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Science News Archive November 2016


Page 5 of 38

Using sound to stop destructive beetles in their tracks

Researchers at the University of Hawaii are using acoustics to understand and track the movement of the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. By analyzing the beetle's chirp signatures, they hope to develop a new method for tracking and mitigating its impact on Hawaii's palm trees.

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 insight into why leukaemia drug is successful

Researchers at the University of Southampton have characterised the molecular mechanisms behind idelalisib's effectiveness in treating chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The study found that the drug disrupts survival signals and prevents tumour cell communication, leading to cancer cell death.

ASH launches digital, open-access journal

The American Society of Hematology launched Blood Advances, an open-access online journal, to fill a niche in hematologic research. The journal features multimedia content, rapid publication, and interactive discussion tools.

Gene mutation linked to early onset of Parkinson's disease in Caucasians

Researchers at Iowa State University found a gene mutation linked to an accelerated onset of Parkinson's disease in Caucasians, with those under 50 experiencing symptoms 5 years earlier and a 45% increased risk. The study also highlights the importance of blood cholesterol levels, which are directly related to dopamine production.

Model could shatter a mystery of glass

Princeton University researchers have developed a new model that creates a 'perfect glass' that never crystallizes, even at absolute zero. The model considers 2-, 3-, and 4-body interactions to suppress crystallization, revealing unique properties of perfect glasses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Optimizing fertilizer rates for wild blueberry

A 12-year field experiment in Nova Scotia found optimal fertilizer rates of 35 kg·ha-1 N, 40 kg·ha-1 P, and 30 kg·ha-1 K to maximize floral bud number, berries per stem, and berry yield. Higher fertilizers rates increased net profits by $490/ha.

UMD researchers crack the code of a deadly virus

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a mutated version of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus that is less deadly and could lead to the development of a vaccine. The discovery was made by exploiting a weakness in the virus' genetic code, which could also help combat other RNA viruses such as HIV and Zika.

Can you hear the corn grow? Yes!

Researchers use acoustic emissions techniques to explore corn stalk growth and breakage, discovering that plant growth involves millions of tiny breakage events. This finding may lead to improved crop yields by strengthening plant structures.

Toxic 'marine snow' can sink quickly, persist at ocean depths

A new study found that toxic marine snow formed by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia can reach significant depths quickly and persist for months. This marine snow can accumulate high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans.

When judging other people, first impressions last

A Cornell University study found that first impressions formed from photographs predicted how people felt and thought about the person after a live interaction. Participants consistently evaluated the same person differently after meeting in person compared to their initial impression.

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.

Handheld, mobile data technologies compared for turfgrass

A study by the University of Georgia compared handheld and mobile data technologies for analyzing natural turfgrass sports fields. The results showed that mobile devices were more reliable for measuring penetration resistance, while handheld devices offered advantages in terms of affordability and abundance.

Safe hair care spares hair, Johns Hopkins dermatologists report

Hair loss and breakage caused by acquired trichorrhexis nodosa (TN) can be reduced with proper cleansing and styling. Researchers recommend choosing the right shampoo based on hair type and minimizing frequent washing for those with tightly curled or dry hair. Conditioners, especially protein-containing ones, are also crucial for healt...

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.

Missed connections

Researchers found that brain connections change with age, but compensate for this by using new strategies to remember things. The study used fMRI data to analyze brain activity in individuals, revealing distinct patterns of connectivity among older people.

How kids' brains respond to a late night up

A new study found that sleep deprivation in children increases slow-wave activity in posterior brain regions, suggesting these areas may be more susceptible to lack of sleep. The research also discovered a correlation between sleep loss and myelin content, indicating the potential for temporary effects on early brain development.

Australian solar tech to help China reach clean energy targets

CSIRO's patented low-cost heliostats will be used in China for concentrating solar thermal (CST) electricity generation, helping the country reach its ambitious clean energy targets. The technology has great potential for medium to large-scale solar power due to its low cost of storing thermal energy.

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.

NIAID-sponsored study to assess shorter-duration antibiotics in children

Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to assess whether a shorter course of antibiotics can effectively treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children. The study aims to reduce the need for longer antibiotic treatments and conserve the long-term effectiveness of available drugs.

American scientists discover the first Antarctic ground beetle

The discovery of Ball's Antarctic Tundra Beetle sheds light on Antarctica's ancient insect fauna. The new species is the second known beetle for the continent with living descendants, and its presence confirms that tundra ecosystems persisted in Antarctica for millions of years.

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.

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.

Report highlights coffee's potential role in reducing cognitive decline

A new report from the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee highlights the potential role of coffee consumption in reducing age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Moderate coffee intake (3-5 cups per day) may provide protection against cognitive decline, with caffeine likely playing a key role.

Voice appeal

A study by Canadian researcher Emily Blamire found that female listeners rank male voices as more attractive when the 's' sound is shorter, while male listeners do not. The study suggests that men and women use different criteria when judging vocal attractiveness.

Warwick and Waitrose tackle global food security together

A new doctoral training collaboration between Warwick and Waitrose aims to develop graduate students who can address the need for a more secure and sustainable food system. The programme will provide PhD students with industry training and expertise in agriculture and sustainable crop production.

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.

What role does mouth shape play for echolocating bats?

Mexican free-tailed bats have specialized facial muscles that aid their ability to manipulate the acoustic projection pattern of their sonar pulse emissions. The unique muscles enable the bats to adjust the shape of their mouth cavity, creating a wide-angle beam or a narrow beam with varying degrees of aperture.

NASA's Aqua satellite sees remnants of Tropical Cyclone Tokage

Tropical Cyclone Tokage weakened to near maximum sustained winds of 28.7 mph as it crossed the Philippines and entered the South China Sea. The storm's remnants were later spotted by NASA's Aqua satellite, showing clouds pushed north of the center of circulation.

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.

Survey of New York City soil uncovers medicine-making microbes

Researchers at Rockefeller University found genetic evidence of bacteria capable of producing compounds with potent effects as medicines in urban soil. The study identified a wide range of natural products with potential therapeutic applications, including antibiotics and antifungal agents.

Researchers propose low-mass supernova triggered formation of solar system

A team led by Professor Yong-Zhong Qian uses new models and meteorite evidence to show a low-mass supernova triggered the formation of our solar system. The study found that short-lived nuclei in meteorites are consistent with a low-mass supernova trigger, supporting the theory that this event played a key role in solar system formation.

Gene discovered to cause rare, severe neurological disease

A debilitating neurological disease in children has been linked to mutations in the DENND5A gene, which regulates neuronal development through control of protein movement within neuronal cells. The study found that recessive loss-of-function mutations in DENND5A cause severe mental and physical disabilities.

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.

An exercise in good health

The study confirms that cardiorespiratory fitness is a stronger predictor of mortality than established risk factors such as smoking and hypertension. Higher levels of CRF are associated with improved outcomes for certain forms of cancer, surgical risk, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, depression and Type 2 diabetes.

Genes, early environment sculpt the gut microbiome

Research found that genetics and early environment significantly influence the gut microbiome, with similar genes linked to human diseases like arthritis and diabetes. The study also discovered a strong correlation between specific microbes and T-helper cells in the blood.

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.

Light switch in autumn leaves

Researchers have discovered that yellow phyllobilins in autumn leaves function as four-step molecular switches that react to light, with the molecular environment determining the switching mechanism. These findings suggest potential physiological roles for these compounds in plant photoregulation.

RIT professor wins grants from the Moore Foundation

RIT professor Moumita Das has won seed funding for her research on population dynamics of mitochondria in mammalian cells and molecular imaging of intercellular transport. Her work aims to understand the impact of mitochondrial DNA changes on human health conditions.

A change of heart

Cardiac diseases cause pathological growth leading to heart failure. Researchers found epigenetic marks responsible for this growth are lost in disease, allowing cells to switch back to fetal form and leading to irregular rhythms. This finding points to a new strategy for epigenetic therapy.

Taste bud maintenance in mice requires Hedgehog signaling

The Hedgehog signaling pathway is required to maintain and replenish taste buds and taste papillae in mouse models. Disruptions in the pathway can lead to rapid disappearance of taste buds, highlighting its importance in taste organ homeostasis.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Power poses don't help and could potentially backfire, Penn study shows

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study to replicate the original power pose study, finding no support for increases in feelings of power or testosterone. The study also suggested that power poses may decrease testosterone levels in individuals who are already perceived as losers.

Inside tiny tubes, water turns solid when it should be boiling

Researchers at MIT discovered that water can freeze solid even at high temperatures in carbon nanotubes, raising the freezing point by tens of degrees. This unexpected finding may lead to new applications such as ice-filled wires with unique electrical and thermal properties.

Pine product offers fresh take on fine chemical synthesis

Researchers at Rice University have created a multifunctional reagent from pine tree terpenoids, enabling the rapid synthesis of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing molecules in one step. This process cuts waste and saves money for manufacturers by using biorenewable and cost-effective methods.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Electro-acupuncture for disrupted sleep in women with breast cancer

A study published by The Menopause Society confirms electro-acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing hot flash severity and improving sleep quality in breast cancer survivors. Electro-acupuncture has been shown to affect neurotransmitters associated with sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin.

West Antarctic ice shelf breaking up from the inside out

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a crack that formed deep beneath the Pine Island Glacier, leading to its breaking apart in 2015. The rift's origin suggests that warming ocean waters are melting the center of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, potentially causing accelerated ice loss and sea-level rise.

No association between mother flu in pregnancy and increased child autism risk

A large study of over 196,000 children found no association between a mother having an influenza infection during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. While there was a suggestion of increased risk with maternal vaccination in the first trimester, this finding was not statistically significant after adjusting f...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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