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Science News Archive April 2017 - Page 5


Page 5 of 37

Digital life project uses 3-D to document endangered frogs

The Digital Life project has released 15 three-dimensional models of live frogs, including several endangered species, to raise awareness about their vulnerability to ecological threats. The project aims to promote conservation, education, and science by showcasing the extraordinary beauty and diversity of these animals.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateApr 26, 2017

Study signals need to screen genes for stem cell transplants

Researchers found that human pluripotent stem cells can acquire mutations in the TP53 gene, a tumor suppressor responsible for controlling cell growth and division, highlighting the need for genetic screening methods to exclude mutated cells from scientific experiments and clinical therapies.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New test assesses sperm function

A new test evaluates sperm's capacitation ability, allowing for more accurate diagnoses of male infertility. The Cap-Score Sperm Function Test shows promise in increasing conception rates among men with unexplained infertility.

SourceWiley·JournalMolecular Reproduction and Development·DateApr 26, 2017

Stabilizing molecule could pave way for lithium-air fuel cell

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new stabilizing molecule that could improve the efficiency of lithium-air fuel cells, addressing issues such as poor rechargeability and high overpotentials. The molecule protects electrodes from degradation and promotes ion transport, paving the way for more sustainable energy solutions.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 26, 2017

Headless dinosaur reunited with its skull, one century later

Researchers at the University of Alberta successfully reunited a headless Corythosaurus skeleton with its skull, previously collected in 1920. This discovery highlights the growing field of study in paleontology and showcases new methods for matching specimens.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalCretaceous Research·DateApr 26, 2017
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.

Emerging companies aim to treat conditions that medication cannot relieve

Several emerging companies are developing innovative neuromodulation therapies to alleviate conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, spinal cord injury, and persistent pain. BioInduction Ltd.'s Picostim and BlueWind Medical's RENOVA iStim aim to provide targeted stimulation for various clinical indications.

SourceInternational Neuromodulation Society·DateApr 26, 2017

Berkeley Lab scientists discover new atomically layered, thin magnet

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered a new atomically layered, thin magnet in a two-dimensional material, revealing intrinsic ferromagnetism and unprecedented control over ferromagnetic behavior. The discovery has major implications for nanoscale memory, spintronic devices, and magnetic sensors.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017

Do medical marijuana laws promote illicit cannabis use and disorder?

Research finds that medical marijuana laws are associated with higher rates of illicit cannabis use and disorders, particularly in states with earlier laws. The study analyzed data from three national surveys and found significant increases in cannabis use and disorders between 1991-1992 and 2012-2013.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 26, 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.

Sun's eruptions might all have same trigger

Researchers found that coronal jets and CMEs are triggered by magnetic reconnection, a process where stressed filaments break through their magnetic restraints. The study provides a theoretical universal model for solar eruptions, covering all scales from small jets to large CMEs.

SourceDurham University·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017

Engineers shine light on deadly landslide

A recent landslide in Washington killed 43 people, prompting researchers to investigate the disaster. The study found that the landslide's height and potential energy were primary factors, but also revealed the importance of sediment type, precipitation, and erosion.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering·DateApr 26, 2017

Media portrayal of public shooters can perpetuate stereotypes

Researchers found that media portrayals of public shooters vary based on the race of the shooter, with black and Hispanic shooters more likely to be labeled as thugs. White shooters, on the other hand, are often attributed to mental illness, perpetuating negative stereotypes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAdvances in Journalism and Communication·DateApr 26, 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.

Hard rocks from Himalaya raise flood risk for millions

Scientists at University of Edinburgh have found that landslides in southern Himalayan regions can increase flood risk by altering river paths with gravel and pebbles, while softer rocks in northern regions produce dispersed sand downstream. The study helps improve flood risk maps for the Ganga Plain, affecting millions.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2017

More women with atrial fibrillation die after ER discharge than men

A University of Alberta study found that women with atrial fibrillation have a 40% higher risk of dying within a month of hospital discharge compared to men. The study analyzed data from 21,062 Albertans and controlled for factors such as age and health-related variables.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateApr 26, 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.

New model could help predict major earthquakes

Researchers at Nagoya University and their colleagues studied historical seismic events to shed light on the mechanisms behind earthquakes at a plate boundary. They found that stronger earthquakes involved ruptures at different sites, providing new insights into risk prediction tools for assessing earthquake likelihood and intensity.

SourceNagoya University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 26, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rationale and prospects of targeting bacterial 2-component systems

Researchers review key two-component systems in pathogens causing CF lung disease, finding potential for histidine kinase inhibitors to treat infections. TCS inhibitors alone or combined with existing treatments show promise for addressing antibiotic resistance in CF patients.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Drug Targets·DateApr 26, 2017

A chicken-egg question: Where do baby genes come from?

Researchers found that new genes are more likely to appear in full form rather than gradually evolving through proto-genes. This is because non-coding DNA sequences give rise to highly ordered proteins, which are often deleterious to the organism.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 26, 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.

Newly prescribed sleeping pills increase risk of hip fracture

A new study by Cardiff University and King's College London found that newly prescribed sleeping pills like benzodiazepines and 'Z-drugs' significantly increase the risk of hip fracture in people over 65. The study also identified a 53% increase in fracture risk for medium-term users and a 20% increased risk for long-term users.

SourceCardiff University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 26, 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.

p53 critical to recovering from acetaminophen overdose

Researchers found that the p53 protein plays a key role in preventing acetaminophen-induced liver damage and promoting regeneration. Activation of p53 helps prevent injury progression while inhibition stimulates liver repair, offering hope for new treatment options.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 26, 2017

'First arrival' hypothesis in Darwin's finches gets some caveats

Researchers confirm importance of first arrival for promoting species diversification in a test tube experiment with bacterial species. The study extends the 'first arrival' hypothesis with caveats, suggesting that earlier arrival allows for greater diversification if competing species are similar ecologically.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEvolution·DateApr 26, 2017

Penn researchers quantify the changes that lightning inspires in rock

Researchers at Penn University studied the effects of a lightning strike on granite rock, using X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the mineral content and temperature. The study found that the rock was raised from ambient temperatures to at least 1,700 degrees Celsius, with organic material trapped in the glass layer.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateApr 26, 2017
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.

Several EPA programs face possible elimination under Trump proposal

The Trump administration's proposed plan for the EPA includes defunding several programs related to climate change, public health, and pollution. The plan would cut $2.6 billion from the agency's budget, affecting more than 4,000 jobs and various research grants.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 26, 2017

Larger schooling fish found to have stronger attraction forces

Researchers found that larger schooling fish exhibit stronger attraction forces compared to smaller fish. Computer simulations validated the results, revealing a key role for interdisciplinary statistical approaches in understanding social interactions.

SourceUppsala University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateApr 26, 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.

Want to better comply with dietary guidelines, and save money? Cook dinner at home

A study by Oregon State University researchers found that households cooking at home three times a week scored an average of 67 on the Healthy Eating Index, compared to 74 for those cooking six times a week. This suggests that eating home-cooked dinners is associated with better diet quality and lower calorie intake.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 26, 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.

Nanoparticles can travel from lungs to blood, possibly explaining risks to heart

Researchers tracked gold nanoparticles after inhalation, finding they accumulated at inflamed vascular sites and preferredentially reached susceptible areas of the cardiovascular system. This suggests that nanoparticles could increase the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 26, 2017

Researchers explore personalized pharmacotherapy to treat panic attacks

Researchers investigated whether easily identifiable patient characteristics can improve treatment outcomes for panic disorders. They found correlations between longer illness duration and lower response rates to venlafaxine XR, higher age and increased side effects with paroxetine, and longer treatment durations and improved response ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalPersonalized Medicine in Psychiatry·DateApr 26, 2017

Link discovered between immune system, brain structure and memory

Studies reveal that genes involved in immune regulation are linked to brain thickness and memory functions, particularly emotional experiences. A specific gene variant is also associated with increased activity in regions of the brain important for traumatic memories.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 26, 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.

Illuminating the secret of glow-in-the-dark mushrooms

Scientists have elucidated the molecular components involved in fungal bioluminescence, discovering a fluorescent mushroom species that produces a unique equivalent of oxyluciferin. Fungal luciferase may interact with multiple derivatives of fungal luciferin, leading to changes in emission intensity and color.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 26, 2017

New study deems dairy 'excellent' source of protein for children

Researchers at University of Illinois conducted a study to calculate protein scores for eight sources of protein derived from both plants and animals. The digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) method was used, which showed all dairy proteins met Food and Agriculture Organization standards as 'excellent/high' quality sources.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateApr 26, 2017

The clever cell

The University of Konstanz's biological chemistry working group has decoded a molecular mechanism that inhibits bacterial populations' swarming motility. This mechanism enables bacteria to produce various natural substances using minimal resources, which may aid in combating infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateApr 26, 2017

Conservation endocrinology sheds light on a changing world

Researchers using endocrine markers can monitor ecological responses to climate change and plan conservation efforts. This emerging field aims to improve conservation biology by studying the impact of environmental stressors on species health.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateApr 26, 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.

Synthetic two-sided gecko's foot could enable underwater robotics

Researchers have developed a double-sided adhesive that can stick and unstick to surfaces in wet conditions, inspired by geckos' ability to attach and release their feet. This material could enable underwater robotics, sensors, and other bionic devices with improved friction and adhesion levels.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateApr 26, 2017

New consensus published on preventing and treating sport-related concussions

Researchers at the University of Calgary have published a new international consensus statement on concussion in sport, which includes new guidelines for detecting, assessing, treating, and preventing sport-related concussions. The statement emphasizes the importance of recognizing and removing athletes from the sporting environment if...

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateApr 26, 2017