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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 210


Page 210 of 461

Scientists seek to engineer chatter among cells

Researchers at Rice University and the University of Houston are developing mathematical models to understand how cells in large colonies of bacteria communicate with each other. Their goal is to design colonies that can perform computations and make sophisticated decisions, mimicking the ability of tissues to maintain homeostasis.

SourceRice University·DateJul 20, 2017

Researchers discover how CRISPR proteins find their target

Researchers discovered how Cas1-Cas2 proteins insert viral DNA into CRISPR region by relying on flexible Cas1 protein, IHF binding, and DNA bending, allowing proper storage of 'memories' of prior viral infections. This finding opens doors for modification of the proteins to redirect them to other sequences.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJul 20, 2017

3-D imaging of surface chemistry in confinement

Researchers at EPFL's Laboratory for Fundamental BioPhotonics have developed a microscope that can track three-dimensional spatial changes in molecular structure and chemistry of confined systems. The study reveals a remarkable spread in surface reactivity, even on small portions of a capillary, shedding light on the chemical reactivit...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJul 20, 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.

Study finds gene variant increases risk for depression

A University of Central Florida study found that individuals with the Apolipoprotein-E4 gene variant have a 20% greater chance of developing clinically significant depressive symptoms. The research suggests that both ApoE4 and poor vascular health independently increase depression risk, not a compounded effect.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateJul 20, 2017

Our brains synchronise during a conversation

Researchers found that brainwaves between conversational partners match each other in a study published in Scientific Reports. This interbrain synchrony may be key to understanding language and social interactions.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 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.

Lorenz Studer awarded the 2017 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize

Lorenz Studer, a renowned stem cell biologist, has been awarded the prestigious Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize for his groundbreaking research on cellular reprogramming and human induced pluripotent stem cells. His work has advanced the therapeutic potential of stem cell-based therapies in Parkinson's disease.

SourceGladstone Institutes·DateJul 20, 2017

Team traces masculinization in mice to estrogen receptor in inhibitory neurons

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified the specific hormone receptors and brain regions responsible for masculinization in mice. The study found that estrogen receptor alpha is essential in inhibitory neurons for male sexual and aggressive behaviors to emerge, while deleting it had no impact on excitatory neurons.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalHormones and Behavior·DateJul 19, 2017

Holograms taken to new dimension

Researchers have developed a new technology to create inexpensive full-color 2-D and 3-D holograms that are far more realistic, brighter and can be viewed at wider angles than current holograms. The applications for this technology could be wide-ranging, from currency and identification badges to amusement rides and advertisements.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2017

Many men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is common in men with diabetes, affecting over half of cases, according to a review of 145 studies involving 88,577 men. Clinicians should routinely screen for ED in diabetic men, as both conditions increase cardiovascular risks.

SourceWiley·JournalDiabetic Medicine·DateJul 19, 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.

Kakadu find confirms earliest Australian occupation

A team of archaeologists has confirmed the existence of Aboriginal people in Australia for at least 65,000 years, significantly earlier than previously believed. The discovery reveals a sophisticated toolkit and evidence of ochre processing techniques, shedding new light on local customs and lifestyle.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2017

Are magnets the secret to Elastigirl's powers?

Nebraska physicist Christian Binek discovered a formula that links magnetism to elasticity and temperature. This finding may enable engineers to design materials with tailored elasticity by manipulating magnetic properties or applying external fields.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·DateJul 19, 2017

Shark scavenging helps reveal clues about human remains

Researchers analyzed shark scavenging behavior to identify marks on human bones, distinguishing them from terrestrial carnivore marks. The study found that shark teeth leave striations, while terrestrial carnivores leave puncture-like marks, providing valuable clues for forensic anthropologists.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences·DateJul 19, 2017

High-tech sensing illuminates concrete stress testing

University of Leeds scientists have discovered a way to measure the strength of modern concrete forms using light-refracting coatings. The birefringent coating displays stress positions, allowing researchers to assess concrete toughness against fractures with high precision.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2017

Engineered liver tissue expands after transplant

Researchers have developed a way to engineer liver tissue by organizing tiny subunits that contain three types of cells embedded into a biodegradable scaffold. The engineered livers expanded 50-fold after implantation in mice with damaged livers and performed normal liver functions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 19, 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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study: Supreme Court decision complicates prosecuting child abusers

A recent national survey of over 200 prosecutors found that the Supreme Court's 2004 decision in Crawford v. Washington has had a limited impact on prosecuting child abuse cases. Nearly 42% of prosecutors reported that the need for child testimony and prosecutions decreased, while insufficient physical evidence was the primary reason f...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·DateJul 19, 2017

Scientists shed light on carbon's descent into the deep Earth

Researchers studied iron carbonate under extreme conditions to understand the deep Earth's carbon cycle and its role in global warming. They found unprecedented structural stability of a tetracarbonate phase at high pressures, suggesting self-oxidation-reduction reactions can preserve carbonates in the lower mantle.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 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.

New harmless radiopaque glue to seal bleeding and guide surgery

Researchers developed a nanoparticle-based adhesive that exhibits imaging contrast effect in CT and ultrasound, is biocompatible, and ensures accurate target localization during movement. The new glue has shown less toxicity than FDA-approved options and was successfully tested in animal models for various surgical procedures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2017

Major communication gaps between doctors and home health care nurses revealed

A study by CU Anschutz researchers found serious communication challenges between HHC agencies and physicians following hospital discharge, citing medication list discrepancies, confusion over who wrote patient care orders, and inaccessible hospital records. Improvements in accountability and communication could address these issues an...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 19, 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.

UK Biobank partners with the EGA

The UK Biobank is distributing its 500,000-person dataset via the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA), a resource developed by EMBL-EBI and CRG in Barcelona. This move aims to enable researchers to study human disease causes with maximum efficiency.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute·DateJul 19, 2017

UBC researchers test 3-D-printed water quality sensor

Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus have designed a tiny device that can monitor drinking water quality in real-time, helping protect against waterborne illness. The miniaturized sensors are cheap to make, operate continuously, and can be deployed anywhere in the water distribution system.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalSensors·DateJul 19, 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.

How poverty may affect children's behavior

Research found that high-quality parenting reduces disruptive behavior and improves teacher-child relationships in children experiencing homelessness. However, severe poverty may overwhelm parenting's benefits, highlighting the need for interventions targeting both poverty-related risk and child resilience.

SourceWiley·JournalChild Development·DateJul 19, 2017

New treatment guidelines for pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS/PANDAS)

A comprehensive treatment framework is presented to guide the management of children with PANS/PANDAS, focusing on psychiatric interventions, infection prevention, and immunomodulatory therapies. The guidelines aim to improve symptom relief, functioning, and adherence to therapeutic interventions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·DateJul 19, 2017

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles can exacerbate colitis

Researchers found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can increase inflammation and damage to the intestinal mucosa in mice with colitis. Patients with colitis are recommended to avoid foods containing E171, a food additive made from titanium dioxide.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGut·DateJul 19, 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.

Evidence of the Higgs particle's decay in quarks

The study confirms the predicted decay of the Higgs particle into quarks, with a probability of 60% and a signal rate exceeding statistical significance. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the particle's properties and potential deviations from Standard Model predictions.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·DateJul 19, 2017

Sea temperature changes contributing to droughts

A study analyzing sea surface temperatures from 1957-2002 found that fluctuations contributed to persistent droughts in North America and the Mediterranean. The researchers showed that increased variability in ocean temperatures correlated with more extreme land temperature anomalies, leading to prolonged droughts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2017

Treated hydraulic fracturing wastewater may pollute area water sources for years

Researchers found high concentrations of contaminants, including endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens, in sediments and pore water. The discharge of oil and gas wastewater impacted water quality on a larger scale than previously thought, with contamination detected as far away as 12 miles downstream from treatment plants.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 19, 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.

No battery, no wire, no problem

Researchers at Harvard University have created battery-free folding robots that can perform complex movements using wireless magnetic fields and shape-memory alloy coils. The robots, inspired by origami, use passive electronic components to deliver an electric current, eliminating the need for batteries or wired connections.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Robotics·DateJul 19, 2017

Surprising genetic variety in childhood brain cancer

Researchers have identified a wide genetic variety in medulloblastoma, the most common type of childhood brain cancer. This discovery could lead to more precise subgroups and individualized treatments, improving curative chances and reducing side effects.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2017

Hitting the bull's eye on crop nutrient requirements

Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a method to match crop nitrogen requirements with a precision of 10-20 kg N/ha. This method uses a reference curve based on comparisons of leaf area and leaf reflectance at different light wavelengths, allowing for more accurate nitrogen application and reducing agricultural emissions.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEuropean Journal of Agronomy·DateJul 19, 2017

Cornell researchers uncover fresh role for nitric oxide

A new study by Cornell University chemists reveals a critical step in the nitrification process where nitric oxide acts as a chemical prelude to nitrite. This discovery could lead to more efficient fertilization practices and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 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.

A uranium-based compound improves manufacturing of nitrogen products

Researchers at EPFL have developed a uranium-based compound that enables nitrogen fixation to occur in ambient conditions, paving the way for more efficient catalysts and new concepts for metals beyond uranium. This breakthrough has significant implications for the production of ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2017

Why are dogs such doting companions? It's in their genes

Researchers at Oregon State University identified a genetic marker linked to Williams-Beuren syndrome, a disorder characterized by hypersocial behavior. The study found domesticated dogs exhibit an exaggerated motivation to seek social contact compared to wolves, leading to prolonged proximity and gazing at humans.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 19, 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.

Manipulating electron spins without loss of information

Researchers from the University of Basel create a chip that maintains and transmits electron spin information over large distances using electrical voltages. The technique overcomes spin decay, allowing for targeted spin manipulation without information loss.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJul 19, 2017

Imaging of Scar Tissue Formation

Researchers have created a new gadolinium-based probe for noninvasive monitoring of lung fibrogenesis, which can lead to scarring. The probe targets allysine, an amino acid indicative of active collagen cross-linking, and displays high target selectivity in both test tube and real mouse models.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 19, 2017

Antiaromatic molecule displays record electrical conductance

Researchers have discovered an organic material with record-high electrical conductance, exceeding that of traditional metals and semiconductors. The antiaromatic molecule displays superior conductivity due to its unique electronic structure, which allows it to efficiently transport electrons.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 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.

Jefferson researchers identify new target for chronic pain

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a novel way phosphorylation affects protein function and localization, leading to increased pain sensitivity. The study offers a new target for developing alternative pain medications and provides a tool for studying synaptic development and pathology.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 19, 2017

Is bone strength hereditary?

A new study suggests bone strength is hereditary, with its genetic determinants similar to those affecting bone mineral density. This discovery has implications for understanding fracture risk and developing prevention strategies.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJul 19, 2017