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Science News Archive October 2018 - Page 44


Page 44 of 47

A new model takes oxidative stress to heart

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new model of heart failure that allows for the specific study of oxidative stress using chemogenetics. The approach enables researchers to activate or inactivate reactive oxygen species in the heart, leading to advanced cardiac dysfunction.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2018

Making mice a tiny bit more human to study preterm birth

Scientists successfully inserted human DNA into transgenic laboratory mice, allowing them to study the biology of preterm birth. They discovered a stress hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its interaction with a transcription factor called DLX3 in the placenta.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 2, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Wildfire aerosols remain longer in atmosphere than expected

Research team at Michigan Tech found wildfire aerosol particles remaining in atmosphere for up to a week, defying expectations of rapid oxidation. This discovery has significant implications for climate predictions and the role of aerosols in global warming.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateOct 2, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Take my hand and ride with me -- Over the genome

Researchers at CRG describe how specific proteins guide Tet2 enzyme to DNA regions needed for cell fate specification. This novel mechanism reveals a new way transcription factors interact with the genome.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 2, 2018

Imaging the zebrafish, one cell at a time

Researchers are using laser marking systems and light sheet microscopy to track individual cells in zebrafish development, aiming to create a complete cellular blueprint. The project has the potential to revolutionize regenerative biology by precisely defining cell roles in complex organisms.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·DateOct 2, 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.

Single atoms break carbon's strongest bond

Researchers at Yale University and Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a new catalyst to break carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest chemical bonds known. Single atoms of platinum were found to be strikingly effective in catalyzing bond cleavage and contaminant breakdown.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalACS Catalysis·DateOct 2, 2018

A web-based program is as effective as group counseling for patients with NAFLD

A new six-year single-center study found a web-based program to be an effective approach to manage lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD, comparable to group-based interventions. The web program reduced weight loss and improved liver health, suggesting counseling as a key therapeutic option until drugs are approved.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateOct 2, 2018

Commandeering microbes pave way for synthetic biology in military environments

A team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory and MIT have developed a novel synthetic biology tool that delivers DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria. The XPORT bacterium enables precise and controlled transfer of DNA to various microorganisms, opening up new possibilities for military applications.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 2, 2018

Sleep research uncovers dire consequences to deprivation

Researchers at Michigan State University found that sleep-deprived individuals experienced a significant increase in errors during tasks requiring following directions and remembering sequence steps. Memory maintenance was the primary culprit behind these difficulties.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 2, 2018

One more year of high school may shape waistlines later in life

A study by USC Dornsife researchers found that an extra year of education contributed to weight loss in individuals at greatest risk of becoming obese. The study used genome data from 250,000 people and found that the change in mandatory attendance age had a significant impact on health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateOct 2, 2018
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.

New algorithm efficiently finds antibiotic candidates

Researchers developed a new algorithm to search vast repositories of compounds produced by microbes, identifying over 5,000 promising unknown compounds that merit further investigation. The algorithm, called Dereplicator+, analyzes mass spectra data to eliminate known compounds and focus on potential new pharmaceuticals.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2018

Making the right connections

Scientists at VIB and KU Leuven identify a new protein interaction that regulates the formation of specific synapses between pyramidal neurons and mossy fibers in the hippocampus. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that govern unique interactions in neuronal networks.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNeuron·DateOct 2, 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.

Study finds gene variant predisposes people to both Type 2 diabetes and low body weight

A study found that a gene variant commonly associated with Type 2 diabetes may also increase the risk of being lean, contradicting common assumptions about obesity and diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from over 9,000 Hispanic Latinos and used complex modeling to estimate the odds of developing Type 2 diabetes across time.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalBMC Obesity·DateOct 2, 2018

Canada's first 'state of the nation' report on children's physical literacy

A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that about two-thirds of Canadian children aged 8-12 have not reached an acceptable level of physical literacy. The Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group's Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy tool was used to assess over 10,000 children across the country, revealing lo...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalBMC Public Health·DateOct 2, 2018

New knowledge on how neurons talk to muscles

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new way in which nerve cells control movement by dynamically adjusting neurotransmitter production. This finding opens up new avenues for treating diseases such as myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2018
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.

Pitt researchers receive prestigious NIH Director's Awards

Two University of Pittsburgh faculty members, Peter Strick and Warren Ruder, have been awarded $6 million NIH Director's Transformative Research Awards for innovative research in brain-body connection and antibiotic resistance. Their work aims to revolutionize biomedical research and address significant medical challenges.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateOct 2, 2018

Cobra cannibalism more prevalent than previously thought

A new study reveals that wild cobras frequently eat other snakes and engage in cannibalism, with five out of six species displaying the behavior. Males are more likely to participate in cannibalism events, raising questions about its evolution and impact on intrasexual competition.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateOct 2, 2018

Study finds more belly fat, less muscle after crash dieting

A new study found that extreme dieting in female rats led to a decrease in metabolic factors and functions, including body weight and blood pressure, but resulted in a higher accumulation of abdominal fat. This increase in belly fat may cause long-term health risks for people who have previously crash dieted.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateOct 2, 2018

Engineering breast milk to treat sick infants

Kathryn Whitehead's project uses genetic engineering to isolate and modify human cells in breast milk for infant disease therapy. The goal is to develop non-invasive treatments for babies with diseases, such as spina bifida or enterocolitis.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·DateOct 2, 2018
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Diet affects the breast microbiome in mammals

A Mediterranean diet increased Lactobacillus abundance in mammary glands of macaque monkeys, a nonhuman primate model of women's health. This finding suggests that diet directly influences microbiome populations outside the intestinal tract and may impact breast cancer risk.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 2, 2018

Molecule studies reveal potential treatment for stroke patients

Researchers from Clemson University and Stony Brook University reveal a 3-D structure of a protein fragment that could serve as a drug target in treating stroke patients. The protein, PSD-95, plays a crucial role in maintaining neural connections and facilitating communication, learning, and memory.

SourceClemson University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2018

Abdominal aortic calcification may signal future heart attack

A new study found that abdominal aortic calcification measured by CT scans is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events, outperforming the widely used Framingham risk score. The research suggests that detecting calcification via routine CT scans could help identify patients at high risk and enable early interventions.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 2, 2018

New report on mobility has experts moving toward consensus on care as we age

Experts at the American Geriatrics Society unveiled a list of recommendations to prioritize mobility care as people age. The new white paper focuses on assessing mobility for hospitalized older adults and offers ways to promote high-quality, person-centered care by proactively addressing mobility loss.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 2, 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.

Pathology test uses AI to predict prostate cancer progression following surgery

A new pathology test using AI can accurately predict clinically significant prostate cancer disease progression following surgery, helping guide treatment decisions. The Precise MD post-op test reclassified 58% of intermediate risk patients as low risk and 42% as high risk for significant disease progression.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·DateOct 2, 2018

The only known white dwarf orbited by planetary fragments has been analyzed

The study confirms the evolution of transits produced by a planetesimal orbiting the white dwarf WD 1145+017. The system shows periodic transits blocking light from the star, with continuous interaction and fragmentation resulting in changes in transit depth and shape.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 2, 2018

Gaia spots stars flying between galaxies

A team of astronomers using Gaia data found twenty high-velocity stars racing towards the Galactic centre, raising questions about their origin. The stars' velocities could be a sign of supermassive black holes or binary systems in nearby galaxies.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 2, 2018
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.

Europe's new X-ray laser reveals structure of antibiotic-disabling enzyme

The European XFEL has obtained the first scientific results from its operation, revealing the structure of an antibiotic-disabling enzyme. The international collaboration used X-ray flashes to obtain flash X-ray exposures of tiny crystals, allowing them to build up the full three-dimensional structure of the biomolecule.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 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.

Computer simulation follows light to supermassive black holes

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology have built the first simulation to predict light signals from supermassive black hole binaries nearing merger. The model combines information gathered from light- and gravitational waves, enabling scientists to identify these monster collisions with existing and future telescopes.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 2, 2018

Novel mechanism for generating our skeleton

The Mek5/Erk5 pathway plays a crucial role in skeletogenesis through the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and chondrocyte maturation. Erk5 controls early chondrogenic differentiation and chondrogenic differentiation after condensation formation. This study improves our understanding of skeletal development and paves ...

SourceKanazawa University·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 2, 2018

For better multiple-choice tests, avoid tricky questions, study finds

Researchers recommend creating simple formats with limited answer options to enhance learning and recall. The study also advises engaging 'real-world' cognitive processes in test questions and avoiding 'none of the above' and 'all of the above' answer choices.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·DateOct 2, 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.

Studded winter tires cost more lives than they save

A new study by Chalmers University of Technology reveals that studded winter tires have a significant negative impact on public health, costing between 60 and 770 life-years. The study also found that the use of studded tires contributes to accidents and fatalities in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateOct 2, 2018

Biofilm reactor promises to cut production costs on vitamin K

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to enhance fermentation of Menaquinone-7, a potent form of vitamin K, using biofilm reactors. The new process is expected to reduce production costs and increase efficiency, making it a promising alternative for industrial-scale production.

SourcePenn State·JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology·DateOct 2, 2018

Early PSA testing could help predict prostate cancer among black men

A new study finds that baseline PSA levels in black men between 40 and 60 can strongly predict future development of prostate cancer and its most aggressive forms. Elevated PSA levels are associated with increased risk, even among those within the normal range.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalEuropean Urology·DateOct 2, 2018

Aggressive breast cancer cells hijack natural stress protector to thrive

Aggressive breast cancer cells exploit the natural stress protector heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) to thrive and evade cell death, says a new study. The finding highlights how cancer cells manipulate tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which normally promotes self-destruction, to aid their survival.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalOncogene·DateOct 2, 2018
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.

Journal issue honors 20th anniversary of Marshall University researcher's discovery

The International Journal of Molecular Sciences has released a special issue to commemorate Zijian Xie's 20-year-old discovery of the scaffolding/signaling function of the Na/K-ATPase sodium pump. This significant finding has had tremendous applications in biology and medicine.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateOct 2, 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.

Chronic kidney disease outcomes can be improved by expanding specialist care

Researchers found that extending specialized care to patients with advanced kidney disease before their kidneys fail could save the US healthcare system more than $1 billion annually. Improving care coordination among these patients is crucial for reducing costs and improving health outcomes.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 2, 2018

Black holes ruled out as universe's missing dark matter

Researchers from UC Berkeley used statistical analysis of 740 supernovas to conclude that primordial black holes can make up no more than 40% of the universe's dark matter. This finding suggests that heavy black holes or MACHOs do not exist as a type of dark matter.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 2, 2018

Natural killer cells may open lifesaving cancer treatements to more patients

A researcher at UCF College of Medicine has discovered a way to make immunotherapy viable for thousands by using the body's own natural killer (NK) cells in a new way. Activated NK cells can change the cellular makeup of tumors, allowing the immune system to attack cancer more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalOncoImmunology·DateOct 2, 2018
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.