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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 200


Page 200 of 461
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.

Scientists block evolution's molecular nerve pruning in rodents

Researchers found that blocking molecular nerve pruning in mice enhanced manual dexterity and allowed them to grab and eat food faster than wild-type mice. The study identified a protein called PlexA1, which controls the formation of long nerves and fine motor skills.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience·DateJul 27, 2017

Scientists embark on expedition to submerged continent Zealandia

Researchers will drill into the seafloor of Zealandia, examining a shift in plate movement that occurred 50 million years ago. The expedition aims to understand the timing and causes of this change, which led to the development of new volcanoes and changes in ocean circulation patterns.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateJul 27, 2017

New method promises easier nanoscale manufacturing

Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered a new way to precisely pattern nanomaterials, enabling the creation of complex structures and paving the way for next-generation electronics. The DOLFIN technology makes it possible to mass-produce nanomaterials directly into usable devices.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateJul 27, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Who were the Canaanites? Ancient human DNA evidence yields answers

Researchers sequenced ancient Canaanite genomes, finding that the people living in modern-day Lebanon are likely direct descendants of the Canaanites. The study also suggests substantial genetic continuity in the region since the Bronze Age, agreeing with archaeological records.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJul 27, 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.

DREAMers at greater risk for mental health distress

A study from Rice University found that Mexican immigrants living in the US without proper documentation are at high risk of psychological distress. The survey revealed that respondents aged 18-25 were most likely to exhibit distress, citing loss of home, social status, and family as reasons for their mental health issues.

SourceRice University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 27, 2017

Should we be worried about hepatitis E?

Scientists are noticing a shift from hepatitis E as only a disease of the poor to one that can also affect affluent people in developed world settings. The virus is re-emerging as zoonotic, with transmission linked to pork products and environmental contamination.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalJournal of Clinical Virology·DateJul 27, 2017

Navy awards UA aerospace engineers nearly $2 million for hypersonic research

The University of Arizona has received a nearly $2 million award from the Office of Naval Research to study problems of instability and materials failure for aircraft and missiles flying at hypersonic speeds. Researchers will build two additional wind tunnels to explore laminar-turbulent transition, aerothermodynamic heating, and other...

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateJul 27, 2017

DNA links male, female butterfly thought to be distinct species

A recent DNA study by international researchers found that the female sunburst cerulean-satyr and its male counterpart belong to the same species. The discovery corrects a classification error made in 1911 and sheds light on true species diversity of Neotropical butterflies.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalInsect Systematics & Evolution·DateJul 27, 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.

Could insufficient sleep be adding centimeters to your waistline?

A new study by the University of Leeds found that insufficient sleep can lead to weight gain and poorer metabolic health in UK adults. The research, which looked at over 1,600 participants, showed a significant association between short sleep duration and increased waist circumference.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 27, 2017

Research finds increased risk of dementia in patients who experience delirium after surgery

A recent study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia has found that delirium after surgery is associated with a significant increase in dementia risk in elderly patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 patients and found that those who developed postoperative delirium were three times more likely to suffer permanen...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·DateJul 27, 2017

Which type of cell to become: Decision through indecision

Researchers found that cell fate decision is not a unique programmed event, but rather the outcome of a dynamic process where cells explore different molecular possibilities before reaching a stable state. This process is reminiscent of trial-and-error learning and highlights the complexity of human hematopoietic cell fate commitment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 27, 2017

BTI receives DARPA 'Insect Allies' Award

Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have received a four-year DARPA award to develop insect-vectored viruses for disease-resistant maize. The project, titled Viruses and Insects as Plant Enhancement Resources (VIPER), aims to engineer genes into maize that can help combat disease, drought, and other yield-reducing stresses.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·DateJul 27, 2017

Negative birth outcomes linked to air pollution exposure early in pregnancy, study finds

Exposure to air pollution during the first two trimesters of pregnancy has been shown to increase risk for preterm birth and low birth weight. The study's findings also suggest that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can lead to decreased body length, placental weight, and anogenital distance.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 27, 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.

Cancer-death button gets jammed by gut bacterium

Researchers found that Fusobacterium nucleatum in the gut can stop chemotherapy from causing apoptosis, a type of cancer cell death. The bacterium activates autophagy, a cell-survival mechanism that protects cancer cells from destroying themselves.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell·DateJul 27, 2017

Concerns that sleep apnea could impact healthspan

Scientists suspect sleep apnea diminishes healthspan due to its link with age-related diseases, including non-alcoholic liver disease and Alzheimer's, prompting researchers to explore treatment options.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Molecular Medicine·DateJul 27, 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.

Even babies can tell who's the boss, UW research says

Researchers at the University of Washington found that toddlers as young as 17 months old can recognize dominant individuals and anticipate them receiving more rewards. The study used puppets to test toddlers' reactions to different social scenarios, revealing their expectation that dominant individuals receive more resources.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCognition·DateJul 27, 2017

Seeing more with PET scans: New chemistry for medical imaging

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have developed a new mechanism to attach radioactive fluorine atoms to chemical compounds, expanding medical imaging capabilities. This breakthrough enables the creation of new 'radiotracers' for PET scans, which can aid in detecting cancers and understanding biological pathways.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 27, 2017

Food banks respond to hunger needs in rural America

A recent study by the University of Illinois reveals that food insecurity exists in rural areas, and Feeding America's food banks are effectively reaching these communities. Despite the presence of food assistance programs, the social and economic conditions in rural areas have not improved significantly.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateJul 27, 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.

Astrophysicists map out the light energy contained within the Milky Way

A team of scientists has calculated the distribution of all light energy contained within the Milky Way, providing insight into galaxy formation and stellar processes. The research shows how stellar photons control gamma-ray production in the Universe.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 27, 2017

Using tweets to decrypt the personality of Donald Trump and other powerful people

A QUT-led study analyzing the tweets of influential business leaders, including President Trump, reveals a unique 'emotionally unstable innovator' personality. The researchers found that Trump's personality profile is distinct from other superstar entrepreneurs and CEOs, with traits such as high neuroticism and low agreeableness.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalSmall Business Economics·DateJul 27, 2017

Drug improves brain performance in Rett syndrome mice

Researchers found a small-molecule drug improves synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and object location memory in Rett syndrome mice. The treatment also restored general locomotor activity to normal levels, offering hope for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateJul 27, 2017

Ultracold molecules hold promise for quantum computing

Researchers at MIT have successfully created a platform to store and process quantum information using ultracold molecules, which can retain their information for hundreds of times longer than previously achieved. The breakthrough could enable thousands of quantum computations in sequence within a second of coherence.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 27, 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.

Study: Very preterm birth not associated with mood, anxiety disorders

A large-scale study of nearly 400 individuals from birth to adulthood found no increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders among those born very preterm or at low birth weight. Social support from romantic partners plays a crucial role in preventing mental health issues.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 27, 2017

Blocking the back-door that cancer cells use to escape death by radiotherapy

A recent University of Alberta study found that irradiation of breast fat can trigger an inflammatory response in cancer patients, enabling cancer cells to survive. The research team is developing an experimental autotaxin inhibitor to counteract this effect and improve radiotherapy's effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 27, 2017

Child abuse and neglect linked to gender inequality

Researchers found a significant association between gender inequity and increased child physical abuse and neglect. The study analyzed data from 57 countries and found that higher scores on measures of discrimination against women were linked to higher rates of child maltreatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Family Violence·DateJul 27, 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.

Simulations signal early success for fractal-based retinal implants

Researchers at the University of Oregon have made significant progress in developing fractal-based retinal implants that could potentially restore vision to people with macular degeneration. The implants use fractal geometry to stimulate retinal neurons, achieving a 90% increase in neuron stimulation while using less voltage.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2017

Heavy metals in water meet their match

Developed by Swansea University and Rice University, the filter removes toxic heavy metals from water using carbon nanotubes immobilized in quartz fiber. The filters can be reused after washing with vinegar and are capable of treating large amounts of contaminated water.

SourceSwansea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2017

Hostage situation or harmony? Researchers rethink symbiosis

A new study reveals that certain microorganisms in symbiotic relationships are constantly being replaced and discarded by their hosts. The researchers found that the genome of these microorganisms undergoes significant changes, losing genes over time and ceasing to be useful to the host.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 27, 2017

Community bias predicts police use of lethal force

A study found that racial biases in communities predict police use of lethal force, with implicit biases toward Blacks being a primary predictor. The research analyzed data from over 2 million residents across the US and found Black people were more likely to be killed by police in areas with stronger regional biases.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJul 27, 2017

The Danish reference genome

The Danish Reference genome is a groundbreaking achievement in genomics, allowing for the analysis of previously untractable regions and mapping non-simple variation among individuals. This breakthrough increases understanding of genetic differences affecting health and disease, paving the way for precision medicine.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 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.

Do we need separate his and hers medicine cabinets?

Researchers found that testosterone reduces the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs in men, increasing prostaglandins and promoting inflammatory reactions. This discovery supports the need for gender-specific medicine, suggesting that treatment may require separate 'his' and 'hers' medicine cabinets.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 26, 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.

Compound shows promise in treating melanoma

Researchers at Penn State have developed a compound that inhibits tumor growth by 69% in a mouse model and killed human melanoma cells. The compound targets the Akt1 pathway and human topoisomerase IIα activity, contributing to melanoma tumor growth.

SourcePenn State·JournalEuropean Journal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateJul 26, 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.

Researchers develop model to predict and prevent power outages using big data

Texas A&M University researchers have developed a predictive model that can identify potential vulnerabilities in electric grids and predict weather hazards. The model uses historical and close-to-real-time data to analyze the impact of these factors on power system outages, enabling utility companies to take proactive measures.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Smart Grid·DateJul 26, 2017

Bringing deep learning to big screen animation

Researchers developed a deep learning model to remove noise from computer-generated images, enabling production-quality rendering at higher speeds. The technology, tested with millions of examples from films like Finding Dory and Cars 3, successfully preserved detail in scenes while removing unwanted artifacts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateJul 26, 2017

Scientists regenerate retinal cells in mice in UW Medicine-led study

Researchers successfully regenerated functioning retinal cells in adult mice using the Ascl1 gene, a breakthrough that could lead to treatments for retinal damage caused by trauma, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. The discovery builds on previous research in zebrafish, which have a remarkable ability to regenerate damaged tissue.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 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.

Involvement of prescription opioids in fatal car crashes climbs sevenfold

A study found a significant increase in prescription opioid involvement in fatal car crashes between 1995 and 2015. The prevalence of prescription opioids among fatally injured drivers rose from 1% to over 7%, with higher rates in female drivers.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 26, 2017