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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 87


Page 87 of 461

Infants' inference of others' emotions

Researchers found that infants can match emotions with probable causes and search for the cause when it's incongruent. They distinguished between five positive emotional expressions in tasks involving looking and searching behaviors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017

Legibility emerges spontaneously, rather than evolving over time

Research reveals surprising patterns in letter orientation, favoring certain symmetries and angles, with no evidence of long-term evolution through cultural transformation or selection. The study analyzed over 100 scripts from around the world, finding that human cognitive preferences directly affect character shape.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalCognitive Science·DateOct 23, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Genetic rescue boosts recovery of Australia's endangered mountain pygmy possums

A genetic rescue technique has increased population numbers and survival rates of the endangered mountain pygmy possum, with a rapid growth of over 200 individuals detected since its introduction in 2011. Habitat restoration, predator control, and environmental protection also played crucial roles in conservation management.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2017

Selective memory

Researchers developed a new cache-management scheme that improves the data rate of in-package DRAM caches, reducing metadata transfer and increasing bandwidth. The 'Banshee' system adds three bits of data to each entry, enabling efficient storage and retrieval of frequently used data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 23, 2017

Penn study links mutations in notch gene to role in B cell cancers

A Penn study found that Notch gene mutations drive expression of Myc and other genes in B-cell cancers, offering new insights into cancer growth and potential therapeutic targets. The research may lead to more effective treatment combinations by targeting Notch-Myc signaling pathways.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 23, 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.

Maternal responses to infants' cries

Researchers observed maternal responses to infant crying across 11 countries, finding common brain activity patterns in new mothers. The study suggests a neurobiological and evolutionary basis for the human maternal response to infant cries.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017

Are clinicians prepared to give bad news?

Two studies investigated clinicians' preparedness to give bad news, finding that only one-third have received formal training. Medical students receive less training than other professionals, but more experienced physicians compensate with better skills. The study also highlights the importance of communication training in delivering b...

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 23, 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.

Introduction of a novel system for in vitro analyses of zebrafish oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

Researchers have developed a novel in vitro platform to analyze zebrafish oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which could lead to improved spinal cord repair in humans. The system allows for efficient and controlled analysis of these cells, enabling the study of their differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateOct 23, 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.

Rhythm of memory

A study by Prof. Dr. Marlene Bartos and her team found that inhibiting circuits in the hippocampus create high-frequency brainwaves that support parallel processing and storage of information, a key mechanism for laying initial traces of memory.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2017

Activation of immune T cells leads to behavioral changes

Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 23, 2017

Synthetic hydrogels deliver cells to repair intestinal injuries

Researchers created synthetic hydrogels that allowed human intestinal cells to grow and differentiate in a 3D environment, forming normal tissue structures. The hydrogels can be easily modified to support various cell types, offering a promising approach for treating gut injuries and potentially other organ damage.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 23, 2017

NASA sees Tropical Depression 27W still struggling

Tropical Depression 27W continues to struggle south of Guam, with vertical wind shear pushing clouds and thunderstorms away from its center. The depression is expected to consolidate and strengthen as it moves into warmer waters.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 23, 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.

Crops evolving 10 millennia before experts thought

Research reveals that humans systemically affected crop evolution up to 30,000 years ago, triggering domestication of rice, wheat, and barley. This discovery proves the existence of dense populations and challenges previous understanding of agriculture's origins.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateOct 23, 2017

Resistive memory components the computer industry can't resist

Scientists at Yale University and international collaborators have developed new memsistor devices that can store information and regulate electrical current. The discovery offers great potential for applications in computing, particularly in neuromorphic and logic circuits.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 23, 2017

How hospitals respond when it's uncertain if the newborn is a boy or a girl

A new study found substantial variability across US medical centers in diagnosing and treating disorders of sex development (DSD), with some institutions lacking specialist teams. Families often face difficult decisions about irreversible procedures, highlighting the need for improved guidelines and collaboration among providers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateOct 23, 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.

UCSF innovators use EHRs to track hospital-acquired infection

Using electronic health records, UCSF researchers mapped over 435,000 patient location changes and identified a critical CT scanner in the Emergency Department as a significant source of exposure-related C. diff infections. This analysis led to improved cleaning practices and bolstered infection prevention strategies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 23, 2017

Novel therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria

Researchers have developed novel antimicrobial compounds that can treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. The combination of colistin and a manganese tricarbonyl complex showed significant antibacterial activity in killing multidrug-resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 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.

Are e-cigarettes with higher nicotine associated with more smoking, vaping?

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that e-cigarette users who vaped with higher nicotine concentrations were more likely to use combustible cigarettes and experience intense vaping. The research suggests regulatory policies addressing nicotine concentration levels may affect progression of smoking and vaping among adolescents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 23, 2017

Moment of impact: A journey into the Chicxulub Crater

The IODP-ICDP Expedition 364 drilled into the Chicxulub crater off Mexico's coast, uncovering key findings about the impact event. The expedition revealed details about peak-ring crater formation and the recovery of life within 30,000 years after the impact.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateOct 23, 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.

Solution to mysterious behavior of supercooled water

The study reveals that anomalous molecular motions in supercooled water lead to the breakdown of Stokes-Einstein behavior, with regions forming hydrogen bonds heterogeneously. The findings provide insights into the physical implications of this anomaly, which could help explain dynamic behaviors in glassy materials.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2017

Teamwork makes the dream work?

A study by Montefiore Medical Center found that wearing personalized numbered jerseys for code team members significantly increases overall teamwork performance during cardiac arrest. The Mayo Teamwork score was higher in the experimental group, and the percent of directed commands was also increased.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 23, 2017

Birds without own brood help other birds with parenting, but not selflessly

A recent study by Sjouke Kingma found that birds help other birds of the same species care for their offspring in exchange for future benefits, such as inheriting territory or creating an army of little helpers. This behavior challenges the traditional view that all creatures are selfish and maximizing their own reproductive success.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2017

Scientists warn that saline lakes in dire situation worldwide

Scientists warn that saline lakes globally are in peril due to excessive water withdrawals and climate change, threatening wildlife habitats, industries, and human health. The Great Salt Lake has declined by approximately 11 feet and lost nearly 50% of its area over the last 160 years.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 23, 2017

New York City flood risk from tropical cyclones

A new study estimates that future flood risk to New York City from tropical cyclones will be driven primarily by sea-level rise, with storm surges also playing a significant role. The researchers project mean overall flood heights to increase by 0.7-1.4 m by the end of the current century and 2.4-13 m by 2300.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 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.

Acute kidney failure with VTE proves difficult to treat

Researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury had higher VTE rates despite prophylaxis, highlighting the need for optimal heparin dosing in these cases. The study also showed that creatinine clearance was not associated with VTE rates when unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparins were given.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·DateOct 23, 2017

Standardised data reporting of energy efficient mortgage assets

The Energy efficiency Data Portal & Protocol (EeDaPP) Initiative aims to create a standardized reporting template for loan-by-loan energy efficient mortgage assets. This will enable large-scale tracking of performance and facilitate earmarking for energy efficient bond issuance.

SourceUniversità Ca' Foscari Venezia·DateOct 23, 2017

Ames Laboratory, UConn discover superconductor with bounce

Researchers at Ames Laboratory and UConn have discovered a material with extraordinary 'bounce' or super-elastic shape-memory properties, exceeding 13% recoverable strain. This breakthrough could lead to innovative applications in outer space and other harsh environments.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2017
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.

Protein regulates vitamin A metabolic pathways, prevents inflammation

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a protein called ISX that helps balance vitamin A metabolism in the gut. Without this protein, mice develop severe inflammation and become immunocompromised, highlighting the link between diet and inflammatory diseases.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017

IUPUI receives NSF grant to enhance geosciences education, expand community engagement

IUPUI has received a $428,000 NSF grant to develop a novel educational program that enhances geosciences education and inspires students to address community problems. The program will engage undergraduates from underrepresented groups and provide opportunities for them to explore environmental justice through a themed learning community.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·DateOct 23, 2017

New study shows how cells can be led down non-cancer path

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a critical step in how cancer cells shift their metabolism, leading them down a cancerous path. By inhibiting a specific protein modification, the study reveals a potential therapeutic target to reverse several hallmarks of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 23, 2017

Older Neandertal survived with a little help from his friends

Despite multiple injuries and deafness, Shanidar 1 lived into his 40s with the help of others. His sensory impairment made him vulnerable to predators, emphasizing the importance of social support for survival as a hunter-gatherer in the Pleistocene.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 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.

Better sleep, less fear

A study by Itamar Lerner and colleagues found that higher quality sleep patterns are associated with reduced activity in brain regions involved in fear learning. The researchers suggest that baseline sleep quality may be a useful predictor of susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateOct 23, 2017

Malaysia embraces Melanie's work on the illegal wildlife trade

Research by Melanie Flynn, a University of Huddersfield lecturer, has led to Malaysia setting up environmental courts to deal with wildlife crimes. In contrast, the UK has made slower progress in tackling the issue, with inconsistent sentencing and limited resources hindering efforts.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateOct 23, 2017

Mongolian microfossils point to the rise of animals on Earth

The discovery of exceptionally well-preserved microfossils in Mongolia's Khesen Formation may confirm the existence of animal ecosystems earlier than previously thought. The cache, comprising eight genera and 17 species, represents a critical transition in life's history.

SourceYale University·JournalGeology·DateOct 23, 2017

New asthma biomarkers identified from lung bacteria

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified two asthma phenotypes linked to distinct lung microbiomes, suggesting a potential for more precise treatments. The study found that targeting specific bacterial compositions may help control asthma severity and development.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 2017

Irregular heartbeat linked to higher thyroid hormone levels

Research finds individuals with higher thyroid hormone levels, even within normal range, are more likely to develop irregular heartbeat. The study analyzed data from 30,085 individuals and found a significant increase in risk associated with moderate increases in FT4 levels.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateOct 23, 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.

NUS researchers discover pathway by which blood cells release a potent signalling factor

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have discovered a critical molecular target for sphingosine-1-phosphate production, paving the way for regulating its signalling in circulation. Low levels of S1P have been linked to various immune and vascular diseases, including multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular complications.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateOct 23, 2017

Variability in age-related memory impairment

Researchers found that variability in the medial temporal lobe's subfields is associated with differences in associative memory performance among older adults. The study's findings could help unravel age-related memory impairment by highlighting individual differences in brain structure and function.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017
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.

Scientists: Expanding Brazilian sugarcane could dent global CO2 emissions

Scientists propose expanding sugarcane production in Brazil to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. The idea involves converting hundreds of thousands of square miles into sugarcane fields while allowing for expansion of other agricultural crops and human needs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 23, 2017

A step closer to a cure for adult-onset diabetes

Exosomes secreted by cells in healthy individuals stop protein aggregation that leads to type 2 diabetes, but those in patients with the disease do not. This discovery provides new insights into the disease and may lead to the development of treatments.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017