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Science News for December 27, 2018


FSU researchers unravel mystery of how, when DNA replicates

Researchers have identified specific points along the DNA molecule that control replication, shedding light on a decades-old mystery. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in understanding genetic diseases where replication timing is disrupted.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalCell·DateDec 27, 2018

Researchers discover kidney disease gene affects more populations than previously thought

A team of researchers discovered that APOL1 risk variants, previously known to affect African and African American populations, are also found at appreciable frequencies in Caribbean and Latin American populations. This finding could help physicians tailor treatment more closely to their needs through precision medicine.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 27, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Breaking down AGEs: Insight into how lifestyle drives ER-positive breast cancer

Medical University of South Carolina researchers found that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can hamper response to tamoxifen therapy for ER-positive breast cancer patients. Lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and dietary counseling, may help reduce AGE levels and improve treatment outcomes.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment·DateDec 27, 2018

Making 'smart' safe -- when every millisecond matters

Lehigh University researchers aim to improve the safety and reliability of cyber-physical systems by developing a systematic approach to network infrastructure design. The project seeks to establish a measurement-driven analytical framework for worst-case delay analyses in non-feedforward CPS networks.

SourceLehigh University·DateDec 27, 2018
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.

Hybrid qubits solve key hurdle to quantum computing

Researchers have developed a hybrid device combining two types of qubits to solve the speed bottleneck in quantum computing. By integrating different qubit architectures, they achieved rapid initialization and coherent measurements, paving the way for more scalable devices.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 27, 2018

MIT researchers develop novel 3D printing method for transparent glass

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel 3D printing method for creating transparent glass structures with improved speed, scale and reliability. The G3DP2 platform enables the fabrication of large-scale transparent objects with precise control over behavior and design specifications.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateDec 27, 2018

Contact with monkeys and apes puts populations at risk

Researchers found that Cameroonian adults frequently interact with nonhuman primates through hunting, butchering, and consuming meat. This exposure puts people at risk of infection with new diseases, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and safe handling practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 27, 2018

Genetic polymorphisms and zinc status

Genetic variations in metallothionein and zinc transporter genes impact zinc homeostasis and immune function. SNPs may influence the response to zinc supplementation in individuals with certain non-communicable diseases.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 27, 2018
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.

Phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological profile of rose hip

The rose hip fruit contains a range of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and tannins, with potential therapeutic effects on conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, and respiratory problems. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy in treating various illnesses.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 27, 2018

Sugar-sweetened beverage pattern linked to higher kidney disease risk

A study of 3003 African-American adults found that consuming a pattern of soda, sweetened fruit drinks, and water was associated with a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The researchers were surprised to see that water as part of this beverage pattern was linked to a higher risk of CKD.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 27, 2018

Bacteria found in ancient Irish soil halts growth of superbugs -- new hope for tackling antibiotic resistance

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown strain of bacteria in ancient Irish soil that effectively inhibits the growth of four top-six multi-resistant pathogens. The strain, Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, has shown promise against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, providing new hope for combating antibiotic resistance.

SourceSwansea University·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateDec 27, 2018
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.

Computational advances in the label-free quantification of cancer proteomics data

Recent advances in computational methods enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of label-free quantification (LFQ) in cancer proteomics, enabling discovery of anti-cancer targets and drugs. The study evaluates popular acquisition techniques and state-of-the-art quantification tools to improve LFQ performance.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 27, 2018

How exercise reduces belly fat in humans

A 12-week exercise intervention reduced visceral abdominal fat in obese adults, but tocilizumab treatment abolished this effect and increased cholesterol levels. Exercise promotes better health and reduces the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases by reducing abdominal fat mass.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 27, 2018

Multicenter trial supports use of topical antibiotics in NICU babies

A clinical trial tested the effectiveness of topical antibiotic mupirocin in eliminating Staphylococcus aureus colonization in hospitalized infants. The study found that mupirocin is safe and highly effective in reducing SA infection, with over 90% of treated infants testing negative for SA after treatment.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 27, 2018

Sleeping sickness parasite uses multiple metabolic pathways

Research reveals that trypanosomes use gluconeogenesis and glycerol metabolism to produce ATP and synthesize glucose, challenging the long-held assumption of exclusive reliance on glycolysis. This metabolic flexibility is essential for adaptation to environmental conditions and survival in mammalian host tissues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 27, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Distinguishing between students who guess and those who know

A new approach solves challenges in assessing student knowledge in online courses, considering multiple attempts and student experience. The expanded Rasch model provides a single scale for comparing students' proficiency even with changing test questions.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalHeliyon·DateDec 27, 2018

The landscape of protein tyrosine phosphatase (Shp2) and cancer

Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of Shp2, a phosphatase protein, in governing signaling response amplitude and regulating cell differentiation and growth. Dysregulation of Shp2 has been linked to various types of leukemia, including acute myeloid, juvenile myelomonocytic, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 27, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Online mirrors: Video bloggers and viewers share emotions

Researchers from Tilburg University studied over 2000 YouTube vlogs and found that people mirror the emotions of those they see online. They also seek out others with similar outlooks and moods, a phenomenon known as homophily. This emotional contagion can be seen in both immediate and sustained reactions.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateDec 27, 2018

A boundary dance of amyloid-β stepping into dementia

Scientists have elucidated the formation mechanism of amyloid-β substances, causative agents of Alzheimer's disease. They found that Aβ peptides tend to aggregate at hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces, forming β-hairpin structures that facilitate intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·DateDec 27, 2018

These nine measures reveal how forests are controlled by climate

Researchers analyzed global forest communities to understand how climate affects tree growth traits, revealing nine key changes that could impact forest productivity and composition. Temperature variability and vapor pressure emerged as major factors influencing these traits.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 27, 2018
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.

Reliable tropical weather pattern to change in a warming climate

The Madden-Julian Oscillation is likely to experience increased precipitation intensity under a warmer climate, while wind variations may slow or even decrease, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. This change could impact weather prediction for extreme events like hurricanes and droughts.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 27, 2018

A tilt of the head facilitates social engagement, researchers say

A new study by Nicolas Davidenko and colleagues reveals that a small tilt of the head can reduce the left-gaze bias and increase the upper-eye bias when viewing faces, making people more approachable. This finding has potential implications for individuals with autism and amblyopia.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPerception·DateDec 27, 2018

Silver nanowires promise more comfortable smart textiles

Researchers developed a simple method to create silver nanowire-coated fibers with high conductivity, flexibility, and mechanical strength. The fibers have promising applications in wearable devices, addressing the need for comfortable and functional smart textiles.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateDec 27, 2018
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.