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Science News Archive October 2016


Page 36 of 44

Custom-tailored strategy against glioblastomas

Researchers have created a new method to combat glioblastomas, a type of brain tumor that is difficult to treat. The method involves testing multiple substances on individual cancer cells from each patient and identifying effective combinations for treatment.

'Blind dates' in the amber world

Scientists have discovered a 54 million-year-old fossilized biting midge in amber, revealing an unusual vesicular structure at the front edge of its wings. This structure was likely used by the female midge to collect and spray pheromones for attraction, unlike modern biting midges that use simpler methods.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bragging as a strategy: What boasting buys, and costs, a candidate

A new study found that boasting about intelligence can make a person seem more competent, but less moral, than those who remain humble. Self-effacement claims also have consequences, with declaring oneself not particularly smart worse for perceived competence than being shown right or wrong.

Online software helps citizen scientists solve real-world problems

A new study demonstrates how citizen science can be used to improve environmental decision-making and secure funding for conservation projects. Online software and web-portal platforms enable community groups to design protocols, conduct experiments, and implement plans, making them an invaluable tool in addressing environmental issues.

The adolescent brain is adapted to learning

New research suggests that teenagers' sensitivity to reward is an evolutionary adaptation to learn from their environment. The study found that adolescents outperformed adults in a picture-based game requiring learning from positive and negative reinforcement cues.

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.

UTIA receives grant to improve farm financial performance in Tennessee

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to expand the farm financial management database FINBIN to include Tennessee farms. This expansion will provide benchmark financial information for producers, lenders, and other agricultural professionals, enabling them to make more informed financial decisions.

To help or not to help?

In emergency situations, people tend to behave either egotistically or prosocially, with some individuals being more cooperative than others. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that most participants helped others less in emergency situations due to time pressure, while prosocial individuals were more willing to help.

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.

IRCM researchers explain how evolution has equipped our hands with 5 fingers

A team of researchers led by Dr. Marie Kmita discovered that the transition from fin to limb was not accomplished overnight and identified a key difference in gene regulation between fish and mice. By reproducing the fish-type regulation, mice developed up to seven digits per paw, revealing the significance of this difference.

Brookhaven Lab to play major role in 2 DOE exascale computing application projects

The Computational Science Initiative at Brookhaven Lab will develop modeling and simulation applications for nuclear and high-energy physics, focusing on lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations and computational chemistry code NWChem. The projects aim to optimize societal impact in fields like climate science and materials science.

Absolute structure determination: Pushing the limits

Current methods for determining compound chirality rely on X-ray diffraction and computer analysis. Recent advancements have improved the accuracy of absolute structure assignment, enabling reliable results for compounds containing heavy atoms.

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.

Heavy hitters: Obesity rate soars among professional baseball players

Professional baseball players have seen a significant increase in weight and obesity over the last quarter century. The majority of athletes were within the normal BMI range for over 100 years, but around 1991, their average BMI began to rise, with nearly 80% now falling into the overweight or obese category.

The incredible shrinking particle accelerator

A new toolkit has been developed to simulate, analyze and visualize particle accelerator studies using advanced visualization tools and supercomputers. This enables faster and more efficient simulations, reducing memory usage and saving computer time.

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.

Study shows infants pay more attention to native speakers

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.

NASA satellite sees stubborn Atlantic Tropical Storm Nicole

Tropical Storm Nicole in the western Atlantic Ocean is resisting erosion from wind shear, a phenomenon that can disrupt tropical cyclones. Despite being battered by strong winds, Nicole has maintained its strength and is expected to remain in strong wind shear conditions for several days.

Redox biomarker could predict progression of epilepsy

A study published in Redox Biology found that a decreased cysteine/cystine ratio in plasma may predict the progression of epilepsy. The study used a rat model and found significant changes in the biomarker after seizures were induced, suggesting its potential as a redox biomarker for epilepsy.

Planet formation: The death of a planet nursery?

The TW Hydrae system shows a prominent gap that is unlikely to be caused by an actively accreting protoplanet. Instead, researchers attribute the feature to photoevaporation, which heats gas and allows it to fly away from the disk. This process may disperse the disk before planets can form.

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.

A better blood sugar test for diabetes

A new blood sugar test method developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has been shown to cut diagnostic errors by more than 50% compared to current tests. The technique, which takes into account the age of red blood cells, offers personalized diabetes monitoring for over 400 million diabetics worldwide.

Research details industry payments to dermatologists

A new study analyzed industry payments to 8,333 dermatologists in 2014, finding that the top 10% collected at least $3,940 and the top 1% received over $93,622. The majority of payments were for speaker fees, consulting, or research activities.

A nerve agent antidote that could be taken before an attack

Scientists have created a potential nerve agent antidote that can be taken before an attack, offering hope for soldiers and others exposed to these molecular weapons. The enzyme-based antidote was encapsulated in a porous metal-organic framework, enhancing its staying power and effectiveness.

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.

Common US snake actually 3 different species

Research finds yellow-bellied kingsnake has three subspecies with distinct habitats on each side of the Mississippi, challenging long-held biodiversity theory. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding ecological environments in shaping species diversity.

Clean water-treatment option targets sporadic outbreaks

David Wendell's technology targets harmful pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and protozoa while preserving healthy bacteria in public drinking water. It uses light-generated hydrogen peroxide to eliminate outbreaks, without adding contaminants to the environment.

Certain citrus species produce repellent against huanglongbing

Researchers discovered that three citrus plants - Citrus reticulata, Swingle citrumelo, and Murcott mandarin - produce essential oils that repel Diaphorina citri, the insect that transmits huanglongbing. These compounds may act as repellents, making the plants less attractive to D. citri for ovipositing purposes.

Grant to TSRI-led consortium expands to $207 million

The National Institutes of Health has expanded a five-year funding award to The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) from $120 million to $207 million. TSRI will lead the effort to engage one million or more U.S. participants in a historic medical research effort aimed at improving disease prevention and treatment based on individual diff...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Low lead levels in children negatively affect test scores

A new study using data from Rhode Island's lead-abatement program and repeated blood lead level tests found that low reading scores among preschoolers can predict lower scores in subsequent years. The study suggests that lead exposure may contribute to the persistence of gaps in test scores between children from different socioeconomic...

Physicists 'dissolve' water in an emerald

Researchers successfully confine individual H?O molecules within nanosized cavities in beryl crystals, exhibiting ferroelectric properties. This discovery could have implications for various fields, including biology, chemistry, and geology.

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.

Food scientists: We can detect much more food fraud

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have reviewed the use of NIR spectroscopy to detect food fraud in Current Opinion in Food Science. The method can reveal far more food fraud than current methods, including intentional misrepresentation and undeclared introduction of cheaper substances. By examining large quantities of raw ...

Discovery: A new form of light

A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College have discovered a new way that some molecules can make a luminescent glow, breaking Kasha's Rule. The newly discovered pathway to creating light may prove useful in industrial materials, LEDs, and biomedical imaging.

New method to detect aging cells developed by researchers

Researchers at the University of Manchester developed a universally applicable method to assess senescence across biomedicine. The new biomarker provides unprecedented advantages over existing products, being sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use.

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.

NASA sees Chaba becoming extra-tropical

Tropical Storm Chaba has become an extra-tropical storm, with strong winds and wind shear causing it to resemble a frontal system. NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible images of the storm as it moved northeast through the Sea of Japan, affecting Japan and South Korea.

How much does that fertilizer REALLY cost?

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment have proposed a framework that accounts for the damages caused by reactive nitrogen, estimating the dollars-and-cents cost of nitrogen pollution. The tool will help integrate nitrogen costs into decisions made by agencies and groups.

Drug restores hair growth in patients with alopecia areata

A clinical trial found that ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, significantly restored hair growth in 75% of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed promise for treating other forms of hair loss.

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.

Researchers modify yeast to show how plants respond to a key hormone

Researchers have developed a novel toolkit based on modified yeast cells to tease out how plant genes and proteins respond to auxin, the most ubiquitous plant hormone. The system revealed the basic 'code' of auxin signaling, including how specific combinations of repressing or activating proteins can bind to auxin, DNA, and one another.

Transgender women who begin hormone therapy more likely to quit smoking

A new study found that transgender women on hormone therapy have a higher rate of smoking cessation compared to the general population, with 64% of current smokers quitting after starting treatment. Researchers believe this may be due to the life-changing event of hormone therapy and the associated health risks.

Case of the missing continental crust solved: It sank

Researchers computed precise amount of continental crust before and after collision, concluding that half the mass is missing due to sinking into mantle. The finding explains puzzling geochemistry and throws out long-held idea that continental crust can't descend into mantle.

Solving the problem of glare

Researchers have developed innovative methods to counteract glare and reduce unwanted light in various imaging applications, including microscopy, biomedicine, and astronomy. These new approaches use modified light to minimize glare, offering a promising solution for improving image quality.

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.

Sustainability projects offer potential seeds for a more just future

International researchers have identified six main overarching themes in community initiatives that can potentially play a role in creating a future that is both more just and more sustainable. These include agroecology, green urbanism, future knowledge, urban transformation, fair futures, and sustainable futures.

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.