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Science News Archive October 2016


Page 6 of 44

Nurses' scrubs often contaminated with bad bugs

A study found that nurses' scrubs are frequently contaminated with bacteria, including MRSA, spread from patients and hospital rooms. This highlights the importance of infection control strategies, such as hand washing, using disposable gloves, and regular cleaning of patient rooms.

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.

New warning over spread of ash dieback

Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered that asexual spores of the ash dieback fungus can germinate on leaves or infect seedlings via soil, spreading the disease more quickly than previously thought. This finding reveals additional routes for the fungus's spread and increases the risk to trees and ecosystems.

A turbulent solution to a growing problem

Researchers at UCLA's DIII-D National Fusion Facility discovered that plasma turbulence weakens inside large magnetic islands, allowing small islands to grow instead. This finding could lead to improved control of harmful magnetic islands and more efficient operation of fusion devices like ITER.

New tool detects malicious websites before they cause harm

Researchers developed a system called PREDATOR that identifies potentially malicious website registrations and blocks them, reducing the window for harm. The tool detected 70% of known blacklisted sites based on registration data alone with a false positive rate of 0.35%.

'Neighbor maps' reveal the genome's 3-D shape

Researchers created a three-dimensional map of chromosomes, revealing their complex 3D structure. The 'neighbor maps' method uses proximity pairs to infer chromosome organization and geometry.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Placebo sweet spot for pain relief found in brain

Researchers pinpoint unique brain region for placebo response in pain relief, enabling targeted pain therapy and more accurate clinical trials. This finding could lead to personalized medicine for the 100 million Americans with chronic pain.

Fighting the gram-negatives

A team of scientists from Germany has identified a class of quinone-like substances with an epoxide functional group that can kill problematic Salmonella pathogens. The compounds work by interfering with the bacterial stress response system, making them a potential tool in the fight against multidrug resistance.

Steering a fusion plasma toward stability

Researchers have created a 'stability map' to track fusion plasma rotation and collisionality in real-time. This allows for the detection of potential instability and control over the plasma, potentially avoiding disruption of fusion reactions.

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.

Precise quantum cloning: Possible pathway to secure communication

Researchers at ANU and UQ have developed a cloning method that produces higher-quality quantum clones than existing methods, with a success rate of about 5%. This breakthrough could enable ultra-secure encryption over long distances, overcoming the limitations of current quantum communication systems.

Yale scientists edit gene mutations in inherited form of anemia

Researchers developed a novel gene editing strategy to correct thalassemia mutations in mice, alleviating symptoms and normalizing hemoglobin levels. The technique, which uses nanoparticles and synthetic DNA, has the potential to treat people with inherited blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.

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.

Children should be screened to prevent early heart attacks

A new screening strategy could prevent approximately 600 heart attacks in people under the age of 40 if implemented nationwide. The strategy identifies children with familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels and increased risk of early heart disease.

Arctic found to play unexpectedly large role in removing nitrogen

A new study by the University of Texas at Austin reveals that seabed microbes in the Arctic Ocean remove substantial quantities of nitrogen, accounting for 5% of global ocean nitrogen removal. The finding highlights the critical role of the Arctic in maintaining a balanced global nitrogen budget.

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.

Mulberry extract activates brown fat, shows promise as obesity treatment

Researchers found that rutin extracted from mulberries activates brown adipose tissue to mimic cold-induced thermogenesis, enhancing energy metabolism and weight loss. This natural compound was tested on genetically obese mice and diet-induced obesity models, reducing adiposity and improving glucose homeostasis.

Understanding essential tremor

A large international collaborative study sheds new light on the genetics behind essential tremor, finding a strong correlation between the disease and the gene STK32B. The study aims to recruit 10,000 additional patients to understand how these genes contribute to the development of the disease.

Wayne State awarded $2.28 million from NIH to study buprenorphine

Researchers led by Mark Greenwald will explore whether buprenorphine can decrease stress responses in recovering addicts, potentially helping avoid relapse. The four-year study aims to identify new therapeutic features of the medication and its impact on stress reactivity.

Why does our planet experience an ice age every 100,000 years?

Experts from Cardiff University propose that deep ocean storage of carbon dioxide may be responsible for the planet's 100,000-year ice age cycle. By analyzing tiny fossil remains, researchers found more CO2 stored in the oceans during ice ages at regular intervals every 100,000 years.

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.

Researchers identify new species of dragonfly in Brazil

Brazilian researchers have identified a new species of dragonfly named Erythrodiplax ana, characterized by its brown spot on each wingtip and bluish waxy body coating. The discovery highlights the importance of urban areas as habitats for biodiversity, with the species found near a spring used to draw off water in an urban area.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Integrated neighborhoods more common across the US, study finds

A new study by Brown University researchers found that integrated neighborhoods, where black, white, Asian, and Hispanic residents coexist, are becoming more common in the US. This trend is seen in both diverse and less diverse metropolitan centers, with global neighborhoods emerging as a result of Hispanic and Asian immigration.

Reading the right sexual cues

A study found that male and female college students focus on nonverbal emotional cues when making quick judgments about a woman's sexual interest. However, those with rape-supportive attitudes relied more on attire and attractiveness. Cognitive training can improve perceptions of women's momentary sexual interest.

The buzz about edible bugs: Can they replace beef?

Research finds that insects can contribute well-rounded meals with essential minerals like calcium, copper and zinc. Crickets have higher levels of iron than other insects, making them a promising source of this crucial nutrient.

Enabling direct carbon capture

Researchers develop fluorine-containing MOF for selective carbon dioxide capture, suitable for air and industrial applications. The material's unique geometry allows for efficient trapping of CO2 even at very low concentrations.

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.

Extreme cold winters fueled by jet stream and climate change

A new study found that climate change may be amplifying the effects of wavy jet stream patterns, contributing to severe cold winters. The research improves long-term forecasting of winter weather in populous regions, benefiting communities and economies.

ECHO Program explores how environment affects kids' health

The ECHO Program aims to understand the early environmental origins of childhood health outcomes, including obesity and neurodevelopment. Researchers will track over 50,000 children across diverse backgrounds for seven years, analyzing existing data and combining standardized approaches.

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.

First direct visualization of archaella's rotation using cross-kymography

A team of scientists at Gakushuin University has developed a novel 'cross-kymography' method to visualize the rotation and morphology of archaella, which enables the direct observation of these structures for the first time. This breakthrough reveals new insights into the swimming mechanism of archaea.

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.

Imaging where cancer drugs go in the body could improve treatment

Researchers developed a way to attach labels to cancer drugs packaged in liposomes, allowing for imaging with PET to see where they accumulate in the body. This method shows promise in predicting drug delivery to cancer tissues in specific patients, potentially leading to more effective treatments and reduced side effects.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Threatened by diversity

A study by UC Santa Barbara psychologist Brenda Major found that highly identified white Americans who feel threatened by diversity are more likely to support Donald Trump and endorse anti-immigrant policies. However, those less identified with their ethnicity tend to oppose Trump and support anti-bias norms.

Wayne State awarded $3.2 million NIH grant for schizophrenia research

Researchers at Wayne State University will use a new $3.2 million NIH grant to investigate impaired learning and memory in schizophrenia from the perspective of brain plasticity, function and network dynamics. The study aims to explore interventions that may normalize abnormal markers of the illness.

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.

FAU receives $4.4 million grant to increase Hispanics in computer-related careers

Florida Atlantic University has received a $4.4 million grant from the US Department of Education to increase degrees awarded to Hispanic and low-income students in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. The project aims to improve student success rates and provide employment opportunities in various settings.

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.

Skin patch to treat peanut allergy shows benefit in children

A wearable patch delivering small amounts of peanut protein through the skin has shown safety and efficacy in treating peanut allergy in children aged 4-25 years. The low-dose and high-dose regimens offered similar benefits, with significant treatment effects seen in younger children.