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Science News Archive November 2016


Page 18 of 38

Next-generation biomaterial being developed to treat bleeding

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are developing a universal shear-thinning biomaterial that can be injected through an endovascular catheter, creating an impenetrable cast of the vessel and preventing further bleeding. This alternative to metallic coils may improve treatment outcomes for patients undergoing coil embolization.

Study links mothers with rheumatoid arthritis and kids with epilepsy

A study published in Neurology shows a link between mothers with rheumatoid arthritis and children with epilepsy. Children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis were up to 90% more likely to develop epilepsy than those without RA. The study suggests changes in the environment for the fetus may play a role in developing epilepsy.

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.

Controversial drug approval stirs deep concerns -- and hope

The FDA approved Exondys, a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, based on data from just 12 patients, raising concerns about scientific evidence and patient advocacy. Families of the boys involved attest to the drug's effectiveness, but critics argue that the agency bowed to pressure rather than making a decision based on evidence.

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.

Cholesterol important for signal transmission in cells

Researchers at FAU discovered that cholesterol strongly influences CXCR4 dimerization and signal transmission in human cells. Their computer simulations revealed that cholesterol is required for the correct formation of GPCR pairs, which affects their function.

Looking for a city's DNA? Try its ATMs

Researchers at New York University discovered that ATM keypads harbor a range of human skin microbes, as well as microorganisms from food and environmental sources. The study's findings suggest that ATMs can serve as a repository for understanding a city's microbial community.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers receive Patent for Humanity award

Researchers have developed a portable, battery-operated device that can quickly and accurately detect malaria in the bloodstream using magnets and lasers. The Magneto-Optical Detector (MOD) has the potential to save $1.2 billion annually on anti-malaria efforts by reducing false positives and negatives.

Tapia receives AAAS' Public Engagement with Science Award

Richard Tapia, a Rice University mathematician, has been recognized for his remarkable career blending world-class scholarship, admirable mentoring and profound contributions to science. He has inspired thousands of underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in STEM fields through his popular talks and programs.

Social media activism is driving corporate agendas

Research by INSEAD found that social media activists can elicit corporate responses by threatening a firm's public image, particularly those with high social and political standing. Companies with greater image vulnerability are more sensitive to threats and respond faster to donations.

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.

New records set up with 'Screws of Light'

Researchers at the University of Vienna have made significant breakthroughs in transmitting twisted light over long distances, exceeding 100 kilometers. They also demonstrated record-breaking quantum entanglement with 5-digit quantum numbers using a novel technique developed in Australia.

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.

Pluto follows its cold, cold heart

Research suggests Pluto's subsurface ocean could be responsible for its current location. The 'heart' region, Sputnik Planitia, may have accumulated ice that made the planet roll over, creating cracks and tensions in the crust. This process, called true polar wander, allows planets to reorient without changing their spin axis.

New biomaterial for preventing uncontrolled bleeding

Researchers have developed a new biomaterial that can prevent uncontrolled bleeding in patients who cannot form blood clots. The injectable material, known as a shear-thinning biomaterial (STB), is made up of gelatin and nanoparticles and has been shown to be effective in animal models.

What can Pokémon Go teach the world of conservation?

Researchers explore how Pokémon Go inspires high levels of behavioral change among users, discovering non-virtual wildlife and learning basic natural history concepts. The game's success highlights opportunities for conservation, but also potential challenges such as replacing real-world nature interactions with virtual ones.

IVF online calculator predicts individualized chances of couples having a baby

A new online calculator estimates individualised chances of couples having a baby through IVF or ICSI, considering specific characteristics and treatment information. The tool provides cumulative chances over up to six cycles, helping clinicians communicate personalised chances to couples and shape their expectations.

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.

Tackling blood diseases, immune disorders

Magenta Therapeutics secures license to transform blood stem cell transplants with new technologies. The suite of technologies could improve the lives of patients with blood diseases and immune disorders.

World's fastest quantum simulator operating at the atomic level

Researchers have created a quantum simulator that can simulate the dynamics of many electrons interacting with each other within one billionths of a second. This ultrafast quantum simulator will serve as a basic tool to investigate the origin of physical properties of matter, including magnetism and superconductivity.

What a twist: Silicon nanoantennas turn light around

Researchers developed a silicon nanoantenna that scatters light in a particular direction depending on the intensity of incident radiation. The nanoantenna allows for the dynamic modification of its properties, enabling faster control over light propagation and paving the way for ultrafast processing of optical information.

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.

Ant bridges connect shy tropical tree crowns

A new study by STRI researchers confirms that trees in tropical forests are like islands, with different species living on each one. The number of ant species found on a tree is positively correlated with the size of the liana-free area around it.

Marijuana could help treat drug addiction, mental health

A UBC study found that marijuana use could help some alcoholics and opioid addicts kick their habits, as well as alleviate symptoms of depression, PTSD, and social anxiety. However, cannabis may not be recommended for conditions like bipolar disorder and psychosis.

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.

Visualization of the behavior of sugar transport proteins

A team of researchers at Osaka University developed a method to visualize intracellular protein trafficking, specifically the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), which is associated with type II diabetes. The study reveals that abnormalities in the N-glycan chain lead to transient translocation and rapid internalization of GLUT4.

Moral values influence level of climate change action

A new study by Cornell University researchers reveals that moral values like compassion, fairness, and purity influence individuals' willingness to take climate change action. The findings suggest that both liberals and conservatives value these moral principles, with compassion and fairness being the strongest predictors of action.

Indonesian fires exposed 69 million to 'killer haze'

Wildfires in Indonesia and Borneo exposed 69 million people to unhealthy air pollution, resulting in thousands of premature deaths. The study estimates that between 6,150 and 17,270 premature deaths occurred due to breathing in the polluted air.

Tibet's exiled Muslims show intricacies of culture, identity for refugees

The article discusses the intricacies of culture and identity for Tibetan Muslim refugees in India, highlighting their struggles to hold onto their identities amidst complex circumstances. Despite being granted citizenship in India, they faced economic and social challenges, further isolating their community.

New hydrogel can take organoids from dish to clinic

EPFL scientists have developed a patent-pending hydrogel that can grow organoids in a standardized and controlled way, overcoming current limitations. The breakthrough provides a fully controllable and tunable environment for growing miniature organs, shedding light on the influence of physical factors on stem cell behavior.

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.

Bacteriophages cure bacterial infections

Phage therapy, which uses viruses to kill bacteria, has shown no adverse effects in clinical trials and holds promise for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Researchers plan to use phages against E. coli in the gut or MRSA on the skin, with a goal of establishing a central repository for phages.

Charter schools enroll more girls, with boys more likely to leave

A new study by NYU researchers found that charter schools enroll a larger share of girls than traditional public schools, with the gap peaking at 3.1 percentage points in high school. Boys are also more likely to exit charter schools than girls, but this difference is not enough to fully explain the gender gap.

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.

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.

New capsule achieves long-term drug delivery

Researchers have developed a new drug capsule that can remain in the stomach for up to two weeks, gradually releasing its payload. This technology could simplify disease treatment and lead to improved efficacy in mass drug administration campaigns.

New gene-editing technology partially restores vision in blind animals

Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.

Climate Resilience through Sweetpotato (CReSP) announced

The CReSP initiative aims to benefit at least 50 million people in high-vulnerability regions by promoting climate-smart and nutritious sweetpotato varieties. Orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties have been shown to reduce chronic malnutrition and child stunting when promoted with nutrition counseling.

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.

New AI algorithm taught by humans learns beyond its training

Researchers at U of T Engineering developed an AI algorithm that learns directly from human instructions, exceeding conventional training methods by 160% and outperforming its own training by 9%. The algorithm's potential lies in applying heuristic training to fields like medicine and transportation.

Light therapy could save bees from deadly pesticides

A new study by UCL finds that treating bees with light therapy can counteract the harmful effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, significantly improving survival rates and mobility. The researchers used deep red light to improve mitochondrial function and ATP production, enabling bees to recover from pesticide exposure.

New drug beats standard therapy in advanced kidney cancer

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that cabozantinib exceeded sunitinib in progression-free survival and overall response rates for patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study showed a 20% lower risk of death associated with cabozantinib treatment.

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.

New hope given to women struggling to conceive

A study published in Scientific Reports found that endometriosis severely compromises egg quality by blocking maturation and causing damage from reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants may help prevent this damage, providing a potential solution for women struggling with infertility.

The fruits of life

A new international collaboration has reconstructed the tree of life for Rosaceae and found strong evidence for whole genome duplications contributing to fruit diversity. The study suggests that enlarged and fleshy fruits likely evolved through two distinct ways, resulting in a wide range of fruit types across the 3,000 known species.