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Science News Archive March 2016


Page 17 of 41

Weaving for lightweight construction

A textile engineer at Technische Universität Dresden has developed a flexible weaving technology for producing three-dimensional textile structures with excellent structural mechanical properties. The technology can be used in various applications such as aircraft fuselage, car bodies, and machine enclosures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Successful mentoring programs begin with focus, training

A University of Houston study found that 'intentionally brief' middle school mentoring programs increased math and English grades, as well as life satisfaction and reduced absences. The program provided mentor training and utilized social science theories to support student outcomes.

Researchers generate whole-genome map of fruit fly genetic recombination

Researchers at Stowers Institute have mapped where genetic recombination occurs in fruit flies, providing insights into understanding chromosomes and inheritance mechanisms. The study reveals separate mechanisms for crossovers and non-crossovers, with varying distributions and rules for each chromosome arm.

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.

Reprogramming bone tumors

Researchers at Kyoto University's Yamada lab created a mouse model to study the EWS-FLI1 gene's role in bone cancer. The model revealed that other mutations are necessary for cancer development and that correcting osteogenic cell differentiation could prevent bone cancers.

Democratizing high-throughput single molecule force analysis

Researchers developed an inexpensive method to analyze thousands of similar molecules simultaneously, using programmable DNA nanoswitches with a miniaturized Centrifuge Force Microscope. This approach allows for highly reliable tool to observe single molecule complexes under mechanical forces in parallel.

Wrangler Supercomputer speeds through big data

The Wrangler Supercomputer utilizes 600 terabytes of flash memory to process massive datasets, enabling scientists to analyze thousands of files quickly. This allows researchers to explore new questions and drive previously unattainable discoveries in fields such as gene analysis and building energy efficiency.

Rare form of diabetes may require alternate treatment

Patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY1) benefit from therapies targeting a specific pathway regulating insulin secretion, not oral medications linked to beta-cell destruction. Research suggests MODY1 patients may become dependent on insulin injections sooner due to cellular stress levels.

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.

Ancient Denisovan DNA excavated in modern Pacific Islanders

Researchers have excavated substantial genomic remnants of the extinct Denisovans in Oceania populations, shedding light on early human history. The study identified genes inherited from Neanderthals and Denisovans that conferred advantages to the ancestors of modern Island Melanesians.

Keep an eye on children's calories, researchers say

A new study suggests that caregivers can lower children's meal calories by choosing lower-calorie products and strategic portion sizes. By serving larger portions of lower-calorie foods with smaller portions of higher-calorie foods, children's overall caloric intake can be substantially reduced.

Biological field stations: Keeping a pulse on our planet

The paper inventories 1,268 biological field stations globally, highlighting their importance for long-term data collection, education, and public engagement. The author emphasizes the need for sustainable frameworks, improved governance, and increased public awareness to ensure these stations' success.

Could bread mold build a better rechargeable battery?

Researchers have discovered that a specific type of bread mold, Neurospora crassa, can transform manganese into a mineral composite with favorable electrochemical properties. This process has the potential to create more sustainable electrochemical materials for use in rechargeable batteries.

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.

NASA examines powerful Tropical Cyclone Emeraude's winds, clouds

NASA captured infrared temperature data of Tropical Cyclone Emeraude's clouds and measured its surface wind speed, revealing strong storms with potential to generate heavy rain. The storm intensified rapidly from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane on March 17.

UNC researchers uncover how kappa opioid receptors drive anxiety

Researchers at UNC discovered that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitter glutamate in a brain region regulating emotion, leading to increased anxiety. The study found that activating KORs suppresses an anxiety-reducing pathway, making them potential targets for treating anxiety disorders.

PERK-opathies: Stress mechanism underlying neurodegeneration

PERK's involvement in neurodegeneration is established through pathologic, genetic, and molecular links to various disorders. Long-term PERK activity triggers pro-apoptotic cascades, while current efforts to inhibit PERK show promising results in in vivo models of tauopathy.

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.

Breakthrough: Microbes protect plants with plant hormones

Researchers have identified a novel mechanism by which beneficial microbes produce plant hormones to control plant diseases. The study found that bacteria can efficiently control pathogen infections in model plants by producing cytokinin, allowing the plants to maintain tissue integrity and biomass yield.

Five papers provide new data from flyby of Pluto

Five studies on New Horizons' flyby of Pluto uncover a wide variety of geological features, including tectonics, glacial flow, and cryovolcanoes. The dwarf planet's interaction with the solar wind and icy surfaces also provides insights into its space environment.

Tailored protein binding opens possibilities for nerve, tissue treatments

Biomedical engineers at the University of Toronto have identified an up-and-coming technique called affinity-controlled release, which allows proteins to stay at treatment sites for longer periods. This technology has potential applications in treating a range of medical conditions, including diabetes and stroke.

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.

A better surveillance system for tracking police homicides

A recent study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official counts of police homicides are significantly undercounted, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) providing more accurate data compared to two other national systems.

White delinquent youth more likely to abuse hard drugs than blacks

A comprehensive study of delinquent youth found that non-Hispanic whites are 30 times more likely to abuse cocaine than African Americans. Substance use disorders were common among both males and females, with marijuana being the most prevalent substance use disorder during young adulthood.

Replacement for silicon devices looms big with ORNL discovery

A new processing technique has been developed to create low-power, high-efficiency electronic devices using layered ferroelectric materials. This discovery could potentially replace silicon in some applications and enable the creation of flexible electronics.

Modern Melanesians have retained Denisovan DNA

A recent study reveals that modern Melanesians harbor significant Denisovan genetic ancestry, representing between 1.9% and 3.4% of their genome. This discovery sheds light on the characteristics of Denisovan DNA that persist in humans today, providing new insights into human evolution and gene flow.

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.

Study: Divided parties rarely win presidential elections

A recent study by University of Georgia researchers found that national party division and divisive state primaries significantly impact general election outcomes. In the current election cycle, a divided Republican Party could lose up to 4.5% of the general election vote, compared to a unified party.

VLA shows earliest stages of planet formation

Astronomers have observed the inner portion of a protoplanetary disk surrounding HL Tau, with VLA images showing a distinct clump of dust containing roughly 3-8 times the mass of Earth. The region is thought to be where Earth-like planets would form.

Adaptation to increasing flood risk in Europe should aim to reduce impact

A JRC-led research highlights four adaptation measures to reduce flood risk in Europe, prioritizing vulnerability reduction and relocation over traditional protection methods. The study suggests a combination of measures is more effective than individual actions, and recommends optimizing these strategies at the river basin level.

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.

Systemic antibody responses to oral bacteria with aging

Research shows that aging alters antibody responses to oral bacteria, with significant positive correlations observed across the population. Specifically, antibody levels to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola increased with age, while those to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans did not.

Manipulators less convincing online than in person, UBC research shows

Research from UBC's Okanagan campus found that traditionally successful manipulators lack compelling online messages, making face-to-face negotiations more effective. Higher-ranking DT participants were 12.5% less successful in online negotiations than those ranking lower on the spectrum.

New golden frog species discovered in Colombia

A new golden frog species has been discovered in Colombia's cloud forests, with the discovery highlighting the country's rich biodiversity. The newly identified species is part of a diverse group of frogs that includes 465 recognized species, with many still awaiting description and classification.

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.

CRISPR-based method tracks RNA

Researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas9 based method to track the movement of RNA in living cells. This approach enables the study of disease-related RNA processes and may support therapeutic approaches to correct disease-causing RNA behaviors.

Brain calcium controls how long we sleep

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered that calcium inside neurons regulates slow-wave sleep, with seven genes identified as critical for controlling sleep duration. The study's findings could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders and neurologic diseases associated with them.

An implant to prevent Alzheimer's

EPFL scientists have created an implantable capsule that can deliver antibodies to target and clear amyloid beta protein plaques in the brain, potentially treating Alzheimer's disease. The device has been tested on mice with great success, reducing Abeta plaque load and phosphorylation of tau protein.

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.

Researchers find ancient DNA preserved in modern-day humans

Researchers have discovered substantial amounts of Neandertal and Denisovan DNA in the genomes of modern-day Melanesians, providing new insights into human evolutionary history. The study suggests that these archaic lineages may soon be cataloged due to accumulating genome-scale data from worldwide populations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Belief in God strengthened by imagining how life would be different

Researchers found that thinking about how life might be worse if an event hadn't occurred led to increased faith and a stronger belief in God. This suggests that counterfactual thinking can play a role in shaping religious convictions, even for those who do not believe in a deity.

Documenting obesity and underweight in clinical dental settings

The workshop reviews literature on body weight and oral health, teaching participants to measure and interpret weight, height, and other body size indices. It highlights the importance of documenting obesity and underweight in dental settings to identify risk factors for periodontal diseases and dental caries.

Drug makes stem cells become 'embryonic' again

Researchers have developed a drug that can erase epigenetic markers on chromatin to restore the original state of stem cells in mice. The study shows that over half of mouse epiblast stem cells treated with the drug regained embryonic pluripotency, opening up new possibilities for regenerative medicine.

Baby monkeys grow faster to avoid being killed by adult males

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that baby monkeys in groups with higher risks of infanticide develop faster. This accelerated growth may be triggered by stress hormones in maternal milk, allowing mothers and infants to better survive.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Stem cell therapy reverses age-related osteoporosis in mice

A study published in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine found that stem cell therapy can restore normal bone structure in mice with age-related osteoporosis. The treatment involves injecting healthy mesenchymal stem cells into the mice, which can then produce new bone tissue.

How rocks shaped the Civil War

Geologists explore how various rock types, particularly carbonates, influenced Union and Confederate commander's decisions. The rolling terrain of Gettysburg and other battlefields was limited by carbonate rocks, which provided natural defensive positions.

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.

Common painkillers are more dangerous than we think

A new study reveals that older types of arthritis medicine, like Diclofenac, are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, similar to other NSAID types taken off the market. The study recommends reduced consumption and alternative treatments for patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.