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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 4 of 38

Anomalous grooves on Martian moon Phobos explained by impacts

Phobos' unique orbit and weak interior structure make it prone to tidal stresses that cause fracturing and linear grooves. Researchers found anomalous grooves are caused by impacts, with debris recaptured and falling back onto the surface in a linear chain.

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.

Sabotaging bacteria propellers to stop infections

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered a way to disrupt bacterial flagella growth, which are crucial for infection spread. By modifying a key protein, they can trap flagella inside bacteria, preventing them from moving and infecting the body.

Towards better treatment of cystitis

Scientists discovered the mechanism behind E. coli's ability to spread and cause cystitis by developing an artificial bladder model. The research found that the bacteria alter their form to become long and thin, improving their attachment to the bladder wall and evading immune response. This discovery offers hope for new treatment stra...

Making pesticide droplets less bouncy could cut agricultural runoff

A team of MIT researchers developed a system that can drastically reduce pesticide droplet bounce rate by using two inexpensive additives. The new approach creates hydrophilic defects on leaf surfaces, sticking the droplets and increasing retention. This could cut agricultural runoff, improving soil and water pollution.

Attitudes towards traffic safety worldwide

The study analyzed responses from 142 respondents in 36 countries to identify key findings on traffic safety cultures worldwide. The results revealed two approaches to traffic safety culture: an objective reality-based approach and a threat-elimination focus, with poorer countries emphasizing safety.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Younger heart attack survivors may face premature heart disease death

Research reveals that patients under 50 who survive a heart attack are at almost twice the risk of dying from heart disease, largely attributed to smoking and other factors. Younger survivors have higher cardiovascular disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Mitosis study finds potential cancer target

Researchers at Brown University have discovered a unique interaction among proteins that could be a target for new cancer therapy. Ki-67 and RepoMan bind to PP1 in an unusual way, forming a 'hairpin' shape on the surface of PP1.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Standing up to childhood obesity by not sitting as much in school

A study published in American Journal of Public Health found that using stand-biased desks in classrooms for two consecutive years reduced the BMI percentile of children by 5.24%. The study, conducted over a two-year period, involved 193 third- and fourth-grade students at three Texas elementary schools.

Smarter brains are blood-thirsty brains

A University of Adelaide-led project found that the human brain evolved to become more energetically costly and blood-thirsty, increasing in size by 600% while its metabolic activity grew. This increase is linked to the development of complex thinking and learning abilities.

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.

Technique could assess historic changes to Antarctic sea ice and glaciers

A new technique pioneered by scientists at Plymouth University can unravel historic changes to Antarctic sea ice, as well as demonstrate past alterations to glaciers and ice shelves. The method builds on an existing technique that identified changes to Arctic sea ice, allowing for the recovery and analysis of IP25 lipids from sediments.

Experts urge rethink on health target

A University of East Anglia academic and experts argue that the premature mortality target sends a clear message that prioritizing younger groups over older ones is necessary. They propose redefining or abandoning this target to avoid ageism, saying it distracts from palliative care challenges for older people.

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.

Amputees' brains remember missing hands even years later

Research at Oxford University reveals that amputees' brains maintain an accurate picture of their missing hands decades after amputation. This finding has significant implications for the control of advanced prosthetics, as it suggests that the brain's representation of the hand remains intact despite the loss of sensory input.

Monkeys in zoos have human gut bacteria

A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.

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.

A rare small specimen discovered from the age of flying giants

A rare small-bodied pterosaur, a flying reptile from the Late Cretaceous period, has been discovered in British Columbia, Canada. The specimen is unusual as most pterosaurs from this time were much larger, but this new discovery provides crucial information about the diversity and success of Late Cretaceous pterosaurs.

Reconstructing the 6th century plague from a victim

Researchers have reconstructed the first high-quality genome of the Justinianic strain of Yersinia pestis, shedding light on the evolutionary history of the plague bacterium. The study provides new insights into the genetic diversity of the pathogen and its human impact.

Transplanted bone marrow-derived cells reduce recurrent miscarriage in mice

Researchers discovered that transplanted bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can contribute to better blood vessel growth, leading to reduced recurrent miscarriages. The study found that EPCs homed to the placenta and worked to normalize uterine blood vessel patterns, resulting in a reduced rate of miscarriage.

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.

Defend or grow? These plants do both

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a genetic combination that allows plants to both grow and defend themselves from insects and disease. This breakthrough has significant implications for farmers trying to increase crop yields and feed the world's growing population.

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.

Penn: Blinding disease in canines and humans shares causative gene, pathology

Researchers at Penn University have found remarkable similarities between human Leber congenital amaurosis and canine blinding disease Senior Løken Syndrome. The diseases share the same causative gene, NPHP5, and display similar pathology. The study's findings offer promising results for developing therapies to treat these conditions.

Radiologists detect breast cancer in 'blink of an eye'

A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators shows that trained radiologists can identify abnormal mammograms at better than chance levels when shown images for only half a second. The researchers found that finer details of breast tissue texture help radiologists make the correct diagnosis more frequently.

How gay men navigate the corporate world

Research reveals gay men employ tactics like dressing down or toning down behavior to avoid negative consequences in the workplace. They also carefully choose when and how to disclose their sexuality, using strategies like language and body language manipulation to manage their identity.

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.

Amazon forests: Biodiversity can help mitigate climate risks

A study published in Nature Climate Change found that Amazon forests with greater plant diversity can better adapt to climate change, enabling substantial regrowth in vast areas after a few hundred years. However, high biodiversity is crucial for long-term survival and resilience, particularly under moderate climate change scenarios.

Standing up for weight management

A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that using a sit-stand desk for half an hour can burn an additional 5.5 calories compared to sitting for the entire hour. Alternating between sitting and standing over an eight-hour day can result in up to 56.9 calories burned by men and 48.3 calories burned by women.

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.

Miracle fruit's flowering, fruiting behaviors revealed

Researchers studied miracle fruit's flowering behavior, revealing six distinct stages of flower development and pollination ecology. The study suggests the fruit is insect-pollinated and recommends further research on pollinator identification.

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.

Researchers unravel process for the formation of rainstorms

Using high-resolution cloud models, researchers uncover the processes taking place in the atmosphere, revealing a 'memory' state of organisation that leads to heavy rain. Collisions between clouds produce heavier rain, contradicting traditional global climate models where convective clouds are seen as independent.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Special nerve cells cause goose bumps and nipple erection

A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that the sympathetic nervous system comprises different neurons regulating specific physiological functions. The research found that goose bumps and nipple erection are caused by specialized neurons controlling erectile muscles in these tissues.

Folic acid fortified food linked to decline in congenital heart defects

A Canadian study found folic acid fortified food reduced rates of congenital heart defects, with significant declines in conotruncal and coarctation of the aorta defects but no impact on chromosomally associated defects. The findings are applicable to the US population due to similar implementation timelines.

PACIFIC TRIAL: First head-to-head comparison of noninvasive coronary artery imaging

The PACIFIC trial compared the accuracy of non-invasive imaging modalities, finding that positron emission tomography (PET) was significantly more accurate than single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). PET's diagnostic accuracy was 85% for diagnosing coronary ischemia, outpe...

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.

Climate change has less impact on drought than previously expected

A new study reveals that water conservation by plants under high CO2 conditions compensates for much of the effect of warmer temperatures, retaining more water on land than predicted. This changes assumptions of climate change impacts on agriculture, water resources, wildfire risk, and plant growth.

Vesicles that trap amyloid appear to also contribute to Alzheimer's

Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia have found that vesicles that trap amyloid contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Reducing exosome production may help reduce amyloid accumulation and slow disease progression. However, female mice did not reap similar benefits, suggesting potential gender-specific differences in the disease.