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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 190


Page 190 of 461

Microbot origami can capture, transport single cells

Researchers developed microbot origami that can capture and transport single cells using magnetic energy. The system mimics nature and has potential applications in cell characterization tools and artificial muscles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 4, 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.

New mindfulness method helps coaches, athletes score

A new mindfulness program can help coaches and athletes at all levels develop a mental edge and improve their performance. The six-session program, developed by psychologists, combines education, discussion, and experiential components to increase mental readiness.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 4, 2017

New biosensor stimulates sweat even when patient is resting and cool

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed a novel device that can stimulate sweat glands on a small patch of skin, allowing for non-invasive biomarker testing. The device can predict sweat amounts, which is essential for understanding hormone or chemical measurements.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalLab on a Chip·DateAug 4, 2017

Older adults with HIV: An overlooked population?

A growing population of older adults with HIV is being overlooked due to implicit ageism, which contributes to poor mental and physical health outcomes. The combination of stigma, social isolation, and negative expectations about aging can lead to depression, loneliness, and chronic disease.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 4, 2017

Immune cells may be key to better allergy, infection therapies

Researchers discovered a crucial role for enzyme ITK in the development of immune cells that help suppress excessive inflammation. By manipulating these cells, clinicians may be able to enhance treatment for allergies and block their development to treat viral and bacterial infections.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Primordial black holes may have helped to forge heavy elements

Tiny primordial black holes could have destroyed neutron stars from the inside out, leading to the ejection of dense neutron-rich material that formed heavy elements like gold and uranium. This process would also explain several long-standing mysteries in the universe, including Fast Radio Bursts and positron emissions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 4, 2017

Seasonal effects: 'Winter foals' are smaller than foals born in summer

Researchers found that winter foals were smaller than their spring and fall counterparts, suggesting a critical impact of reduced metabolism on fetal growth. Despite this, some benefits emerged from the study, including the potential for earlier foaling that can give young horses a head start in competitions.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalTheriogenology·DateAug 4, 2017

Why humans find faulty robots more likeable

Researchers found that humans take a stronger liking to faulty robots, which helps them understand and correct their own behavior. This finding has exciting implications for the field of social robotics, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections in robot design.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateAug 4, 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.

Prior dengue or yellow fever exposure does not worsen zika infection in monkeys

A new study found that prior dengue or yellow fever exposure does not increase susceptibility to severe Zika virus infection in rhesus macaques. The researchers observed no significant differences in clinical factors between previously infected and uninfected monkeys after Zika virus infection.

SourceWalter Reed Army Institute of Research·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 4, 2017

Canadian-led study akin to antimatter forensics

A Canadian-led research collaboration reports observing spectral lines from an antimatter atom for the first time in a study published in Nature. The team studied antihydrogen and found that its spectral lines match those of hydrogen very well, which could provide clues about the nature of matter and antimatter.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 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.

TESS mission to discover new planets moves toward launch

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will identify over 20,000 extrasolar planets, including Earth-sized and 'super Earth' planets. The satellite's four cameras have been mounted onto the camera plate and successfully demonstrated operation with the flight computer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 4, 2017

New model for bimolecular reactions in nanoreactors

Researchers have developed a new mathematical model that describes how molecules are transported to react within nanoreactors. The model reveals that the reaction rate is not limited by molecule concentration, but rather by the shell's permeability, opening up possibilities for controlling chemical reactions.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Catalysis·DateAug 4, 2017

New, more sensitive sensor for evaluating drug safety

A new technique uses a fluorescent sensor to detect stress on cells at earlier stages than conventional methods. The method can be adapted to detect protein aggregates caused by other toxins and diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

SourcePenn State·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 4, 2017

Why is conducting research in some countries so difficult?

Researchers face difficulties conducting longitudinal epidemiological surveys in countries like Brazil due to inadequate funding and poor infrastructure. The study highlights the need for strategies such as working with community leaders, organizing group efforts, and using short instruments to overcome these challenges.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateAug 4, 2017

Yoga effective at reducing symptoms of depression

Researchers found that yoga, particularly Bikram and hatha yoga, significantly reduced symptoms of depression in studies involving veterans and university students. A multi-week regimen may be an effective approach when combined with standard therapies.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 3, 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.

Two sides to this energy story

Researchers at Rice University have developed a catalyst that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a potential solution for renewable energy. The catalyst uses laser-induced graphene, a low-cost material, to produce large bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen simultaneously.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 3, 2017

Steps toward a promising therapy for a rare bone disease

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute propose a therapeutic strategy to suppress formation of bony tumors in multiple hereditary exostoses, a rare disease affecting 1 in 50,000 people. Researchers identify BMP signaling as the culprit and demonstrate success with an inhibitor compound.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJCI Insight·DateAug 3, 2017

Ancient asteroid family unveils the early solar system

A group of dark asteroids with related orbits have been identified as part of a previously unknown family, estimated to be roughly 4 billion years old. The discovery provides valuable information on the size distribution of original planetesimal bodies and challenges traditional theories of asteroid formation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017

Forensic entomologist unearths Chinese migrant fly in Europe

A tropical insect, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, has been detected in corpses in North West Italy, according to a study by Dr Stefano Vanin. The research suggests that climate change and globalization have enabled the fly's migration from China.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalForensic Science International·DateAug 3, 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.

Discovery points to drugs that would 'short-circuit' deadly leukemia

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have found that survival of a deadly acute myeloid leukemia depends on production of heme, a molecular 'battery.' Researchers discovered that blocking heme synthesis kills leukemic cells, offering a potential new treatment strategy for AML.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJCI Insight·DateAug 3, 2017

Smell loss may contribute to malnutrition in individuals with kidney disease

Research reveals that many patients with chronic kidney disease experience smell loss, which correlates with poorer nutritional status. Treatment with intranasal theophylline has shown promise in improving smell function and reducing markers of malnutrition in a small group of patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 3, 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.

Alaska's North Slope snow-free season is lengthening

A new study by CIRES and NOAA researchers found that the spring snowmelt has arrived nearly three days earlier every decade from 1975 to 2016, while the first snow has been happening later. The end result is an increase in length of the snow-free season by about one week per decade.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateAug 3, 2017

Cognitive hearing aid filters out the noise

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a breakthrough in auditory attention decoding (AAD) methods, bringing cognitively controlled hearing aids closer to reality. The new system can automatically separate individual speakers from a mixture, determine which speaker the user is listening t...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateAug 3, 2017

Mysterious children's neurological disease is traced to a single error in one gene

Researchers identified a rare neurological disorder linked to an excess of ribosomal RNA, causing developmental regression and neurodegeneration. The study found that the same genetic change caused the condition in all affected children, paving the way for potential therapies to silence the mutant gene.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 3, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Study finds climate plays role in decline of one of Asia's most critical water resources

A Kansas State University researcher found that climate variability, not the Three Gorges Dam, is the primary cause of a water supply decline in East Asia's largest floodplain lake system. The study found that 80% of the observed lake decline is due to simultaneous climate variability closely related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.

SourceKansas State University·JournalWater Resources Research·DateAug 3, 2017

Protein-rich diet may help soothe inflamed gut

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that a specific bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, can induce the development of tolerance-promoting immune cells in mice when fed a tryptophan-rich diet. This could lead to relief for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017

What role does the gut play in type 2 diabetes?

Research examines how gastric emptying rates affect postprandial glucose levels and incretin hormone secretion. The study reveals the gastrointestinal tract's contribution to insulin regulation in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalMetabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders·DateAug 3, 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.

University of Maryland School of Medicine receives grant to develop vaccine

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are developing a vaccine to protect against Shigella and certain E. coli, leading causes of diarrheal diseases in young children and travelers. The $2.47 million grant will support translation from an animal-tested prototype to a human-ready vaccine for Phase 1 clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·DateAug 3, 2017

Eclipse to shed light on weather in space and on Earth

During the total solar eclipse on August 21, UMass Lowell faculty and students will conduct research on space weather using high-tech instruments. The goal is to better predict the weather and enhance GPS, satellite, and shortwave-radio communications.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·DateAug 3, 2017

From battle to business: UC researchers help veterans return to work

A University of Cincinnati survey reveals that many veterans face difficulties in the civilian workforce, including struggles with job fit, corporate practices, and adapting to a new culture. The research highlights the need for support systems and training programs to help veterans overcome these challenges and succeed in their careers.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 3, 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.

Humans have been altering tropical forests for at least 45,000 years

Tens of thousands of years of human impact on tropical forests have had significant consequences, including extinctions, soil erosion, and reduced biodiversity. However, indigenous agricultural strategies can minimize environmental damage when implemented sustainably.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Plants·DateAug 3, 2017

World's smallest neutrino detector finds big physics fingerprint

The COHERENT experiment, using the world's smallest neutrino detector, has found a compelling evidence for a neutrino interaction process predicted by theorists 43 years ago. The researchers detected coherent elastic scattering of low-energy neutrinos off nuclei, which is a long-sought confirmation in particle physics.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017

NIH awards grant for research to advance emergency care

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a grant to advance emergency care in Southern California. The Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), led by LA BioMed, aims to conduct large-scale clinical trials to improve patient outcomes for cardiac arrest, trauma, and other medical emergencies.

SourceLA BioMed·DateAug 3, 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.

Improving students' academic performance -- there's an app for that

A mobile learning app using game elements such as leaderboards and digital badges was found to positively impact student academic performance, engagement, and retention. On average, app users achieved higher marks than non-users, with a 7.03% increase in grades.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education·DateAug 3, 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.

Carbon conversion

A Caltech team has identified a new additive that selectively converts CO2 into fuels containing multiple carbon atoms, including ethylene, ethanol, and propanol. The reaction resulted in an 80% conversion rate, with only 20% going into hydrogen and methane.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalDNA Research·DateAug 3, 2017

First observation of the hyperfine splitting in antihydrogen

Swansea University scientists have made a groundbreaking observation of spectral line shapes in antihydrogen, a key step towards understanding the origin of matter. The team has also precise determined the antihydrogen hyperfine splitting and measured its first transition line shape.

SourceSwansea University·JournalNature·DateAug 3, 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.

Research into childhood obstructive sleep-disordered breathing examined

A comprehensive review of published research on childhood obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) identified key findings on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Despite an increase in studies, there remains a need for holistic approaches to research, including more health service delivery, outcomes, and economics-focused research.

SourceElsevier·DateAug 3, 2017

NIH scientists track Zika virus transmission in mice

Researchers have developed a mouse model to study Zika virus transmission, finding that the virus can be transmitted sexually from males to females and vertically from pregnant women to their fetuses. The study suggests that the placenta may be a key barrier in preventing Zika virus infection of the fetus.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 3, 2017

Fat shaming in the doctor's office can be mentally and physically harmful

Research by American Psychological Association highlights the negative impact of fat shaming on patients' physical health and well-being. Studies show that overweight individuals may receive inadequate medical treatment, including under-dosing of antibiotics and chemotherapy, due to weight-based assumptions.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 3, 2017

Animals have it all over us when it comes to color

Animals use color in diverse ways, including for reproduction and predator-prey interactions, with species-specific purposes in mind. Mantis shrimp have four times as many colour receptors as humans, allowing them to perceive ultraviolet light.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017

Skin-ditching gecko inexplicably leaves body armor behind when threatened

A new study reveals that fish-scale geckos have a hidden strength in their fragile skin, containing bony deposits known as osteoderms. The geckos' ability to drop their skin as a defense mechanism is paradoxically paired with the presence of armor-like osteoderms.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalAfrican Journal of Herpetology·DateAug 3, 2017
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.