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Science News Archive November 2016


Page 6 of 38

Squeezing light into new miniature devices

Researchers have developed three key components for optical communication that work with light, enabling high-performance computers and miniaturized volumes. The innovations utilize surface plasmons to control the propagation of light in matter.

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.

Wound irrigation tools improvised in the wilderness are effective

A new study found that improvised wound irrigation tools in the wilderness can be effective, producing pressures similar to commercial devices. The research examined various options and found that all systems using compressible water bottles met or exceeded pressure standards.

Study finds cause of visual impairment in astronauts

A recent study has identified a link between cerebrospinal fluid volume changes and visual impairment in long-duration space missions. The findings suggest that the increased fluid pressure in microgravity may cause structural changes in the eye, leading to blurry vision and other symptoms.

Bioscientists at Kent help throat cancer patients speak again

Researchers at the University of Kent have developed a new method to extend the life of silicone voice prostheses for throat cancer patients by treating a common fungal infection. By addressing Candida albicans, patients can now carry on using their voice prosthesis for longer, reducing the risk of secondary chest infections.

Biologists watch speciation in a laboratory flask

Biologists observed the emergence of two distinct virus species within a month-long experiment, leveraging a harmless human virus and two types of bacteria with varying receptors. This rapid process, known as speciation, was previously challenging to study due to its slow pace.

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.

Smart patch releases blood thinners as needed

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a smart patch that monitors a patient's blood and releases blood-thinning drugs as needed. The patch, made with microneedles containing hyaluronic acid and Heparin, can prevent thrombosis in animal models, offering a more effective treatment than traditional methods.

Mystery of ultra-diffuse faint galaxies solved

Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute have recreated characteristics of ultra-diffuse faint galaxies using computer simulations. The study reveals that supernovae explosions during star formation can push stars and dark matter outwards, causing galaxies to expand and become faint.

Cultivation technologies benefit ultradwarf bermudagrass

Researchers recommend combining dry-injection technology with modified traditional hollow-tine aerification programs for growing healthy ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. The optimal combination improves soil physical properties, such as bulk density and water infiltration.

Quicker and twice as accurate predictions

Researchers at URV develop collaborative filtering model with scalable algorithm for predicting individual preferences and group overlaps. The new approach provides more accurate predictions than existing algorithms by considering individual differences, making it ideal for large datasets.

Engineering success

The University of California - Santa Barbara's ESTEEM program offers scholarship funding, outreach, and academic counseling to help low-income engineering transfer students complete their degrees. The initiative aims to address the lack of diversity in STEM fields and provide a critical push to these promising students.

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.

US blood system faces financial and biological threats, study finds

The US blood system is under pressure due to reduced demand, technological advancements, and emerging pathogens. To address these challenges, researchers recommend targeted government oversight, comprehensive data collection, and subsidy support for blood centers to maintain surge capacity.

Stanford researchers develop new compound to reduce tumor growth

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a receptor that attracted a key cancer-causing molecule called Gas6, slowing the progression of pancreatic and ovarian cancer in mice. The 'decoy receptor' showed a higher ability to reduce or stop cancer growth than other treatments did.

Thwarting autoimmune diseases

Scientists at TUM have determined the molecular mechanisms of inhibitors that can selectively thwart the human immunoproteasome. This could lead to the development of new drugs for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

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.

Liver-brain pathway may regulate alcohol consumption

A liver hormone called FGF21 may regulate alcohol drinking by acting directly on a receptor in the brain, according to a new study. The researchers found variations of a gene called β-Klotho that were related to the amount of alcohol people consumed, indicating that this gene may regulate drinking behaviour.

Programmable disorder

Scientists at Caltech have developed a method to combine deterministic and random processes for creating complex nanostructures out of DNA. By controlling the design of individual tiles and their interactions, they can produce emergent features with tunable statistical properties, including loop, maze, and tree structures.

Staph uses nitric oxide enzyme to colonize noses

Researchers discovered that Staph bacteria use the nitric oxide synthase enzyme to colonize nasal passages, allowing them to thrive in low-oxygen environments. This mechanism may contribute to the virulence and resistance of staphylococcus bacteria, making it a potential target for prevention strategies.

DFG to fund 20 new research training groups

The DFG is establishing 20 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers, including topics such as medical imaging, analysis of authority and trust in US politics and society. The groups will receive €87 million in funding over four and a half years.

Prevention program safeguards children's brains from effects of poverty

A University of Georgia research team found that participation in the Strong African American Families Program enhances brain development in regions promoting learning, memory, and stress tolerance. This prevention program strengthens family relationships and supportive parenting among African-American families living in poverty.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nano factories to prevent bacterial colonization

Researchers at the University of Konstanz are developing nano factories that can prevent bacterial colonization on surfaces. The team, led by Sebastian Polarz and David Schleheck, plans to create a cocktail of chemical compounds that specifically target bacteria, reducing the need for antibiotics.

What's up with Madagascar?

Researchers found three areas of hot rock within the mantle beneath three separate volcanic provinces, indicating that Madagascar's volcanoes are not related to nearby tectonic activity. The study suggests that the island's unique geology, with a delaminated lithosphere and a mantle plume, led to the formation of these hot regions.

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.

Study says salt marshes have limited ability to absorb excess nitrogen

A new study finds that salt marshes do not respond significantly to fertilization with excess nitrogen. This challenges the long-held assumption that these coastal resources can soak up excess nutrients through enhanced plant growth, preventing low-oxygen dead zones and harmful algal blooms.

Large study finds no evidence for age-based mammography cut-off

A large study analyzed over 5.6 million screening mammograms and found a gradual upward trend in cancer detection rates and positive predictive values with increasing age, but no clear evidence for age-based mammography cessation. The findings support guidelines encouraging individual patient decisions based on health status.

NP predischarge thresholds associated with reduced ADHF mortality, readmission

A systematic review found that achieving brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predischarge thresholds is associated with reduced mortality and readmission in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure. The evidence was low-strength, but the studies consistently showed ...

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.

It takes less than a second to tell humans from androids

Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that humans use visual cues to quickly determine if something is lifelike or not. In real life, this allows us to navigate social situations and avoid confusion, while in the lab, participants accurately rated groups of images as more or less lifelike even when shown for just 250 milliseconds.

How crop load density affects apple juice, hard cider quality

A study found that medium and high crop loads resulted in higher total polyphenol content in cider. Meanwhile, low crop loads led to lower yeast-assimilable nitrogen concentrations in apple juice. These findings suggest optimal management strategies for orchard managers to improve cider quality.

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.

Why conservation fails

New research published in the Journal of Economic Theory highlights a fundamental contradiction in the policy of making land owners paid more than it costs them to conserve forests. This market inefficiency leads to stalemate and makes forest protection unfeasible through logging with some chance or gradual logging to secure funding.

Bekzod Khakimov received the first Nils Foss Talent Prize

Bekzod Khakimov, a promising young researcher from the University of Copenhagen, has received the first Nils Foss Talent Prize. His work focuses on metabolomics, using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry to improve data analysis and reproducibility.

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.

Secret phenotypes: Disease devils in invisible details

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed an algorithm that reveals micron-sized bumps and grooves in lab worms, exposing potential subtle genetic connections to diseases. The technique uses digital optics and computational genetics to analyze intricate web of gene mutations.

NIST debuts dual atomic clock -- and a new stability record

Physicists at NIST have combined two experimental atomic clocks based on ytterbium atoms to set a new world record for clock stability. The dual-clock design eliminates dead time and noise, resulting in a more powerful tool for precision tests and applications.

Compost establishes growing media pH similar to limestone

Researchers found that compost can establish growing media pH similar to limestone, reducing the need for peatmoss and limestone. Compost provides supplemental nutrition, suppresses disease-causing organisms, and can be used as a limestone substitute for pH establishment.

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.

Clinical trial of infection detecting bandages begins

A clinical trial of infection-detecting bandages is underway using samples from hundreds of burns patients across four UK hospitals. The technology has potential to improve treatment outcomes by detecting infections earlier, allowing for targeted treatment and reducing antibiotic use.

Program helps teens 'get the message' about distracted driving

A hospital-based injury prevention program helps teens understand the dangers of texting, cell phone use, and other distractions while driving. The program increased teens' awareness of the risks and encouraged them to adopt healthy driving behaviors, such as not making phone calls or sending texts while driving.

UT Austin engineers develop first-ever capsule to treat hemophilia

Researchers have developed a biodegradable capsule that can administer protein therapy to treat hemophilia B, providing hope for a more accessible and affordable treatment. The oral delivery system contains micro- and nanoparticles that carry the protein therapy and are designed to release it over time, alleviating the burden of inject...

Young toddlers can tell when others hold false beliefs, study finds

A new study by Renée Baillargeon and colleagues found that 2.5-year-old children can answer questions about people acting on false beliefs, a skill previously thought to develop until age 4. The researchers developed a modified version of the Sally-Anne test, which gave children a chance to prepare for the question and reduced processi...

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.

New guidelines aim to improve understanding of scientific data

Researchers at University of East Anglia developed guidelines to make scientific graphics more accessible and understandable. The new guidelines, published in Nature Climate Change, provide recommendations on how to design graphics that are easy to comprehend by both experts and non-experts.

A new technique for structural color, inspired by birds

A new technique for structural color has been developed by Harvard researchers, inspired by the disordered nanonetwork of bird feathers. The system creates a gradient of colors using a metallic alloy and a thin transparent coating, enabling vibrant hues for applications such as lightweight coatings, biomimetic tissues, and camouflage.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Modern hunter-gatherers show value of exercise

The Hadza people, an indigenous ethnic group in Tanzania, engage in significantly more physical activity than recommended by US government standards. Their lifestyle, characterized by regular hunting and gathering, is associated with extremely low risk of cardiovascular disease.

Vestibular function declines starting at age 40

A new study found that vestibular thresholds double every 10 years above 40, correlating strongly with poorer balance test results and increased fall risk. Vestibular dysfunction is estimated to cause up to 152,000 American deaths each year, making it a leading cause of death.

Most people at risk for osteoporisis fractures are not evaluated and treated

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology have released new osteoporosis guidelines recommending that all postmenopausal women aged 50 and older be evaluated for osteoporosis risk. Successful treatment is defined as stable or increasing bone mineral density with no evidence of new fract...

Lake ecologists see winter as a key scientific frontier

Researchers found complex and active life under the ice in over 100 lakes, with productivity exceeding summer levels in some cases. This discovery complicates understanding of freshwater systems as climate change warms lakes worldwide.

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.

It's all in the eyes: Women and men really do see things differently

A recent study published in Journal of Vision found that women and men process facial information differently, with women exhibiting a stronger left eye bias and exploring faces more thoroughly. The researchers used eye-tracking technology on almost 500 participants to analyze their scanning patterns.

Targeting breast cancer metabolism to fight the disease

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered that a protein called TIGAR promotes the growth of breast cancer cells by altering cell metabolism, which could be targeted with existing drugs like metformin and doxycycline. These therapies have already passed safety testing in humans and may help reduce tumor growth.

World-first scientific discovery uncovered at a Melbourne beach

Scientists at Monash University have discovered a new mechanism by which algae in sand survive under conditions of constant mixing. They found that these organisms ferment, producing hydrogen and other compounds like oleate, a component of olive oil. This breakthrough has significant implications for the biofuels industry.