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Science News Archive June 2017 - Page 21


Page 21 of 40

Dynamic DNA helps ward off gene damage, study reveals

A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that dynamic DNA properties can ward off gene damage and promote genome organization. The research highlights the importance of scaffold attachment factor A in forming a protective chromatin mesh that allows for flexible and responsive cell signals.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalCell·DateJun 15, 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.

Cryo-EM images reveal how key biological machine unfolds problem proteins

Researchers have gained near-atomic resolution insights into the disaggregase protein's unfolding process, which helps break apart toxic protein aggregates. The study's findings suggest a ratchet-like mechanism and potential applications in developing new drugs or understanding biological processes.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateJun 15, 2017

Drill holes in fossil shells point to bigger predators picking on small prey

Researchers found that as predators grew in size, they targeted smaller prey rather than larger quarry, suggesting a shift in ecological dynamics. The study's findings support the escalation hypothesis, which posits that top-down pressure from larger predators drove key evolutionary developments in prey species.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalScience·DateJun 15, 2017

Penn engineers show key feature for modeling how cells spread in fibrous environments

A team of engineers at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new model that better simulates how cells interact with their environment and form focal adhesions. This understanding is crucial for diagnosing and combating cancer, as it reveals the importance of dynamic processes in cellular behavior.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

3-D images show how sperm binds to the egg surface

Researchers have obtained the first 3D snapshots of a sperm protein attached to a complementary egg coat protein at the beginning of fertilization. The study reveals a common egg protein architecture involved in sperm recognition in both mollusc and mammal species.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateJun 15, 2017

The quest begins to bring ultra-speed wireless connectivity to first responders

Researchers will develop special channel soundings and software-defined radio systems to deliver ultra-reliability in emergency situations. They aim to address unique challenges such as link failures and signal blockage, enabling first responders to relay video in moving ambulances and control robots in restricted indoor environments.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·DateJun 15, 2017

Early stress confers lifelong vulnerability causing alterations in a specific brain region

Researchers identify early stress as a molecular basis for lifelong depression susceptibility, revealing a critical role for the developmental transcription factor Otx2. Mice stressed in early life exhibit suppressed Otx2 levels and increased depression-like behavior in adulthood, highlighting a sensitive period for brain development.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateJun 15, 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.

High prevalence of CRE in Washington, D.C. healthcare facilities

A new study reveals that Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have become endemic in Washington, D.C. healthcare facilities, with a prevalence rate of 5.2%. The study, which monitored 16 facilities, found that male patients and adults aged 20-39 had higher rates of CRE infection.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJun 15, 2017

Science shows how faces guide, and reflect, our social lives

Researchers investigate face perception's impact on human behavior, including recognizing emotions, forming impressions, and making judgments. The study reveals the complexities of face processing and its role in shaping our interactions with others.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateJun 15, 2017

Optimizing feeding is necessary to maintain milk production in organic herds

A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that varying diet formulation and pasture management can significantly affect greenhouse gas emissions on organic dairy farms. The researchers identified four feeding strategies, with diets featuring more soybeans resulting in lower nitrous oxide emissions.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJun 15, 2017

Taking circular economy to the next level

A growing number of businesses and governments have adopted the circular economy framework, aiming to keep resources in use for longer. The Journal of Industrial Ecology special issue explores the concept's complexities and opportunities, including product design methods, social forces, and challenges of implementing circularity efforts.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateJun 15, 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.

Pre-clinical study suggests Parkinson's could start in gut endocrine cells

Duke University researchers have identified a potential new mechanism for Parkinson's disease, suggesting that misfolded alpha-synuclein protein spreads from gut endocrine cells to the brain. This finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and development of therapies targeting the protein.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJCI Insight·DateJun 15, 2017

Jerusalem tower younger than thought

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science used advanced radiocarbon dating methods to determine the age of a massive stone tower in Jerusalem. The new date, around 800-900 BCE, is nearly 1,000 years younger than the previously assigned date of 1700 BCE and moves the construction of the tower to the Iron Age.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalRadiocarbon·DateJun 15, 2017

Modeling the brain with 'Lego bricks'

A new computational method uses data from medical imaging to create a color-coded 'digital lego brain' model that predicts organ deformation under surgical action. This allows surgeons to virtually rehearse operations and anticipate potential complications.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 15, 2017

New blood test detects stroke and heart attack risk in lupus patients with no CVD symptoms

Researchers have identified a biomarker that can detect increased risk of stroke and heart attack in lupus patients without CVD symptoms. A study found that lupus patients with high levels of High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T (HS-cTnT) are eight times more likely to develop fatty deposits in their carotid arteries.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJun 15, 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.

New tool measures resilience in adolescent Syrian refugees

Researchers at Yale University developed a brief and reliable survey tool to measure resilience in children and adolescents displaced by the Syrian conflict. The tool identifies individual, family, and cultural sources of strength and asks respondents to rate statements on a five-point scale.

SourceYale University·JournalChild Development·DateJun 15, 2017

A more safe and efficient means for drug manufacturing

Researchers created a system that uses continuous flow technology to produce pharmaceutical compounds, improving safety and yield. The new approach yielded 24 kilograms of chemotherapy agent prexasertib over three days, demonstrating its effectiveness.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 15, 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.

Analysis sheds light on how metaphors like 'sheds light' evolved

A large-scale study found that the evolution of word meanings in English metaphors follows a systematic and predictable pattern over the past 1100 years. The researchers identified key domains where word senses transitioned from literal to metaphorical meaning, including emotionality and embodiment.

SourceLehigh University·JournalCognitive Psychology·DateJun 15, 2017

Gender, race & class: Language change in post-apartheid South Africa

A recent study by Rajend Mesthrie found that gender is a stronger predictor of language change than class among young black university students in post-apartheid South Africa. The research showed that female students are more likely to adopt the 'crossover' language varieties, which were previously associated with white-dominated groups.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·DateJun 15, 2017

Transgender actors effective in teaching new doctors to provide respectful care

A study published in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education found that transgender actors can effectively teach new doctors to provide sensitive care. The researchers used standardized patients, including a transgender actress, to assess residents' communication skills and patient satisfaction. The results showed that the training a...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Graduate Medical Education·DateJun 15, 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.

Tracking the build-up to volcanic eruptions

ASU scientists develop technique using zircon crystals to trace pulses of heat inside a volcano, which may help better predict risk. The new findings suggest that heat pulses before an eruption both begin and end more abruptly than previously thought.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJun 15, 2017

Burroughs Wellcome Fund awards $1.9 million in grants to three Penn researchers

Three Penn researchers, Elizabeth Grice, Vijay Bhoj, and Kara Maxwell, have been awarded $1.9 million in Burroughs Wellcome Fund grants to investigate skin microbiome functions and CAR T-cell immunotherapy for Hemophilia A. The grants aim to advance our understanding of human infectious diseases and cancer research.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateJun 15, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Child Mind Institute's Healthy Brain Network releases open dataset

The Child Mind Institute has released a comprehensive open dataset from the Healthy Brain Network study, featuring behavioral and cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and more. This dataset will enable researchers to identify biomarkers for childhood mental health disorders and develop new diagnostic tools.

SourceRubenstein Associates, Inc.·DateJun 14, 2017

Reproducing a retinal disease on a chip

Scientists developed an organ-on-a-chip model that mimics human retinal cells and vascular endothelial cells. The model replicates neovascularization in wet-type age-related macular degeneration, offering a potential alternative to animal models for disease modeling and drug screening.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 14, 2017

Plant compound more powerful than AZT against HIV

A plant compound, patentiflorin A, has been discovered to be more effective against HIV than the widely used drug AZT. The compound inhibits an enzyme needed for HIV to replicate, making it a promising candidate for development into a new HIV treatment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Natural Products·DateJun 14, 2017
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.

Want to feel stronger and thinner? Get some exercise

A UBC study found that brief 30-minute workouts improve women's body image and physical perceptions, leading to increased feelings of strength and self-esteem. The positive effects last beyond the exercise itself, with improvements in body image persisting for at least 20 minutes post-workout.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·DateJun 14, 2017

Special journal issue showcases Aalto University's materials research

Researchers investigated electronic materials for micro-electronics, opto-electronics and quantum technologies, developing flexible thermoelectric zinc oxide thin films on cotton textiles. Aalto University's expertise in cutting-edge materials science is highlighted, with publications cited more often than the world average.

SourceAalto University·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJun 14, 2017

Understanding river thermal landscapes

Researchers are creating a holistic view of river thermal regimes using measurements over time and space, enabling more effective management and conservation efforts. The incorporation of these data has significant implications for the future of river science.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJun 14, 2017

The glue that keeps cells together

A study published in Nature Physics reveals that small changes in physical parameters can significantly impact the formation and growth of cell-cell contacts. The researchers used computer simulations and experiments to investigate the biophysicics of cadherin proteins, which play a crucial role in maintaining cellular bonds.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 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.

Making hydrogen fuel from humid air

A team of researchers has created a photocatalyst that can generate hydrogen from water vapor using sunlight, producing the fuel without electrolytes or external power sources. The novel paint-like material can be applied to any surface, including building facades, and enables hydrogen production almost anywhere.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 14, 2017

Online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective for military

A study conducted by University of North Texas professor Daniel Taylor found that online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective in military personnel, with improved sleep quality and reduced use of sleep medication. However, the internet-delivered therapy was about half as effective as traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of North Texas·JournalSLEEP·DateJun 14, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Dual-agent PET/MR with time of flight detects more cancer

Researchers found that dual-agent PET/MR with time of flight detects more bone metastases in breast and prostate cancer patients, improving detection accuracy and reducing radiation dose. The study used combined imaging agents <sup>18</sup> F-FDG and <sup>18</sup> F-NaF to enhance image quality.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 14, 2017

Female elk can learn to avoid hunters with age

A study published in PLOS ONE found that older female elk adjust their behavior to avoid hunters, reducing movement rates and using safer terrain when near roads. This suggests that learning plays a role in shaping their avoidance of hunters.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 14, 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.

A surprising new link between inflammation and mental illness

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a mechanism that links chronic inflammation to mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Their study suggests that anti-IFNAR drugs may be effective in reducing symptoms of CNS lupus and other related conditions.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature·DateJun 14, 2017

New light shed on dynamics of type IV pili and twitching motility

Biophysicists visualized type IV pili (T4P) dynamics using optical microscopy, revealing asymmetric distribution triggered by blue light. T4P extension activated at the forward side of cells illuminated laterally with blue light, driving forward motion and navigation.

SourceGakushuin University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2017

Drop in violence associated with smoke-free policy at psychiatric hospital

A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals a significant drop in physical assaults following the introduction of a smoke-free policy at a psychiatric hospital. The researchers found that smoking within hospitals often leads to worsening mental health and increased violence, but their findings challenge this assumption.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJun 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.

New ultrasound 'drill' targets deep vein blood clots

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new surgical tool using low-frequency intravascular ultrasound to break down blood clots. The tool breaks down clots into fine particles, reducing the need for high doses of blood thinners and potentially lowering treatment time.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 14, 2017