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Science News Archive October 2016


Page 7 of 44

A step toward a UTI treatment that could thwart bacterial drug resistance

Scientists have developed a new class of small molecules that prevent bacteria from causing urinary tract infections by interfering with a critical factor on the surface of UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment, called C-mannosides, has shown promising results in animal testing and may move to clinical trials.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What happens to a pathogenic fungus grown in space?

A new study published in mSphere found that the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus behaves similarly in space as it does on Earth. The research, led by Benjamin Knox, compared fungal isolates from the International Space Station to reference isolates from earth and found no significant changes in growth or virulence.

Toxins from freshwater algae found in San Francisco Bay shellfish

A study by University of California - Santa Cruz researchers detected high levels of microcystin toxin in mussels from San Francisco Bay, which can accumulate in shellfish and pose a risk to human consumption. The findings highlight the need for added monitoring of freshwater toxins in coastal waters.

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.

Finding patterns in corrupted data

Researchers have developed a new algorithm that can efficiently fit probability distributions to high-dimensional data, even when the dataset contains corrupted entries. The algorithm relies on two insights: selecting an appropriate metric for measuring distance from distributions and identifying regions where cross-sections should begin.

Bitter political climate chills some scientific pursuits

A bipartisan probe into peer-review process and climate change research is chilling scientific pursuits, with over 2,000 scientists signing a letter urging an end to the probes. The investigation's scope has sparked concerns that it may protect oil companies and suppress science.

New analysis of big data sheds light on cell functions

Researchers developed a way to integrate multiple big data sets from biology to understand cellular processes, discovering new regularities and biological consistencies. The study found pause sites dictate protein structure and folding, providing insights into cancer biology.

Genetic risk factor for binge eating discovered

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a genetic risk factor for binge eating, linked to decreased myelination. The findings could lead to novel therapeutic treatments targeting eating behaviors.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Long-term oxygen treatment does not benefit some COPD patients

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that long-term oxygen treatment does not improve survival or reduce hospital admissions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderately low blood oxygen levels. Researchers say these results underscore the need for new treatments for COPD.

New tool may predict survival after gunshot wounds

Researchers developed a new tool called SPIN-Score to predict survival after gunshot wounds, using pupil response and motor tests as key predictors. The tool accurately predicted survival rates with an excellent accuracy of 96%, offering valuable insights for doctors and families making life-or-death decisions.

Pedestrians walk freely in a world of self-driving cars

A new study suggests that autonomous vehicles could facilitate pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhoods, as pedestrians can act unpredictably and force self-driving cars to stop. However, the adoption of autonomous vehicles may be hampered by their strategic disadvantage in urban traffic.

Autonomous search agents could support researchers

Researchers have developed simulated search agents that significantly outperformed human participants in computer search challenges, offering a promising solution for automating literature review and suggesting relevant sources. The agents can be configured to mimic human behavior, providing a credible simulation of a human researcher.

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 shows impact of sea star wasting disease in Salish Sea

The study found that sunflower sea star populations dropped dramatically after the disease outbreak, while other species such as leather stars and certain sea urchins increased in number. The virus outbreak is expected to have lasting effects on the ecosystem, potentially leading to more browsing on kelp.

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.

Home handy but not so stable: Steep rise in ladder-related falls

A new study reveals a 47% increase in ladder-related hospitalizations over the past decade, primarily affecting men aged 60+, who face the highest risk of serious injuries. The research highlights the need for improved injury prevention efforts to address this growing concern.

NASA provides a 3-D look at Hurricane Seymour

Hurricane Seymour became a major hurricane on Oct. 25, with heavy rainfall and a 3-D image of its structure provided by the Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The storm is moving toward the west-northwest at 15 mph, with expected weakening and rapid decline in forward speed.

Schmallenberg virus may reappear, warn experts

Schmallenberg virus is unlikely to be circulating in southern England, but its reappearance is possible as herd immunity decreases. The virus causes mild clinical signs in adult cattle and can damage the fetus in pregnant females, leading to abortions, stillbirths, and congenital defects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Making a new pitch for coal

Researchers are working on a $1.6 million project to create a new use for coal, turning it into a carbon-fiber material that could help revitalize struggling coal communities. The process produces substantially less CO2 than traditional methods.

Next-generation smartphone battery inspired by the gut

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a prototype of a next-generation lithium-sulphur battery, inspired by the cells lining the human intestine. The new design overcomes a key technical problem hindering commercial development and offers a fivefold energy density boost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

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 evidence that politics, not economics, drives inequality

A new study from Ohio State University found that political factors, particularly presidential administrations, are the primary drivers of rising income inequality in the US. The research used IRS data to analyze economic and political factors contributing to inequality over 33 years.

Young stellar system caught in act of forming close multiples

Scientists have observed a young stellar system fragmenting into multiple stars, supporting two theories on star formation: disk fragmentation and cloud instability. The discovery was made using ALMA and VLA observations of the L1448 IRS3B system in the Perseus constellation.

A songbird's travelogue

A study using geolocation technology tracked the 10,000-kilometer migration of Great Reed Warblers from Turkey to sub-Saharan Africa, revealing key regions of importance for the species. The research highlights the lack of protection many of these regions receive, posing a threat to bird populations.

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.

How AIDS conquered North America

Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.

Nutrition information... for cows?

Researchers developed a single calibration that can be used with multiple NIRS instruments to accurately measure the percentage of alfalfa and grass in forage mixtures.

Neurobiology: Epigenetics and neural cell death

Early epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in determining the fate of neurons during embryogenesis. Deregulation of Uhrf1, a key epigenetic gene, leads to activation of endogenous retroviruses, causing accumulation of retroviral proteins and cell death.

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.

Iron supplements in the fight against lead

A study led by ETH Zurich researchers found that iron fortification reduces blood lead concentration in children, particularly those with iron deficiency. The trial involved over 450 Moroccan schoolchildren who received iron-fortified biscuits and showed a significant reduction in blood lead levels.

Seeing the forest through the trees

A UT researcher is leading a $3-million grant to develop a user-friendly interface for recording and sharing tree genomic data. The project aims to create an ecosystem of community databases for analyzing tree genomics data, providing tools for researchers and promoting public awareness of healthy trees.

Neuro chip records brain cell activity

A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.

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.

School pincipals shape students' values via school climate

A new study published in Psychological Science reveals that school principals' personal values influence the school atmosphere and ultimately shape students' values over time. The researchers found a consistent pattern for three out of four value categories, with one exception that may be attributed to unstudied mechanisms.

High-storage sodium ion batteries

KAUST researchers have developed a process for two-dimensional anodes made from tin selenide, which stores sodium ions through a dual mechanism involving conversion and alloying reactions. This results in the highest reported energy density of any transition metal selenide.

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.

Upper Paleolithic humans may have hunted cave lions for their pelts

A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that Upper Paleolithic humans might have exploited cave lions for their pelts, leading to their eventual extinction. The researchers analyzed fossilized toe bones from the La Garma site and found evidence of human modification, which they believe could be part of a single lion pelt.

Entire Himalayan arc can produce large earthquakes

A new study confirms that the entire 2,400-kilometer Himalayan mountain range is seismogenic and can produce large earthquakes. Researchers discovered a major earthquake in Bhutan in 1714 using historical records and geologic data, shedding light on the region's potential for natural hazards.

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.

IBS large-scale genetic project launched: The Bellygenes initiative

The bellygenes initiative is a large-scale genetic project studying the genetic makeup of 800,000 Europeans in relation to irritable bowel syndrome. The study aims to reveal pathophysiological pathways that can help explain IBS etiology and inform molecular reclassification of patients.

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.