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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 193


Page 193 of 461

The truth about cats' and dogs' environmental impact

A UCLA researcher calculates that feeding pets contributes to climate change, with dogs and cats responsible for 25-30% of meat consumption's environmental impact in the US. The nation's 163 million dogs and cats eat about 19% as many calories as humans, with premium pet foods often containing more animal products.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2017

Twenty-three ASTRO members awarded Fellows designation

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 23 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow designation. These individuals have made significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology in research, education, patient care, or service and leadership.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateAug 2, 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.

Students at 2-year colleges and vocational schools more likely to be hungry

A recent study finds that nearly one in five two-year college students live in food-insecure households, with 21% experiencing food insecurity. The study suggests that extending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to these students could help alleviate hunger and improve outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·DateAug 2, 2017

Millions may face protein deficiency as a result of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that rising CO2 levels may lead to a decline in the nutritional value of staple crops, increasing the risk of dietary deficiencies among vulnerable populations. The study estimates that up to 150 million people may be at risk of protein deficiency due to elevated CO2 levels.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 2, 2017

Where there's fire, there's smoke -- and social media

A Colorado State University study shows a strong correlation between Facebook posts about visible smoke and commonly used datasets for estimating smoke exposure. The researchers found that Facebook was a better tool than satellite data in pinpointing smoke exposure, with daily maps of Facebook posts matching standard smoke monitoring s...

SourceColorado State University·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateAug 2, 2017

Good cellular neighbors combat incipient cancers

Healthy skin cells have been found to actively correct tissue flaws created by cancerous cells, eliminating tumors in mouse models. The study highlights the importance of normal cells in maintaining tissue health and functionality.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 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.

CAREFOR calls on EU to safeguard independent academic research

Leading European organisations call on EU to increase funding and legislation for independent academic research in oncology. This approach aims to optimise knowledge development, accelerate commercial drug development, and improve access for patients.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalESMO Open·DateAug 2, 2017

NASA keeps an eye on Typhoon Noru

Typhoon Noru formed on July 21 and has been tracked by NASA's Aqua satellite since August 2. The storm is currently located near 25.9 degrees north latitude and 135.9 degrees east longitude, moving northwest at 6 knots with maximum sustained winds of 100 knots.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 2, 2017

Condemned prisoners prefer formalwear at executions, UC study finds

A UC study analyzed newspaper accounts of executions from 1800 to 1965, finding that condemned prisoners often wore formal attire, including suits, shaven faces, and adorned clothing. This choice reflected a desire for dignity and respectability in their final moments, as well as resistance against the state's authority.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 2, 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.

A Braf kinase-inactive mutant induces lung adenocarcinoma

Researchers found that a kinase-inactive Braf mutant triggers lung adenocarcinoma in mice, and co-expression of oncogenic Kras enhances tumor initiation. Additionally, individual Braf inactivating mutations are also oncogenic events. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer patients with hypoactive BRAF.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

Weighing the benefits of incidental habitat protection

Research suggests that land protected by regulation lacks adequate space for animals to roam, while land acquired for conservation provides better habitat. However, the study's findings indicate that incidental protection regulations can still have a positive impact on biodiversity.

SourceEcological Society of America·DateAug 2, 2017

Marriage of microscopy techniques reveals 3-D structure of critical protein complex

Researchers at the Stowers Institute have solved the three-dimensional structure of the synaptonemal complex, a critical protein complex that ensures proper chromosome sorting during meiosis. The structure is composed of two railroad tracks stacked on top of each other, connecting homologous chromosomes and ensuring smooth cell division.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tracking down allergy-causing T helper cells

Researchers have pinpointed a specific subset of immune cells, known as TH2 subset or type 2 "helper" T cells, which are central to allergies. The identified cells, dubbed TH2A, were found to produce multiple inflammatory signaling molecules and unique gene expression patterns that drive allergic responses.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 2, 2017

New method may help predict risk of bleeding after stroke

A new scoring method developed by researchers can help identify individuals at high risk of serious bleeding after a stroke. The score is based on ten factors, including age, sex, smoking, and prior strokes, and ranges from 2% for low-risk individuals to over 10% for those aged 75-85 with multiple risk factors.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeuromodulation Technology at the Neural Interface·DateAug 2, 2017

Financial incentives could conserve tropical forest diversity

A study by University of Missouri researchers found that conservation payment programs in Ecuador's Amazon Basin forests reduced deforestation and maintained biodiversity. The protected areas had twice the number of species of commercial timber value and at risk of extinction compared to non-protected forests.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Economics·DateAug 2, 2017

From a memory too strong to a memory too weak

Researchers at the University Medical Center Goettingen identified a molecular link between PTSD and Alzheimer's disease, specifically Formin 2. Formin 2 mutant mice show PTSD phenotypes at an early age and develop age-related memory decline.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateAug 2, 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.

$2.6 million to build versatile genetic toolkit for studying animal behavior

A team of researchers has developed a simplified genetic toolkit to test hypotheses about the neural underpinnings of behavior in animals. The toolbox allows scientists to easily tailor the approach for any purpose and any species, overcoming limitations in traditional model organisms like fruit flies and mice.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateAug 2, 2017

Trapdoor spiders crossed Indian Ocean to get to Australia

A team of researchers found that the Kangaroo Island trapdoor spider belongs to a genus only found in South Africa, but migrated to Australia across the Indian Ocean. The study suggests that the spiders used land 'rafts' to cross the ocean, rewriting the history of arachnid dispersal.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2017

Heat-conducting plastic could lead to lighter electronics, cars

A new technique can change plastic's molecular structure to help it dissipate heat more efficiently, making it suitable for applications like vehicles, LEDs, and computers. The process is inexpensive and scalable, and preliminary tests show a polymer with thermally conductive properties similar to glass.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 2, 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.

'Perfect liquid' quark-gluon plasma is the most vortical fluid

Researchers have discovered that quark-gluon plasma has the highest vorticity ever recorded, surpassing even the fastest spinning fluids. The findings provide new insights into the properties of this primordial soup and may help scientists understand the strongest force in nature.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

The nitty-gritty behind how onions make you cry

Researchers determined the crystal structure of a key enzyme in onion cells and developed a chemical mechanism explaining LF synthesis. The discovery reveals why people tear up when chopping onions, shedding light on this common culinary conundrum.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateAug 2, 2017

Ebola detected in semen of survivors two years after infection

Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care found that Ebola virus RNA can persist in the semen of survivors for more than two years after infection. This persistence has important implications for transmission and may require an update to World Health Organization guidelines.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateAug 2, 2017

Risk to Europe's most dangerous pathogens revealed

Climate change may exacerbate epidemics and spread diseases within their natural range, according to a new study on European pathogens. Nearly two-thirds of the top 100 human and animal pathogens are found to be sensitive to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 2, 2017

Cockroach gardeners: Spreading plant seeds across the forest floor

Researchers discovered that cockroaches play a crucial role in seed dispersal for the azalea family plant Monotropastrum humile. The study found that adult cockroaches excrete viable seeds with minimal loss of viability, suggesting a legitimate seed disperser for the plant.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalBotanical Journal of the Linnean Society·DateAug 2, 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.

An end to cavities for people with sensitive teeth?

Researchers develop a new material with nanohydroxyapatite and green tea polyphenol EGCG to combat tooth sensitivity. The material plugged dentin tubules, released EGCG for 96 hours, and prevented biofilm formation, showing low toxicity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 2, 2017

Increasing productivity by one day each month

A recent study shows that corporate wellness programs can significantly increase worker productivity, with participants showing a 6-11% gain in productivity. The program's benefits include improved employee motivation and capabilities due to physical and mental wellness improvements.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateAug 2, 2017

Researchers designing an instrument to identify uranium, atoms at a time

A new instrument capable of detecting trace amounts of uranium and other materials will be designed, supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Nuclear Forensics Research Award program. The instrument will allow for nanoscale imaging of isotopic content in solid samples, with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution.

SourceColorado State University·DateAug 2, 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.

'Sherlock' and the case of narrative perception

The study found that brain activity in regions called the default mode network represent a kind of higher-level processing, building up representations of what's happening in the world around us. Participants who had previously watched the 'Sherlock' episode could anticipate events and recall them in the same order, suggesting that chu...

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateAug 2, 2017

Getting therapeutic sound waves through thick skulls

A team of researchers from UCR developed a ceramic skull implant that allows doctors to deliver therapeutic sound waves into the brain. The material, made of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia, is biocompatible and shatter-resistant, making it ideal for implants.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateAug 2, 2017

Hubble detects exoplanet with glowing water atmosphere

Scientists have found a stratosphere on an enormous gas giant exoplanet WASP-121b with an atmosphere hot enough to boil iron. The discovery was made using spectroscopy to analyze the planet's brightness at different wavelengths of light, revealing glowing water molecules.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

Running out of gas: Gas loss puts brakes on stellar baby boom

The study found that gas-rich galaxies in a cluster are located in the outer part of the cluster. This is the first time such a location differentiation has been observed in a galaxy cluster. The researchers believe that gas loss prevents star formation, leading to a decline in stellar birthrate over time.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 2, 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.

A dolphin diet

Marine biologists analyzed three dolphin species' diets, revealing overlap in feeding ecology despite differences in hunting strategies. The research provides valuable insights for conservation and management of dolphin populations worldwide.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2017

Ancient DNA reveals origins of the Minoans and Mycenaeans

The study analyzed genome-wide data from 19 individuals and found that the Minoans descended primarily from Neolithic Western Anatolia and Greece. Modern Greeks are genetically closely related to the Mycenaeans, indicating a large degree of population continuity in Greece.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

Cicada wings may inspire new surface technologies

Researchers studied cicada wings to understand their water-repelling ability, discovering that habitat is not a good predictor of superhydrophobicity. The team found that life cycles and species relatedness are better predictors of this extreme water-repelling ability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 2, 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.

What flowers looked like 100 million years ago

A new study reconstructs the evolution of flowers and sheds light on what the earliest flowers might have looked like. The ancestral flower was bisexual, with both female and male parts, and multiple whorls of petal-like organs. This new model offers a plausible scenario to explain the spectacular diversity of floral forms.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 2, 2017

Update on the Larsen-C iceberg breakaway

The largest remaining ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula has lost 10% of its area after a giant iceberg four times the size of London broke free. Dr Anna Hogg and Dr Hilmar Gudmundsson tracked the iceberg using satellite technology, revealing that it has started to drift away from the Larsen-C and formed smaller icebergs.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 2, 2017

Prescription opioids often go unused after surgery

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that more than two-thirds of patients reported unused prescription opioids after surgery, highlighting an important source for nonmedical use. The study also revealed low rates of safe storage and disposal practices, contributing to opioid-related injuries and deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 2, 2017

Scientists deliver knockout blow to multiple cancers

Research funded by Cancer Research UK identified NOX4 as a common mechanism responsible for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) formation in tumours. Targeting this enzyme could lead to new treatments and improve existing therapies.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 2, 2017
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.

Microscopic body snatchers infest our oceans

Research reveals 'bodysnatchers' of the ocean, mixotrophs that enslave prey to acquire photosynthetic capability, have a significant impact on the food-web. These single-celled organisms support fisheries while others can be highly toxic.

SourceSwansea University·DateAug 2, 2017

Anthrax: A hidden threat to wildlife in the tropics

Researchers discovered anthrax prevalent among Taï National Park's mammal carcasses, killing 31 of 55 chimps. The disease poses a significant threat to endangered species and emphasizes the need for long-term infectious disease studies.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

Software helps industry to design lighter, more efficient parts

Virtual.Pyxis software enables designers to create stronger and more versatile parts while shortening lead time and development cost. It can process a larger number of variables and constraints at a lower cost than commercially available programs.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateAug 2, 2017
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.

Risk of a fatty heart linked to race, type of weight gain in middle-aged women

Research finds that black women who gain fat around their midsection are more likely to accumulate heart fat, while white women's risk increases when they gain weight overall. The study, which analyzed data from over 500 women, suggests that excess abdominal fat is a greater threat for both black men and women.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalMenopause·DateAug 2, 2017

Species richness -- a false friend?

Researchers propose a new approach to evaluating biodiversity, focusing on species migration and abundance within ecosystems. By analyzing these dynamics, experts can better understand ecosystem responses to environmental changes and develop more effective conservation strategies.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateAug 2, 2017

Exposure to toxins in e-cig vapor varies depending on scenario

Researchers found that e-liquid and vaping device variations can lead to high toxin levels, exceeding occupational limits for acrolein, formaldehyde, and diacetyl. Typical use scenarios result in lower toxicity compared to secondhand tobacco smoke.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 2, 2017

Secrets of ancient Irish funeral practices revealed

Researchers analyzed human remains from 40 individuals at a 5000-year-old passage tomb complex, revealing evidence of dismemberment and cremation. The study suggests that the ancient Irish had a complex burial rite involving 'deconstruction' of the body to aid soul transition.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalBioarchaeology International·DateAug 2, 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.