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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 20 of 41

Bacteria stab amoebae with micro-daggers

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a mechanism used by bacteria Amoebophilus to shoot micro-daggers that pierce the digestive compartment of an amoeba, allowing it to escape digestion and thrive. The study reveals new insights into bacterial evolution and opens up possibilities for other structural biology investigations.

Managing western flower thrips

A study evaluated the effectiveness of chemical insecticides and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips on broccoli and lettuce. The results suggest that incorporating biopesticides like Beauveria bassiana into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices can help manage thrip populations effectively.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Algal blooms cost Ohio homeowners $152 million over six years

Studies estimate algal blooms at two Ohio lakes cost Ohio homeowners $152 million in lost property value over six years. Fishing license sales also drop significantly when algae levels reach moderate health risk, causing up to $5.6 million in lost revenue and associated expenditures.

Researchers show how particular fear memories can be erased

A research team at UC Riverside has developed a method to selectively erase specific fear memories by weakening the connections between neurons involved in forming these memories. This breakthrough has therapeutic implications for treating PTSD and phobias, allowing beneficial memories to be retained while detrimental ones are suppressed.

Higher rural suicide rates driven by use of guns

Suicide rates in rural areas of Maryland are 35% higher than urban settings, driven by significantly greater use of firearms. Removing firearms from the equation reveals comparable suicide rates between rural and urban areas.

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.

Digging in the dirt

University of Delaware researchers have developed new methods to evaluate the risk of subsurface phosphorus losses in US croplands, particularly in flat and artificially drained areas. The study uses soil data to improve existing phosphorus index models and provides a more accurate assessment of subsurface phosphorus risks.

No direct flights for memory retrieval

Research finds that a neural stopover in the subiculum is necessary for retrieving episodic memories, but not forming them. Activating or inhibiting this pathway affects memory recall and stress hormone levels related to fear responses.

Smithsonian manatee count informs policy recommendations

A new sonar-based method estimates Antillean Manatees in the San San Pond Sak wetland, finding a lower population than previously thought. The study suggests modifications to protect manatees from illegal fishing nets and human activities.

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.

Poisonings went hand in hand with the drinking water in Pompeii

Researchers found alarming concentrations of antimony in Roman water pipes from Pompeii, linked to vomiting, diarrhea, and organ damage. The element is acutely toxic, causing rapid reactions that can lead to dehydration, liver and kidney problems, and even cardiac arrest.

Worm atlas profiles gene readouts in every cell type in the animal

Researchers have created a comprehensive atlas of gene activity in every cell type of an animal, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The study reveals selective activation of genetic code in different cell types, accounting for the formation of specialized cells and body parts.

Communicating in a foreign language takes emotion out of decision-making

Research by UChicago psychologists found that using a foreign language decreases emotional aversion, leading people to be less averse to breaking taboos and more willing to make utilitarian choices. The study suggests that the decision-making process is affected by the emotional distance provided by speaking a non-native language.

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.

New technique overcomes genetic cause of infertility

Scientists have created healthy offspring from genetically infertile male mice using a new technique that removes the extra sex chromosome. The approach has potential for treating human infertility caused by Klinefelter syndrome and Double Y syndrome.

Researchers printed graphene-like materials with inkjet

An international research team developed inkjet printing techniques for scalable mass fabrication of black phosphorous-based photonic and optoelectronic devices. The novel technique enables the production of functional devices with excellent print quality and uniformity.

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.

Reed warblers have a sense for magnetic declination

Migratory Eurasian reed warblers rely on changes in magnetic declination to guide them along the east-west axis, solving a challenging navigational problem. The birds learn to recognize large-scale spatial patterns of declination gradients during their annual movements.

Schoolchildren who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try tobacco

A recent UK study found that schoolchildren who use e-cigarettes are 34% more likely to smoke a cigarette within a year. The research, led by the University of Leeds, surveyed over 2,800 adolescents and found that e-cigarette use was a strong predictor of smoking initiation, particularly among those with no friends who smoked.

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.

Gender norms are still important for women's choice of college major

A study suggests that women's conformity to traditional feminine norms affects their choice of college majors. Women conforming more closely to these norms are less likely to pursue STEM fields or arts/humanities, while those who align with caregiving and domesticity norms are more likely to choose STEM or clinical fields.

Coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography

A multicenter study found a significant association between higher income and increased risk of coronary artery disease and multivessel disease among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Poor lifestyle practices, including physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and tobacco use, contribute to this finding.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Saint Louis University chemist asks 'could life begin in oil?'

Saint Louis University chemist Paul Bracher has received a $597,380 NSF grant to investigate the origins of life on Earth and potentially in oily environments like Titan. The research aims to develop new biochemistry that can function in organic solvents.

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.

Study: Opioids overused in migraine treatment, regardless of race

Researchers found that patients of all races receive opioids at similar rates as evidence-based medications, despite concerns about medication overuse and comorbidities. The study suggests that clinicians can improve treating migraine patients by adopting better prescribing practices.

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.

Researchers map brain tumor cells' adaptation to oxygen deprivation

Researchers at Lund University identified a specific marker (CD44) that interacts with protein HIF-2a, allowing cancer stem cells in glioblastoma to adapt to oxygen deprivation. This interaction enables the growth of more aggressive tumor cells, which are resistant to treatment and contribute to recurrence.

Molecule increases pregnancy rate and number of offspring in cattle

Researchers at Inprenha Biotecnologia have discovered a molecule that increases bovine pregnancy rates and reduces early embryo loss. The product, which enhances reproductive efficiency in domestic animals like cattle and horses, has been tested by the company and shown to be effective.

Pig-to-person spread of flu at fairs a continued concern

A new study by Ohio State University researchers highlights the need for protective measures to prevent pig-to-human flu transmission at fairs. The study found that shorter exhibition lengths and proper hygiene practices can significantly reduce disease transmission.

New strategy to treat aggressive lung cancer

Researchers at Norton Thoracic Institute have developed a new approach to treat an aggressive subgroup of lung cancer. The study found that patients with tumors harboring specific genomic mutations, such as KRAS and LKB1, are more likely to benefit from a novel drug in clinical trials.

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.

Whales turn tail at ocean mining noise

A new study found that humpback whales avoid loud ocean mining noise triggered by seismic air gun surveys, suggesting a clear avoidance reaction within a certain distance from the vessel. The research aims to improve current mitigation measures to prevent adverse effects of seismic air gun noise on large whale behavior.

Blood marker may predict postmenopausal women's risk of bone fractures

Researchers discovered a blood marker that can predict the risk of bone fractures in postmenopausal women, independent of other measures. High levels of periostin protein fragments were found to be associated with an increased risk of fractures, suggesting they reflect additional bone properties.

Telemedicine as effective as in-person care for Parkinson's disease

A nationwide program showed that telemedicine can deliver quality care to people with Parkinson's disease in their homes via video conferencing. The study found that virtual house calls were as effective as in-person visits, saving patients time and travel, while improving access to care for those with limited mobility.

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.

Depression overshadows the past as well as the present

Research establishes first clear link between depression and hindsight bias, a distorted view of the past. People with depression show exaggerated perceptions of foreseeability and inevitability for negative event outcomes, reinforcing feelings of helplessness.

Gold shines through properties of nano biosensors

Researchers have discovered that fluorescence in ligand-protected gold nanoclusters is an intrinsic property of the gold particles. The study used Au20 nanoparticles with a tetrahedral structure and found intense fluorescence at a wavelength of 739.2 nanometers, indicating that the metal core is responsible for the phenomenon.

Print no evil: Three-layer technique helps secure additive manufacturing

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Rutgers University have developed a three-layer system to verify that components produced using additive manufacturing have not been compromised. The system uses acoustic and physical techniques to detect malicious activity and quality problems, reducing materials waste.

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.

Defeating cyberattacks on 3-D printers

Experts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Georgia Tech have created three methods to defend against sneaky attacks on 3D printers, including detecting malicious fill patterns and printing defects using sensors and high-tech scanning.

Soil microbes persist through National Mall facelift

Researchers found that the bacteria communities in the National Mall's soil did not change significantly before and after the renovation. The study highlights the importance of understanding how changes in the soil microbiome can impact plant productivity and health.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA sees wind shear battering Banyan

Typhoon Banyan is experiencing strong wind shear, causing its strongest thunderstorms to be blown northeast of the center. The storm is weakening, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 75 mph, and is moving at a speed of 37 mph.