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Science News Archive May 2017 - Page 14


Page 14 of 42

Experimental therapy for immune diseases hits Achilles heel of activated T cells

A new treatment modality called PPCA has been discovered that targets the DNA damage in rapidly expanding T cells, reducing autoimmune damage in mouse models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The therapy, which leverages p53 potentiation with checkpoint abrogation, selectively interrupts DNA damag...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2017

Raised blood platelet levels 'strong predictor' of cancer

A large-scale study found that raised blood platelet counts are a strong predictor of cancer, with lung and colorectal cancers being more commonly diagnosed. The research suggests that substantial numbers of people could have their cancer diagnosed up to three months earlier if thrombocytosis prompted investigation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateMay 22, 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.

3.3-million-year-old fossil reveals the antiquity of the human spine

A 2.5-year-old fossilized toddler from the species Australopithecus afarensis has provided groundbreaking insights into human spinal column development, dating it back over 3.3 million years. This discovery sheds new light on the evolution of bipedalism and modern human body shape.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Next-gen computing: Memristor chips that see patterns over pixels

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new memristor chip that can process complex data, such as images, much faster and with less power than traditional systems. Inspired by how mammals see, the chip uses pattern recognition to shortcut energy-intensive processes.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 22, 2017

Rise in lung adenocarcinoma linked to 'light' cigarette use

A new study confirms high-ventilation cigarettes have no health benefits and likely contributed to the rise of lung adenocarcinoma. Researchers call for immediate action from the FDA to regulate or ban the use of ventilation holes.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 22, 2017

Wearable vision systems reveal more than a 'highway in the sky'

The special section aims to facilitate consumer-driven advancements in wearable virtual system applications, including automotive, industrial, and military vision systems. Papers describe various approaches and technologies to address challenges such as latency, acuity, field-of-view, fashion, and donning/doffing.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalOptical Engineering·DateMay 22, 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.

Total synthesis of flueggenine C via an accelerated intermolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction

Researchers at KAIST successfully synthesized the natural product (-)-flueggenine C via an accelerated intermolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction. The conventional RC reaction is non-selective and high-temperature, but the team modified it to use a base at ambient temperature.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 22, 2017

Awareness of controversial Arizona immigration law influenced male students' classroom behavior

A new study found that U.S.-born Latino male middle school students who were aware of the Arizona immigration bill had difficulty exhibiting proper classroom behavior, such as following instructions and staying quiet. The study also discovered that awareness of the law predicted lower levels of academic self-regulation among male stude...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEthnic and Racial Studies·DateMay 22, 2017

Researchers discover hottest lavas that erupted in past 2.5 billion years

A team of researchers led by Esteban Gazel discovered deep portions of Earth's mantle might be as hot as it was more than 2.5 billion years ago. They found magnesium concentrations and textural evidence similar to the mysterious Archean komatiites in rocks from the 90 million-year-old Tortugal Suite in Costa Rica.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 22, 2017

UNLV study: Warming news from Russia

A new UNLV study published in Nature Geoscience has found evidence of nearly continuous warming in the Ural Mountains in central Russia over the past 11,000 years. This contradicts previous work that focused on summer temperature trends and supports computer models predicting continual warming.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 22, 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.

Taking a closer look at genetic switches in cancer

A genetic switch that regulates blood stem cell maturation is dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia. Researchers have identified a protein, DPF2, that controls this switch and developed a mutated version of the protein that can block its function. This new approach may lead to more effective treatments for leukemia.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2017

City life could present psychosis risk for adolescents

Living in a city significantly increases young people's vulnerability to psychotic experiences, with British adolescents raised in major cities being over 40% more likely to report such experiences. Adverse neighbourhood conditions, crime, and social factors were key contributing factors.

SourceKing's College London·JournalSchizophrenia Bulletin·DateMay 22, 2017

Scientists propose synestia, a new type of planetary object

Researchers Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart propose a new type of planetary object called a synestia, which forms through giant impacts. Synestias could be responsible for moon formation, particularly in our solar system where Earth's moon is similar to its parent planet.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateMay 22, 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.

Two biomarkers appear to predict course of IPF

Researchers found that patients with high ICOS expression had improved survival, while those with low CD28 expression had poor outcomes. The study suggests that these biomarkers may help clinicians identify IPF patients at greatest risk and develop early intervention strategies.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 2017

Prompt sepsis treatment less likely when ERs overcrowded

A study found that ER overcrowding is associated with a significant delay in sepsis treatment, resulting in increased mortality risk. Patients presenting to crowded ERs waited an average of 47 minutes longer for antibiotics compared to uncrowded ERs.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 2017

Supercomputer study unlocks secrets of brain and safer anesthetics

A seven-year study using a supercomputer has revealed the secrets of brain electrical signals and protein switches activated by binding molecules. The findings aim to develop safer and more effective anaesthetics, as well as treatments for various neural conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and chronic pain.

SourceRMIT University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 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.

Faster is better when it comes to sepsis care

A University of Pittsburgh-led study covering nearly 50,000 patients found that hospitals in New York State that followed the 'three-hour bundle' protocol for sepsis treatment had lower mortality rates. The protocol requires early identification and treatment within three hours of diagnosis, with completion averaging 1.3 hours.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 2017

Improving health care for mother and child, doing fewer cesareans and ... saving money!

A training program evaluating clinical best practices and self-assessment reduced medically unnecessary caesareans by a slight margin without adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health. The program generated significant savings for the healthcare system, primarily due to better case management leading to fewer neonatal complications.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMay 21, 2017

Antibiotic therapy for nearly 1 in 4 adults with pneumonia does not work

A recent study found that approximately 22.1 percent of adult patients prescribed antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia do not respond to treatment, highlighting the need for updated guidelines and more aggressive antibiotic therapy for vulnerable populations such as older adults. The study also revealed regional variations in t...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 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.

Parasitic robot system for waypoint navigation of turtle

A KAIST research team developed a hybrid animal-robot interaction system that attaches to a turtle and induces its object-tracking behavior through training sessions. The parasitic robot successfully controls the direction of movement in a water tank, offering an alternative solution to conventional mobile robot limitations.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of Bionic Engineering·DateMay 21, 2017

New hope for patients with severe lung disease

UK researchers have made a breakthrough in treating severe lung disease by developing a home ventilation therapy that reduces hospital readmissions. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found patients using this treatment were two-thirds less likely to be readmitted within 28 days.

SourceNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London·JournalJAMA·DateMay 21, 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.

Network traffic provides early indication of malware infection

Researchers analyzed network traffic from over five billion events to identify malware signals weeks before detection. This allows for early warning of potential attacks, reducing their impact. The study suggests new strategies for malware-independent detection, giving network defenders a timely advantage.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateMay 21, 2017

Combination of features produces new Android vulnerability

A new class of attacks, dubbed 'Cloak and Dagger,' allows attackers to take control of Android devices by overlaying the graphical interface with false information. The vulnerability arises from the combination of two legitimate permissions that power desirable features in popular apps.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateMay 21, 2017

Air pollution may disrupt sleep

Researchers analyzed data from 1,863 participants and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and low sleep efficiency. The study suggests that improving air quality may be one way to enhance sleep health and reduce health disparities.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 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.

Luminous bacteria will help to measure radioactivity

The study found that low-intensity gamma radiation is only destructive and has a linear correlation in dose-effect coordinates. The duration of exposure is more significant than the absorbed dose in terms of toxic effect on organisms.

SourceSiberian Federal University·JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity·DateMay 20, 2017

Heart failure and stroke identified as lethal combination

Researchers found that heart failure patients with a history of stroke had greater risks of depression, hospitalization, and death compared to those without a history of stroke. Patients with both conditions died an average of five months earlier and were more likely to be rehospitalized or die.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMay 20, 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.

Chronic pain amplifies the brain's reaction to new injuries

Researchers found that chronic pain distorts the intensity of pain perception in other body parts by rewiring circuits in the anterior cingulate cortex. This causes a greater reaction to painful stimuli throughout the body, with far-reaching consequences for mental health and disease treatment.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateMay 19, 2017

Self-ventilating workout suit keeps athletes cool and dry

A team of MIT researchers has designed a breathable workout suit with ventilating flaps lined with live microbial cells, which can be engineered to sense and respond to humidity. The suit effectively removes sweat from the body and lowers skin temperature, providing a cooling sensation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 19, 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.

How cancer cells flood the lung

Lung cancer patients are susceptible to malignant pleural effusion, a build-up of excess fluid that can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism that causes this condition, which could lead to the development of new treatments targeting the KRAS-mutant cancer cells.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2017

Understanding the architecture of our 'second brain'

Researchers have discovered how the enteric nervous system, a complex network of nerve cells in the gut, is formed during mouse development. The study reveals that individual progenitor cells produce specific types of cells, which form overlapping columns and exhibit synchronized activity.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalScience·DateMay 19, 2017

Rutgers researchers develop protocol to analyze many cells at once

Researchers developed a new FISH-Flow protocol to analyze hundreds of thousands of cells simultaneously, allowing for faster and more accurate disease detection. The protocol identifies telltale mRNA species and proteins, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and non-infectious lung diseases.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Protocols·DateMay 19, 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.

Study finds need for educating older adults on outdoor fall prevention

A recent NYU study reveals a significant gap in education and training for outdoor fall prevention among community-dwelling older adults. The research highlights the importance of wearing proper footwear, being aware of environmental hazards, and practicing safe walking strategies to prevent falls.

SourceNew York University·JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics·DateMay 19, 2017

Alzheimer's disease-associated Aβ42 peptide

Researchers develop a cost-effective method to produce Aβ42 peptide, a key player in Alzheimer's disease, using isotope labeling and FPLC. This approach simplifies NMR-based structural studies of the peptide, paving the way for deeper understanding of AD.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Chemical Biology·DateMay 19, 2017

How RNA formed at the origins of life

Researchers from UCL, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital suggest a single chemical mechanism for forming both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. They demonstrate that these molecules can be assembled on the same sugar scaffold to form RNA, providing a solution to a long-standing challenge in understanding the origins of life.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 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.