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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 264


Page 264 of 461

Diagnostic radiation exposure safe for children, experts state

Experts argue against the linear no-threshold hypothesis, citing evidence of adaptive responses that repair mutations or remove damaged cells. The authors suggest that diagnostic quality and accurate information are more important than erring on the side of caution in reducing radiation exposure.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017

Risk of cardiac malformations from lithium during pregnancy less significant

A new study published in NEJM suggests a modest increased risk of cardiac defects with lithium use during the first trimester, approximately two cases per 100 live births. The dose-dependent association found supports a more nuanced understanding of lithium's effects on fetal development.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 7, 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.

New treatment hope for women with BRCA1 breast cancers

Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have found a new way to use immunotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancers arising in women with BRCA1 mutations. The combination of two immunotherapy drugs effectively controls tumour growth and improves survival rates in laboratory models.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017

How cells divide tasks and conquer work

A new mathematical framework developed by Tatyana Sharpee and colleagues provides a theoretical understanding of how different cell types divide work among themselves. This framework could help explain greater efficiency and reliability in cell function, as well as the impact of disease when division of labor is not effective.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJun 7, 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.

Scientists make biodegradable microbeads from cellulose

Researchers have developed biodegradable cellulose microbeads that can replace harmful plastic ones contributing to ocean pollution. The beads are made from cellulose, a renewable source, and break down into harmless sugars, reducing the risk of harming marine life.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJun 7, 2017

Einstein's 'impossible hope' comes true: Weighing a star with gravity

Scientists have successfully observed a white dwarf star using the bending of distant starlight by gravity, allowing them to determine its mass for the first time. This observation demonstrates a way to measure the masses of objects that cannot be easily measured by other means.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2017

Bee buzzes could help determine how to save their decreasing population

Researchers developed an inexpensive acoustic listening system to monitor bees in flight, allowing farmers to track pollination and increase food production. The technology, published in PLOS ONE, could also engage global 'citizen scientists' in monitoring bee activity in their backyards.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJun 7, 2017

Nanowires, the future of electronics

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have developed a new suite of molecular wires or nanowires with high efficiency, enabling miniaturization of electronic circuits. These nanowires are crucial for reducing the size of electronic components and improving their performance.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2017

World's 'first named dinosaur' reveals new teeth with scanning tech

Researchers at WMG University of Warwick used CT scanning technology to reveal five previously unseen teeth in the Megalosaurus jawbone, challenging previous restoration work. The scans also showed the extent of repairs, suggesting at least two phases of repair using different types of plaster.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateJun 7, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sleep apnea and insomnia combination linked with depression

A new study reveals that men with sleep apnoea and insomnia have a higher prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms than those with either condition alone. The study found that 43% of men with both conditions had depression, compared to 22% with insomnia alone and 8% with sleep apnoea alone.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateJun 7, 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.

Study links certain characteristics with ISIS anxiety

A new study of 1007 adult Israelis found that being female, having lower socio-economic status, and elevated PTSD symptoms are related to ISIS anxiety. Exposure to ISIS in the media and low resilience also linked to increased anxiety levels.

SourceWiley·JournalStress and Health·DateJun 7, 2017

Reshaping Darwin's tree of life

Researchers from Rutgers University and international collaborators introduce the SYMPHY framework, which classifies life based on symbiotic relationships. This new approach could lead to breakthroughs in environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and human health.

SourceRutgers University·DateJun 7, 2017

Wine descriptions make us more emotional about wine

A study by the University of Adelaide found that wine label descriptions alter consumer emotions, increase wine liking, and encourage higher prices. Elaborate descriptions evoke more positive emotions, improving quality perception and willingness to pay.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalFood Research International·DateJun 7, 2017

A small group of neurons modulates the amount of insulin that the pancreas must produce

Researchers discovered that a small group of hypothalamus neurons, called POMC, modulate the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. The study reveals new molecular mechanisms involved in this connection and highlights the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in glucose sensing and insulin release control.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 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.

Recent presidential election could have negative impact on health

A new article from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that the recent U.S. presidential election could lead to negative health impacts, particularly among marginalized groups. The study found a link between hostile attitudes towards racial and ethnic minorities and increased risk of disease and premature death.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017

Climate change misconceptions common among teachers, study finds

A new study found that many US secondary school science teachers possess several climate change misconceptions, similar to the general public. The survey of 220 teachers in Florida and Puerto Rico revealed notable errors regarding greenhouse gas emissions and scientific experiments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Science and Mathematics Education·DateJun 7, 2017

The hidden order in DNA diffusion

Researchers at KAUST have overturned the long-held assumption that DNA molecules move randomly by analyzing their motion using a probabilistic approach. They found that DNA molecules exhibit nonrandom motion with varied speed and molecular 'track', precisely conserving Brownian linear MSD characteristics.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 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.

New diode features optically controlled capacitance

A new optically tunable capacitor has been developed by Israeli researchers, featuring embedded metal nanoparticles. The capacitor's capacitance is tunable by illumination and exhibits a strong frequency dispersion, allowing for high degree of tunability.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 6, 2017

New target found to attack an incurable brain tumor in children

A study published in Molecular Cancer Research reveals that a histone mutation turns off the tumor suppressor gene p16 in up to 70% of childhood brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Restoring p16 using a drug approved for adult leukemia treatment slows down tumor growth.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateJun 6, 2017

Ambiguous pledges leave large uncertainty under Paris climate agreement

The current National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement have critical consequences for achieving the goal of keeping warming well below 2°C. The study finds that these pledges leave out key details, leading to a range of emissions outcomes with varying degrees of uncertainty.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 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.

Device designed to exploit scattering of light by mechanical vibrations

Researchers developed a silicon photonic device that can exploit the scattering of light by mechanical vibrations, called Brillouin scattering. The device uses two silicon microdisks with tiny cavities, enabling light and mechanical waves to interact at high frequencies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 6, 2017

Scientists model gene regulation with chromatin accessibility

Researchers developed new tools to infer context-specific regulatory networks from paired expression and chromatin accessibility data. This approach recovers significant information on binding locations and chromatin states, enabling accurate inferences for gene regulatory relationships.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 6, 2017

The complete epigenomes of the most frequent tumors, unveiled

A research team from IDIBELL has characterized the complete epigenomes of the most frequent tumors, including those of colon, lung and breast cancer. The study reveals that anti-cancer genes slow down their activity in cancer-affected organs, but also identifies alterations in distant chromosomal regions.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalOncogene·DateJun 6, 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.

Enrollment in early intervention services may be influenced by administering agency

New research from Oregon State University found that the odds of a child enrolling in eligible services are significantly higher when the lead agency is health-focused. The study suggests that primary care physicians and health agencies play an important role in identifying children who could benefit from early intervention services.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Early Intervention·DateJun 6, 2017

TSRI anti-heroin vaccine found effective in non-human primates

The TSRI anti-heroin vaccine has been shown to neutralize heroin and its psychoactive products, blocking them from reaching the brain to cause a feeling of euphoria. Researchers believe this could help eliminate motivation for relapse in recovering addicts.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 6, 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.

Impact of protective bacteria linked to infection route, study finds

Researchers discovered that fruit flies carrying Wolbachia bacteria are better equipped to fight off other infections when infected orally rather than via injection. The study also found that male flies experience greater disease protection with Wolbachia than females, highlighting potential differences in immune response between sexes.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateJun 6, 2017

Study proves viability of quantum satellite communications

Researchers have successfully transmitted quantum key distribution signals from a ground transmitter to a moving aircraft, paving the way for global-scale quantum communication. The system achieved secure keys up to 868 kb in length and demonstrated viability of satellite-based quantum communications.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·DateJun 6, 2017

Living long and living well: Is it possible to do both?

Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory studied various parameters of health in C. elegans to develop an empirical definition of old age and predict healthy lifespan. They found movement speed as a key marker for assessing the effect of anti-aging interventions.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateJun 6, 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.

Is 'doing good' bad for a company's bottom line? Yes, says FAU study

A recent FAU study found that focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies can reduce a firm's overall performance and investment efficiency. This is because CSR initiatives often divert resources away from core business practices, leading to losses for shareholders. The study suggests that CEOs should prioritize findin...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Corporate Finance·DateJun 6, 2017

Coming out of their shells

Researchers have identified energy metabolism adaptations in soft-shelled turtles that enabled them to lose their hard shells and explore aquatic environments. These adaptations were found in mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins associated with aerobic respiration and are linked to the evolution of soft-shells in three turtle lineages.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJun 6, 2017

Warren Alpert Foundation honors five pioneers in cancer immunology

The Warren Alpert Foundation Prize recognizes scientists who elucidated fundamental mechanisms in cancer's ability to evade immune surveillance. The five honorees' work led to the development of effective immune therapies for several types of cancer, turning the tide in the global fight against cancer.

SourceHarvard Medical School·DateJun 6, 2017
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.

Is white or whole wheat bread 'healthier?' Depends on the person

A recent study found that different people react differently to white and whole wheat bread, with half responding better to processed flour and the other half to sourdough. The researchers developed an algorithm to predict individual responses, pointing towards a new paradigm in nutrition based on personal microbiomes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 6, 2017

Genetic study shakes up the elephant family tree

A recent genetic study has challenged long-held assumptions about the relationship between extinct and living elephant species. The research found that a species of giant elephant, Palaeoloxodon antiquus, is more closely related to African forest elephants than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateJun 6, 2017

Follow the fantastic voyage of the ICARUS neutrino detector

The ICARUS detector, measuring 18 meters long and weighing 120 tons, will travel across the Atlantic Ocean from CERN to Fermilab in preparation for its new mission at the U.S. Department of Energy's facility. Once installed, it will search for 'sterile' neutrinos using liquid-argon time projection technology.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·DateJun 6, 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.

Research study gives new insight into how cancer spreads

Researchers discovered that cancer cells sense their environment's stiffness, slowing down movement with specific drug combinations. This finding has potential for regenerative medicine applications, such as improving adult stem cell therapy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2017

Older married couples and advance directives

A new study explores how spouses influence an older adult's decision to complete advance directives, revealing differences in gender and relationship characteristics. The results suggest that joint experience as a couple plays a crucial role in end-of-life planning, with some insights shedding light on individual and spousal factors

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 6, 2017

New evidence reveals source of 1586 Sanriku, Japan tsunami

Researchers have determined the origin of the 1586 Sanriku tsunami that hit Japan, tracing it to a mega-earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. The study used coral fragments dated to the 16th century and found a precise age of 1572±21 years.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNatural Hazards·DateJun 6, 2017

Young at heart: Restoring cardiac function with a matrix molecule

A study by Weizmann Institute researchers reveals that administering 'young matrix' molecules, including Agrin, to damaged mouse hearts can repair and restore heart muscle function. The findings suggest a new direction for research on restoring damaged hearts and may lead to the development of new treatments for heart disease.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateJun 6, 2017

Newly discovered disease mechanism for type 2 diabetes

A newly discovered mechanism behind reduced insulin production in type 2 diabetes reveals that insulin-producing cells regress and become immature, reducing their function. The study identifies key genes, including SOX5, which affects disease progression and suggests potential new treatments targeting cellular maturity.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 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.

Researchers develop new EcoCity model for mitigating urban heat islands

Researchers developed an EcoCity model to regulate urban land cover structures and thermal environments, providing fundamental data for urban heat island mitigation. The model showed that land-cover components significantly affect thermal environments in different urban functional zones.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·DateJun 6, 2017

Drinking diet beverages during pregnancy linked to child obesity, NIH study suggests

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that drinking artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood obesity. Women who consumed at least one artificially sweetened beverage per day were more likely to have children with high birth weights and increased obesity risk at age 7.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateJun 6, 2017