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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 260


Page 260 of 461

Male farmers at highest risk of contracting 'monkey malaria' in Malaysia

A new study has identified human factors that could be targeted by elimination interventions for 'monkey malaria', a complex and potentially life-threatening parasite. Adult male farmers in the Sabah region are more likely to contract Plasmodium knowlesi malaria due to their outdoor work on plantations.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJun 9, 2017

It's a breeze: How to harness the power of the wind

Researchers propose a day-ahead economic dispatch model to optimize wind power generation, considering both planned and real-time energy use. The framework successfully predicts optimal models for energy commitment and has been tested in real-world simulations.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 9, 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.

Chemists brought mixed folded proteins to life

Scientists have discovered a way to revive mixed folded proteins by applying an electrostatic interaction between folded or denatured proteins and alumina nanoparticles. This breakthrough could simplify and reduce the production costs of drug proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2017

UNIST engineers robotic device helping stroke survivors recover

A new robotic tool has been introduced for assessing muscle overactivity and movement dysfunction in stroke survivors. The robotic-assisted rehabilitation therapy is expected to improve the mobility of patients surviving a stroke.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateJun 9, 2017

Retina may be sensitive gauge of blast-wave pressure injury

Researchers found long-term retinal injury and inflammation after blast exposure, even without detectable brain damage. The retina may serve as a sensitive indicator of low-level blast injury, helping identify individuals at risk of visual impairment.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 9, 2017

Infants born preterm may lack key lung cells later in life

Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that preterm infants may be more susceptible to lung diseases due to a lack of alveolar type II cells. These cells play a crucial role in rebuilding lung tissue after damage and producing pulmonary surfactant, a vital compound for healthy lungs.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJun 9, 2017

The largest virtual Universe ever simulated

The University of Zurich has simulated a gigantic catalogue of 25 billion virtual galaxies from 2 trillion digital particles using the revolutionary code PKDGRAV3. This simulation will help optimize the observational strategy of the Euclid satellite, which aims to investigate dark matter and dark energy.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalComputational Astrophysics and Cosmology·DateJun 9, 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.

X-ray study reveals way to control molecular vibrations that transmit heat

Researchers at Brookhaven Lab create method to track dynamic molecular features in soft materials, enabling control of vibrational waves and flow of energy. The technique has potential applications in thermal and acoustic insulators, waste heat conversion, and light-mechanical motion.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 8, 2017

Overriding the urge to sleep

Researchers at California Institute of Technology have identified a neural circuit in the brain that controls wakefulness. The discovery could lead to new treatments for insomnia and other sleep disturbances. The study found that stimulating these neurons with light can help overcome tiredness, while silencing them can induce sleep.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2017

Carotid artery gives away human biological age

Researchers developed a new method to predict human biological age using carotid artery data, with a mean absolute error of 6.9 and 5.9 years for healthy individuals. The study used a combination of carotid ultrasound and tonometry data, as well as machine learning algorithms.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·DateJun 8, 2017

Male sexual behavior linked to elevated male sex hormone receptors in muscles of sex-changing fish

Researchers at Georgia State University have discovered a link between male sexual behavior and elevated male sex hormone receptors in the muscles of sex-changing fish. The study found that males express more androgen receptors in the supracarinalis muscle, which is associated with increased rates of courtship and aggressive displays.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 8, 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.

New software tool could help doctors diagnose genetic diseases

A new software tool called Mendel,MD can help doctors analyze patients' genetic data to diagnose diseases caused by mutations. Developed for easy use by physicians, the tool is freely available and has been validated using clinical cases and tests at multiple research centers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 8, 2017

Nanotechnology reveals hidden depths of bacterial 'machines'

Cyanobacteria's protein machines, called carboxysomes, were biochemically purified and visualized using advanced microscopes. They were found to be softer and structurally flexible than previously thought, with implications for designing new nanomaterials and nano-bioreactors.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNanoscale·DateJun 8, 2017

Optical communication using solitons on a photonic chip

A team of researchers from KIT and EPFL used optical silicon nitride micro-resonators to generate continuously circulating solitons, enabling massive parallel data transmission on 179 wavelength channels. The system achieved a record-breaking data rate of over 50 terabits per second.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Developing fetuses react to face-like shapes from the womb

Researchers found that fetuses at 34 weeks gestation turn their heads to look at face-like images, indicating a possible instinctual preference for faces. This discovery suggests that babies' preference for faces begins in the womb and does not require learning or experience after birth.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 8, 2017

Simple tasks don't test brain's true complexity

Neuroscientists propose using nonlinear message-passing and probabilistic models to simulate real-world conditions in the brain. This approach aims to better understand the brain's ability to perform approximate probabilistic inference.

SourceRice University·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2017

Quantum nanoscope

Scientists have developed a technique to capture and slow down light, allowing them to observe the quantum nature of electrons in graphene. This breakthrough could lead to new discoveries in superconductors and topological materials.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2017

Fatherhood factors influence how dads spend time with children

A father's education level and income affect their spending time with children in different ways. Fathers who believe in traditional gender norms participate in less caregiving activities. Researchers found that both structural circumstances and fathers' personal beliefs matter in determining their involvement with children.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Family Issues·DateJun 8, 2017

How the brain recognizes what the eye sees

Researchers analyzed how neurons in V2 respond to natural scenes, discovering three principles: combining edges, cross-orientation suppression, and repeating patterns. This work provides insight into the brain's ability to recognize faces, cars, and other objects.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 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.

Sanitation access linked to children's growth and health

A new study found that sanitation access is crucial for children's growth and health, with households having access to toilets or latrines seeing improved stunting, anemia, and diarrhea rates. Increasing community-level sanitation access can also have a significant impact on child health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJun 8, 2017

Control of material crystallization by agitation

A team at Osaka University found that agitating amorphous materials at a certain frequency accelerates crystallization, indicating a new method for controlling the formation of crystalline materials. The study used colloidal systems to model atomic materials and identified a specific vibrational mode facilitating crystallization.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2017

World's first success in asymmetric borylation of ketones

Researchers at Hokkaido University have successfully developed a method for the catalytic asymmetric borylation of ketones, a breakthrough expected to facilitate the development of new medicines and functional chemicals. The team has identified a suitable catalyst element called chiral NHC complex for efficient reaction with diboron.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 8, 2017

UQ and partners taking computing out of this world

Researchers are developing new approach to computer technology, using mechanical vibrations for computations in aerospace applications. This method makes the computers more robust to radiation exposure and has potential for future commercial impacts.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·DateJun 8, 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.

Research targets PFOA threat to drinking water

Researchers have developed a novel material that rapidly removes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water, achieving concentrations below 10 parts per trillion. The material, made from a networked polymer, has shown greater affinity for PFOA than activated carbon and can be regenerated multiple times.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 8, 2017

Lost your appetite? Try inviting yourself to dinner

Researchers at Nagoya University found that people eat more and rate food as tasting better when eating with a mirror, not just another person. The study suggests a possible approach to improving the appeal of food for older people who frequently eat alone.

SourceNagoya University·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateJun 8, 2017

Pigments by design

Scientists have developed a method to tune the optical and electrical properties of synthetic polymer analogs similar to melanin, a natural pigment affecting skin color. The study reveals that adjusting peptide sequences can produce noticeably different colors, ranging from beige to brown-black.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2017

The art market bubble has burst

The art market price index, compiled by Prof. Roman Kräussl, shows a significant decline in post-war and contemporary art prices, with a 21% drop in 2016. This confirms a burst of the market bubble, which had been growing since 2009.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalReview of Financial Studies·DateJun 8, 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.

Simulations pinpoint atomic-level defects in solar cell nanostructures

Scientists used computational models to investigate heterostructured nanoparticles and found that atomistic defects can jeopardize solar cell performance. They predicted a new material with improved optical properties, opening doors for more efficient energy conversion.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 8, 2017

Behavioral 'nudges' offer a cost-effective policy tool

A new study found that behavioral 'nudges' are highly cost-effective in boosting retirement savings, college enrollment and vaccination rates, often yielding more returns than traditional interventions. Nudges encourage certain behaviors without restricting options or exacting financial penalties.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 8, 2017

Neutrons zero in on the elusive magnetic Majorana fermion

A research team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has confirmed magnetic signatures related to Majorana fermions in alpha-ruthenium trichloride, a material that could enable quantum computations. The study uses neutron scattering to reveal the material's unique magnetic behavior.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2017

Why do Americans own handguns? Fear of crime and a broader sense of danger

A study by Stroebe et al. found that fear of crime alone doesn't explain the need for personal protection; a general sense of threat about the world's danger also plays a role. Conservative political beliefs are stronger predictors than past experience with crime victimization.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 8, 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.

Snake venom might provide a safer antiplatelet drug

Researchers have designed a safer antiplatelet drug based on a snake venom protein that interacts with platelets to form blood clots. The new study found that the molecule prevented platelet clotting and slowed down blood clot formation in mice, without increasing bleeding risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJun 8, 2017

Lost ecosystem found buried in mud of southern California coastal waters

Paleontologists have found a lost ecosystem of scallops and brachiopods off southern California's coast that thrived for at least 4,000 years before dying off due to siltation from unmanaged land use. The researchers used molecular dating and geologic methods to analyze dead shells and conclude that the collapse of the brachiopod-scall...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateJun 8, 2017

California Academy of Sciences advancing hope for reefs in the Philippines

Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences' Hope for Reefs initiative recently returned from the Philippines, where they discovered several new species of fish, nudibranchs, and sand dollars. The team also documented evidence of human impacts on deep-sea reefs, highlighting the need for stronger protections.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJun 8, 2017

Distinct wiring mode found in chandelier cells

Chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory interneuron, develop their connections differently than other neurons. Researchers found that only synapses on axon initial segments contain molecules, while the rest appear empty throughout development.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 8, 2017

Organic compound found in early stages of star formation

Researchers detect methyl isocyanate in solar-type protostar, a precursor to complex compounds like peptides and amino acids. The finding suggests that planets could begin with the chemical ingredients needed for life, supporting the theory of prebiotic chemistry in space.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 8, 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.

Fat tissue may impede radiotherapy for breast cancer patients

Researchers found that irradiation of breast fat triggers an inflammatory response, protecting remaining cancer cells and allowing tumors to grow. Agents that block inflammation could improve radiotherapy effectiveness, potentially revolutionizing breast cancer treatment.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJun 8, 2017

New international guidelines issued on dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies affects 1.4 million Americans, often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The new guidelines provide detailed guidance for diagnosing and treating the condition, which includes symptoms like visual hallucinations and sleep difficulties.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNeurology·DateJun 8, 2017

How plants prevent oxidative stress

Researchers discovered the P700 oxidation system in plants to suppress reactive oxygen species production, allowing safe photosynthesis. The system starts functioning when excess light energy is present, serving as a warning marker for oxidative stress.

SourceKobe University·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateJun 8, 2017

Research for an oil (palm) change

A new technique developed by James Cook University scientists helps oil palm growers predict crop yield, nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching. The research provides valuable information for on-farm decision making, enabling growers to make decisions that balance productivity and environmental sustainability.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalField Crops Research·DateJun 8, 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.

Study reveals sweetened drinks during pregnancy puts infants at higher risk for obesity

A recent Danish study found that maternal daily consumption of artificially-sweetened beverages during pregnancy was associated with a higher body mass index score and increased risk of overweight/obesity at 7 years. This study suggests that substituting SSBs with artifically sweetened beverages may increase offspring obesity risk.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateJun 8, 2017

Bitter taste receptors may hold the key to managing preterm labor

Researchers discover bitter taste receptors in the uterus can relax contracted muscle tissue, potentially stopping premature contractions. The findings provide hope for developing new therapeutics to prevent preterm labor.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJun 8, 2017

Researchers identify how class of drugs blocks Hepatitis C virus replication

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified how NS5A inhibitors block Hepatitis C virus replication, revealing a difference in the speed of decline depending on the strain of HCV. This understanding may lead to more effective therapies against a broader range of viruses.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 8, 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.

New leukemia treatment outperforms standard chemotherapies

Researchers at Australian National University have developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia that reduces cancer cells and cancer stem cells. This innovative approach uses a compound called CX-5461 to target protein-making processes within cancer cells, leading to promising preclinical results.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalBlood·DateJun 8, 2017

Study finds failure to sustain reductions in carcinogens in cigarettes

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that despite initial reductions, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) levels in Canadian cigarettes increased after 2007. The increases raise concerns about the failure to sustain harm reduction efforts.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJun 8, 2017

Investigational vaccine protected monkeys from HIV-like virus

A Duke-led research team developed an investigational vaccine that added three more targets to the original RV144 human vaccine candidate. The resulting pentavalent vaccine protected over half of the vaccinated animals from simian-human immunodeficiency virus infection, demonstrating improved protection compared to the original regimen.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2017

Calculator estimates success of kidney transplants with particular donor-recipient pairs

Researchers developed a calculator estimating graft survival after kidney transplant from living donors, accounting for mismatches in age, sex, HLA, and body size. The tool is particularly useful for kidney paired donation, allowing candidates to compare estimated graft survival with different potential donors.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 8, 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.

Autonomous machines edge towards greater independence

Researchers have developed a method for autonomous learning in self-taught systems, allowing them to evolve and adapt over time. This approach, which incorporates delayed dynamics and feedback loops, has been successfully applied to neural networks and phase oscillators, yielding robust performance with minimal external control.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 8, 2017

Not so elementary

A team of international physicists, including UC Santa Barbara postdoctoral scholar Manuel Franco Sevilla, reviewed results from three experiments that suggest lepton universality may need to be revised. The findings, published in Nature, indicate a higher-than-expected tau decay rate in all three experiments.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2017

Heroin's use rising, costing society more than $51 billion

A new study estimates that heroin users have a significant impact on society due to premature death, lost productivity, and chronic infectious diseases. Heroin use was estimated to cost US society over $51 billion in 2015, with the cost per user exceeding $50,799 per year.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 8, 2017

Does your name match your face?

A study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that people's names are associated with specific face shapes, influencing voting decisions. Candidates with congruent names received an average of 10 more percentage points in their elections than those with incongruent names.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJun 8, 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.

Waters and Andrew Alliance sign co-marketing agreement

The Waters Corporation and Andrew Alliance have signed a co-marketing agreement to promote their collaboration on protein therapeutics glycosylation profiling. The partnership enables laboratories to automate large numbers of routine, high-quality released N-glycan analyses with improved accuracy and precision.

SourceWaters Corporation·DateJun 8, 2017

A fish of all flavors

A study by Osaka University reveals that a single heterodimer of two T1r members can detect a wide range of sweet and savory flavors in humans. The researchers found that the structure of the heterodimer is similar regardless of the amino acid bound, but with varying affinity for each ligand.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2017