-invasive techniques like X-ray radiography, infrared photography, and X-ray fluorescence enable the detailed investigation of historical paints' chemical composition.

SourceWiley·JournalChemViews·DateJan 27, 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.

Beetles born on the edge make invasion faster

Researchers found that generations born on the leading edge of an invasion can push forward more than those born further back due to evolutionary advantages. This discovery has implications for agriculture and natural resource management as invasive species spread faster and farther.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

Dogs share food with other dogs even in complex situations

A new study confirms dogs exhibit prosocial behavior, preferring to deliver treats to familiar partners. The complexity of the task influenced the frequency of food delivery, but social proximity played a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 27, 2017

Researchers explore how protein production gets distorted in skin cancer

A new study reveals that changes in translation play a crucial role in the development of skin cancer. The researchers found that eIF2A, a protein involved in translating genetic instructions, is overexpressed in certain types of cancer and can serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating the disease.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 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.

Climate changes may lead to more poisonous mercury in plankton

Research at Umeå University found a sevenfold increase in methylmercury in zooplankton due to altered food web structures. Climate change scenarios predict similar increases, highlighting the need for considering effects on ecosystems and human exposure.

SourceUmea University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 27, 2017

Nanoparticles hitchhiking their way along strands of hair

Researchers demonstrate that massaging hair can increase the delivery of nanoparticles to hair follicles by creating channels for particle transport. The ratchet mechanism enhances particle speed and diffusion when massaged parallel to the resting surface.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJan 27, 2017

Old enzyme, new role

A team of researchers at UD has discovered a new function for an enzyme involved in bacterial metabolism. They found that the enzyme plays a major role when generating sugars from non-sugar substrates and facilitates 'back-flow' even when sugar is being consumed.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

Stem cell secretions may protect against glaucoma

Researchers have discovered that stem cell secretions, called exosomes, can promote survival of retinal ganglion cells in rats, which could lead to potential therapies for glaucoma. The study found that exosome-treated retinal ganglion cells maintained function and lost fewer cells after optic nerve injury.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateJan 27, 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.

Small but mighty: Fruit fly muscles

Researchers discovered that fruit fly steering muscles are divided into two types, with tonic muscles always in use for fine-tuned adjustments and phasic muscles used for rapid movements. This unique organization enables efficient flight control.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 27, 2017

New techniques allow greater control of smartwatches

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed new ways to interact with smartwatches, including scrolling through apps with finger gestures on the watch band and rejecting phone calls by blowing on the screen. These techniques use existing technology such as gyroscope and accelerometer sensors, making them more accessible an...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateJan 27, 2017

Bacteria in the cervix may be key to understanding premature birth

A new study reveals that certain bacteria in the cervix and vagina may increase or decrease the risk of premature birth. Researchers found that some species, such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus, lower the risk, while others, like anaerobic bacteria, significantly increase it.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateJan 27, 2017

Diverse natural fatty acids follow 'Golden Mean'

Researchers at the University of Jena discovered that naturally occurring fatty acids have a predictable number of structural formulas based on their chain length, following the Fibonacci sequence. This discovery enables accurate analytical processes in lipidomics, the study of all fats in cells and organisms.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 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.

Researchers develop label-free technique to image microtubules

The study uses label-free spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) to image single microtubule dynamics without added dyes or stains. This allows for long-term imaging of cells, enabling the monitoring of protein movement and consumption of ATP.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 27, 2017

The link between growth of retail-based clinics & nurse practitioner scope-of-practice reform

A University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing study finds that retail-based clinic growth is linked to scope-of-practice reform for nurse practitioners in states like Pennsylvania. The reform led to increased accessibility and convenience for patients, as nurse practitioners were able to provide a wider range of services

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalNursing Outlook·DateJan 27, 2017

Absorbing electromagnetic energy while avoiding the heat

Electrical engineers at Duke University have created a metal-free metamaterial that can absorb electromagnetic energy, opening doors for applications in imaging, sensing, and lighting. The device's ability to absorb energy without heating up has direct implications for thermal imaging devices and efficient lighting systems.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 27, 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.

NASA studies cosmic radiation to protect high-altitude travelers

NASA's Radiation Dosimetry Experiment reveals steady increase in cosmic radiation rate higher in the atmosphere, contrary to particle concentration. The findings will improve space weather models and develop real-time instruments for safe flight operations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalSpace Weather·DateJan 27, 2017

Clue to how cancer cells spread

A Yale-led research team found that a melanoma cell and a white blood cell can fuse to form a hybrid with the ability to metastasize, providing insight into how cancer spreads from solid tumors.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 27, 2017

A way out of the junk-food eating cycle

Researchers used lab rats to demonstrate how environments shape eating habits, finding that pairing junk food with specific sound cues can reverse habitual behavior. Simple interventions like reminders or interrupting automatic processing of junk-food cues may also be effective in stymieing unhealthy food consumption.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateJan 27, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Finding credibility clues on Twitter

Researchers found that booster words like 'undeniable' and positive emotion terms are viewed as highly credible, while hedge words and mocking terms are seen as less credible. The study also showed a correlation between longer message lengths and higher credibility scores.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateJan 27, 2017

Rebalancing gut microbiome lengthens survival in mouse model of ALS

Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine found that butyrate corrected a gut microbiome imbalance and reduced gut leakiness in mice with ALS. The treated mice lived longer than control mice and showed improved neuromuscular function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalClinical Therapeutics·DateJan 27, 2017

Oral devices reduce sleep apnea but may not affect heart disease risk factors

A randomized controlled trial found that oral appliances significantly improved sleep quality and symptoms in patients with severe sleep apnea, but had no effect on endothelial function or blood pressure. The study suggests further research is needed to determine the impact of oral devices on cardiovascular health.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 27, 2017

Where the wild things are

Researchers at Colorado State University challenged traditional theories by showing that evolutionary changes influence organism movement during range expansion. Using flour beetles, they found shuffled populations moved more slowly and predictably than structured ones.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

Unexpected result: Ocean acidification can also promote shell formation

Foraminifera, tiny unicellular organisms, produce better shells in acidic water due to a self-regulating biochemical mechanism. This discovery challenges the prevailing theory and could lead to increased CO2 levels in oceans, resulting in more rapid global warming.

SourceNIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Rapid trait evolution crucial to species growth, CU Boulder study finds

A CU Boulder-led study found that rapid evolution at species habitat edges can drive population expansions, providing insight into climate change and invasive species encroachment. The study used red flour beetles and demonstrated that populations allowed to evolve independently at the edge spread 6% faster on average.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2017

TSRI scientists find brain hormone that triggers fat burning

Researchers at TSRI identified a brain hormone called FLP-7 that stimulates fat metabolism without affecting food intake. By studying roundworms and visualizing the hormone in living animals, they found a direct link between serotonin levels in the brain and FLP-7 production, which triggers fat burning in the gut.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 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.

Nordic countries are bringing about an energy transition worth copying

The Nordic countries' energy transition, driven by cities and municipalities, has achieved significant success with 83% of electricity generation coming from low-carbon sources. The study highlights the importance of trade and interconnection with Europe to reach energy targets, as well as the need for coordinated grid development and ...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEnergy Policy·DateJan 27, 2017

New 'needle-pulse' beam pattern packs a punch

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new beam pattern, dubbed the 'needle-pulse' beam, which can create incredibly thin and intense beams that expand outward again after a mere nanosecond. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as ultrasound, radar, and microscopy.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 27, 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.

PPPL scientist uncovers physics behind plasma-etching process

Physicist Igor Kaganovich and collaborators discovered the physics driving plasma etching, a technique powering electronic devices. The research found that electrically charged gas plasma enhances etching efficiency by creating strong plasma waves.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJan 27, 2017

Toxic mercury in aquatic life could spike with greater land runoff

A new study by Rutgers University and others found that climate change could lead to a 300-600% increase in toxic mercury levels in zooplankton, tiny animals at the base of the marine food chain. This would have significant implications for fish consumption advisories aimed at protecting human health.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 27, 2017

Research suggests way to improve stroke treatments

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have discovered a potential way to reduce complications from blood clot removal during stroke treatment. By targeting the plasma kallikrein protein, they aim to increase the efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy while minimizing bleeding and swelling.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalBlood·DateJan 27, 2017