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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 29


Page 29 of 44

'Poring over' DNA

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a new electronic DNA sequencing platform using biologically engineered nanopores, enabling highly scalable, accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing. The method can transform precision medicine by dramatically lowering the cost of sequencing while increasing accuracy.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New evidence may explain sex difference in knee injury rates

Researchers found that male rats with normal testosterone levels had stronger ACLs than those without it. The study suggests a link between testosterone and ACL injuries, which could lead to new techniques for identifying athletes at high risk of injury.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Knee·DateOct 11, 2016

Female brains change in sync with hormones

Scientists discovered that female brain structures change monthly in response to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the hippocampus which plays a crucial role in memories and emotions. The study aims to better understand premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by examining the brain's monthly rhythm.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Rice's Asian studies receives federal boost

Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies has received a $150,000 federal grant to boost its Asian studies programs. The grant will support the development of new courses, teacher workshops, and speaker series aimed at enhancing teaching and public outreach.

SourceRice University·DateOct 11, 2016

Public interest in plane crashes only predicted 'if death toll is 50 or higher'

A recent study analyzed data on 1,500 plane crashes and found that a death toll of around 50 is the minimum threshold for predicting significant levels of public interest. The research also showed that location, media coverage, and other factors influence article views, highlighting biases in Wikipedia's 'sum of human knowledge'.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Two-dimensional spin-orbit coupling for Bose-Einstein condensates realized

Researchers from China and Peking University pioneered the proposal and realization of two-dimensional spin-orbit coupling for ultracold quantum gases. This achievement has significant influence on understanding exotic topological quantum states, implementing a major breakthrough in solid materials research.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience·DateOct 11, 2016

Calcium supplements may damage the heart

A study of over 2,700 participants found that taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease. Meanwhile, a diet high in calcium-rich foods appears to be protective.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateOct 11, 2016

NASA apots Typhoon Songda's cloud-filled eye

Typhoon Songda, a compact storm with 20 nautical mile wide cloud-filled eye, continues to move northeast over the open ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 100 knots (115.1 mph/185.2 kph) on October 11, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles from the center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 11, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

X-ray vision reveals how polymer solar cells wear out

Researchers used DESY's X-ray source PETRA III to observe the degradation of plastic solar cells, revealing that domains shrink and efficiency decreases due to residual solvent additive. Strategies to stabilise structure through chemical bonding or customised encapsulating substances are proposed.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateOct 11, 2016

Women recruited to run for office don't expect any help

A recent study by Brigham Young University's Jessica Preece found that women are less likely to respond to recruitment efforts due to biased assumptions about help and support. Meanwhile, adjusting the tone of messages can increase women's political interest and participation. To address these disparities, parties must be cautious of b...

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateOct 11, 2016

Future information technologies: Magnetic monopoles

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have discovered a new materials system that can create complex magnetic patterns, including monopoles and skyrmions, which could lead to faster and more efficient data storage. The system uses superconducting YBaCuO-dots covered with an extremely thin permalloy film.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Researchers stretch understanding of skin's limits

New technique predicts where cracks in skin begin and how much skin can be stretched, with potential applications for burn victims and medical creams. Researchers also found that cell-cell junctions are structurally the weakest points of the skin.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateOct 11, 2016

Achieving ultra-low friction without oil additives

Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a surface treatment method that significantly reduces friction without special oil additives. The technique involves blasting metal surfaces with copper sulfide and aluminum oxide, leading to ultra-low friction coefficients.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalTribology Letters·DateOct 11, 2016

Catalyst from the microwave

Researchers develop new microwave-assisted thermolysis method to produce highly crystalline g-C(3)N(3) catalysts with remarkably few defects. This results in improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation from sunlight.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 11, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

University of Rochester scientists exploit cell metabolism to attack cancer

Researchers pinpoint a unique metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells that enables their ability to biosynthesize and replicate, and may provide new treatment opportunities. By blocking specific enzymes involved in this process, tumor growth can be slowed or stopped in preclinical tests.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 11, 2016

Lack of opportunities promotes brood care

Researchers found that a single white-browed coucal parent can successfully raise its brood, unlike black coucals which form pairs and share parental duties. The study suggests that females only form pairs due to lack of opportunities to find additional male partners.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateOct 11, 2016

Discovery and gene therapy treatment of a novel heart failure mechanism

Researchers discovered that inhibiting ANGPTL2 production can benefit both mice and human cardiac muscle cells with therapeutic effects in reducing heart failure progression. Moderate exercise previously found to reduce ANGPLT2 levels can now be replicated through gene therapy.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2016

Mapping free-fall styles of solid objects within fluids

A numerical study explores the patterns made by 2-D rectangular plates falling freely within water, identifying parameters influencing their motion and force characteristics. The findings may aid in improving wing designs for unmanned aerial vehicles and controlling object motions within fluids.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Astroglia zip the 2 halves of the brain together

A study published in Cell Reports reveals that astroglial cells play a crucial role in forming the corpus callosum, a bridge-like structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. Without this cellular support, callosal agenesis occurs, affecting 1 in 4,000 people and leading to developmental disorders.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 11, 2016

Global sustainability projects offer hope for the future

Researchers identified six main themes in community initiatives that can create a more just and sustainable future. These include agroecology, green urbanism, and social movements promoting fair futures.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateOct 11, 2016

Transplantation with induced neural stem cells improves stroke recovery in mice

Researchers found that induced neural stem cells promoted survival and functional recovery in mice modeled with ischemic stroke. The study also discovered that early administration of iNSCs protected the brain from ischemia-related damage, reducing infarct volume and enhancing sensorimotor function.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Temporary extinction reprieve for some frogs

Researchers found that three frog species in the protected Wet Tropics of Queensland UNESCO World Heritage Area might have sufficient time to conserve before extinction due to climate change. The study suggests that conservation managers could intervene successfully with translocation programs.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Novel biomarkers increase power to predict therapeutic response in lupus

Researchers at MUSC discovered novel biomarkers that significantly improve the prediction of therapeutic efficacy in lupus nephritis. A targeted panel of urinary biomarkers, combined with machine learning modeling, provides an early decision-support tool for predicting outcomes.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateOct 11, 2016

Unconventional cell division in the Caribbean Sea

A newly discovered bacterium divides by orienting its plane parallel to its axis and dividing asynchronously, challenging traditional cell biology theories. This unique method may provide an evolutionary advantage to the symbiont, allowing it to remain faithful to its host.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 11, 2016

Predicting jellyfish 'invasions' at coastal power stations

Scientists are developing an early warning system to detect and predict jellyfish blooms that can clog water intakes at coastal power plants. The tool will provide gridded maps showing the probability of jellyfish arrival times, enabling rapid risk evaluation and informing operational responses.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Collecting injury data could reduce A&E attendances

A UK injury data collection pilot has found a significant association between deprivation levels and an increasing incidence rate of unintentional injuries. The study suggests that collecting injury data could help reduce A&E attendances by understanding patterns in communities.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateOct 11, 2016

NASA sees Tropical Depression Aere dissipating

Tropical Depression Aere was centered near 21.7 degrees north latitude and 117.7 east longitude when NASA's Terra satellite captured its image on Oct. 11, showing a swirl of clouds about 200 miles east of Hong Kong. The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 28.7 mph, moving slowly to the west.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 11, 2016

Scientists map genome of African diaspora in the Americas

Scientists have created a genetic catalog of the African diaspora in the Americas, revealing why certain diseases hit those with African ancestry harder. The study found changes in DNA that put Africans at higher risk for diseases, and highlights the importance of understanding population histories to tailor clinical care.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2016

Maternal chronic disease linked to higher rates of congenital heart disease in babies

A Taiwanese study of almost 1.4 million births found that pregnant women with maternal chronic diseases have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with severe congenital heart disease. The study also found a slightly increased risk of mild congenital heart disease in offspring of mothers with diabetes and other chronic conditions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 11, 2016
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.

Flexing while clotting

Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech developed a microfluidic testing ground to measure individual platelets' strength by squeezing protein dots together. This could help diagnose bleeding disorders and develop blood thinning drugs.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 10, 2016

How children inherit discrimination's effects

A new study led by University of Arizona researcher Katharine Zeiders found that families experiencing ethnic discrimination and acculturation stress have a negative impact on children's behavior and academics. Children exhibited more behavioral problems and worse academic performance by age 5, according to the research.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateOct 10, 2016

UNC researcher develops test scenarios for sustaining ecotourism in the Galapagos

A new paper describes a research team's models forecasting potential outcomes in the Galapagos Islands, developed to help the Ecuador government balance economic development and resource conservation. The models use real data and social-ecological processes to predict sustainable growth by 2033.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

UHN research team maps genomic landscape of schwannoma tumors

A research team at UHN has identified new mutations in genes associated with schwannoma development, providing insights into the growth drivers of these tumors. The study's findings have significant implications for personalized medicine and potentially change treatment approaches for some patients with treatment-refractory schwannomas.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 10, 2016

Rise in oropharyngeal cancer incidence not solely driven by HPV in United Kingdom

A study in the UK found that the rise in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence was not solely driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity. The proportion of HPV-positive and -negative cases remained static, suggesting multiple factors contribute to OPSCC, including HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateOct 10, 2016

Pharmaceuticals retain potential to cause damage in aquatic environments

Researchers have found that pharmaceuticals can persist in riverine bacteria for extended periods, posing environmental risks. The study suggests improved predictive power is needed to assess the environmental impact of these substances, particularly in lower-income countries where their use is forecast to increase significantly.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry Letters·DateOct 10, 2016

Doc versus machine

A new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that human physicians vastly outperform digital diagnosticians in clinical diagnosis. Physicians made a correct diagnosis more than twice as often as commonly used symptom-checker apps, with an accuracy rate of 72% compared to 34%. The study suggests that computer-based algori...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 10, 2016

Fertilizer, plastic mulch treatments benefit tomato yield

Researchers found that transplanting fertilizers with phosphorus and using non-reflective plastic mulches can significantly boost tomato yields in clay loam soils. The study's results support the use of these practices for local gardeners and commercial growers in Minnesota, particularly during short growing seasons.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateOct 10, 2016
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.

'sensing skin' detects cracks, harmful chemicals in structures

The sensing skin detects cracks and harmful chemicals in structures using three layers: one for crack detection, a buffer layer, and another with metal nanoparticles that respond to specific chemicals. The technology can be applied to various materials and can detect problems early on.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalStructural Health Monitoring·DateOct 10, 2016

Brain modulyzer provides interactive window into the brain

A new tool developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory enables researchers to interactively explore brain hierarchical processes and shed light on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Brain Modulyzer combines multiple views of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to provide context for brain connectivity data.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalIEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics·DateOct 10, 2016

Equality, more than dominance, defines Asian elephant society

A new study on Asian elephants found that they do not have clear dominance hierarchies or matriarchal leadership like African savannah elephants. This is due to their predictable and productive environment where food and water are readily available, allowing them to make independent movement decisions.

SourceColorado State University·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateOct 10, 2016

Costs of similarly effective breast cancer treatments vary widely

A new study finds that breast cancer chemotherapy regimens with similar efficacy have significantly varying costs, affecting patients' financial burden. The study highlights the need for accessible information to inform treatment decisions and promote well-informed shared decisions regarding treatment options.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateOct 10, 2016

Core technology springs from nanoscale rods

Rice University researchers have discovered a way to subtly change the interior structure of semi-hollow nanorods, altering their interaction with light. This method could form the basis of a nanoscale switch with enormous potential.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 10, 2016
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.