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Science News Archive April 2017


Page 17 of 37

Emergency departments administering more medications through the nose

Emergency departments are increasingly using intranasal medication administration as an alternative to injections or IVs, offering a fast and noninvasive route to deliver medications directly to the brain. This method requires no needles, is less painful than IVs or injections, and minimizes infectious disease spread.

NASA sees lingering remnants of Tropical Cyclone 02W

Remnants of former Tropical Cyclone 02W lingered in the South China Sea as NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible images of clouds and flaring convection. The system is expected to dissipate due to dry air and unfavorable conditions for re-intensification.

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.

NSF CAREER award targets advanced microscopy techniques

Mini Das, assistant professor of physics at UH, aims to develop fast, low-radiation, high-resolution X-ray microscopy to study tissues and materials without slicing or killing samples. Her project will test new detecting methods, algorithms, and instrumentation.

Study on impact of climate change on snowpack loss in Western US

A recent study found that climate change has led to a 20% loss in the annual maximum amount of water contained in the Western US's mountain snowpack over the last three decades. The researchers estimate that further losses of up to 60% could occur within the next 30 years, posing significant economic and societal impacts.

Researchers quantify grasslands' carbon storage value

Researchers have quantified the economic value of biodiversity in grasslands for enhancing carbon storage capacity. Increasing plant species diversity from one to ten resulted in twice the carbon storage value compared to increasing it from one to two species.

Master detox molecule boosts immune defenses

Scientists at Luxembourg Institute of Health discovered a new molecular mechanism where the human immune system activates T cells to fight off pathogens through the production of glutathione, a substance that stimulates energy metabolism. This discovery offers potential therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer and autoimmune 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.

NREL establishes world record for solar hydrogen production

Scientists at NREL have achieved a new solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency record of 16.2%, significantly improving upon the 14% efficiency set in 2015. The breakthrough, published in Nature Energy, involves an inverted metamorphic multijunction semiconductor architecture that enhances device efficiency and durability.

Sat nav for bread wheat uncovers hidden genes

Scientists have created the most accurate navigation system for the bread wheat genome, allowing researchers to analyze its genes more easily than ever before. The system includes detailed annotation of over 100,000 wheat genes, revealing previously hidden genes and improving crop yields.

NREL's new perovskite ink opens window for quality cells

Scientists at NREL developed a new perovskite ink with a long processing window, allowing for the production of high-efficiency solar cells. The ink was tested using blade-coating and produced indistinguishable film morphology and device performance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Canary in the kelp forest

Researchers found that bryozoans quickly dissolved in warmer waters exposed to acidity, changing their chemical composition to build higher levels of magnesium in their skeletons. This predisposes these animals to dissolve in ocean acidification, which is becoming more common due to climate change.

Frog slime kills flu virus

Researchers have discovered a frog-derived peptide, urumin, that specifically targets the H1 strain of influenza viruses. Urumin was found to disrupt the integrity of flu viruses without harming mammalian cells, making it a promising lead for antiviral drug discovery.

Oral contraceptives reduce general well-being in healthy women

A major randomized study by Karolinska Institutet found that the most common combined oral contraceptive pill negatively affects women's quality of life without increasing depressive symptoms. The study involved 340 healthy women who reported lower mood/well-being and self-control after taking the pill compared to those given placebos.

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.

Poor sleep in anxiety, depression may make it harder to see positive

Researchers found that poor sleep in people with depression and anxiety can make it harder for the brain to modify negative emotional responses. The study used functional MRI to measure brain activity in a specific region, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which was found to work harder in individuals with lower sleep efficiency.

Megafaunal extinctions driven by too much moisture

Research reveals that major increases in environmental moisture caused widespread glacial-age grasslands to be replaced by peatlands and bogs, fragmenting populations of large herbivore grazers. The study found distinctive biochemical signals reflecting massive increases of moisture on the landscape.

Adjusting solar panel angles a few times a year makes them more efficient

Research from Binghamton University found that adjusting solar panel angles four to five times a year can provide around 25 kW/m2 more power than seasonal adjustments. This practical solution can help reduce costs associated with automated tracking systems, making manual adjustment an economical option.

Zinc supply affects cardiac health

Research by TUM found that low zinc levels can affect the heart's ability to deal with oxidative stress, leading to increased risk of heart disease. Zinc deficiency was also linked to upregulation of genes responsible for programmed cell death.

Tracing the puzzling origins of clinging jellyfish

A recent genetic study of clinging jellyfish populations has discovered unexpected connections between communities in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, challenging previous assumptions about their origins. The research suggests that there may be more than one species of Gonionemus, with different variants found in various locations.

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.

Lasers measure jet disintegration

A team of researchers applied spectroscopic diagnostics to study sub- and supercritical jet disintegration, revealing trends important for improving jet propulsion systems. The Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) technique provided quantitative density data, offering new insights into fluid behavior.

Charisma-challenged? You can still be a good boss

New research from Michigan State University suggests that a boss's mindset can significantly impact employee motivation. Studies found that leaders with a regulatory focus, or mindset, can adapt their behavior to elicit specific mindsets in employees, whether it's innovation or a more conservative work focus.

Making oil from algae -- towards more efficient biofuels

A Japanese research team has discovered the mechanism behind oil synthesis in microalgae cells, which could contribute to the development of more efficient biofuels. The findings revealed that adding seawater increases the production of triacylglycerol, a key component of oil.

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.

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.

USDA announces $6.3 million in available funding on resilient agroecosystems

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $6.3 million in available funding for projects supporting resilient agriculture and forestry production systems. These investments will help producers, land managers, and decision-makers develop valuable tools to address climate-related challenges.

Captive meerkats at risk of stress

New research suggests that captive meerkat groups in zoos are more susceptible to chronic stress due to their small group sizes and constant exposure to human visitors. The study measured stress levels by analyzing hormone samples from the meerkats' droppings, revealing a link between small group sizes and high visitor numbers.

Protein primes mouse stem cells to quickly repair injury, Stanford study finds

A Stanford study has identified a protein called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that can prime mouse stem cells to quickly respond to injury. The researchers found that HGF helps activate a critical signaling pathway in the cells, stimulating the production of proteins important for alerting stem cells and promoting tissue repair.

New method can model chemistry in extreme magnetic fields of white dwarfs

Researchers developed a new methodology to calculate theoretical spectra for atoms and molecules in strong magnetic fields exhibited by up to one-fifth of white dwarfs. This work sheds light on the presence of oxygen, silicon, phosphorous, carbon, and carbon-containing compounds in these collapsed stars.

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.

Sharon C. Glotzer wins 2017 MRS Communications Lecture Award

Sharon C. Glotzer received the 2017 MRS Communications Lecture Award for her work on polymer-tethered nanoparticles. Her paper, published in MRS Communications, demonstrates the use of computational tools to design and assemble functional materials nanostructures.

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.

Pigeon study takes on sexism in science

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of New Hampshire found hundreds of differences in gene activity between male and female rock doves. The findings aim to promote sex and gender inclusion in experimental science and shed light on physiological differences between sexes.

UTSA professor's study describes new way to predict tumor growth

A new study by Yusheng Feng describes an algorithm that can predict the growth of cancerous tumors, helping medical professionals make informed decisions on treatment options. The algorithm takes into account various factors such as biological events and cell patterns to provide personalized predictions.

Study examines effectiveness of steroid medication for sore throat

A recent study published in JAMA found that a single capsule of corticosteroid dexamethasone did not increase the likelihood of complete symptom resolution after 24 hours in patients with sore throats. However, at 48 hours, more participants receiving dexamethasone reported feeling completely better.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study finds amoeba 'grazing,' killing bacteria usually protected by fi

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study reveals that certain amoebas called dictyostelids can penetrate biofilms and devour bacteria, including multi-drug resistant species. This finding has potential applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, such as bacterial keratitis and fire blight.

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.

New many-toothed clingfish discovered with help of digital scans

Researchers at University of Washington and Texas A&M University discovered a new genus and species of clingfish using digital scans. The duckbilled clingfish has an impressive number of tiny, conical teeth, estimated to be 10 times what all other known clingfish have.

Teaching happiness to men with HIV boosts their health

A new Northwestern University study finds that teaching positive emotion skills to men with HIV reduces their viral load and improves mental health. The intervention, which consisted of eight weekly sessions, also led to increased happiness and a stronger immune system.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Virtual microscopy: New online resource for educators & researchers

A new database, Virtual Microscopy Database, launches to provide high-quality images of human body structures, making it easier for educators and researchers to access and use digital microscopic images. This resource is expected to benefit schools in the developing world by reducing the need to purchase microscopes and glass slides.

Low cervical cancer screening rates found among mentally ill

A study of California Medicaid recipients with severe mental illness found low cervical cancer screening rates, with only 20.2% screened compared to 42.3% in the general population. Younger women and those from minority groups had higher screening rates, but there was still a significant disparity in cervical cancer development risk.

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.

Reading the genetic code depends on context

Biologists found that sets of three triplets, rather than individual codons, may be crucial for correct protein synthesis in ribosomes. This discovery could reframe cancer genetics and human genetic diseases research.