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Science News Archive 2017


Page 20 of 461

Quality control is vital for the energy production of cells

Scientists have discovered a vital quality control mechanism in mitochondria, crucial for constructing a functional respiratory chain. A faulty enzyme can attach incorrect amino acids to transfer RNA, leading to protein synthesis errors and hereditary diseases.

Dr. Peii Chen awarded NIDILRR grant for stroke research at Kessler Foundation

Dr. Peii Chen has been awarded a $600,000 NIDILRR grant to develop a Virtual Reality Spatial Retraining Therapy (VR-SRT) System to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spatial neglect after stroke. The therapy aims to be accessible, affordable and flexible, enabling more stroke survivors to access treatment.

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.

How Zika virus induces congenital microcephaly

An international team of researchers identified a specific mechanism leading to Zika virus-associated microcephaly, involving protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This triggers the unfolded protein response, promoting apoptosis in neuronal cells and reducing cortical neuron development.

Sex determination using tooth enamel

Researchers developed a method to determine human sex from tooth enamel using peptides. The approach successfully identified sex chromosome-linked isoforms of amelogenin, an enzyme-forming protein, from acid-etched samples, confirming sex in archaeological and legal contexts.

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.

Presurgical imaging may predict whether epilepsy surgery will work

Rice University statisticians developed a method to integrate neuroimaging scans to identify patients at high risk of continued seizures before surgery. The study found a subgroup with 5.8 times greater odds of postoperative seizures due to differences in brain networks.

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.

Insights on how SHARPIN promotes cancer progression

Researchers found that SHARPIN increases PRMT5 activity, boosting transcription factors that contribute to melanoma growth. SHARPIN acts as a counterbalance to reduced PRMT5 activity in tumors with deleted genes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Disagreements can be a healthy antidote for biases

Research suggests that actively disagreeing with statements can lead to reduced bias. By prompting people to question their assumptions, individuals become more skeptical of their initial preferences. This counter-arguing mindset is essential for creating a healthier perspective.

Scientists urge endangered listing for cheetahs

A comprehensive study published in PeerJ reveals the cheetah's precarious situation in southern Africa, with only 3,577 adult cheetahs estimated to exist. The research identifies two habitats that support a majority of individuals and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these majestic predators.

New research links brain structure with hallucinations and musical aptitude

A study published in Schizophrenia Research found a positive association between corpus callosum integrity and musical aptitude, while reduced integrity was linked to hallucination proneness. Researchers suggest that musical training could potentially counteract an individual's predisposition to hallucinations.

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.

Researchers examine how errors affect credibility of online reviews

Researchers found that consumers with high levels of trust view misspellings as 'errors of knowledge', while those with low trust see them as indicative of careless writing. Consumers also react differently to typos, viewing typographical errors as signaling a lack of conscientiousness.

Researchers peer under the hoods of neural networks

Researchers used a newly developed interpretive technique to analyze neural networks trained for machine translation and speech recognition. They found that lower-level tasks, such as sound recognition or part-of-speech recognition, are prioritized before higher-level tasks like transcription or semantic interpretation.

PUMA pathway is a weak link in breast cancer metastasis

Researchers found that low PUMA expression distinguishes stem-like cells in cancer patients who experienced tumor recurrence. Reducing PUMA restores metastasis in cultured cells, highlighting a possible Achilles heel in aggressive breast cancers.

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.

Stable quantum bits

Scientists from Konstanz, Princeton and Maryland successfully created a stable quantum gate for two-quantum bit systems using silicon. The research demonstrates the ability to control and read out the interaction of two quantum bits with high fidelity, paving the way for more efficient quantum computers.

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.

Reductions in individual plant growth sometimes boost community resilience

A study published in Nature Communications found that reduced individual plant growth can benefit overall communities by controlling herbivore populations and indirectly supporting pollinators. This counterintuitive effect helps explain the persistence of some plant communities despite theory predicting their extinction.

Financial incentives may increase breastfeeding rates

A study from the University of Sheffield found that breastfeeding rates increased by six percentage points in areas where a shopping voucher scheme was offered. The scheme provided £120 worth of vouchers for every breastfeeding milestone reached, and saw a 46% uptake among eligible mothers.

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.

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.

New model for Zika developed to aid in testing vaccines and treatments

A new animal model has been developed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute to mimic key features of the Zika virus infection, including lingering presence in bodily fluids. The marmoset model is useful for testing new drugs and vaccines, and may help identify places where transmission can be blocked.

AGU Fall Meeting: New simulations suggest meteors explode from the inside

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which Earth's atmosphere breaks down meteors as they approach the planet. The new finding reveals that air particles penetrating the meteor's porous interior can create pockets of high pressure, ultimately leading to the rock's explosion in the upper atmosphere.

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.

Artificial intelligence and accessible theater for the deaf and blind

A new technology from UC3M's SoftLab research group has made Broadway musical comedies like 'The Addams Family' accessible to over 2 million deaf and blind people in Spain. The system uses augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and audio description to provide a synchronized and immersive experience.

'Smoke rings' in the ocean spotted from space

Ocean researchers discovered 'smoke rings' that can transport small marine life at high speeds across vast distances. These linked eddies are ten times faster than regular ocean currents and were found in the Tasman Sea and South Atlantic.

Appetite-suppressing neurons

Scientists discovered an anorexigenic neural circuit involving medial septal complex and paraventricular hypothalamus projections, associated with reduced nighttime and daytime food intake in mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating eating disorders without inducing maladaptive behaviors.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Searching for the CRISPR Swiss Army knife

Scientists are exploring multi-functional gene-editing technology by analyzing molecular features of Cpf1 and Cas9 proteins. The study reveals the high-resolution structure of these molecular scissors to better understand their working mechanism, including target DNA recognition and cleavage.

Tiny ice losses at Antarctica's fringes can accelerate ice loss far away

Scientists found that thinning small areas of floating ice at Antarctica's coast can trigger accelerated movement of grounded ice hundreds of kilometers inland. The study reveals that warming ocean waters and increased stress on the grounding line can lead to catastrophic ice loss, threatening cities worldwide.

Health warnings on cigarettes could deter young people

A Cancer Research UK study found that health warnings on cigarette packaging can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people trying cigarettes. The study revealed that young people were around three times less likely to want to try cigarettes with a health warning compared to standard cigarettes.

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.

Discovery sets new world standard in nano generators

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new way to produce high-density DC current, vastly improving over existing triboelectric nanogenerators. The discovery enables continuous flow of electricity from nanoscale movement and vibration, opening up potential applications in sensors, wearable devices, and more.

'Man flu' may be real

A Canadian academic investigated the claim of man flu, suggesting adult men have a higher risk of hospital admission and influenza-associated deaths compared to women. Men also exhibit higher rates of complications and mortality from acute respiratory diseases due to their less robust immune system.

Liver cancer: Lipid synthesis promotes tumor formation

Researchers found that mTOR stimulates liver tumor formation through increased lipid synthesis. The study shows how mTORC2 promotes the new synthesis of fatty acids and lipids in hepatocytes, enabling rapid cell growth and energy production.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Internal forces directing cell migration are revealed by live-cell microscopy

A team of scientists used a novel microscope to measure the orientation of integrins on cell surfaces in real-time, revealing that actin flow inside the cell aligns with external forces. The study provides new insights into how cells migrate towards wounds or pathogens, shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms of cellular movement.