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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 104


Page 104 of 461

Without a nudge, old prescribing habits die hard for clinicians

Researchers found that two psychological approaches, peer comparison and accountable justification, significantly reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rates. However, when these interventions were removed after a year, some clinicians' bad habits returned, highlighting the need for long-term adoption of nudges to maintain bette...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateOct 10, 2017

New Zika serotypes may emerge, researcher warns

Researchers warn that Zika virus is rapidly mutating in Brazilian patients, potentially leading to the emergence of new serotypes. This could hinder the production of effective vaccines and diagnostic tests, posing significant public health risks.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

This soft robotic gripper can screw in your light bulbs for you

Developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego, the gripper combines capabilities to twist, sense, and build models of objects. Researchers tested it on an industrial robot, demonstrating its ability to manipulate a wide range of objects in low light conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 10, 2017

Call to action on food justice and overcoming disparities in infant nutrition

A new article introduces the concept of food justice to address infant feeding disparities and environmental injustices in breast milk access. The authors propose activism strategies to advance food justice, emphasizing the importance of breast milk as a basis for infants' immune response.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Justice·DateOct 10, 2017

A self-propelled catheter with earthworm-like peristaltic motion

Researchers developed a self-propelled catheter that uses peristaltic motion to navigate ultrafine bronchi, improving biopsy accuracy. The catheter's actively curving function helps choose the direction of propulsion and its flexing drive adjusts to changes in line diameter.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·DateOct 10, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Advantages of breast feeding -- Elucidation of a molecular mechanism

Research reveals that oxytocin is ingested by intestinal villiated epithelial cells via RAGE receptors after gut closure. This mechanism enables oxytocin to be orally administered as a medication and/or nutrient supplement in milk, promoting social brain development and communication.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2017

When anemones bleach, clownfish suffer

Researchers found that bleached anemones led to a drastic fall in viable eggs among clownfish (-73%) and increased cortisol levels. This study reveals the impact of climate change on coral reefs and the fish that depend on them.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

Flexible sensors can detect movement in GI tract

Researchers at MIT have developed a flexible sensor that can be ingested to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders such as slow digestion and monitor food intake. The sensor measures the rhythmic contractions of the digestive tract, providing valuable information on stomach movement.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateOct 10, 2017

Quorn protein on par with animal sources

A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that Quorn protein may be as effective as animal-based proteins in building muscle. The research compared Mycoprotein, a fungi-based protein source found in Quorn foods, to milk protein and found equivalent bioavailability.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

BU: Stepped care beneficial after hurricanes

A stepped care approach is more effective in reducing PTSD prevalence than usual care in the aftermath of hurricanes. The study found that stepped care delivered greater reach, treatment effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness than usual care when it came to hurricane-related PTSD.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 10, 2017

Do male fish prefer them big and colorful?

In a study published in Springer's Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, researchers found that male black-finned goodeid fish prefer females with larger bellies and more vibrant colors. These physical traits were associated with higher reproductive value and increased chances of offspring survival.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 10, 2017

A hard lesson -- the way poor sleep impacts on schooling

Research found that over a third of primary school children are getting less than ten hours of sleep per night, with poor sleep associated with difficulties in paying attention in class and keeping up with school work. Removing technology from the bedroom may help improve sleep outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Debate over Mars exploration strategy heats up in astrobiology journal

The article discusses a debate over Mars exploration strategies, with some experts proposing the relaxation of planetary protection policies to expand the search for life on Mars. Current robotic missions may be hindering the discovery of Martian life due to contamination concerns, but easing policies could lead to breakthroughs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAstrobiology·DateOct 10, 2017

Targeting 'lipid chaperones' may preserve lifelong metabolic health

Researchers found that mice lacking fatty acid-binding proteins exhibit substantial protection against obesity and metabolic diseases as they age. However, this effect did not lengthen lifespan. The study suggests that targeting lipid chaperones may be a way to mimic the benefits of calorie restriction.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

NASA eyes the development of Tropical Storm Ophelia

Tropical Storm Ophelia developed on Oct. 9, strengthening into a tropical storm with strong thunderstorms and an eye-like feature. NASA forecasts gradual strengthening over the next 48 hours, with Ophelia expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 10, 2017

Protein restricts sap uptake by aphids

Researchers at Umea University have discovered a plant protein that limits aphid feeding behavior, resulting in reduced sap ingestion and fewer offspring on resistant plants. The protein is thought to occlude the narrow food canal of the aphid, providing a new avenue for developing more sustainable crop resistance.

SourceUmea University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateOct 10, 2017

Machine learning translates 'hidden' information to reveal chemistry in action

Scientists have developed a new machine learning method that can analyze x-ray data to reveal the structures and environments of catalysts during reactions. This allows for real-time analysis and optimization of reaction conditions, potentially leading to improved catalyst performance and faster production of desired products.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Drivers are less cautious at railway crossings

A QUT study found drivers approach level crossings significantly faster and with less caution than at road intersections, posing a significant risk of fatalities. Drivers often fail to assess the situation properly, failing to recognize approaching trains or adapting their behavior for reduced visibility during night-time driving.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateOct 10, 2017

SUNY Downstate awarded $10 million from National Institutes of Health

SUNY Downstate has been awarded a $10 million grant to form a translational health disparities research program, focusing on recruiting and training underrepresented minority scientists. The program will support junior faculty endowments, research fellowships, and recruit underrepresented minority students to study health disparities.

SourceSUNY Downstate Health Science University·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Forget about it

Researchers develop a quantum perovskite material that exhibits adaptive response to repeated proton insertion and removal, resembling brain's desensitization. This property enables effective programming of the material like a computer.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

More than half of police killings not officially documented on US death certificates

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official US death certificates failed to count over half of the people killed by police in 2015, with a greater proportion undercounted in lower-income counties and for deaths involving non-firearm means like Tasers. The study's findings highlight the need for better...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 10, 2017

Mass. General team creates functional, stem-cell-derived small bowel segments

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has successfully created functional small intestine segments using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The segments were able to absorb nutrients and transfer glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream when transplanted into rats. This breakthrough could potentially provide a ...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Research clarifies nuclear hormone receptor function in plants

A new study reveals that Mediator subunit MED25 links the jasmonate receptor to transcriptionally active chromatin. It also interacts with histone modification enzymes to regulate gene expression, integrating genetic and epigenetic regulators.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2017

Study identifies whale blow microbiome

A new study found a shared respiratory microbiome in healthy humpback whales, with 25 bacterial groups present across all samples. This discovery could serve as an important framework for monitoring whale health and detecting diseases.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSystems·DateOct 10, 2017

Fighting sickle cell disease by looking back to infancy

Researchers at MUSC are developing a gene-modifying treatment for sickle cell disease by targeting the LSD 1 enzyme. The potential breakthrough could lead to a disease-modifying treatment and fast-track human clinical trials in as few as three years.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateOct 10, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Survey provides new directions for employment of people with disabilities

The 2017 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: Supervisor Perspectives shows that most employers have processes and practices in place for the inclusion of employees with and without disabilities. Effective practices like centralized accommodation funds are highly effective, but underutilized by many organizations.

SourceKessler Foundation·DateOct 10, 2017

Changes in perspective may affect how useful drones really are

Researchers found that users struggle to use drone images to locate objects on the ground, posing challenges for emergency operations and applications. Switching from an aerial view to a ground view slows down estimates of object location, with incorrect placements four times farther away.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateOct 10, 2017

A molecular garbage disposal complex has a role in packing the genome

The proteasome complex has been found to regulate DNA packing in the nucleus, influencing gene expression. In yeast cells, the proteasome can induce heterochromatin formation but prevent its spread, suggesting an alternative mechanism of action beyond proteolysis.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 10, 2017

Study shows antibody-biogel partnership can be stronger defense than previously thought

Scientists have discovered that weak binding between antibodies and biological gels like mucus is more effective in trapping pathogens, making it a stronger first line of defense. This finding has the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of various diseases by providing new targets for engineered antibodies.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Genetic advance for male birth control

Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the PNLDC1 gene as a key player in regulating sperm production, providing a genetic foundation for male birth control. The study's findings suggest that silencing this gene can lead to infertility in mice, making it a promising approach for human male contraception.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

New ichthyosaur species, long gone, found in a storeroom

A new species of ichthyosaur, Protoichthyosaurus applebyi, has been identified from a fossil at the University of Nottingham. The specimen is significant due to its rarity and uniqueness, providing valuable insights into Britain's early fossil past and ichthyosaur evolution.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateOct 10, 2017

Research reveals how rabies can induce frenzied behavior

A new study reveals how rabies induces frenzied behavior in animals by binding to and inhibiting brain receptors, leading to the transmission of the disease. The research provides a molecular mechanism for this behavior change, shedding light on why rabies is devastating in poor, rural regions.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Law enforcement-related deaths in the US undercounted in official government data

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that law enforcement-related deaths in the US are significantly undercounted in official government data. The study used capture-recapture analysis and multilevel logistic regression to estimate the number of such deaths, finding that only 44.9% were documented by state death certificates compar...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 10, 2017

Solar flux: From bug to feature

Sandia scientists develop a system to convert surplus solar flux into additional electricity at tower CSP plants, increasing capacity by up to 10 MW and reducing costs. The concept involves cladding the tower with photovoltaic panels, generating over 10% of total capacity.

SourceSolarPACES·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Electrons surfing on a laser beam

Researchers at FAU successfully developed a new technique to generate an optical field that can be influenced with great precision, enabling light and electrons to coincide within 'attoseconds'. This allows for high-energy acceleration of electrons, promising applications in materials science, biology, and medicine.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 10, 2017

What is a safe following distance?

A study by Queensland University of Technology found that 50% of drivers tailgate, with most leaving less than a two-second gap between vehicles. The researchers identified confusion among drivers over what is deemed a safe following distance, which can lead to rear-end crashes.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateOct 10, 2017

Best way to recognize emotions in others: Listen

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that listening without visual cues improves emotion recognition. Researchers conducted five experiments with over 1,800 participants and discovered that voice-only communication yields more accurate results than combined visual and auditory cues.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·DateOct 10, 2017

'Fake fin' discovery reveals new ichthyosaur species

A new study has re-examined a 1970s-discovered ichthyosaur, Protoichthyosaurus, and found major differences in its forefin structure compared to Ichthyosaurus. The discovery of fake fins added to some specimens led to the recognition of a new species, Protoichthyosaurus applebyi.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

New smell test could aid early detection of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed new smell tests that can detect olfactory disorders more reliably than conventional options. The tests aim to identify underlying causes of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases early on, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2017

Missing atoms in a forgotten crystal bring luminescence

A team of researchers at KAUST discovered the origin of strong photoluminescence in Cs4PbBr6, a perovskite material. Heating the crystal to 180°C irreversibly destroys its photoluminescence, but creates CsPbBr3 nanocrystals that act as traps for excitons, leading to efficient re-emission of light.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateOct 10, 2017