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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 43


Page 43 of 461

Cool lizards are better at learning socially

Researchers found that bearded dragons incubated in colder temperatures learned to open a sliding door faster than those from warmer temperatures. This ability is crucial for adapting to changing environments and may offer a potential buffer against human-induced environmental change.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateNov 22, 2017

Quantum internet goes hybrid

ICFO researchers have successfully connected two distinct quantum nodes using a single photon, demonstrating the feasibility of hybrid quantum networks. This breakthrough enables secure data transmission and advanced computing capabilities.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 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.

Certain popular cigars deliver more nicotine than cigarettes

Researchers at Penn State found that popular cigar brands deliver more nicotine than commonly used cigarettes. The study suggests that small cigars, often perceived as safer alternatives, are just as addictive and harmful. The researchers plan to explore further comparisons between the toxins released by cigars and cigarettes.

SourcePenn State·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateNov 22, 2017

Nanosponges show promise for potentially blinding eye infections

Researchers have developed nanosponges that can absorb and neutralize toxins secreted by bacteria causing intraocular infections. These engineered nanoparticles, consisting of a polymeric core surrounded by natural red blood cell membranes, demonstrated effectiveness in protecting the retina from damage in animal models.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·DateNov 22, 2017

Metabolites altered in chronic kidney disease

A new study reveals that chronic kidney disease patients have abnormal metabolites in their cells' energy centers, supporting the view of CKD as a state of mitochondrial dysfunction. Researchers hope to identify novel therapeutic targets for CKD using metabolomics.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalEBioMedicine·DateNov 22, 2017

EU trade ban brings down global trade in wild birds by 90 percent

A study published in Science Advances reveals that the EU's 2005 bird import ban drastically decreased global wild bird trade from 1.3 million to 130,000 annually. The ban has minimized the risk of exotic birds spreading worldwide and reduced biodiversity loss.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 22, 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.

Retreating permafrost coasts threaten the fragile Arctic environment

The EU project Nunataryuk explores the consequences of permafrost thaw on Earth's coldest shorelines, collaborating with local communities to devise new strategies. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, contaminates coastal waters, and harms marine habitats.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·DateNov 22, 2017

Flexible production of electric motors for vehicles

Researchers at KIT will develop process knowledge and innovative systems for series- and type-flexible production of electric motors. The 'AnStaHa' project aims to support medium-sized component suppliers and plant equipment providers in the automotive industry.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·DateNov 22, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Big data creates family tree of constitutions

Researchers at Dartmouth College created an evolutionary taxonomy of world constitutions using big data and machine learning. The study identifies surprising relationships and unexpected information about constitutional inspirations.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateNov 22, 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.

Icebound detector reveals how ghostly neutrinos are stopped cold

The IceCube Collaboration reports a critical measurement that shows energized neutrinos can be stopped cold as they pass through the Earth, exceeding previous expectations. The new study confirms the Standard Model of particle physics but also suggests potential for new physics beyond previously unknown spatial dimensions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2017

NASA views severe rain storms over western Saudi Arabia

Heavy downpours caused schools and universities to close in Jeddah, with GPM's radar measuring precipitation at rates of over 115.5 mm/h and 90 mm/h. A 3-D view of the storms was created using data from NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement Mission.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 22, 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.

A material with promising properties

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have successfully synthesized Europium(II) oxide nanoparticles, a ferromagnetic semiconductor with promising properties for spin-based electronics. The team developed a novel two-stage process to produce high-quality and anisotropic EuO-nanoparticles with tunable magnetic properties.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 22, 2017

Desert ants cannot be fooled

Research shows desert ants can evaluate cue reliability, using unambiguous cues like odors to navigate. This ability helps them compensate for accumulated path integration errors while searching for food.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 22, 2017

USDA awards funds to support sustainable forest and rangeland programs

The USDA has awarded grants to promote sustainable forest and rangeland management through innovative projects addressing emerging issues in the Western Gulf region and beyond. These projects aim to empower landowners and managers with science-based decision-making tools and resources to achieve conservation and economic goals.

SourceNational Institute of Food and Agriculture·DateNov 22, 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.

Increased use of ambulatory surgery centers for cataract surgery

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that ambulatory surgery centers performed 73% of cataract surgeries in 2014, up from 43.6% in 2001. The shift is driven by convenience, lower out-of-pocket costs, and decreased cost-per-case for insurers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateNov 22, 2017

Mass media linked to childhood obesity

A strong link has been found between childhood obesity and mass media exposure in European countries. Parents are advised to limit TV viewing and computer use to 1.5 hours a day for children over four years old to promote healthy development.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateNov 22, 2017

Managing antibiotics not enough to reverse resistance

Researchers found that bacteria can quickly share genes to maintain resistance, making it unlikely that reducing antibiotic use will reverse the trend. However, conjugation rates can be disrupted and reversed using existing drugs, paving the way for future development of new treatments.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 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.

Children with heart disease are being let down by lack of clinical trials, study finds

A UK study found that less than one per cent of children born with congenital heart disease participate in clinical trials, highlighting a need for improved treatment options. Researchers suggest establishing a congenital heart disease research network to conduct well-designed clinical trials and improve surgical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery·DateNov 22, 2017

Engineers model the California reservoir network

A team of Caltech engineers has developed an empirical model of the California reservoir network, allowing managers to anticipate and respond to drought conditions more effectively. The model uses statistical techniques to learn from past data and shed light on how reservoirs will respond to different climate patterns in the future.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalWater Resources Research·DateNov 22, 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.

Research points to diagnostic test for top cause of liver transplant in kids

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a strong biomarker candidate for early diagnosis and treatment of biliary atresia, a rare disease causing liver damage in infants. The test, using matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the condition.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 22, 2017

Lung cancer triggers pulmonary hypertension

A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that lung cancer often leads to pulmonary hypertension due to immune cell activation and inflammatory processes triggered by cancer cells. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for developing a treatment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 22, 2017

Do education and poverty affect knee surgery success?

A study found that individuals with lower education levels experienced worse pain and function after two years if they lived in impoverished communities undergoing total knee replacement. Conversely, educational level was unrelated to outcomes in wealthier areas.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateNov 22, 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.

Four simple tests could help GPs spot pneumonia and reduce unnecessary antibiotics

A large study found that testing for fever, high pulse rate, crackly breath sounds, and low oxygen levels could help distinguish pneumonia from less serious infections. The researchers suggest using these four measures to identify patients who need treatment with antibiotics, while reducing unnecessary prescriptions.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateNov 22, 2017

WCS announces $2.5 million in grants for climate adaptation

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has awarded $2.5 million in new grants through its Climate Adaptation Fund to support innovative conservation projects addressing the impacts of climate change on wildlife and ecosystems. The grants aim to help species, ecosystems, and communities adapt to rapidly shifting environmental conditions.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·DateNov 22, 2017

How the Earth stops high-energy neutrinos in their tracks

Scientists demonstrated that the Earth stops energetic neutrinos, interacting with matter and being absorbed by the Earth. The probability of neutrino absorption was consistent with expectations from the Standard Model of particle physics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2017

Camponotini ant species have their own distinct microbiomes

A study published in PLOS ONE found that Camponotini ant species have distinct microbiomes, with some stages having unique bacterial populations. This suggests that the microbiome may play a role in shaping the ant's biology and adaptation to its environment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 22, 2017

The HLF-gene controls the generation of our long-term immune system

Research at Lund University found that HLF gene's failure to shut down leads to inadequate lymphocyte development, resulting in a single type of immune defense. The study aimed to identify mechanisms for breaking down leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer with poor prognosis.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 22, 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.

Researchers show stress suppresses response to cancer treatments

New research from the University of Queensland shows that chronic stress can lead to a weakened immune response in cancer patients. The study found that lymphoma progression was accelerated in mouse models when stress pathways were induced, resulting in reduced effectiveness of immunotherapies.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateNov 22, 2017

Applied mathematician Qiang Du elected an AAAS Fellow

Qiang Du, a leading applied mathematician at Columbia University, has been elected an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished work in applied and computational mathematics. His research focuses on theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and mathematical modeling of various applications.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateNov 22, 2017

Scientists find why CP El Niño is harder to predict than EP El Niño

Researchers Prof. Fei Zheng and Jin-Yi Yu found significant skill score differences between EP and CP El Niño events, with EP events better predicted at all lead times. This is attributed to systematic forecast biases and an overly warm eastern Pacific during the spring season for CP El Niño prediction.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateNov 22, 2017

Do birdsong and human speech share biological roots?

Researchers found that young zebra finches are biased to produce specific sound patterns, similar to those in human languages and music. This bias is thought to be influenced by innate brain mechanisms, supporting the idea of a 'universal grammar' for language learning.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 22, 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.

By saving cost and energy, the lighting revolution may increase light pollution

A recent international study suggests that LED lighting upgrades could lead to increased light pollution, as individuals and cities switch to brighter lamps. The 'rebound effect' might cancel out initial energy savings, causing global night-time surface brightness to increase by 2% annually.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 22, 2017

NIH scientists and collaborators find prion protein in skin of CJD patients

Researchers detected abnormal prion protein in the skin of nearly two dozen CJD patients and found that healthy mice infected with skin extracts developed prion disease. The study raises questions about potential surgical instrument contamination and the use of skin samples as a diagnostic test for human and animal prion diseases.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 22, 2017

Analysis provides reassurance on the safety of biosimilars

A recent study of publicly available regulatory documents found that biosimilars have a comparable safety profile to their originators. The analysis identified only minor differences in safety concerns for most substances, with the exception of infliximab, where more issues were reported.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateNov 22, 2017

Scientists identify new marker of arthritis in mice

Researchers have discovered a new marker, Ratiometric thrombin-Activatable Cell Penetrating Peptide, to identify joints with established arthritis and predict subsequent swelling. This imaging tool may help clinicians monitor arthritis development and progression, enabling early intervention.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateNov 22, 2017

Five Brookhaven Lab scientists named 2017 American Physical Society Fellows

Brookhaven Lab scientists Anatoly Frenkel, Morgan May, Rachid Nouicer, Eric Stach, and Peter Steinberg were elected 2017 American Physical Society Fellows for their exceptional contributions to physics. The fellows were recognized for their innovative research in materials physics, astrophysics, and nuclear physics, including discoveri...

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateNov 22, 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.

Tiny robots step closer to treating hard-to-reach parts of the body

Researchers developed tiny robots measuring a few millionths of a metre long that can diagnose and treat illness in hard-to-reach areas. The robots could track chemical changes linked to illness onset and deliver targeted drugs with high precision, potentially paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScience Robotics·DateNov 22, 2017

Worldwide increase in methane bubbles due to climate change

A recent study reveals a strong link between temperature and methane bubble emissions on a global scale. The research found that warming temperatures lead to increased production of these gas bubbles in aquatic environments, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2017

UVA aims to help patients with cancer make complex care decisions

Researchers at UVA Cancer Center are developing a tool to assist patients in making treatment decisions based on their tumor's genomic information. The tool aims to provide personalized comparisons of treatment options, incorporating factors like age, personal priorities, and health conditions.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making·DateNov 22, 2017

High yield, protein with soybean gene

Researchers have successfully bred soybeans with both high yields and high protein levels, addressing a long-standing challenge in plant breeding. The genetic findings suggest that a specific gene on chromosome 15 can increase protein concentration without significantly decreasing yields.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateNov 22, 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.

A 'half-hearted' solution to one-sided heart failure

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a soft robotic system that can provide isolated support to the right or left ventricle, addressing one-sided heart failure. The system combines rigid bracing with soft robotic actuators to help diseased heart chambers pump blood effectively.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience Robotics·DateNov 22, 2017

Numerical infinities and infinitesimals open new horizons in computations and give unexpected answers to 2 Hilbert problems

A new computational framework allows working with infinities and infinitesimals numerically, giving unexpected answers to two long-standing Hilbert problems. The Infinity Computer supercomputer enables numerical computations with infinite and infinitesimal numbers, previously only symbolically represented.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalEMS Surveys in Mathematical Sciences·DateNov 22, 2017

ID microstructure of stock useful in financial crisis

Researchers analyze order flow for pairs of NASDAQ 100 stocks and find four groups with large mutual differences, surprising given the lack of reflection in actual prices. This discovery contributes to modeling price evolution and could be used to evaluate the impact of financial crises.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateNov 22, 2017

A huge hydrogen generator at the Earth's core-mantle boundary

A new study by an international research group has discovered a natural process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen at the Earth's core-mantle boundary. This reaction could generate massive amounts of free hydrogen, affecting the deep Earth's water and hydrogen cycles. The findings also suggest the potential for large-scale oxyg...

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 22, 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.