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Science News Archive June 2016


Page 16 of 40

Tailored DNA shifts electrons into the 'fast lane'

A team of researchers has engineered a DNA nanowire with alternating guanine bases to facilitate long-range wave-like electronic motions. This breakthrough may lead to the development of stable, efficient, and tunable DNA nanoscale devices.

Simple reward-based learning suits adolescents best

Adolescents outperform adults in choosing rewards but struggle with punishment, leading to the development of a new model for learning during adolescence. The study suggests that incentive systems based on reward rather than punishment may be more effective for this age group.

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.

Invasive species could cause billions in damages to agriculture

The study analyzed 1,297 invasive insect pests on 124 countries, finding the US, China, India, and Brazil to be the highest potential cost impacters. Smaller developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately vulnerable due to their reliance on agriculture.

Molecular map provides clues to zinc-related diseases

The study provides a roadmap for targeting ZIP4, which is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and plays a critical role in zinc transport, offering new hope for treating diseases like acrodermitis enteropathica and pancreatic cancer.

Fighting resistant blood cancer cells

Researchers have discovered new drugs that can break resistance to Gab2 in CML cells, a type of blood cancer. The study found that sorafenib and axitinib are effective in treating CML model systems, providing potential alternatives for patients who have developed resistance to existing medications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Microbiota affect the rate of transplant acceptance and rejection

A mouse study reveals that skin grafts between mice treated with antibiotics before transplantation survive roughly twice as long. The team also found that changing the composition of microbiota affects organ transplants, suggesting a new strategy to improve transplant outcomes in humans.

'Traffic lights,' calorie counts help consumers order healthier online

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania found that online food ordering reduced calorie counts by about 10 percent when menus used traffic light color-coded labels, numeric labels, or a combination of both. The study suggests that clearer information helps consumers make healthier choices.

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.

Robotic motion planning in real-time

A new computer processor designed specifically for robotic motion planning can plan movements up to 10,000 times faster than existing approaches while using significantly less power. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize robotics and automation in manufacturing environments.

What does Zika virus mean for the children of the Americas?

The Zika virus outbreak has highlighted the need for new paradigms in child health, requiring mobilization by pediatricians and healthcare providers to address the growing number of cases. The article suggests revisiting the response to HIV/AIDS 30 years ago to inform a new approach.

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.

Study finds surgery can lengthen survival of metastatic kidney cancer patients

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that surgery to remove a cancerous kidney can lengthen the lives of patients receiving targeted therapy for metastatic kidney cancer. Patients who undergo the procedure survive for a median period of 17.1 months, compared to 7.7 months for those who don't receive the surgery.

Ultra-thin solar cells can easily bend around a pencil

Researchers in South Korea have developed ultra-thin photovoltaics with a record-breaking flexibility, allowing them to wrap around small objects. The new method uses transfer printing instead of etching and produces flexible solar cells with a smaller amount of materials.

How China can ramp up wind power

A new study suggests that China can increase its use of wind power, but not in the most resource-rich areas. The country should focus on integrating wind into existing grids for a substantial gain in renewable energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

Self-assembling icosahedral protein designed

Researchers have designed a self-assembling icosahedral protein nano-cage with a large internal volume, capable of holding more cargo than previously designed nano-cages. The cage's reversible property allows it to disassemble and reassemble under certain conditions.

10,000 windows onto biomolecular information processing

Researchers have developed a new brute force technique to test thousands of biochemical reactions at once, allowing them to quickly find optimal conditions. This breakthrough enables faster development of diagnostic tests and sheds light on molecular behavior in test tube conditions.

Botanical diversity unraveled in a previously understudied forest in Angola

A recent botanical survey in Angola's Kumbira forest revealed impressive numbers of vascular plants, including new records for the country and potential new species. The study highlights the importance of preserving the region's biodiversity due to human activities such as logging, agriculture, and invasive species.

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.

Illuminating detection of deep cancers

A team of Tokyo Tech and UEC researchers developed a luciferin analog, AkaLumine-HCl, that produces near-infrared bioluminescence with improved tissue-penetration efficiency. This allows for highly sensitive deep-tissue imaging in animal experiments, including lung cancer models.

New Baylor research identifies keys to managing innovators

A new study from Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business reveals that highly innovative individuals can be committed to both their organizations and professions, especially when they understand their role in the organization's success. The study suggests design policies and procedures that support creative work styles and empha...

New technique improves accuracy of computer vision technologies

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new image segmentation technique that improves object identification and separation in images. The technique, called Consensus-Based Image Segmentation via Topological Persistence, aggregates data from multiple algorithms to create a new version of the image.

Third to half of UK population lives with chronic pain

A recent analysis found that approximately 43% of the UK population, around 28 million adults, suffer from chronic pain. The prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages, with older individuals being more likely to experience long-term pain. Women are also more likely to be affected by chronic pain than men.

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.

Radiological prediction of posttraumatic kyphosis after thoracolumbar fracture

A study investigated risk factors for progressive kyphosis after a thoracolumbar spine injury. The authors analyzed X-rays of patients with traumatic spinal fractures to determine the relationship between fracture type, patient characteristics (AO classification, age, gender, and localization), and post-traumatic kyphosis.

Newborn exoplanet discovered around young star

A team of Caltech-led researchers has discovered the youngest fully-formed exoplanet ever detected, K2-33b, which orbits a young star at 5 to 10 million years old. The planet's proximity to its star and large size suggest it may have formed quickly or challenged the migration theory.

How early mammals evolved night vision to avoid predators

In early mammals, rods in the mammalian eye developed from color-detecting cone cells, giving them an edge in low-light conditions. This evolution allowed early mammals to take up a nocturnal lifestyle and survive as predators were dominant during the day.

Understanding the resistance to treatments against breast cancer

Biologists from UNIGE reveal a mechanism of resistance to the anti-estrogenic drug tamoxifen, identifying eight factors that enable breast cancer cells to become refractory to treatment. The researchers suggest various approaches for developing new therapies targeting these factors.

RedEye could let your phone see 24-7

Researchers at Rice University developed RedEye, a technology that can provide computers with continuous vision, enabling wearables to see and remember what their owners need. By analyzing analog signals in real-time, RedEye improves energy efficiency and presents unique privacy advantages.

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.

High levels of education linked to heightened brain tumor risk

A large observational study found that university-educated individuals are more likely to develop certain types of brain tumors, including gliomas and meningiomas. Men with higher education were 19% more likely to develop glioma, while women were 23% more likely.

Strike a pose -- bringing crop analysis into the 21st century

CropQuant uses Raspberry Pi computers to control infield cameras capturing crop growth images, then analyzes data on high-performance computers to link environmental data with crop traits. This enables scientists to reduce farming costs and improve crop yields through field-based phenotyping methods.

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.

Scientists glimpse why life can't happen without water

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that water molecules play a crucial role in controlling protein motion. The study reveals that proteins rely on water to fold and function correctly, with water molecules modulating protein fluctuations at ultrafast time scales.

NERSC readying for Cori Phase 2 Knights Landing-based system

NERSC is optimizing 20 leading science applications for the new Cori system, set to arrive in July. The system will feature Intel's Xeon Phi Knights Landing processor, with optimizations focusing on thread scaling, vector parallelism and on-chip MCDRAM.

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.

Most biodiverse countries spending the least on conservation, study finds

A study by WCS and University of Queensland found that countries most in need of conservation are not investing enough, despite being home to most of the Earth's biodiversity. The researchers recommend adopting culturally-appropriate conservation efforts to promote economic development and wealth before acting on conservation.

More gay men than ever getting tested for HIV -- but 1 in 4 still never had a test

According to the National Gay Men's Sex Survey, more gay and bisexual men than ever are getting tested for HIV. However, one in four have never had an HIV test, and many are unsure of their status. The survey also found that condom use remains a concern, with one-in-three sexually active gay men having unprotected anal sex with non-ste...

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.

Shedding light on an assistant protein

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have developed a new fluorescence probe to visualize the motions of Hsp90, an essential chaperone that assists numerous proteins. The technique reveals synchronized structural changes within the protein, shedding light on its healing powers and potential connection to diseases.

How a cold gets into cells

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to analyze the process of RNA transfer from viruses into human cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs that prevent this precise RNA transfer.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Strong 'electric wind' strips planets of oceans and atmospheres

A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that Venus' electric field is capable of accelerating oxygen ions to escape the planet's gravity, stripping away significant amounts of water over billions of years. This discovery challenges previous theories about the planet's loss of oceans and atmospheres.

Researchers find better way to 'herd' electrons in solar fuel devices

The discovery could lead to more efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity and fuel by minimizing the distance electrons travel through chemical bonds. This finding has implications for both solar fuel devices and biological systems, where understanding electron transfer is crucial.

Breathing space for the Gulf Stream

Scientists have calculated the fate of Greenland's melting freshwater, finding that more than half of it is transported southward by the Labrador Current. The study suggests that the melting-induced impact on ocean salinity is smaller than expected and may lead to a weakening of the Gulf Stream system.

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.

Newer tests could cut hep C diagnosis steps in half

Researchers found that several commercially available tests for hepatitis C virus core antigen are highly sensitive and specific, potentially replacing the current two-test screening process with a single test. This could streamline care in low- and middle-income countries where HCV is prevalent, but patients are often lost to follow-up.