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Science News Archive May 2018 - Page 27


Page 27 of 44

CU researchers: infant growth patterns affected by type of protein consumed

A new study by CU School of Medicine researchers found that dairy-based protein intake promoted greater weight gain while meat-based protein intake resulted in increased length gain. The study tested 64 formula-fed infants and found significant differences in growth patterns between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 14, 2018

Brain anatomy of Homo naledi

Homo naledi had a small endocranial volume, suggesting a small brain compared to other Homo species. The study found occipital lobe asymmetry and lunate sulcus morphology similar to that seen in modern humans.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 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.

Shedding light on a cyclic molecule with a twist

Researchers at Kobe University have discovered a Möbius aromatic molecule that exhibits strong antiaromatic properties when exposed to light. The twist in the molecule's structure allows for high energy levels and magnetism, which could be utilized in eco-friendly organic devices such as solar cells and electroluminescent elements.

SourceKobe University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 14, 2018

Gene variant may increase psychiatric risk after traumatic brain injury

A study of 133 veterans found that a gene variant may increase psychiatric symptoms, such as PTSD and depression, after traumatic brain injury. The researchers suggest possible explanations for this link, including the gene's effect on emotion regulation and vascular disease.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateMay 14, 2018

Why some people resist authority

A neuroimaging study found that control aversion is linked to connectivity between brain regions and feelings of distrust. The study provided new insight into the influence of choice restriction on personal decisions.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMay 14, 2018

Long-run economic growth uncertainty

Estimates of uncertainty in long-run economic growth forecasts indicate a need for greater caution in climate policy and social programs relying on long-run growth projections. The study suggests that there is a higher than assumed probability of exceeding the highest values in greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Memory transferred between snails

A study published in eNeuro demonstrates that memories can be transferred between organisms by extracting ribonucleic acid (RNA) from a trained animal and injecting it into an untrained animal. This finding provides new clues in the search for the physical basis of memory.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Altered body odor indicates malaria even if microscope doesn't

Researchers discovered that altered body odor can indicate malaria infection, even when microscopic tests fail. Machine learning models using volatile biomarkers reliably identify asymptomatic infections with 100% sensitivity.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 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.

Centralized infrastructure facilitates medical education research

The Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance has increased family medicine's research productivity and faculty participation, including scholars with less experience. The CERA model can be replicated in other specialties to facilitate collaborative research.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018

Why older workers might be more stressed than younger ones

A Portland State University study found that older workers face significantly higher stress levels than younger colleagues when lacking autonomy, good relationships, and respect at work. The researchers suggest that employers provide essential resources to support all employees, particularly those nearing retirement.

SourcePortland State University·JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior·DateMay 14, 2018

Measuring the hardness of living tissues without damage

Researchers have developed a non-invasive technique to measure the hardness of living tissues, which can influence organ formation during development. The method combines physical modeling and statistical estimation to estimate tissue hardness based on cell population deformation and mechanical forces applied to the tissue.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 14, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New computational strategy designed for more personalized cancer treatment

A new computational strategy simplifies complex cancer biomolecular data by emphasizing patient-to-patient variation in molecular signatures of cancer cells. This approach aims to provide a personalized treatment plan by analyzing the genetic makeup and impaired biological pathways of individual patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Tumor-like spheres help scientists discover smarter cancer drugs

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new method to screen for potential cancer drugs using three-dimensional ball-like aggregates of cells called spheroids. They have identified one compound that affects a key cancer-driving protein, paving the way for more effective treatments.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalOncogene·DateMay 14, 2018

NIH scientists develop novel technique to study brain disease

Researchers have developed a new technique called spectrally resolved fiber photometry (SRFP) that can measure the activity of two distinct neuron groups in the mouse brain. This method allows for the simultaneous measurement of neural activity in both healthy and diseased brains, shedding light on neurological disorders such as Parkin...

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalNeuron·DateMay 14, 2018

New research says location of protected areas vital to wildlife survival

A new study provides a framework to identify geographical hotspots that can protect wild places and species from biodiversity loss. The study suggests that the exact location of protected areas is vital to wildlife survival, and that Canada's diverse ecosystems require careful consideration in their conservation.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalFACETS·DateMay 14, 2018

Identifying PTSD could be affected under proposed changes to global diagnostic tool

An international study found that proposed changes to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) could lead to a 57% reduction in moderate PTSD diagnoses. The study examined almost 4,000 individuals from six countries and showed that severe PTSD cases increased by up to 36%, while moderate cases decreased by more than half.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

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.

New molecule to improve pharmaceuticals draws inspiration from nature's toolbox

Scientists have developed a new catalyst that can integrate fluorine atoms into organic molecules, improving pharmaceuticals and medical imaging technology. The catalyst is specifically tuned to perform the same function as biological enzymes but is more widely applicable and has been designed using computational analysis.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScience·DateMay 14, 2018

Study shows how bacteria guide electron flow for efficient energy generation

Researchers at the University of Illinois have isolated a protein supercomplex from a bacterial membrane that generates a voltage across the bacterial membrane, enabling efficient ATP production. The study's findings will inform future efforts to obtain the atomic structures of large membrane protein supercomplexes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2018

Gender discrimination results in the deaths of extra 239,000 girls per year in India

A new study reveals that India experiences an average of 239,000 excess female child mortality annually, primarily in rural areas with lower education and socioeconomic development. The researchers argue that addressing gender discrimination is crucial to reducing mortality rates among girls under five.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateMay 14, 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.

New 'Scoring' System for Advanced Colorectal Cancer

A new 'scoring' system developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine enhances the prediction of survival in people with colorectal cancers that have spread to the liver. The system includes traditional Fong indicators plus genetic and morphological evaluation (GAME) factors, which outperform the existing Fong system in predicting patient outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBJS·DateMay 14, 2018

High-capacity, rechargeable lithium batteries

Researchers created high-performance lithium metal electrodes with over 10 mAh cm-2 capacity and 98% efficiency. The innovative design enables reversible, dendrite-free battery operation and paves the way for future-generation high-energy batteries.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 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.

News from the Journal of Lipid Research

Researchers found that healthy octogenarians have high cholesterol efflux capacity, a trait linked to reduced early signs of atherosclerosis. Additionally, two microRNAs were identified as drivers of programmed cell death in fat cells, suggesting a potential target for sustainable weight loss.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateMay 14, 2018

Scientists discover a variation of the genome predisposing to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that inheriting a variation in the PM20D1 gene increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, making it an excellent candidate for clinical prevention trials. The study highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration and multidisciplinary research to tackle complex diseases like dementia.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018

Plant peptide spells relief from salty stress

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered a hormone-like peptide in plants that increases their resistance to excessive salt. The peptide, AT13, enhances salinity stress tolerance and can be applied as a natural supplement for crops growing in high-salt conditions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Deadly cancers show early, detectable differences from benign tumors

A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers has identified early cell movement as a potential indicator of malignant tumors in colorectal cancer. The team analyzed 19 human colorectal tumors, finding that invasive samples exhibited signatures of abnormal cell movement more frequently than benign tumors.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

UCLA biologists 'transfer' a memory

Researchers at UCLA have successfully transferred a memory from one marine snail to another by injecting RNA, creating an artificial memory. The study could lead to new ways to lessen the trauma of painful memories and restore lost ones.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournaleNeuro·DateMay 14, 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.

UA researchers to study how to stop stress from causing pain

Researchers are studying how stress produces pain and developing a potential treatment for stress-related chronic pain conditions. The team, led by Dr. Frank Porreca, will analyze neurons in the amygdala that respond to stress through signaling at the kappa opioid receptor.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Scientists in Russia and Singapore investigate inorganic biomaterials with antimicrobial properties

Researchers from Lobachevsky University and Nanyang Technological University have developed a new method for obtaining bismuth-containing apatite, a material with antimicrobial properties. The team used solid-phase synthesis and thermodynamic modeling to study the compound's crystal structure and behavior under operating conditions.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics·DateMay 14, 2018

Cannabis use up among parents with children in the home

A recent study found that cannabis use among parents with children at home nearly quadrupled between 2002 and 2015, increasing from 5% to 7%, while cigarette smoking declined. This increase may compromise progress in reducing secondhand smoke exposure, particularly among certain subpopulations.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 14, 2018

Using MRSA's strength against it

Researchers at Michigan State University have identified how MRSA absorbs human fatty acids to resist antimicrobials, providing a new target for developing more effective treatments. By inhibiting the cell membrane's ability to produce lipids, scientists may improve the efficacy of existing antibacterial agents like triclosan.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Nouns slow down our speech

Researchers found that nouns slow down speech more frequently than verbs, indicating difficulties with planning noun utterances. This discovery has implications for understanding human language processing and suggests universal long-term effects on grammar evolution.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Wearable technology to track brain, predict illness

Researchers can track brain states using wrist-worn wearables, predicting mental-stress-related diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome. This technology improves diagnosis and treatment by providing real-time data on skin conductance and cortisol levels.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateMay 14, 2018

How to cure more hepatitis C patients

Leading experts recommend a novel pricing strategy to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations. States can leverage competition among drug manufacturers to save money while ensuring treatment for a larger share of the population.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018

Cystitis treatment: Back to the 1950s

A recent study found that one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics does not meet expected success rates, while another is as effective as newer drugs. The study suggests re-evaluating old antibiotics against modern standards to ensure patient well-being and restrict newer antibiotic use.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJAMA·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Heart disease severity may depend on nitric oxide levels

Researchers found that nitric oxide deficiencies can underlie heart failure, while low levels may cause GPCRs to activate harmful pathways. Managing nitric oxide could help improve heart function and reduce side effects of existing medications.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 14, 2018

Screening tool improves prediction of developing dementia

A simple visual screening tool, VAT, shows increased predictive value for dementia risk when combined with MMSE score declines. The tool may help identify older adults at increased risk of developing dementia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018

Researchers may be underestimating roadkill numbers

A new study reveals that the removal of roadkill by urban scavengers is a significant factor in underestimating roadkill numbers, particularly for small animals. The study found that scavengers such as crows, gulls, and foxes play an under-appreciated role in removing carcasses from roads.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of Urban Ecology·DateMay 14, 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.

Setting affects pleasure of heroin and cocaine

A recent study found that heroin users derive more pleasure from using it at home, while cocaine users enjoy it more outside. The brain regions involved in processing drug reward and context were activated during the emotional imagery task.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMay 14, 2018

Where hominid brains are concerned, size doesn't matter

Researchers found that Homo naledi's brain had a human-like shape and structure, similar to humans, but smaller in size. The study suggests that the species' behavior may have reflected the shape of its brain more than its size, raising new questions about human evolution and the evolution of brain size.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 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.