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Science News Archive November 2016


Page 31 of 38

Early planned birth linked to risk of poor child development

A study of 153,000 Australian children found that planned births before optimal time had poorer child development. Children born vaginally at full term had a lower risk of developmental issues compared to those born via planned birth or labor induction.

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.

Illegal ivory almost all from recent killing, study finds

A recent study analyzing seized African elephant tusks confirms that nearly all come from animals killed less than three years prior to seizure. The findings support evidence of widespread poaching and undermine the idea that many tusks are illegally recycled from older stockpiles.

Mapping the biology of drug-resistant multiple sclerosis

Researchers from Duke University have identified two specific receptors, CXCR2 and LTBR, that play a key role in the development of drug-resistant multiple sclerosis. The study found that targeting these receptors may lead to successful treatment for patients who do not respond to interferon-beta treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Food is hard to forget

A recent study published in Brain and Cognition found that lexical and semantic knowledge related to food is relatively well preserved even in diseases like Alzheimer's and Aphasia Primary Progressive. Food information was processed better than non-food, with caloric foods being more resiliently remembered.

Pollution emitted near equator has biggest impact on global ozone

Research from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that regions close to the equator are contributing more to the total global ozone increase due to their proximity to intense sunlight and heat. The study suggests that strategic policy planning is needed to address this issue.

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.

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.

Researchers use graphene templates to make new metal-oxide nanostructures

Researchers have developed a method for creating crumpled metal-oxide films using graphene templates, resulting in enhanced properties such as higher charge-carrying capacity and increased reactivity. This process allows for the introduction of wrinkle patterns on metal oxides, overcoming previous limitations.

New mouse model of ALS more closely mimics human disease

Researchers have developed two new mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that exhibit protein clumping and display clinical features seen in patients. The models may help scientists better understand the disease and develop new treatments.

Changes of the transitional climate zone in East Asia

The transitional climate zone in East Asia experiences significant changes due to global warming, including coastward migration and aridity. Models largely reproduce the TCZ shape, but uncertainty from climate models dominates over emission scenarios.

Protamine shows promise for new types of contact lens disinfectant

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that protamine solutions perform at least as well as current disinfectant solutions in killing microbes that can cause contact lens-related infections. Protamine's broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity makes it a potential alternative for multipurpose disinfection solutions.

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.

Salty batteries

Sodium-oxygen batteries have shown improved cycle life and rechargeability thanks to a highly concentrated electrolyte solution. The new approach stabilizes DMSO in the presence of sodium, resulting in a passivating protective layer that enhances battery performance.

Blood vessels control brain growth

New UCL research reveals that blood vessels play a vital role in telling neural stem cells when and how to reproduce. The study found that preventing blood vessel growth interferes with normal neuron production, causing stem cells to disappear from the brainstem.

Driverless cars, golf carts, now joined by autonomous scooter

Researchers at MIT have demonstrated a comprehensive autonomous mobility system using driverless cars, golf carts, and scooters, all controlled by the same software. The system's modular design allows for easy deployment in new contexts and enables seamless information transfer between vehicles, enhancing overall performance.

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.

How human brains do language: 1 system, 2 channels

A recent study published in PNAS shows that people apply the rules of their spoken language to sign language, revealing a common structure between speech and sign. Researchers found that participants responded similarly to words and signs with doubling, regardless of linguistic context.

Dirty laundry may cause environmental contamination

A study found that soiled clinical linens can contaminate surfaces with C. difficile bacteria, even in clean areas of a laundry facility. This highlights the potential risk of environmental contamination and emphasizes the importance of infection prevention in healthcare settings.

Scientists discover a cause of multiple resistance to cancer chemotherapy

Researchers at IDIBELL have found a common cause of multiple resistance in cancer chemotherapy, highlighting the loss of TP53TG1 molecule as a key driver. This discovery has significant implications for understanding treatment failure and may lead to new therapeutic strategies to overcome chemoresistance.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Poor children with epilepsy may face social hurdles

A Canadian study of 421 children with new onset epilepsy found poor families had similar medical courses but less favorable social outcomes as adults. Poor children experienced more failure to graduate, unemployment, and psychiatric diagnoses.

Drug shows promise for preventing pre-term birth

Researchers have successfully tested a drug that shows early promise in preventing pre-term birth, which is the major cause of death in children under five years old. The drug, (+)-naloxone, was found to provide complete protection against pre-term birth and lead to normal development in infants.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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.

Canada needs national plan to combat opioid epidemic

The use of prescription opioids in Canada has increased steadily over the past 20 years, leading to a rise in overdose deaths and addiction. Experts propose several interventions, including guidelines for prescribing, limited dosages, electronic monitoring systems, and access to evidence-based treatment.

Researchers discover way to inhibit major cancer gene

A new synthetic binding protein called NS1 monobody has been developed to block the activity of genetic mutations found in nearly 90% of pancreatic cancers. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into how RAS proteins function in cells, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for treating cancer.

Dependency can be an evolutionary advantage

Researchers found that bacteria that become dependent on their environment for essential nutrients outperform those that can produce them independently. The study's results suggest that this loss of autonomy may be an evolutionary advantage driving adaptation in bacterial populations.

New coral research exposes genomic underpinnings of adaptation

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that separate populations of the same species can diverge in their gene regulation when adapting to their environment. This allows some corals to adapt better to changing conditions, while others struggle with diminished flexibility, leading to stress-induced bleaching.

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.

Stanford study identifies new biomarkers for Huntington's disease

Researchers at Stanford University have identified several biological markers that can measure the progression of Huntington's disease in non-neural tissues. The team found that levels of mitochondrial DNA were elevated in plasma samples from patients with the disease, and P110 treatment corrected these levels.

Bat fatalities at wind farms prove unpredictable

Researchers found that costly ecological impact assessments failed to protect bats from fatal collisions with spinning blades. The study highlights the challenge of establishing with certainty the effect of major developments before they occur.

How important is the gut microbiome? It may depend on your genetics

Researchers found that genetic background affects response to antibiotics on gut microbiome, insulin sensitivity, tissue inflammation, and metabolic functions in mice. This study suggests that genetic susceptibility plays a role in predicting the usefulness of microbiome therapies for obesity and metabolic disease.

Low vitamin D levels linked to increased risk of bladder cancer

A systematic review of seven studies found that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Vitamin D deficiency may be a key factor in preventing the cells within the bladder from stimulating an adequate immune response to abnormal cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for cancer prevention.

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.

Antibody protects against fetal disease in mouse model of Zika infection

A human antibody that neutralizes Zika virus has been shown to reduce levels of the virus in placental and fetal tissues and decrease fetal disease in a mouse model of Zika infection. The findings suggest that this antibody could be developed to protect pregnant women and others from Zika-related complications.

Rice U. lab creates open-source optogenetics hardware, software

The Light Plate Apparatus (LPA) brings optogenetics within reach of most biology labs with low-cost, easy-to-use hardware and software. Researchers can now incorporate optogenetics testing into their labs without extensive engineering or programming training.

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.

Tracing the ivory trail

A new study by the University of Utah uses radiocarbon dating and genetic analysis to track the origin of seized ivory, revealing that nearly all shipments come from elephants killed in the past three years. This intelligence can help combat illegal animal product trade and inform strategies for protecting elephant populations.

Most mammals have a greater life expectancy in zoos

Studies have shown that most mammals live longer in zoos compared to their wild counterparts, with smaller species exhibiting the greatest increase in longevity. This is likely due to reduced mortality rates from predation and intraspecific competition, which are prevalent in the wild.

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.

Common food additive promotes colon cancer in mice

A recent study published in Cancer Research found that emulsifiers in processed foods can alter the gut microbiota in mice, leading to increased tumor development and inflammation. The study suggests that dietary emulsifiers may be partially responsible for the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer worldwide.

New technique aids search for genetic roots of disease

A new technique allows researchers to quickly and cheaply generate DNA variants in a particular stretch of DNA, enabling the distinction between harmless and potentially hazardous genetic variations. This technique has the potential to speed up gene catalog creation and aid clinicians in interpreting genetic mutations.

Major advance in solar cells made from cheap, easy-to-use perovskite

Scientists have developed a new design for solar cells made from perovskite, achieving an average steady-state efficiency of 18.4%. The innovative tandem solar cell combines two types of perovskite into one photovoltaic cell, absorbing nearly the entire spectrum of visible light and outperforming traditional silicon-based solar cells.

Direct determination of bandgap energy of single cesium lead bromide nanocrystals

Researchers directly determined the relation between bandgap energy and size/shape of individual CsPbBr3 nanocrystals, revealing effective coupling between semiconductor NCs upon close contact. This study provides unique insights into interacting behavior of neighboring NCs and paves the way for designing large quantum structures.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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