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Science News Archive 2017


Page 34 of 461

HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) announces initiation of HPTN 084

The HPTN 084 study enrolls 3,200 HIV-uninfected women in seven countries to test the safety and efficacy of a long-acting injectable cabotegravir compared to daily oral TDF/FTC. The study aims to increase HIV prevention choices for women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where they bear a disproportionate burden.

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.

New treatment investigated for brain tapeworm infection

Researchers investigate pretreatment with etanercept to manage post-treatment inflammation in neurocysticercosis, a major cause of epilepsy worldwide. Etanercept suppresses inflammatory pathways involved in treatment-induced inflammation.

Hundreds of fossilized eggs sheds light on pterosaur development

A collection of over 200 fossilized pterosaur eggs is providing new insights into the species' development, with some containing embryonic remains up to 2 years old. The findings suggest that newborn pterosaurs needed parental care and likely participated in colonial nesting behavior.

Uncertainty surrounds US livestock methane emission estimates

A new study challenges previous estimates of US livestock methane emissions, suggesting a significant discrepancy between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The researchers used a spatially explicit approach to estimate enteric methane emissions for cattle and manure methane emissions for swine and poultry.

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.

Hot, sunny days could slow 5G networks, but research offers solutions

A study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers found that solar radio emissions can degrade 5G network transmissions by up to 15% in hot weather. However, effective communication links are possible at distances of up to 134 meters indoors and 110 meters outdoors, even in hilly urban areas.

Versatile cancer drugs

Kinase inhibitors show promise in treating various types of blood and lung cancers by blocking overactive enzymes that control cell growth. Researchers identified new target structures for drugs, including the kinase MELK, which is linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer.

Brain's appetite regulator disrupted in obese teens

A new study using advanced MRI techniques has discovered disrupted brain connectivity in obese adolescents, affecting regions involved in appetite regulation. The findings suggest a possible underlying cause for the rising rates of childhood obesity and its associated health risks.

Range of opioid prescribers play important role in epidemic, study finds

A study published in Addiction found that low- and high-volume prescribers both play a significant role in opioid prescriptions, challenging the focus on 'pill mill' doctors. The study also identified other high-risk patient groups, such as concomitant users and chronic high-dose users, who pose a greater public health threat.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Squeezing light into a tiny channel brings optical computing a step closer

By forcing light to go through a smaller gap, researchers have increased its intensity and allowed photons to interact more strongly over a short distance. This technology brings optical processing closer to electrical transistors, potentially solving the problem of nonlinear optics and enabling faster, more efficient computers.

Parasitic worms don't just wait to be swallowed by new hosts

Scientists found that parasitic nematodes use odors from host mice as cues to position themselves where they have a higher chance of being eaten. The worms are attracted to fresh mouse feces and can migrate towards new hosts based on odorants produced by mammalian skin, feces, or urine.

Study suggests a way to stop HIV in its tracks

A Loyola University Chicago study has identified the protein bicaudal D2, which facilitates the trafficking and nuclear import of HIV-1 genomes during infection. This finding raises the possibility of developing a drug that would prevent HIV-1 from binding to bicaudal D2.

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.

Gravitational waves could shed light on the origin of black holes

Researchers propose using gravitational wave experiments to detect merger events at redshifts greater than 40, which could indicate the presence of primordial black holes or non-Gaussianity in the early universe. A detection would bolster theories about dark matter, while a non-detection would cast doubt.

Researchers map brain activity to improve prosthetic design

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new way to understand how the brain controls walking in complex environments. Using brain-body imaging and motion capture technology, they identified specific areas of the brain involved in locomotion, including the posterior parietal lobe and sensorimotor cortex.

New multipurpose device to help prevent HIV and pregnancy

A new dual-purpose drug delivery device, SCHIELD, aims to provide long-acting contraception and HIV prevention for women in low- and middle-income countries. The device, set to be launched in Kenya and South Africa, has the potential to improve health outcomes and empower women.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Molecule plays dual role in bowel health and disease

A study found that microRNA-31 accelerates intestinal stem cell growth, potentially leading to bowel cancer. The molecule's levels increased after radiation exposure, suggesting a role in regeneration, while also promoting tumor growth.

Targeted treatment could prevent spread of pancreatic cancer, heart damage

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a targeted treatment that can prevent the spread of pancreatic cancer and protect the heart from damage. The treatment, which involves using an mTOR kinase inhibitor, has shown promise in reducing disease progression and cardiac impairment in patients with certain types of tumors.

Study reads between the lines in children's vocabulary differences

Grade school children from low-income homes have significantly smaller vocabularies compared to their peers, with a 10% difference in word learning, leading to long-term academic implications. The study suggests that increasing vocabulary through oral methods and visualizing sentence relationships can be effective interventions.

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.

Caught in the act: Papillomaviruses promote non-melanoma skin cancer

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center have found that papillomaviruses associated with UV light can promote the development of non-melanoma skin cancer. The viruses affect the stability of host cell DNA, leading to accumulation of UV-related damage. This link has been previously underinvestigated in human biopsies.

Conspiracy thinking less likely with greater news media literacy, study suggests

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that individuals with higher news media literacy are less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. The study surveyed nearly 400 participants and found that those who know more about the news media are less susceptible to conspiracy theories, regardless of their political affiliation.

CRF1 stress receptor is regulator of mast cell activity during stress

A new study identified CRF1 as a master regulator of mast cell activity during stressful challenges, including psychological stress and anaphylaxis. The study showed that mice lacking CRF1 expression were protected against disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating stress-related diseases.

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.

An anti-aging protein could be targeted to rejuvenate immune cells

Researchers found that SIRT1 stabilizes a mechanism preventing immune cell toxic effects, but its loss accelerates glycolysis and cytokine production. This understanding led to potential new drug targets to strengthen or weaken SIRT1, potentially countering age-related diseases.

New document guides hospitals in responding to infectious disease outbreaks

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America published a new guidance document for hospitals to respond to infectious disease outbreaks. The document emphasizes the role of healthcare epidemiologists in emergency preparedness and response, providing medical and technical expertise and leading infection prevention efforts.

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.

Invasive cells in head and neck tumors predict cancer spread

A recent study has created the first atlas of head and neck cancer, revealing the unique structural transition involving cancer cells and normal cells that allows tumors to spread. This finding may have implications for other common cancers as well.

Postsurgery guideline could reduce opioid prescriptions by as much as 40 percent

A new guideline for discharge opioid prescriptions after inpatient general surgical procedures could significantly reduce opioid prescriptions. The guideline, developed by researchers at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, recommends prescribing a certain number of opioids based on the patient's usage the day before discharge.

Cigarette smokers are 10 times more likely to be daily marijuana users

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that cigarette smokers are 10 times more likely to use marijuana on a daily basis. The strongest relationship between cigarette smoking and daily cannabis use is among 12 to 17 year olds, who are 50 times more likely to be daily cannabis users than non-smokers.

Smartphone addiction creates imbalance in brain

Researchers found a significant increase in GABA levels and disrupted balance between neurotransmitters in the brains of smartphone- and internet-addicted teenagers. Cognitive behavioral therapy improved these imbalances, suggesting a potential treatment pathway for addiction.

Speaking up against bigotry can reduce bad behavior

Rutgers psychologists discover that confronting people about bigoted statements can lead to a lasting reduction in prejudice. Confrontation causes individuals to feel bad and consciously avoid repeating such statements, with effects persisting even a week after the initial encounter.

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.

Butterfly emerges from quantum simulation

A team of researchers has successfully recreated Hofstadter's butterfly using quantum simulators, enabling the simulation of exotic electronic conduction properties. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties.

Antibiotics may reduce the ability of immune cells to kill bacteria

A recent study found that antibiotics like ciprofloxacin can directly alter the biochemical environment of mouse immune cells during infection, making it harder for them to kill bacteria. This change in environment also led to increased resistance to antibiotics in E. coli bacteria.

Vulnerability identified for subtypes of glioblastoma

Researchers have identified a genetically distinct subpopulation of patients with glioblastoma that is particularly sensitive to drugs like cilengitide. The strategy uses a gene profile alone to predict which tumors are susceptible to αvβ3 blockade, offering a new therapeutic target for precision medicine in brain cancer treatment. Thi...

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.

Studies examine the effects of weight on patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Research indicates that being overweight or obese can lead to poorer RA treatment outcomes and higher mortality risk. Studies show that patients with healthy weights are more likely to achieve remission, while those who are overweight or obese face a 25-47% lower chance of sustained remission despite similar treatments.

Windows of opportunity: Solar cell with improved transparency

Researchers at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a semi-transparent solar cell that absorbs red and blue light while letting green through. The new material, based on perovskite, is able to retain an impressive power conversion efficiency of around 10% despite being made much thinner.

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.

Designing a golden nanopill

A team of scientists used supercomputers to explore the optical properties of plasmonic nanovesicles, which could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and studying the nervous system. The researchers designed golden nanopills that can be triggered by laser light to release drugs or molecules.

Enhancing graduate studies in environmental technology

A six-year program will provide multidisciplinary training to tackle urban and industrial runoff challenges and promote ecofriendly approaches to managing water and residual effluents. The grant supports INRS' Decontamination and Reclamation research area and ties in with NSERC's priority fields of environmental science and technology.

Skin pigmentation far more complex than previously known

Researchers studied African populations, finding a high degree of variability in skin pigmentation that cannot be explained by just a few genes. The study suggests that multiple genes contribute to the process, with variations increasing near the equator.

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 laser technology could reduce accidents on icy roads

Researchers have developed a method to detect hydrohalite, a substance that forms on treated icy roads and cannot be removed by conventional salting. Using Raman instruments fitted with lasers, trucks can identify the presence of hydrohalite and switch to alternative de-icers, making roads safer for users.

Deducing the properties of a new form of diamond

Researchers at Clemson University used a simple computer model to calculate the elastic properties of amorphous diamond, a new form of diamond with varying fractions of sp3-bonded carbon. The results show that this new substance retains desirable mechanical properties similar to crystalline diamond.

Bat cave study sheds new light on origin of SARS virus

A new study sheds light on the origin of the SARS virus, finding that genetic recombination between viral strains in bats may have produced the direct evolutionary ancestor of the strain that caused a deadly outbreak. The study also identified strains capable of entering human cells.

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.

Phase III Immunotherapy trial for migraine shows positive results

The phase III clinical trial showed that fremanezumab reduced the number of headache days by an average of 4.3 days with quarterly treatment and 4.6 days with monthly treatment. The therapy also demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with most common adverse event being irritation at injection site.

New research robustly resolves one of evolutionary biology's most heated disputes

Recent genomic analyses have flipped between whether sponges or comb jellies are the oldest lineage of living animals. New research by Professor Davide Pisani reveals that sponges are the most ancient lineage, with models that describe the data poorly favouring comb jellies and those that better describe the data favouring sponges.

Going swimmingly: Biotemplates breakthrough paves way for cheaper nanobots

Researchers have demonstrated a new method to produce biotemplated nanoswimmers using bacterial flagella as templates, overcoming high startup costs of traditional approaches. The nanorobots can perform nearly as well as living bacteria and show potential for targeted cancer therapeutics and electronics applications.

Behavior not indicative of pain in stressed babies

New research suggests that stressed newborns may not display typical pain behavior despite increased brain activity in response to pain. The study found a disconnect between brain wave patterns and behavioral responses in stressed babies, highlighting the need for alternative methods to assess infant pain.

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.

Secure information transmission over 500m fiber links based on quantum technologies

Researchers at Tsinghua University and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications have successfully demonstrated entanglement-based quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) over 500m optical fibers. The system uses novel fiber-based quantum light sources to generate polarization entangled Bell states, enabling secure informat...