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Science News for August 5, 2016


Diamond-based light sources will lay a foundation for quantum communications of the future

Researchers have created highly efficient electrically-driven single-photon sources in diamond, promising breakthroughs in quantum computers and secure communication lines. The discovery enables operation at room temperature, increasing energy efficiency by over a thousand times and laying the foundations for novel quantum devices.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

From Sci Fi to reality: Unlocking the secret to growing new limbs

Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory decipher genetic code controlling limb regeneration in zebrafish, axolotl, and bichir, revealing common genetic regulators. The discovery may lead to new therapies for wound healing and prosthetic device development, but a timeline for regrowing limbs remains uncertain due to funding constraints.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 5, 2016

Hidden, local climate impacts of drought-friendly vegetation

Research by USC Viterbi researchers found that widespread adoption of drought tolerant vegetation in California may lead to an average daytime warming of 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit due to decreased evaporative cooling. However, lower nighttime temperatures are predicted, with a potential decrease of 6 degrees Fahrenheit, which could mitiga...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 5, 2016

Preventing mass extinctions of big mammals will require immediate action

A team of 43 wildlife experts warns that preventing the extinction of iconic species like gorillas and tigers demands bold political action and financial commitments. The scientists highlight the urgent need to address threats such as illegal hunting, deforestation, and habitat loss.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalBioScience·DateAug 5, 2016

Veins on Mars were formed by evaporating ancient lakes

A new study published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science reveals that mineral veins on Mars were formed by the evaporation of ancient lakes. The research, conducted by scientists from The Open University and University of Leicester, found that the fluids present in Martian Yellowknife Bay were habitable by Earth standards.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalMeteoritics and Planetary Science·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Research to improve treatment for millions of lung disease patients

A new four-dimensional lung scanning platform developed at Monash University has the potential to transform treatment for millions of people with lung disease. The technology allows clinicians to detect changes in lung function earlier, enabling them to quantify the effects of treatment.

SourceMonash University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016

Hot 'new' material found to exist in nature

Researchers at McGill University found that two rare minerals, stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite, have the same structure as man-made MOFs. This discovery opens up new possibilities for using these materials in various applications such as hydrogen storage and carbon sequestration.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 5, 2016

Age-related infertility may be caused by scarred ovaries

A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that ovarian environment changes with age, leading to decreased egg quality and fertility issues. Fibrotic and inflamed ovaries are identified as key factors contributing to this decline.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalReproduction·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Shape-changing metamaterial developed using Kirigami technique

Engineers from the University of Bristol have developed a new shape-changing metamaterial using Kirigami, a class of material engineered to produce unusual properties. The Kirigami metamaterial can seamlessly change shape, exhibits large variations in mechanical performance with small geometry changes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Microscopic collisions help proteins stay healthy

Heat shock proteins collide with protein complexes, generating a force that breaks apart damaged or dysfunctional proteins. This study provides new insights into the role of heat shock proteins in maintaining proper protein function and preventing disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateAug 5, 2016

Autism risk in younger children increases if they have older sibling with disorder

A new Kaiser Permanente study found that the risk of younger siblings developing an autism spectrum disorder is significantly higher if an older sibling has ASD. The study also found a gender difference in autism diagnosis rates among younger siblings, with boys being more likely to be affected.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateAug 5, 2016

From unconventional laser beams to a more robust imaging wave

Researchers have developed a more robust imaging wave using unconventional laser beams, allowing for the detection of objects at greater distances. The technology has the potential to be used for Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies to detect chemical, biological, and explosive materials without damaging human tissue.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptica·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Women appear to be more accepting of their bodies/weight

Research finds women's body dissatisfaction decreasing over time, while men's remains relatively constant. The study suggests a positive trend towards increased body diversity and acceptance among women, potentially influenced by the rise of body positivity movement.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 5, 2016

Why you're stiff in the morning: Your body suppresses inflammation when you sleep at night

A study published in The FASEB Journal found that the CRYPTOCHROME protein represses inflammatory pathways during nighttime sleep, leading to increased inflammation symptoms upon waking. This discovery offers new opportunities for developing anti-inflammatory treatments for conditions like arthritis.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateAug 5, 2016

Fresh look at burials, mass graves, tells a new story of Cahokia

A recent reanalysis of the beaded burial at Mound 72 in Cahokia reveals that it includes both males and females of high status. The findings challenge earlier interpretations that saw this feature as a monument to male power, instead suggesting a more complex nobility structure.

SourcePrairie Research Institute, University of Illinois·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Under-reporting of fisheries catches threatens Caribbean marine life

A recent study reveals that marine fisheries catches in the Turks and Caicos Islands are being under-reported by 86%, threatening the marine environment and local livelihoods. The research calls for urgent policy action to establish more accurate catch limits, taking into account both commercial and local consumption of seafood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateAug 5, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Argonne discovery yields self-healing diamond-like carbon

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a self-healing diamond-like carbon film generated by an automotive engine's heat and pressure. The tribofilm reduces friction by 25-40% and wear to unmeasurable values, enabling more efficient and reliable engines.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 5, 2016

Discovery of infants' airway microbiomes may help predict lung disease

Researchers found that infants' airways are colonized with bacteria or bacterial DNA at birth, which could predict severe lung disease. The 'healthy' pattern of colonization seen in BPD-resistant infants is protective, with increased abundance of Lactobacillus.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Major treatment expansion could essentially eliminate hepatitis C in R.I. by 2030

A new Brown University study projects that treating 2,000 Rhode Islanders for hepatitis C virus infection per year could reduce cases by 90 percent and prevent over 70 percent of expected liver-related deaths by 2030. The analysis found that doubling the number treated annually could reduce death rates by less than 20 percent.

SourceBrown University·JournalEpidemiology and Infection·DateAug 5, 2016

Asthma pill could reduce symptoms in severe sufferers

A study led by the University of Leicester found that a new asthma pill called Fevipiprant significantly reduced symptoms and improved lung function. The drug was shown to decrease inflammation and repair airway linings, offering hope for severe asthma sufferers.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateAug 5, 2016

Researchers find most volcanic activity on Mercury stopped about 3.5 billion years ago

New research from North Carolina State University reveals that Mercury's crust-forming volcanism stopped around 3.5 billion years ago, likely due to the planet's small mantle size and rapid cooling. This finding provides insight into Mercury's geological evolution and challenges previous theories about planetary formation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Putting the pressure on platinum

Hokkaido University researchers have synthesized a platinum-based superconducting material with unique crystal structure, which becomes superconducting at 10 GPa but returns to non-superconductive state at 15 GPa. The high-pressure synthesis method holds promise for further exploration of unknown phases in various materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 5, 2016

Tall or short? Thick or thin? UT study shows many factors affect arm, leg size

A new UT study found that human limbs do not evolve independently, but are influenced by genetic correlations with other bones. The research challenged traditional theories on body shape and size, suggesting that multiple forces shape human form in response to environmental factors.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2016

Teamwork, communication training recommended to ensure surgical safety

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends standardized education programs for surgeons, residents, and hospital staff to improve teamwork and non-technical skills. These programs aim to enhance communication, resilience, leadership, and teamwork among surgical teams.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Microcephaly discoveries made in non-Zika cases help explain abnormal brain growth

Researchers identify citron kinase as key to building a normally sized human brain, finding mutations associated with severe microcephaly and lissencephaly. Studying stem cells and human brain tissue provides clues to the condition's origins, paving the way for further research into its causes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 5, 2016