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Science News Archive 2017


Page 84 of 461

Taste, not appearance, drives corals to eat plastics

A new Duke University study suggests that corals are attracted to plastics due to their chemical composition, which makes them taste good. Corals in the experiment preferred unfouled microplastics over fouled ones by a threefold difference.

New way to prevent unfavorable intestinal microbiota

Researchers found that antimicrobial peptide R-Spondin1 stimulates intestinal stem cells to differentiate into Paneth cells, which secrete alpha-defensins with strong antimicrobial activity. Administration of R-Spondin1 restored gut microbiota in mice with graft-versus-host disease, preventing depletion of Paneth cells and dysbiosis.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Nurses' depression tied to increased likelihood of medical errors

A new study by Ohio State University found that depression among nurses is tied to a higher likelihood of making medical errors. More than half of the 1,790 surveyed nurses reported sub-optimal physical and mental health, which significantly increased their risk of reporting medical errors.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Comparison of outcomes for robotic-assisted vs. laparoscopic surgical procedures

Two studies comparing robotic-assisted to laparoscopic surgical procedures found no significant differences in postoperative complications or quality of life for patients with renal mass or rectal cancer. Robotic-assisted surgery was associated with prolonged operating times and higher hospital costs, but not increased risk of major co...

NASA Goddard announces Innovator of the Year

Mahmooda Sultana, a NASA research engineer, has been named IRAD Innovator of the Year for her groundbreaking work on nanomaterials and detectors. She is expanding her research to develop quantum-dot technology and 3-D printed sensor platforms.

Underwater sound waves help scientists locate ocean impacts

Scientists have developed a new method to locate the precise time and location that objects fall into our oceans using underwater microphones. The method relies on measuring acoustic gravity waves generated when an object hits the sea surface. Researchers validated their method by locating recent earthquakes in the Indian Ocean.

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.

Weak social ties a killer for male whales

New research found that male killer whales are three times more likely to die in years with scarce food and when they are not at the centre of their social group. The study highlights the importance of social bonds for male killer whales, particularly during times of scarcity.

The problem with being pretty

Researchers found that attractive candidates are perceived as more entitled to good outcomes, leading decision makers to favor unattractive individuals for less desirable jobs. This challenges the common assumption that attractiveness is an advantage in job selection.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Australian research highlights worldwide risk of HIV and Hepatitis C epidemics

A comprehensive review by Australian researchers found that 15.6 million people have recently injected drugs, with 18% living with HIV infection and 52% testing positive for hepatitis C antibody. The authors highlight the need to scale up interventions for people who inject drugs to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses.

Construction material-based methodology for contingency base selection

The study proposes a remote evaluation method to determine the feasibility of using local resources for contingency base construction. By analyzing available data and proximity factor analysis, planners can optimize CB site plans and locations to maximize indigenous resource utilization.

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.

There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, new study shows

A new study published by Binghamton University found that even small amounts of alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause anxiety in offspring, lasting through adolescence and adulthood. The research used low levels of alcohol exposure to reach this conclusion, differing from previous studies that used high levels.

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.

Energy firm branding, not deals, influences customer switching

A recent study by the University of East Anglia found that UK energy firms' branding approaches are more effective than product innovation in keeping customers. Brands with consistent brand personalities, such as EDF Energy, performed better in terms of customer loyalty.

When humidity benefits batteries

Researchers developed a postprocessing treatment for silicon-based electrodes that improves mechanical properties and storage capacity, leading to up to ten times increased electrode performance. The treatment involves placing electrodes in a humid environment for two to three days, resulting in greater stability and longer cycle life.

Daydreaming is good. It means you're smart

A recent study from Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that daydreaming during meetings or at work might not be as bad as thought. Participants with more efficient brains scored higher on intellectual and creative ability tests.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Cleaning marine litter in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea

The CLAIM project focuses on developing new strategies for prevention and in-situ management of marine litter, particularly in the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea. The project will test innovative technologies such as automated cleaning devices, photocatalytic devices, and thermal treatment devices to reduce plastic debris in these areas.

Studies support the reduced-risk potential of glo™

Scientists ranked glo™ and other next-generation products against conventional cigarettes, finding reduced toxicants in vapour and biological impact on cells. Glo™ produced a substantially reduced response compared to cigarette smoke.

Spots on supergiant star drive spirals in stellar wind

Researchers found that spots on the surface of Zeta Puppis, a supergiant star, create large-scale spiral structures in its stellar wind. The team observed periodic signals in the star's light and wind behavior, indicating a link between surface variations and wind clumping.

Anticipating aftershocks

The new earthquake forecast, UCERF3, provides self-consistent rupture probabilities from short-term to long-term, including increased likelihood of powerful aftershocks and revised earthquake frequencies. The model also assesses short-term changes in seismic hazard based on earthquake clustering and aftershock excitations.

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.

'Gentle' dying -- or suicide?

A new study argues that voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED) is a form of suicide, requiring regulation by physicians. In many cases, patients would need substantial medical assistance to carry out their intention of fasting to death.

Jumping nanoparticles

The study confirms Einstein's theoretical analysis of Brownian motion by observing the Kramers turnover in levitated nanoparticles. The researchers found that the transition rate between states depends on friction and grows with decreasing friction before decreasing again at low friction levels.

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.

Novel histone modifications couple metabolism to gene activity

Scientists have discovered two new classes of histone modifications that couple cellular metabolism to gene activity, providing a potential mechanism for environmental influences on gene expression. The novel marks, propionylation and butyrylation, are linked to fatty acid metabolism and can drive transcription in test tube experiments.

Noninvasive brain imaging shows readiness of trainees to perform operations

A study using noninvasive brain imaging found that simulator-trained medical students demonstrated increased cortical activity and faster completion times for cutting tasks compared to those with no training. The researchers believe this approach can objectively assess surgical skill transfer, providing a more accurate representation o...

Mysterious DNA modification seen in stress response

Geneticists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered a mysterious DNA modification in animals, specifically adenine methylation, which increases four-fold under conditions of stress in the brain. This epigenetic modification may play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders.

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.

Ice sheets may melt rapidly in response to distant volcanoes

Researchers found that ancient volcanic eruptions caused significant melting of the northern European ice sheet, with some eruptions leading to 20 centimeters of ice loss. The study suggests that modern ice sheets may be vulnerable to similar effects, highlighting a potential positive feedback loop between volcanism and climate change.

Universities should actively support open scholarship

A new article in PLOS Biology argues that universities should support the sharing of educational resources to benefit society. The author proposes several ways institutions can counter practices that inhibit open information flow, including awarding faculty prizes for community engagement.

Researchers discover which brain region motivates behavior change

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.

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.

Study finds increase of herbicide in older adults

Researchers found significant increases in glyphosate and its metabolite in the urine of older adults from Southern California between 1993 and 2016. Average glyphosate levels increased by 13 years, with detectable levels present in more than 70% of samples.

Dr. Peter J. Winzer of Nokia Bell Labs USA, awarded 2018 John Tyndall Award

Peter Winzer, a renowned expert in optical communication systems, has been awarded the 2018 John Tyndall Award by The Optical Society and the IEEE Photonics Society. His significant advancements involving modulation formats and spatial multiplexing have greatly expanded the field of optical communication systems.

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.

How the financial press influences investors' opinion and behavior

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg found that the financial press can have a significant impact on investor behavior and opinions. The experiment showed that positive news coverage led to a positive evaluation of stocks, while negative coverage had the opposite effect.

Electronic entropy enhances water splitting

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that cerium's electronic entropy is the underlying reason for its success in water-splitting technologies. Cerium's large entropy makes it ideal for hydrogen production, opening up possibilities for future work in creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy system.

Antibiotics from a 'molecular pencil sharpener'

Researchers at Rutgers University have identified a protein complex called TldD that activates the antibiotic microcin B17 by removing its protective coating. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibacterial agents and drugs to combat toxins.

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.

Single nanoparticle mapping paves the way for better nanotechnology

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method to map individual nanoparticles, allowing for improved nanomaterials and safer technologies. The discovery paves the way for the development of more efficient hydrogen detectors and other applications.