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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 158


Page 158 of 461

Researchers find optimal rules for seedings in knock-out tournaments

The study found two optimal seeding systems: distant seeding and close seeding, which prioritize final match versus first-round matches. Researchers developed a theoretical model based on linear demand and competitive intensity to demonstrate the effectiveness of these systems.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Combinatorial Optimization·DateAug 30, 2017

The underwater jungles of the sea give clearer water

A new study found that underwater plants can positively affect water quality in bays along the Baltic Sea coast. The plants take up nutrients, slow down water movement, and stabilize the soft bottom, leading to clearer water and improved living conditions for marine life.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 30, 2017

'Seeing' robot learns tricky technique for studying brain cells in mammals

A team of scientists at Imperial College London has developed a robot that can guide tiny measuring devices to specific neurons in live mice brains, recording electrical currents without human intervention. This automated platform accelerates the study of brain function and brain disorders like Alzheimer's.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNeuron·DateAug 30, 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.

New clue may reveal the fate of famous French explorer

An Australian anthropologist believes a 1818 Indian newspaper article reveals the fate of La Pérouse's crew, who survived shipwreck on the Great Barrier Reef near Murray Island. The crew spent several months building a small vessel to return to France before being forgotten.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalJournal of Pacific History·DateAug 30, 2017

Biosensor could help diagnose illnesses directly in serum

Developed by a team of researchers, the biosensor uses antibody fragments and polyethylene glycol molecules to detect target compounds in serum. The device can diagnose many conditions and illnesses at sub-picomolar concentrations, making it inexpensive and easy to use.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateAug 30, 2017

Understanding perceptions of reputation and identity offers opportunity, study shows

A study from the University of Notre Dame found that recognizing differences between personal views and others' perceptions can enhance empathy, cooperation, and communication. This awareness can prompt individuals to re-evaluate their own opinions or influence others, leading to better team dynamics and more effective interactions.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 30, 2017

T cell responses may help dodge dengue virus symptoms during infection

Researchers identified distinct gene expression patterns and immune signatures associated with asymptomatic dengue infections, revealing a supporting role for T cell protection. These findings could optimize vaccine development efforts by understanding what types of immune responses are important in defending the body against the disease.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 30, 2017

NASA shows how Harvey saturated areas in Texas

Hurricane Harvey's rainfall caused widespread saturation in southeastern Texas, which already showed signs of moisture levels near 20-40% before the storm made landfall. NASA's data also revealed exceptionally wet conditions in southwest Houston after Harvey's arrival, exacerbating the flooding issue.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 30, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Expanding tropical forest spells disaster for conservation

A North Carolina State University study reveals that fire suppression in Brazilian savannas leads to a loss of plant and ant species, with some species declining by up to 86%. The findings highlight the importance of fire in maintaining biodiversity in tropical savannas.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 30, 2017

A blood test can predict early lung cancer prognosis

A new blood test can predict how early-stage lung cancer patients will fare, identifying clusters of aggressive tumor cells that indicate shorter survival times. The test uses circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream to monitor cancer progression and resistance to treatments.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 30, 2017

UMass Amherst environmental chemist flashes warning light on new nanoparticle

Researchers at UMass Amherst have found that layered black phosphorous (BP) nanoparticle toxicity is dependent on particle size and concentration. The study reveals that BP's cytotoxicity is based on reactive oxygen species generation, disrupting cell membrane integrity in a particle-size-dependent manner.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalSmall·DateAug 30, 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.

Fungal spore 'death clouds' key in gypsy moth fight

Researchers discovered a method to track gypsy moth fungus, understanding its range and predicting damage. The study suggests that understanding the distances these killer spores travel could help scientists correlate the fungus' range with weather patterns.

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateAug 30, 2017

Z-endoxifen shows promise as new treatment for common breast cancer type

Researchers found that Z-endoxifen provided substantial drug exposure, acceptable toxicity, and promising anti-tumor activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer who had progressed on standard anti-estrogen treatments. The treatment resulted in tumor shrinkage, with some cases lasting over two years without disease progression.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 30, 2017

Researchers set new bar for water-splitting, CO2-splitting techniques

The researchers successfully converted 90% of water into hydrogen gas and over 98% of CO2 into carbon monoxide using new materials and processes. These advancements have significant implications for extracting valuable feedstock from resources like greenhouse gases.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 30, 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.

Stroke patient improvement with a brain-computer interface

A novel brain-computer interface (BCI) has been developed to improve motor function in stroke patients. The BCI produced a 36% improvement in motor function of a stroke-damaged hand after just 10 training sessions. This innovative therapy has shown promise for helping stroke patients recover from debilitating damage.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 30, 2017

Spectroscopy: Simple solution for soil sample

Researchers have developed a high-tech method using visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (vis-NIRS) to analyze soil texture. This technique allows for rapid, cost-effective, and portable measurements of clay, silt, and sand content, providing valuable insights into soil properties.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

Two distinct brain regions have independent influence on decision-making

Research at Mount Sinai Hospital identified two distinct brain areas involved in decision-making: the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Monkeys with OFC lesions lost ability to track reward probability, while those with VLPFC lesions showed preference for M&Ms.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateAug 30, 2017

A magic formula to predict attraction is more elusive than ever

A new study used speed dating data to test if machine learning could predict unique romantic desire. The researchers found that while they could predict overall tendencies for someone to like and be liked by others, they couldn't anticipate which two people were a match.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

Breastfeeding reduces risk of endometriosis diagnosis

Women who breastfed for longer periods had significantly lower risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis, with exclusive breastfeeding offering even greater protection. Longer durations of breastfeeding were associated with an 8-14% drop in risk, and women who breastfed exclusively across multiple pregnancies saw a nearly 30% lower risk.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·DateAug 30, 2017

Patient plays saxophone while surgeons remove brain tumor

Researchers used advanced brain mapping techniques to preserve musician's musical ability during surgery. The study, published in Current Biology, sheds new light on how music is processed in the brain and its importance for individuals like Dan Fabbio, who relies on music as his livelihood.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 30, 2017

UMass Amherst prof honored for mentoring, inspiring student to community activism

Harold Grotevant, a UMass Amherst professor and internationally known adoption expert, has been chosen for the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award. The award recognizes educators who have inspired their former students to create an organization that benefits the community. Grotevant established two mentoring programs, including the Adoptio...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateAug 30, 2017

Nanoparticles loaded with mRNA give disease-fighting properties to cells

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a nanoparticle delivery system to extend the therapeutic potential of messenger RNA, delivering gene changes to targeted cells. The 'hit-and-run' genetic programming approach can be easily scaled up for various disease applications.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2017

Volcanic eruptions drove ancient global warming event

A natural global warming event occurred 56 million years ago, caused almost entirely by volcanic eruptions during Greenland's separation from Europe. The Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to a significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Blunting CRISPR's 'scissors' gives new insight into autoimmune disorders

A research team has developed a method using modified CRISPR to find gene activators associated with autoimmune disorders. By targeting specific regions of the genome, they identified fundamental circuitry of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease, providing new insights into their mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2017

Inherited herpesvirus study finds links to ancient humans

A study led by the University of Leicester discovered that a small number of human ancestors thousands of years ago transmitted ancient strains of the virus to individuals today. Most integrated HHV-6 genomes are intact and may be able to reactivate as viruses.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJournal of Virology·DateAug 30, 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.

Making 3-D printing safer

Researchers eliminate almost all nanoparticle emissions from some 3-D printers using a new approach that involves enclosing the device with a HEPA filter and printing at low temperatures.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 30, 2017

Magnetic fields in distant galaxy are new piece of cosmic puzzle

Astronomers have measured large, well-ordered magnetic fields in a galaxy 4.6 billion light-years away, providing clues about how magnetic fields formed and evolved over cosmic time. The new observations offer insights into the structure of galactic-sized magnetic fields since the beginning of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 30, 2017

Researchers propose how the universe became filled with light

A team of researchers at the University of Iowa suggests that black holes played a crucial role in making the universe visible. By ejecting matter violently, black holes may have pierced cloudy surroundings, enabling light from stars to escape. This theory is supported by observations of a nearby galaxy emitting ultraviolet light.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 30, 2017

Cardiac arrests in black neighborhoods less likely to get CPR, defibrillation

A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that cardiac arrests in predominantly black neighborhoods are more likely to result in delayed CPR and defibrillation, which can lead to poorer survival rates. The study analyzed over 22,000 cases of cardiac arrest outside the hospital and found a significant disparity in CPR ...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

A big difference between Asian and African elephants is diet

A study published in Biotropica found that Asian elephants prefer to eat monocot plants like palms, grasses, and bamboo, whereas African elephants feed on tree saplings. This difference has significant implications for forest dynamics and human-elephant conflict.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBiotropica·DateAug 30, 2017

Silicon solves problems for next-generation battery technology

Researchers have discovered a way to improve Li-ion battery technology by replacing graphite with silicon, quadrupling anode capacity. The new material has been found to be more suitable when particles are sized between 10-20 micrometres and have the right porosity.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2017

Expanding access to new tools to study childhood cancers

Researchers have created laboratory models of 12 types of pediatric cancer, enabling the study of tumor development and sensitivity to drugs. The HHMI is making these models and related data freely available to the scientific community, aiming to accelerate the discovery of new therapies for childhood cancers.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2017

Improving earthquake resistance with a single crystal

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a cheaper production method to create single-crystal metals, known for their shape memory properties. This breakthrough could lead to mass-produced materials with improved elasticity and strength, ideal for building structures that can withstand earthquakes.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

Protecting the guardians

Research in mice shows that gut bacteria play a crucial role in modulating the effects of a powerful protective gene against type 1 diabetes. The findings highlight the importance of early environmental exposures to a variety of germs in proper immune system development.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 30, 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.

Techniques used in forensic science help discover new molecular fossils

Researchers have discovered new molecular fossils of archaea using forensic science methods, providing insight into the distribution and timeline of these ancient microorganisms. The study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze sedimentary rock samples from southern China, revealing previously unknown fossils.

SourceTohoku University·JournalOrganic Geochemistry·DateAug 30, 2017

Hope for improving protection of the reticulated python

Researchers from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Royal Zoological Society Scotland use genetic data to identify individual origins and potential trade routes of the skins. This helps in long-term conservation and verification of CITES documentation to restrict illegal schemes.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 30, 2017

Breakthrough in understanding mitochondria

Scientists have discovered that ribosomes, the tiny factories of cells that produce proteins, are attached to mitochondria. This finding provides new insights into the process of protein targeting and mitochondrial function, which is essential for understanding diseases such as Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEMBO Reports·DateAug 30, 2017

'Open gym' format shortens waiting time for cardiac rehab

A new study finds that an open gym format for cardiac rehabilitation shortens waiting times by an average of 14.9 days, compared to traditional scheduled appointments. The flexible scheduling model also showed no significant differences in outcomes, including exercise capacity and depressive symptoms.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention·DateAug 30, 2017

First-ever cancer gene therapy approved by FDA

The FDA has approved Kymriah, a CAR T gene therapy drug, for pediatric and young adult patients with ALL, marking a major milestone in cancer treatment. The therapy showed an exceptional 83 percent success remission rate in clinical trials.

SourceAlliance for Cancer Gene Therapy·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

Protein turnover could be clue to living longer

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered an errant protein process in a rare genetic disorder that could help healthy people live longer. The study found rapid protein turnover and enlarged nucleoli in progeria cells, which may serve as biomarkers for aging.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2017

Wolf behavior undeterred by tailings ponds and pit mines

A recent University of Alberta study reveals that wolves in the Athabasca Oil Sands region are undeterred by tailings ponds and pit mines when hunting moose. In fact, low human activity areas like these provide effective hunting grounds for wolves.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalEcosphere·DateAug 30, 2017
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.

Sequencing all 24 human chromosomes uncovers rare disorders

A study by NIH and other institutions has extended noninvasive prenatal screening to all 24 human chromosomes, detecting rare genetic disorders that may explain miscarriage and pregnancy abnormalities. The research identified risk for serious complications in pregnancies with high levels of abnormal cells in the placenta.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 30, 2017

Laser machining services for industry and R&D for medical and dental sector

Lasertools, a Brazilian company, has extended its use of solid-state neodymium-doped lasers to increase power levels and processing speed, making micromachining more feasible. The company developed laser manufacturing methods for biocompatible metal implants, including coronary stents.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateAug 30, 2017

Stabilizing TREM2 -- a potential strategy to combat Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have discovered that stabilizing TREM2, a protein involved in neurodegenerative diseases, could be a viable therapeutic strategy to combat Alzheimer's disease. The study found that a mutation in the TREM2 gene accelerates its cleavage, leading to reduced full-length protein on microglia cells.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateAug 30, 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.

Fast-forward aging due to DNA damage

DNA damage accelerates aging in nematode worms, showing surprising similarities with aged humans. The study reveals comprehensive connections between metabolism, DNA preservation, and signaling pathways.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 30, 2017