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Science News Archive 2017


Page 7 of 461

How a virus becomes chronic

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals the molecular binding partners of a chronic virus, providing new insights into the development of chronic viral infections and potential targets for treatment. The researchers mapped protein interactions using a novel approach, identifying essential proteins for viral survival and host defense.

Will a salad a day keep memory problems away?

A study published in Neurology found that eating at least one serving of green, leafy vegetables a day was linked to a slower rate of decline on tests of memory and thinking skills. The difference was equivalent to being 11 years younger in age.

Origins of photosynthesis in plants dated to 1.25 billion years ago

Scientists have discovered that the basis for photosynthesis in today's plants was set in place 1.25 billion years ago, according to a new study published in Geology. The research pinpoints the age of ancient algae fossils, which had previously been estimated between 720 million and 1.2 billion years.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder

A study published in Springer's Sex Roles journal found that men under the influence of alcohol are more likely to objectify women. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to analyze how men viewed images of attractive and unattractive women, revealing that intoxication increases the likelihood of viewing women as sexual objects.

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.

Two studies find stress reprograms cells

Researchers have discovered how cells adapt to stressors by reprogramming their internal signaling networks, which could lead to therapeutics for multiple diseases. The studies focus on cellular mechanisms that protect against cell death and dysfunction, particularly in the context of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Killing it softly

UCSB mechanical engineer Daniel Gianola and colleagues use machine learning to predict material failure based on a new concept of softness. By analyzing disordered materials, they found that the size of correlated softness is identical to the number of particles in motion during failure.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Hearing is believing in gene therapy's promise

A new study by Rice University professor Xue Gao outlines a strategy using gene editing to slow the progression of genetic hearing disease. The research found that delivering RNA protein complexes into hair cells significantly increased hair cell survival rates and preserved hearing in rodents.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The biggest chemistry-related stories from 2017

The American Chemical Society reviews the most intriguing chemistry stories of 2017, including breakthroughs in computing and molecular machines. Chemists also demonstrated their support for science through marches and rallies, while environmental groups protested the Trump administration's TSCA implementation delays.

Defending against environmental stressors may shorten lifespan

A new study by NIH researchers found a molecular basis for the theory of aging, suggesting that environmental stressors can shorten lifespan. The study identified a protein called Mthl10, which helps flies defend against inflammation but ultimately shortens their life.

Study connects stocks, democracy, and the Arab Spring

The study found that protesters lowered the stock market valuations of politically connected firms by 13% relative to other firms. The researchers also discovered a connection between protest crowd size and valuation changes, with larger crowds leading to lower valuations for NDP-connected firms.

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.

New class of anti-cancer drug effective against kidney cancer

A new class of medicines called HIF-2a inhibitors, including PT2385, have shown promise in treating metastatic kidney cancer. The drug blocked tumor growth for at least 4 months in 40% of patients and stopped cancer growth for over a year in 25% of patients with minimal side effects.

New technique allows rapid screening for new types of solar cells

A team at MIT has developed a rapid screening method for new solar cell materials, bypassing time-consuming lab tests and improving accuracy. The approach uses simple lab tests combined with computer modeling to predict material performance, accelerating the search for more efficient materials.

Unmarried heart patients face higher risk of death

A study of 6,051 patients with coronary artery disease found that being unmarried was associated with a 24% higher risk of death from any cause. Unmarried individuals were also at a higher risk of cardiovascular death/heart attack, with a 52% increased risk compared to married patients.

Mars: Not as dry as it seems

Scientists propose that Martian surface reacted with water and then absorbed it, increasing rock oxidation. The planet's composition, temperature profile and iron content made the surface prone to reaction, dragging water down into the mantle.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Nearly zero-energy buildings: A difficult challenge for Southern Europe

Researchers in Southern Europe face significant challenges in achieving nearly zero-energy buildings due to sociological and climatic factors. The study highlights the need for improved regulations, design, construction, and use of these buildings to address thermal comfort issues and minimize environmental impact.

New catalyst meets challenge of cleaning exhaust from modern engines

Researchers at the University of New Mexico and Washington State University have created a catalyst capable of reducing pollutants at lower temperatures expected in advanced engines. The new catalyst uses smaller amounts of platinum, the most expensive component of emission-control catalysts, while maintaining high temperature stability.

Halogens can increase solar cell performance by 25 per cent

Researchers from UBC and UNC Chapel Hill discovered that halogens can increase conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by 25%. The presence of halogens accelerates electron transfer, allowing for faster regeneration of the light-absorbing dye.

Key to immune system's memory revealed

Researchers at Monash University have identified a novel molecular 'blueprint' that enables the immune system to fight disease by 'remembering' past infections. This discovery potentially opens new avenues for improving vaccines and therapies, including those targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.

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.

Cervical device reduces rate of preterm birth

A cervical pessary significantly reduced the risk of spontaneous preterm birth at less than 34 weeks. Pregnant women with a short cervix who used the device had a lower rate of preterm birth compared to those without the device.

Friend or foe? How the unconscious mind picks out faces in a crowd

A new study by Hebrew University researcher Ran Hassin reveals that our unconscious mind quickly registers faces associated with power and potential threat, while ignoring those deemed trustworthy. The findings have implications for understanding mental disorders such as autism and PTSD.

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.

Grant to fund nutrition education for preschoolers

The American Heart Association funded a three-year study to investigate the effect of a low energy dense diet on preschoolers. The researchers provided nutrition education to over 230 children at seven local preschools, aiming to improve their dietary choices.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Genitourinary health problems worse for sexually abused girls

A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that sexually abused girls receive more medical diagnoses for urinary and genital health problems compared to their peers. Researchers also discovered no significant difference in the number of diagnoses for sexually transmitted infections between girls and boys.

Pesticides and poor nutrition damage animal health

A new study by UC San Diego researchers reveals that combining pesticides and limited nutrient sources causes a synergistic effect on bee survival, increasing deaths by up to 50%. The scientists used honey bees as test subjects due to their role as agricultural pollinators and environmental bioindicators.

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.

New study reveals reversibility of genetic nervous system disease

Researchers developed a mouse model where the FXN gene defect causing Friedreich’s ataxia can be turned on or off, revealing that many early symptoms are reversible. The study found that reducing frataxin levels led to symptoms similar to those seen in humans with the disease, which disappeared when frataxin levels returned to normal.

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.

Overlooked immune cells hold breakthrough for treating aggressive cancers

Researchers have discovered that T cells with a protein called CD26 on their surface are highly effective against aggressive solid tumors. These cells, previously overlooked in cancer immunotherapy, can resist apoptosis and repopulate after infusion, making them ideal for adoptive cell transfer therapy.

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.

Biophysical Society selects Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year for 2017

Daniela Kraft has been selected as the winner of the Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year Award for 2017 for her research on microparticle assembly pathways on lipid membranes. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to biophysics, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research in this field.

DNA annotations predict patient outcomes in childhood leukemia

Researchers at UCSF have developed a test that can predict how patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia will respond to treatment, potentially identifying those who are likely to recover spontaneously. The test uses epigenetic annotations of the genome and has been validated in an additional group of patients treated in Germany.

Cigarette smoking is increasing among Americans with drug problems

A new study found that cigarette smoking rates increased among individuals with substance use disorders, including hallucinogens and heroin, while decreasing among those with cannabis use disorders. More than half of individuals with a substance use disorder reported cigarette use in the past month, compared to 18% without a disorder.

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.

More complex biological systems evolve more freely

Researchers found that mutations in two components interact with each other, increasing the system's freedom to change and evolve. The study provides a mechanistic understanding of how genetic structure determines patterns of epistasis.

Quantum trick blocks background 'chatter' in sensing devices

A University of Sydney team has developed quantum control techniques to enable ultra-sensitive quantum sensors that can identify tiny signals while rejecting background noise. The new protocols reduce spectral leakage by many orders of magnitude over conventional methods, with applications in medicine and defence.