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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 14 of 41

No microbes? No problem for caterpillars

Scientists found caterpillars have only 50,000 times fewer microbes than human guts, suggesting most are ingested from surroundings. Caterpillars can grow and develop without microbes, challenging the idea of a universal microbiome among animals

When given the chance to pay less, patients choose cheaper prescription drugs

A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that reference pricing is effective in reducing patient spending on prescription drugs. The policy promotes the use of cheaper alternatives over brand-name options, resulting in a 7% increase in prescriptions filled for low-price reference drugs and a 14% decrease in average price paid.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How do international development projects affect property values?

A University of Illinois economist found that property transactions in Kenya did not show significant price changes due to the Millennium Villages Project, despite increased amenities and subsidies. Residents may be holding onto their land to wait for potential value increases, suggesting a lack of perceived benefits.

A potential breeding site of a Miocene era baleen whale

A potential Miocene-era breeding site of the extinct baleen whale Parietobalaena yamaokai has been identified in Hiroshima, Japan. The discovery suggests that the northern hemisphere may have supported a breeding ground for this species dating back over 15 million years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Getting hold of quantum dot biosensors

Scientists from the University of Melbourne and Huazhong University of Science and Technology have successfully trapped individual quantum dots using an all-silicon nanoantenna. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency of nanosensors in detecting biomarkers at low concentrations.

Methane hydrate is not a smoking gun in the Arctic Ocean

A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that methane hydrates in the Arctic Ocean are not a significant contributor to global warming. The researchers found that hydrates are already seeping methane for thousands of years, and this process is not affected by short-term temperature warming.

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.

Sales newbies, don't fret -- just go above and beyond

A Michigan State University study found that salespeople who control the emotional tone of their buyer-seller relationship by expressing gratitude can foster customer loyalty and gratitude. By going above and beyond, salespeople can potentially outperform even long-term relationships in terms of customer satisfaction.

Solidifying advanced alloy design

Researchers developed a framework for designing tailored microstructure patterns in materials using a combination of theory and experiment. They successfully simulated the solidification process of an aluminum-silver-copper alloy, comparing their results with experimental photographs.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Bond dissociation energies for transition metal silicides accurately determined

A team of researchers from the University of Utah has investigated the bond dissociation energy property in transition metal silicides, including precise values for six specific compounds. The new method provides an accurate means of estimating bond dissociation energies, with smaller uncertainties than previous approaches.

Scientists develop infection model for tickborne flaviviruses

Researchers at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a laboratory model to study tick-borne flaviviruses, including Powassan virus. The new model involves culturing organs from Ixodes scapularis ticks with flaviviruses, which can infect salivary glands and midgut.

Where do heart cells come from?

Id genes have been linked to heart development for the first time, revealing a new tool to create large numbers of cardiac cells to regenerate damaged heart tissue. The study uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and high-throughput microRNA screening to identify the role Id genes play in heart development.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Supermarkets could trick you into buying fewer calories

Researchers found that six out of eight products saw a 0-7% drop in calorie sales after recipe changes. However, some customers swapped reformulated products for higher-calorie alternatives. The study suggests 'silent' product reformulation may help combat obesity by reducing calorie intake at low cost.

More than 99 percent of the microbes inside us are unknown to science

A recent survey of DNA fragments in human blood suggests that the majority of microbes inside us have never been seen before. The study, led by Stanford University researchers, found that nearly all non-human DNA fragments failed to match existing genetic databases, revealing a vast and diverse microbiome.

Quantum ruler for biomolecules

Researchers at the University of Vienna developed a quantum ruler for biomolecules using a novel arrangement of nanogratings and laser beams. The technique allows for precise measurement of molecular electronic properties, such as those of vitamins A, E, and K1, with high accuracy.

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.

Yoga and meditation improve mind-body health and stress resilience

Research finds that intensive yoga and meditation retreats positively impact brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cortisol awakening response, and inflammatory markers. Participants experienced improved subjective wellbeing, mindfulness, and reduced anxiety and depression.

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.

Study links fish stress hormones to whether they take the bait

Researchers found that largemouth bass stressed by air exposure are less likely to be caught by angling, suggesting a potential link between cortisol levels and fishing vulnerability. The study's findings have implications for fisheries management and the selection of fish populations for recreational fishing.

Russian scientists have analyzed the process of rock destruction

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University studied the stages of rock deformation and revealed a criterion that can predict the critical stage of fracture when rocks destroy. The study used acoustic emission signals to identify different energy distributions, which can indicate the transition to a critical state.

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.

New test for rare immunodeficiency

Researchers at the University of Basel developed a rapid test to diagnose Sp110 protein deficiency, a severe immune defect. The test uses flow cytometry to detect the presence of Sp110 protein in patient blood cells, enabling quick diagnosis in hours.

Scientists uncover a deadly 'addiction' in esophageal cancer

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research found a genetic weakness, BTK addiction, that makes oesophageal cancer cells sensitive to ibrutinib. This discovery could lead to a new approach to treatment for oesophageal cancer patients with MYC mutations.

NASA infrared image shows Typhoon Hato in South China Sea

Typhoon Hato is intensifying as it approaches mainland China, with extremely cold cloud top temperatures detected by NASA's AIRS instrument. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 65 knots, expected to strengthen further before making landfall.

Study: Clear link between heavy vitamin B intake and lung cancer

Long-term use of high-dose vitamin B6 and B12 supplements is associated with a two- to four-fold increased lung cancer risk in men. Male smokers taking these supplements were three times more likely to develop lung cancer, while those taking higher doses were approximately four times more likely.

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.

Molecular volume control

Researchers discover latrophilin/CIRL receptor's mechanism of action, using ion channels and intracellular messengers to trigger signal cascades. The study uses Drosophila larvae and super-resolution microscopy to visualize receptor location and signal transmission.

Opioid misuse can be tracked using Twitter

A study found that tweets about opioid misuse on Twitter were strongly correlated with state-by-state information from the National Surveys on Drug Usage and Health. The research used a list of keywords to extract relevant tweets, which were then clustered based on semantic distance and verified by medical toxicologists.

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.

Brain's self-regulation in teens at risk for obesity

A study using fMRI scans found that reduced neural activity in teens at high risk of adult obesity may be an early predictor. The researchers discovered that lean adolescents with a family history of overweight parents showed less self-regulation activity than their peers.

Study suggests serotonin may worsen tinnitus

Researchers found that serotonin can make neurons hyperactive and hypersensitive to stimuli in the brain, worsening tinnitus. The study has implications for treating anxiety or depression with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which may compound feelings of anxiety in patients with tinnitus.

Researchers devise microreactor to study formation of methane hydrate

NYU Tandon researchers develop novel microfluidic technology to study methane hydrate formation, measuring the impact of heat transfer and mass transfer on crystal propagation rates. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies for gas separations and efficient natural gas storage.

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.

What's the annual value of trees? $500 million per megacity, study says

A recent study finds that megacities generate an average of $505 million in ecosystem services from trees, including air and water filtration, stormwater management, and energy savings. The value of tree benefits could be doubled by increasing tree cover, improving urban well-being and mitigating climate change.

Accelerating the mobile web: 'Vroom' software could double its speed

Researchers at the University of Michigan and MIT have developed Vroom software that optimizes the end-to-end interaction between mobile devices and web servers. By bundling resources and sending 'dependency hints' to browsers, Vroom cuts median load times by half, from 10 seconds to 5 seconds.

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.

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.

Blood test predicts prostate tumor resistance

A new blood test developed by TUM researchers can predict drug resistance in patients with advanced prostate cancer, analyzing AR-V7 RNA molecules for early detection. The test has shown high sensitivity and accuracy, identifying approximately one-fifth of patients with large amounts of resistant tumor cells.

Ancient Earth's hot interior created 'graveyard' of continental slabs

Geologists at MIT found that ancient Earth's mantle was up to 200 degrees Celsius hotter, causing subducting plates to sink all the way to the bottom of the mantle. This led to a 'graveyard' of slabs atop the Earth's core, suggesting a significant change in how mantle convection and plate tectonic processes occurred.

Thoracic kyphosis in those over 50 may not be a predictor of physical decline

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found no correlation between thoracic kyphosis and physical function decline in those over 50. The study used CT scans to evaluate early signs of hyperkyphosis in a relatively young population, contradicting previous assumptions about its predictive value.

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.