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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 10 of 41

The potential for a revolution

A new project aims to investigate the effects of the forcing technique on mathematics and philosophy, promising a revolutionary paradigm shift. The funding of about 900,000 euros will support Carolin Antos' research for five years.

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.

Severity of North Pacific storms at highest point in over 1,200 years

Research from Dartmouth College finds that warming sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean have intensified storm activity in the North Pacific. This has led to increased storminess in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, with some areas experiencing colder, wetter conditions as far away as Florida.

Survival of soil organisms is a wake-up call for biosecurity

Nematodes, tiny worm-like organisms, have shown the ability to survive in dry conditions for up to three years, highlighting the need for improved detection methods. The study found that nematodes can infect plant hosts even after extended periods, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures.

ASU/Biodesign researchers enter race for early Alzheimer's test

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an early blood test for Alzheimer's disease that can detect the disease before symptoms appear. The test distinguishes between Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and healthy controls by analyzing RNA transcripts in white blood cells.

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.

Tracking down the jumping genes of maize

Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have mapped the 'jumping genes' of maize, identifying transposable elements that regulate gene expression and impact plant traits. The new genome sequence enables a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between these elements and the diversity of the genome.

Ice age era bones recovered from underwater caves in Mexico

A team of divers has discovered a wealth of fossil remains in Mexico's Hoyo Negro cave, shedding light on the region's ecosystem during the end of the last Ice Age. The finds include early human remains, giant ground sloths, and saber-tooth cats.

Physicists find strange state of matter in superconducting crystal

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found a unique state of matter in CeRhIn5, a superconducting crystal, where electrons unite to flow in the same direction. This 'electronic nematicity' state is a rare phenomenon between liquid and crystal, and its relationship with superconductivity is still being explored.

Panic disorder symptoms may be tied to acid-sensing receptor

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered a link between acid-sensing receptor TDAG8 and panic disorder symptoms. The study found significantly increased levels of TDAG8 in patients with panic disorder, correlating with symptom severity and treatment response.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New receptor found on scavenger cells

Researchers identify MARCO as a key adenovirus receptor on macrophage cells, enabling viral invasion and triggering an inflammatory response. This discovery has implications for gene therapy and the development of medications to block the receptor

Upon prolonged irradiation, human stem cells' defenses are activated

Researchers discovered that prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation can delay cell cycle and increase DNA repair efficiency, with potential implications for cancer risk reduction. The study found that human stem cells can activate alternative DNA repair mechanisms, such as homologous recombination, in response to prolonged irradiation.

Fantastic beasts and why to conserve them

A new study finds that acknowledging and understanding the role of mythical creatures in local cultures can have a positive impact on conservation. In Madagascar, for example, spiritual beliefs surrounding magical animals are linked to local taboos that protect endangered species like the radiated tortoise.

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.

Carbon nanotubes worth their salt

Lawrence Livermore scientists developed carbon nanotube pores that can exclude salt from seawater, exceeding water permeability of wider CNTs by an order of magnitude. The super smooth inner surface and tiny pore size enable efficient transport of water while blocking larger salt ions.

Mathematical mystery of ancient Babylonian clay tablet solved

The discovery of Plimpton 322 reveals the ancient Babylonians' use of a novel kind of trigonometry based on ratios, not angles and circles, to calculate shapes of right-angle triangles. The tablet predates Hipparchus' trigonometric table by over 1000 years, offering new possibilities for modern mathematics research and education.

Plant 'smells' insect foe, initiates defense

A team of researchers found that goldenrod plants can detect a specific chemical compound emitted by gall-inducing flies, triggering a defense response. The plants respond strongly to E,S-conophthorin, a blend of chemicals that attracts females and fertilizes eggs.

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.

Study examines whether marijuana affects kidney function

A recent study of healthy young adults found no association between marijuana use and change in kidney function over time or albumin in the urine. Further research is needed to assess the effects of marijuana on older adults and patients with kidney disease.

Metal simplifies synthesis of antibody drugs

Rice University scientists have developed a method to efficiently modify natural antibodies that can deliver drugs to target cells by adding rhodium, a rare transition metal. The new technique allows labs to test the relative function of various antibody sources and antigen targets to see which will work best on tumor cells.

Cancer drug can reactivate HIV

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that a cancer drug called JQ1 can reactivate latent HIV, a critical barrier to a cure. By targeting the BRD4 protein, JQ1 allows the virus to make copies of itself, providing new insights into an 'old' cellular defense mechanism against invading viruses.

Manganese in underground drinking water is cause for concern

A recent study by University of California, Riverside researchers found high levels of manganese in groundwater wells in the US and three Asian countries, exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. The study suggests public health officials should monitor manganese levels to ensure safe drinking water, particularly for children.

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.

How the emotions of others influence our olfactory sense

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that brain area relevant for smelling is activated before an odour is perceived, affecting how positive or negative the smell is perceived to be. The piriform cortex processes visual information and creates an expectation about the scent's smell, influencing perception.

The dinosaur museum that visits you

The Institute for the Study of Mongolian Dinosaurs' Moveable Museum travels across rural Mongolia, offering engaging exhibits and workshops to promote paleontology and protect local fossils. The museum aims to inspire local kids to become paleontologists and support conservation efforts.

Combating antiviral drug resistance with dynamic therapeutics

Researchers are developing a new class of biological therapeutics that can coevolve with viruses, potentially eliminating or blunting resistance. By leveraging natural phenomena like defective interference, they aim to create therapeutic interfering particles that can reduce disease severity and transmission.

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.

Variation in the recovery of tetrapods

A new study compares the recovery of land-dwelling vertebrates from different localities in southern Pangaea, finding stark differences in ecological diversity levels. The research suggests that carnivores and archosaurs were diverse and abundant in Zambia and Tanzania but relatively uncommon or absent in South Africa.

Three faculty members receive NSF Convergence grants

Penn State faculty members Ming Xiao, Heng Xu, and Jun Zhu receive NSF Convergence grants to support interdisciplinary research on permafrost coastal erosion, crowdsourcing research, and quantum science. The grants aim to bring together experts from various fields to address complex challenges and advance scientific discovery.

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.

Change your diet, change your microbiota

A study of 188 Hadza hunter-gatherers reveals that their diet affects the composition of their gut microbiome. The researchers found that traditional diets rich in plants and hunting were associated with higher levels of beneficial bacteria, while Western diets were linked to reduced diversity.

Understanding how omega-3 dampens inflammatory reactions

Recent research from NTNU found that omega-3 fatty acids can dampen harmful inflammatory reactions in the body, particularly by activating autophagy and inhibiting interferon response factors. This may be beneficial for patients with conditions driven or aggravated by strong inflammatory responses.

Scientists discover how tuberculosis hijacks the immune system

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how tuberculosis hijacks the immune system in human lungs, enabling it to establish an infection. The research found that TB bacteria produce a protein attracting white blood cells, which become infected and fuel uncontrolled bacterial growth and inflammation.

NASA's Webb Telescope will study our solar system's 'ocean worlds'

The James Webb Space Telescope will study the 'ocean worlds' of Europa and Enceladus, adding to previous observations by Galileo and Cassini orbiters. The telescope's high-resolution imagery and spectroscopic analysis will help unravel the mysteries of these moons' subsurface oceans and potential biosignatures.

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.

Elucidating the biology of extinct cave bears

Researchers shed light on the extinct cave bear's primarily herbivorous diet and small brain relative to its body size. New studies suggest a less energy-rich diet and highly seasonal environment contributed to its unusually small brain, with findings also indicating longer gestation periods and slower sexual maturity.

1 in 5 women with postpartum mood disorders keep quiet

A recent study from North Carolina State University found that 21 percent of mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders do not disclose their symptoms to healthcare providers. The study suggests that support networks and normalizing mental health discussions are key to addressing this issue.

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.

New therapeutic antibody for dog cancers

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a chimeric anti-PD-L1 antibody that induces immune responses and tumor regression in dogs with malignant cancers. The antibody targets PD-L1-positive cancers, including oral malignant melanoma and undifferentiated sarcoma.

Researchers report breakthrough in magnesium batteries

Researchers have discovered a new design for magnesium batteries, increasing storage capacity to 400 mAh/g compared to earlier versions. The breakthrough involves inserting magnesium chloride into a titanium disulfide host, allowing for faster diffusion and higher energy density.

Flu vaccine rates for kids may drop when the nasal spray vaccine is unavailable

A new study found that flu vaccination rates for children may have decreased due to the unavailability of a nasal spray vaccine. The study, published in Vaccine, analyzed data from 9,591 pediatric patients and found that without the option of the nasal spray, total influenza vaccination rates were 1.6% lower in 2016-17 than in 2015-16.

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.

Baby boomer squirrels master tricky timing

Research from the University of Alberta found that female squirrels who predict abundant food years have more pups that survive to maturity. This is due to their ability to recognize mast seeding years, which occur once in a few years and provide an abundance of food.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New green solvent could help clean our air

French researchers have developed a new green solvent that can trap harmful volatile organic compounds from the air. The non-flammable mixture, made from choline salt and urea, was found to dissolve up to 500 times more chemicals than water at 30°C.

Studies explore the potential benefits of red raspberries

Studies on red raspberries found that consuming the fruit may improve glucose control and reduce hunger. Researchers also discovered that red raspberry consumption can alter gut microbiota and show promise in reducing inflammation and obesity risk.

Research sheds new light on the link between gut bacteria and anxiety

A new study sheds light on the connection between gut bacteria and anxiety, finding that a significant number of miRNAs were changed in the brains of microbe-free mice. The researchers suggest that targeting the gut microbiome may be a potential therapeutic approach for psychiatric disorders.

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.

NASA technologist develops self-calibrating, hybrid space magnetometer

A NASA technologist is developing a self-calibrating hybrid space magnetometer that combines the precision of fluxgate and atomic magnetometers. The device will be ideal for CubeSat and small satellite missions, enabling simultaneous multi-point observations and studying Earth's ever-changing magnetic fields.

World's oldest Italian wine just discovered

Chemical analysis of ancient pottery from Monte Kronio in Sicily reveals the presence of tartaric acid and sodium salt, characteristic of winemaking processes. The discovery provides a new perspective on the economy of ancient Italy, challenging traditional views on wine production.

Manipulating a single gene defines a new pathway to anxiety

Researchers found that removing the Lef1 gene disrupts nerve cell development in the hypothalamus, leading to increased anxiety-like behaviors in mice and zebrafish. The study suggests a new pathway to understanding human brain disorders and potential treatments.