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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 28 of 38

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.

Neutrinos, ever bizarre, enjoy the spotlight

Recent neutrino discoveries by T2K and NOvA experiments at Colorado State University provide evidence of oscillations between neutrinos and antineutrinos, violating a longstanding physics principle. The findings hint at the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance and offer opportunities to study the weak nuclear force.

Bleed like hell

Researchers found that platelets must undergo a process called mitochondrial necrosis, where they release calcium and reactive oxygen species, causing the cell to collapse. This programmed death allows platelets to transition into super-activated states, which accelerate blood clotting.

Researchers have developed a new class of artificial proteins

A team of Danish researchers has developed a new method for creating artificial proteins by combining oligonucleotides and peptides. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes, as well as improved control over protein properties.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study highlights serious security threat to many internet users

A weakness in Linux operating systems allows attackers to track users' online activity, terminate connections, and inject false material into their communications. Researchers identified the vulnerability and have alerted Linux about it, resulting in patches applied to the latest Linux version.

Reduced activity of an important enzyme identified among suicidal patients

Research identifies ACMSD enzyme as key player in regulating inflammation and its byproducts, which may contribute to depression and suicidal tendencies. The study found reduced activity of the enzyme in patients who have attempted suicide, suggesting a potential biomarker for identifying individuals at risk.

Scientists count microscopic particles without microscope

Scientists from Russia and Australia have developed a simple new way to count microscopic particles in optical materials using laser diffraction. This method allows for the structure and shape of any optical material to be determined without expensive electron or atomic-force microscopy.

System helps protect privacy in genomic databases

Researchers from MIT and Indiana University developed a new system to protect genomic database privacy through differential privacy. The system adds noise to query results, making it difficult for attackers to extract private information.

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.

Psychologist's magic makes a non-existent object disappear

Experimental psychologists at Oxford University found that 32% of people were convinced they saw an object disappear, even though none was shown. The study suggests people confuse expectations with sensory experiences, leading to misperception.

Heat release of later-age concrete and the concrete strength development

Researchers investigate relationship between hydration heat and concrete strength, establishing a preliminary hydration heat model to predict heat release in later-age concrete. The study finds that increasing concrete strength reduces hydration heat, improving pipe cooling effects and controlling temperature peaks.

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.

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.

UH researchers are pioneering tools for heart regeneration

A team of University of Houston researchers has identified novel regulators of heart formation, including microRNAs, which can convert human fibroblasts into heart muscles. These findings hold promise for treating human heart attack and subsequent heart failure within the next five to 10 years.

HIV is not a super-spreader of drug-resistant tuberculosis

A study published in eLife found no significant difference in the rate of mutations leading to drug resistance between HIV-positive and negative TB patients. HIV co-infection accelerates the development of active TB but does not increase the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains.

NASA spots Tropical Storm Conson facing wind shear

Tropical Storm Conson is facing strong southwesterly wind shear, pushing clouds and showers to the northeast of its center. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon over open waters on August 12 before weakening commences.

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.

Outdated assessment of treatment response makes good cancer drugs look bad

A new approach using metabolic imaging could help determine a patient's response to targeted therapies much earlier and with greater precision than traditional tumor shrinkage. This method recognizes a drug's ability to stop cancer cells' energy overuse, allowing for more accurate assessments of treatment success.

Study: Some black teens may feel pulled between health and hair

African-American adolescent girls prefer straightened hair and avoid sweating during exercise due to concerns about ruining their hairstyle. The study explores the impact of cultural pressure on physical activity among black teens, finding a consistent theme across three states.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Researchers ID key drivers of heart complications in sickle cell anemia

A study published by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reveals the molecular pathways responsible for heart anomalies in sickle cell anemia. The research opens a path to non-invasive diagnosis and development of new targeted therapies, aiming to improve quality of life and reduce mortality among SCA patients.

Stowaway frogs being stopped by border security

Stowaway frogs being stopped by border security reduces the risk of introduction of new diseases by up to 50%. Biosecurity measures are crucial in preventing the spread of emerging diseases that have devastated native frog populations worldwide.

Boron carrier for targeted tumor therapy

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology created a boron carrier system that uses albumin to target tumors, improving the delivery of boron in cancer treatment. The new system was tested on mice and showed promising results, with high concentrations of boron in tumors and low levels in healthy cells.

New Piltdown hoax analysis points to work of 'lone forger'

A multi-disciplinary team analyzed the Piltdown specimens using DNA and 3D X-ray imaging, revealing that an orang-utan specimen was used to create the fakes. The forgeries were created using a consistent method, suggesting the perpetrator acted alone, with some researchers now accusing Charles Dawson of being the 'lone forger'.

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.

Cascade of events leading to prion disease described

Researchers describe distinct stages of prion disease in the mouse retina and define a model to test therapeutic approaches. They found that misfolded prion protein accumulation and inflammatory responses occur at specific time points, allowing for potential therapy evaluation.

'Game on for Pokémon Go,' says The BMJ pundit

Pokémon Go has been linked to increased physical activity and social connections, with players walking longer distances and interacting with strangers in public spaces. However, the game also carries risks, such as accidents and thefts, that have sparked concerns about its impact on mental health.

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.

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.

Prototype chip could help make quantum computing practical

Researchers from MIT and Lincoln Laboratory have developed a prototype chip that can trap ions in an electric field with built-in optics, enabling the miniaturization of qubit technology. This breakthrough could lead to practical quantum computers by scaling up trapped-ion quantum information processing.

Seasonal allergies could change your brain

Research published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience found that seasonal allergies can lead to increased neuron production in the hippocampus, a region responsible for forming new memories. This discovery raises questions about the long-term consequences of allergies on brain development and function.

Dormant copies of HIV mostly defective, new study shows

A new study published in Nature Medicine found that over 90% of latent HIV 'provirus' genomes are genetic duds, unable to replicate and cause disease. This challenges the current methods for measuring the size of the reservoir, highlighting a need for more accurate counting methods.

Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy can affect baby's gut microbes

Researchers found that babies born to mothers on high-fat diets had distinct gut microbiomes with fewer Bacteroides microbes, affecting energy extraction and immune system development. The study suggests a potential link between maternal diet and infant microbiome, emphasizing the importance of considering fat intake in prenatal care.

Towards a better screen

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a large-scale screening process to identify new OLED materials. The team discovered a large set of high-performing blue OLED materials using machine learning and cheminformatics, which could improve the efficiency and stability of OLED displays.

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.

Targeting brain cells to alleviate neuropathic pain

Researchers discovered that microglia brain immune cells play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Targeting these cells within a few days after nerve injury can greatly reduce chronic pain in animals. This breakthrough could lead to more effective painkillers with fewer side effects.

Ancient DNA evidence traces origin of horses' smooth ride

Researchers discovered that ambling horses first appeared in Medieval England, where they were bred by Vikings and later distributed globally. The genetic study found a specific variant of the DMRT3 gene associated with gaitedness in ancient horse remains.

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.

IceCube search for the 'sterile neutrino' draws a blank

Researchers from IceCube Neutrino Observatory find no evidence of sterile neutrino in two independent analyses of data, suggesting the hypothesized particle may not be real. This discovery could help resolve puzzles related to dark matter and neutrino mass.

Compound shows promise as next-generation prostate cancer therapy

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center report a novel compound, tetraaryl cyclobutane (CB), that blocks testosterone from fueling prostate tumor growth in mice. The compound has a unique mechanism of action and may be effective against prostate tumors resistant to current anti-androgen drugs.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Nature, not nurture, defines cricket social networks

Researchers found that cricket populations have innate social rules, resulting in stable networks that form year after year. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, suggests that these networks are conserved over evolutionary time, influenced more by population size than environmental changes.

Study identifies new pathways involved in development of insulin resistance

A study led by Daniel Kelly identified MondoA as a regulator of key pathways controlling glucose uptake and fat accumulation in muscle cells. Deactivation of MondoA resulted in enhanced glucose uptake and insulin signaling in mice, indicating potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating obesity-related insulin resistance.

New drug class gives hope for better treatments for incurable myeloma

Australian researchers have discovered a new class of anti-cancer agents targeting MCL-1, which may be effective in treating multiple myeloma. The majority of myelomas rely on MCL-1 to stay alive, and inhibiting it has shown potential as a treatment approach for the majority of patients.

Okinawa mozuku: The treasure under the sea

Scientists have successfully decoded the DNA of Okinawa mozuku, a valuable seaweed species with unique properties. The study provides a platform for future research on its cultivation, growth, and health benefits, aiming to restore production levels and promote sustainable farming practices.

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.

Pesticides used to help bees may actually harm them

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that pesticides applied to hives to control Varroa mites can damage the gut microbiome of honeybees, impacting their ability to metabolize sugars and peptides. The research suggests that these chemicals can specifically harm the microbes crucial for honey bee nutrition and health.

Winners announced for the BMC Ecology Image Competition 2016

The BMC Ecology Image Competition 2016 featured a diverse range of images showcasing biodiversity, natural beauty, and biological interactions. Davide Gaglio's silhouette of antelope grazing against the sunrise in the Kalahari Desert won the top prize.