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Science News for July 14, 2017


Multi-million pound grant awarded to improve world slum healthcare

The University of Warwick has received a £5.7m grant to find better ways of delivering healthcare to people living in slums in Asia and Africa. The project aims to identify the best models for health service delivery and persuade politicians to make changes, benefiting nearly a billion people.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateJul 14, 2017

Decline in financing could undermine malaria efforts

A study found that global malaria funding is declining despite its importance in eliminating the disease worldwide. The decrease in external funding, combined with increasing government financing, may lead to malaria resurgence if sustainable financing solutions are not implemented.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 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.

Not all muscle building supplements are equal

BCAA supplements stimulate muscle growth but lack essential amino acids, leading to a suboptimal response. Taking whey protein supplements with BCAAs is more effective for maximizing muscle growth and protein synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 14, 2017

FSU researcher makes deep-sea coral reefs discovery in depths of the North-Pacific

A Florida State University professor's discovery of deep-sea coral reefs in the North-Pacific has sparked hope for vulnerable coral colonies. The research suggests that factors such as high chlorophyll levels and suitable currents may contribute to the reefs' success, but mysteries remain about their presence at these depths.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 14, 2017

Prior dengue infection does not increase Zika disease severity

A recent study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil found that prior dengue infection does not intensify Zika disease severity. The research involved 65 individuals who contracted Zika virus during the 2016 epidemic, and analyzed their viral loads, finding no significant difference between those with prior dengue exposure and those without.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 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.

Shh! Proven security for your secrets

Researchers from Kyoto University have demonstrated the strength of their 128-bit key Vector Stream Cipher, proving its provable security. The study highlights the cipher's low memory usage and structural simplicity, making it suitable for high-density data transmission applications like 5G networks and 4K television broadcasts.

SourceKyoto University·DateJul 14, 2017

LSTM awarded £11 million by National Institute for Health Research

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11 million to establish a new Global Health Research Unit and two research groups. The funds will support research on lung health, snakebite, and non-communicable diseases in Africa, aiming to improve health outcomes for the poorest communities.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·DateJul 14, 2017

Ion temperature of one hundred million degrees achieved

Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences successfully generated plasma with an ion temperature of 100 million degrees, a key milestone toward achieving burning plasma for fusion. The high-temperature plasma exhibits characteristics suitable for fusion reactor plasmas.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateJul 14, 2017

FSU researchers discover an ugly truth about attractiveness

A recent study published in Body Image found that the attractiveness of a husband can motivate women to diet and seek a slim body, even if they are not particularly attractive themselves. The research highlights the importance of understanding social factors influencing disordered eating behaviors among women.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalBody Image·DateJul 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.

New gene mutation associated with Fanconi anemia

A team of researchers has identified a new gene mutation associated with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure. The mutation in RFWD3 gene was found to disrupt DNA repair mechanisms, increasing cancer risk in individuals with the disease.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 14, 2017

Researchers make improbable discovery

Researchers found unusual coral reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, defying expectations of inhospitable conditions. The discovery suggests that factors such as abundant food and unique chemistry may contribute to their existence.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 14, 2017

£1.5 million grant awarded to tackle psychosis in India

The University of Warwick has received a £1.5 million grant from the NIHR Global Health Research Unit to develop culturally appropriate interventions for psychosis sufferers in India. The three-year project aims to improve early treatment, raise care standards, and use digital technologies to overcome infrastructure problems.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateJul 14, 2017

ASHG honors Daniel MacArthur with inaugural Early-Career Award

Daniel MacArthur receives ASHG's first Early-Career Award for his work on rare disease diagnosis using large-scale genomic technologies. The award recognizes his development of key resources, including Exome Aggregation Consortium and Genome Aggregation Database.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·DateJul 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.

NASA gives Hurricane Fernanda a close-up

Hurricane Fernanda's maximum sustained winds reached 100 mph, with further strengthening anticipated in the next 48 hours. The storm is moving westward at 12 mph and is expected to become a major hurricane today.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 14, 2017

Feinstein Institute identifies potential cause for lupus

A protein called Blimp-1 regulates the immune system in patients with lupus, leading to an overactive immune response that attacks healthy tissue. The study's findings suggest a link between low Blimp-1 levels and increased risk of lupus in females.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalNature Immunology·DateJul 14, 2017

Researchers identify potentially safer substitutes for BPA

A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has identified two compounds that may be safer alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to health concerns. The study used an automated microscopy and image analysis-based technology to screen potential BPA substitutes, which could lead to safer plastics in everyday products.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 14, 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.

Advance furthers stem cells for use in drug discovery, cell therapy

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an automated screening test to create all-chemical replacements for traditional stem cell growth materials. This innovation enables wider use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and testing environmental chemicals for vascular toxicity.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 14, 2017

Climate change: Biodiversity rescues biodiversity in a warmer world

Researchers found that climate warming can both increase and decrease biodiversity, with higher diversity providing a buffer against environmental changes. In a study, warming meadows led to more nematode species, but those species were also more similar to each other, limiting the 'insurance' effect of increased diversity.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 14, 2017

Teen girls at higher risk OK with emergency department offering pregnancy prevention info

A recent survey found that adolescent girls seeking medical care in emergency departments are open to receiving information on preventing pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 219 non-pregnant females aged 14-21, revealed that 72% of participants wanted EDs to provide pregnancy prevention and contraception info.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 14, 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.

Ecological underpinnings of rural poverty

A new study models rural poverty using ecological, economic, and epidemiological factors. The framework highlights disease transmission and recovery rates as key determinants of long-term health and wealth dynamics.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 14, 2017

New limits to functional portion of human genome reported

A recent study published in Genome Biology and Evolution proposes that only 10-15% or up to 25% of the human genome is functional, with the remaining portion consisting of non-functional 'junk DNA'. This finding contradicts previous estimates suggesting 80% of the genome has a biochemical function.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateJul 14, 2017

How protein interactions drive cellular death

A team of researchers has decoded the complex interplay of three components in a protein network regulating programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. Their findings suggest that interaction between Bcl-2 proteins is key to understanding this process and its link to diseases such as cancer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 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.

Scientists discovered one of the brightest galaxies known

A team of scientists from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias discovered a very distant galaxy, some 10 thousand million light years away, about a thousand times brighter than the Milky Way. The galaxy is notable for having a high rate of star formation, forming stars at a rate of 1000 solar masses per year.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 14, 2017

£8.6 million awarded for global health research

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London secured £8.6m in grants to develop and implement salt reduction programs in China, aiming to prevent thousands of deaths from stroke and heart disease. A new Global Health Research Group will focus on improving mental health interventions in low-income countries.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateJul 14, 2017

Hamburg researchers develop new transistor concept

Researchers at the University of Hamburg have developed a new transistor concept based on metal nanoparticles, which exhibit energy gap properties due to Coulomb repulsion. This approach enables scalable synthesis, high-quality thin films and flexible devices with adjustable electrical characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 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.

The last survivors on Earth

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that tardigrades can withstand all astrophysical catastrophes and will continue to thrive for at least 10 billion years. The research suggests that life on Earth will extend as long as the Sun shines, opening the possibility of life on other planets.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 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.

Researchers find first genomic biomarkers in extracellular vesicles in veterinary patients

A study by Tufts University researchers found significant changes in miRNA expression levels in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and congestive heart failure. The study identified new genomic biomarkers, including exosomal miR-181c and miR-495, which could provide insight into diagnosis and therapies for MMVD and human ...

SourceTufts University·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·DateJul 14, 2017

Fluorine grants white graphene new powers

Rice University researchers discovered a way to turn white graphene, an exceptional conductor of heat, into a wide-bandgap semiconductor with magnetic properties by adding fluorine. The magnetism is an unexpected bonus that could make the unique material suitable for electronics in extreme environments.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 14, 2017

When life gives you lemons, make bioplastics!

A team of chemists developed a method to produce polycarbonates from limonene and CO2, replacing bisphenol-A (BPA) as a precursor. This bioplastic production approach reduces toxicity and offers a sustainable alternative for various industries.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalACS Catalysis·DateJul 14, 2017

Immunosuppression underlies resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy

A Massachusetts General Hospital research team found that anti-angiogenic drugs induce a microenvironment that suppresses immune systems actions, allowing tumors to grow. Developing a potential strategy to overcome this mechanism, the researchers identified CX3CL1 as an attractive target for immunotherapy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 14, 2017

Helping robots learn to see in 3-D

Researchers at Duke University have developed an algorithm that allows robots to recognize and understand 3-D objects, even when parts are hidden from view. The system can simultaneously guess what a new object is and how it's oriented without examining it from multiple angles first.

SourceDuke University·DateJul 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.

Mica provides clue to how water transports minerals

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered that the capture and release of ions at the interface between water and muscovite mica is controlled by electrostatic properties. This breakthrough allows for real-time observations of ion transport dynamics, giving new insights into environmental processes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 2017

Study identifies new target to preserve nerve function

Researchers have discovered a new role for an enzyme called Axundead in promoting axon degeneration. However, blocking its function preserved the integrity of injured axons and allowed them to maintain signal transmission within the brain's complex circuitry for weeks.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNeuron·DateJul 14, 2017

Bacteria never swim alone

Researchers found that algae and bacteria can form flocks at very low concentrations of individuals, enabling them to sense each other's presence and affect each other. This discovery could increase our understanding of how microorganisms infect their host animals and the evolutionary basis for flocking behavior among bacteria.

SourceLund University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 14, 2017

Unabated climate change would reverse the development gains in Asia: Report

Asia and the Pacific face severe impacts from unmitigated climate change, including increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and declining agricultural productivity. The region is projected to experience a 6-degree Celsius temperature increase by 2100, leading to significant economic losses and human suffering.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·DateJul 14, 2017

Scientists create first laboratory generation of astrophysical shock waves

Researchers generate high-energy shock waves in a laboratory setting, simulating the formation of supersonic shock waves that propel cosmic rays and particles. This breakthrough enables new studies on the acceleration of astrophysical particles and complements present remote sensing observations.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 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.

Spark Therapeutics announces publication in The Lancet of pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial data for investigational voretigene neparvovec

The Phase 3 clinical trial data showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in functional vision and visual field in participants with RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease. Participants demonstrated marked gains in full-field light sensitivity and peripheral vision.

SourceTen Bridge Communications·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 14, 2017
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

COPD -- changes in the lungs, changes in the microbiome

A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that certain subtypes of COPD are associated with changes in the lung microbiome, which may promote pathogenic bacteria. The findings suggest personalized medicine approaches should consider the microbiome when treating patients with specific COPD subtypes.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 14, 2017