Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 4, 2017


Study associates schizophrenia with defective processing of messenger RNA in cells

A study associates schizophrenia with defective processing of messenger RNA in cells, suggesting a link between the spliceosome complex and brain dysfunctions. The researchers found altered proteins in two brain regions, including those involved in calcium-mediated signaling and myelination.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMolecular Neuropsychiatry·DateSep 4, 2017

Diabetes and heart disease linked by genes, reveals Penn-led study

A Penn-led study identified 16 new genes associated with type-2 diabetes and one new genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease. The researchers found that most of the sites known to be associated with higher diabetes risk are also linked to higher CHD risk, highlighting potential targets for future therapies.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 4, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Massive Antarctic volcanic eruptions linked to abrupt Southern hemisphere climate changes

New research documents a 192-year series of volcanic eruptions in Antarctica that coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These halogen-rich eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Human mobility in early Europe

A study of genetic and isotopic analyses reveals that most female skeletons were nonlocal, arriving as adults, and contributed to cultural communication and exchange. The findings suggest that female mobility played a key role in the spread of technological advancements during this period.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Rethinking serotonin could lead to a shift in psychiatric care

Researchers propose a revised understanding of serotonin's role in the brain, highlighting its potential to treat recalcitrant mental health conditions through psychedelic drugs. The 'two-pronged' model could enable patients to change negative behaviors and thought patterns.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateSep 4, 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.

Mayo Clinic researchers review the clinical potential of senolytic drugs on aging

Senolytic agents target senescent cells, which accumulate with age and contribute to chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Mayo Clinic researchers have identified new screening platforms to find additional senolytic drugs, potentially leading to transformative treatments for aging-related diseases.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 4, 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.

Indigenous storytelling is a new asset for biocultural conservation

Researchers tap into indigenous storytelling to revitalize biocultural heritage, fostering emotional connections with landscapes and wildlife. This approach bridges cultural revitalization and nature conservation, offering a new asset for conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalConservation Letters·DateSep 4, 2017

Improved dating of Neanderthal remains

Researchers used an improved dating technique to date Neanderthal remains from Vindija Cave in Croatia. The dates obtained were significantly older than previously reported, pushing back the timeline of Neanderthal presence in Central Europe. This challenges previous theories about the coexistence of Neanderthals and modern humans.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Mobile phone use while pregnant not linked to child neurodevelopment problems

Research published in BMC Public Health found that maternal mobile phone use was associated with lower risk of language and motor skills delays at ages 3 and 5. Children born to mobile phone users had a 27% lower risk of lower sentence complexity, 14% lower risk of incomplete grammar, and 31% lower risk of moderate language delay.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateSep 4, 2017

Team gathers unprecedented data on atmosphere's organic chemistry

Researchers from MIT and global partners conducted a comprehensive survey of atmospheric chemistry in a Colorado forest, identifying previously unmeasured semi-volatile and intermediate-volatility organic compounds. The findings provide new insights into air quality, ecosystem health, and climate change.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 4, 2017

Researchers devise a new way of producing hydrogen fuel

Researchers have devised a new way of producing hydrogen fuel by combining a photosensitive protein with titanium dioxide particles in nanodiscs. The process, which uses sunlight to generate energy, results in the production of hydrogen at an efficiency rate of 45% or more.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 4, 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.

Superfly flight simulator helps unravel navigation in the brain

Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute identified two separate pathways in the fly brain that process landmark locations and self-motion independently. This discovery sheds light on how animals navigate their environment using cues like landmarks and memories.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 4, 2017

Antarctic volcanic eruptions triggered abrupt southern hemisphere climate changes near the end of the last ice age

New findings from the University of Copenhagen reveal that massive Antarctic volcanic eruptions coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 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.

Medical camera makes light work of seeing through the body

Scientists have developed a camera that uses advanced photon detection technology to track the location of endoscopes in real-time. This allows doctors to guide the endoscope to the correct place without using expensive methods like X-rays.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 4, 2017

Cannot sleep due to stress? Here is the cure

A study found that octacosanol, a compound rich in sugarcane and other natural products, can reduce stress and restore normal sleep in mildly stressed mice. The researchers also suggest that octacosanol may be useful for treating insomnia caused by stress due to its potential to increase sleep.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 4, 2017

Diverse landscapes are more productive and adapt better to climate change

Researchers from University of Zurich investigate role of biodiversity in real-world ecosystems, finding diverse landscapes produce more biomass and adapt better to climate change. The analysis of 450 landscapes across Switzerland revealed a positive correlation between biodiversity and annual growing period length.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Reindeer grazing protects tundra plant diversity in a warming climate

A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that reindeer grazing can help protect tundra plant diversity in a warming climate. By allowing more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions, reindeer can increase light availability and preserve small and slowly-growing plant species.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2017

New fluorescent dyes could advance biological imaging

Chemists have developed a technique to create a spectrum of glowing dyes, offering scientists a way to adjust the properties of existing dyes deliberately. This expanded palette could help researchers better illuminate the inner workings of cells.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 4, 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.

Epileptic brain activity in widely used lab mice

Researchers have observed unusual neural activity in some genetically modified lab mice widely used in neuroscience research. This abnormal activity may be linked to the expression of a genetically-encoded calcium sensor during development.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateSep 4, 2017

Taking a deep breath?

Researchers measure exceptionally high oxygen absorption in the Labrador Sea during winter 2014/2015. The study suggests that while this region may absorb more oxygen than lost, the global decrease in surface water oxygen content due to climate change cannot be compensated.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 4, 2017

First detailed decoding of complex finger millet genome

Researchers have successfully decoded the complex genome of finger millet, a staple food in India and Africa, revealing over 62,300 genes. The new data holds promise for improving crop resilience to drought and enhancing nutritional content, addressing food security concerns globally.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalDNA Research·DateSep 4, 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.

Angry and disconnected people more likely to support Anonymous

Research by University of Kent psychologist Dr Giovanni Travaglino found that anger against the political system is a common factor in explaining support for Anonymous. People who feel angry and powerless are more likely to express their dissent vicariously through Anonymous rather than engaging directly in politics.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalGroup Processes & Intergroup Relations·DateSep 4, 2017

PSA screening significantly reduces the risk for death from prostate cancer

Guidelines recommending against routine PSA-based screening may be revised due to compatible evidence showing screening reduces prostate cancer mortality. The benefits of screening outweigh potential harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, but how to implement screening is still a question.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 4, 2017

How poison-dart frogs avoid self-intoxication

A study discovered how poison-dart frogs avoid self-intoxication despite storing toxic batrachotoxin in their skin. The key finding involves a specific amino acid replacement that confers resistance, allowing adult frogs to store over 1 mg of toxin.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

What's your story, morning glory?

Researchers successfully altered the flower color of Japanese morning glory from violet to white using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology. The study highlights the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for studying and manipulating genes in horticultural plants.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 4, 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.

Mysterious protein-folding molecule could trigger metabolic disorders

A recent study by researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina identifies CNPY2 as a key molecule triggering the unfolded protein response, which contributes to certain metabolic disorders. The study found that CNPY2 plays a crucial role in sustaining cellular stress when the UPR becomes active.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 4, 2017

DNA and protein 'liquid biopsy' for early pancreatic cancer better than either alone

Researchers developed a combined 'liquid biopsy' that detected markers from both DNA and protein products of DNA, showing twice the accuracy of detection as DNA alone. The test identified early-stage pancreatic cancer in 64% of patients, improving on the 30% detection rate achieved with DNA testing alone.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Face value

A new Harvard Medical School study suggests that brain regions key to facial recognition form only through experience and are absent in primates who don't encounter faces. This finding sheds light on neuro-developmental conditions such as autism and developmental prosopagnosia, where individuals struggle with recognizing familiar faces.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 4, 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.

Mobile women were key to cultural exchange in Stone Age and Bronze Age Europe

Researchers found that mobile women brought new cultural objects and ideas, which increased during the Bronze Age, promoting technological development. Genetic analysis revealed diversity of female lineages from outside the region, indicating integration into local communities.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2017

Deadly parasite messaging tactic may help curb sleeping sickness

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh studied two species of trypanosome parasites that can co-infect animals at once. Communication between the species may aid their survival by controlling numbers and optimizing transmission, potentially leading to more severe human infections.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 4, 2017

New device for refined neural recording in mice could transform dementia research

Researchers have developed a new, ultra lightweight system for recording neural activity in mice, enabling the study of brain disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The TaiNi device offers significant animal welfare benefits and high signal bandwidth, increasing information gathered from each mouse.

SourceNational Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 4, 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.

Discovery of dynamic seasonal changes in color perception

Research on Medaka fish reveals dynamic seasonal changes in color perception, with variations in behavior, light response, and gene expression. This phenomenon may not be limited to Medaka and could be widely observed in various animals, including humans.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2017