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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 25 of 41

The best place to treat type 1 diabetes might be just under your skin

University of Toronto researchers successfully transplanted healthy pancreatic cells under the skin to produce insulin, restoring normal blood sugar levels in a short period. The study's findings suggest that this method could provide a more manageable and efficient way to treat type 1 diabetes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fundamentals of water repellency revealed at VTT

Researchers at VTT have discovered the frictional mechanism behind water repellency on inclined surfaces. By understanding this phenomenon, they can predict sliding of drops off surfaces and develop hydrophobic materials with improved wettability.

Working memory may compensate for lack of attention

A study in eNeuro found that when remembering a sequence of events, the brain focuses on the event paid the least attention. The image that generated the weakest response in the brain during encoding was most strongly replayed during the delay period.

Running rats remember better

A study published in eNeuro found that young rats with access to a running wheel showed improved memory later in life. The results suggest that early life interventions that increase physical activity may help build up cognitive reserve, potentially delaying the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.

£5.5 million initiative bids to boost farm livestock health in Africa

The £5.5 million Supporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI) initiative is improving livestock health and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers are developing evidence-based technologies to address challenges faced by farmers, including disease surveillance platforms and portable diagnostic devices.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Arthritis on the rise

A recent Harvard University study reveals that knee osteoarthritis has dramatically increased in prevalence over the past 70 years, affecting an estimated one-third of Americans over 60. The research challenges the long-held assumption that osteoarthritis is simply a wear-and-tear disease related to aging and obesity.

Origin of photosynthesis in eukaryotes

A study suggests that photosynthetic eukaryotes originated around 1.9 billion years ago through endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria, giving rise to archaeplastids including land plants and algae. The analysis reveals that the common ancestor of these organisms likely emerged in freshwater habitats.

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.

A way to stabilize haploidy in animal cells

Researchers at CNIO have developed a way to stabilize haploidy in animal cells, overcoming the issue of quick loss of genetic stability. By removing the p53 tumor suppressor gene, the group increases the survival rate of these cells, thereby stabilizing their haploid state.

High sugar consumption gives rise to dental treatment costs in the billions

A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and BRAIN AG found a clear correlation between sugar consumption and dental illness, resulting in significant costs. The researchers estimated that implementing the World Health Organization's 50g sugar per person per day target could save Germany up to 12 billion euros annually.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

2-faced 2-D material is a first at Rice

Researchers at Rice University have created a semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenide material called Janus sulfur molybdenum selenium (SMoSe) with a larger band gap than molybdenum diselenide. The discovery has potential applications in catalytic production of hydrogen and other fields.

'Fat but fit' are at increased risk of heart disease

Researchers found that being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of coronary heart disease by up to 28% even if they have healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. The study showed that excess weight is linked with an increased risk of heart disease, even when people have a healthy metabolic profile.

'Inefficient' sailing fleet keeps oyster fishery alive

Research suggests that traditional sailing methods have helped prevent overfishing and ensure the long-term survival of the Fal oyster fishery. Motorising the fleet would result in a nine-fold increase in fishing activity, putting the fishery at risk.

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.

How head-on collisions of DNA protein machines stop replication

A new study reveals that head-on collisions between protein machines on chromosomes can disrupt DNA replication and increase the frequency of genetic errors. These collisions promote mutations in key genes involved in coping with environmental stresses, which may help bacteria survive hostile environments.

Researchers 3-D print first truly microfluidic 'lab on a chip' devices

Researchers at Brigham Young University have successfully 3D printed microfluidic devices with flow channel cross sections as small as 18 micrometers by 20 micrometers. This breakthrough enables mass-producing medical diagnostic devices cheaply, using a custom printer and low-cost resin.

'Acidic patch' regulates access to genetic information

Researchers from Princeton University discovered that ISWI chromatin remodelers use the 'acidic patch' to remodel chromatin. The study reveals that this feature is a general requirement for chromatin remodeling to occur, and certain chemical modifications can enhance or inhibit ISWI remodeling activity.

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.

Oxytocin, altruism, and xenophobia

Research found that oxytocin administration increased altruistic preference towards refugees among those with low xenophobia scores. Participants with high xenophobia scores showed no significant change in altruism levels after oxytocin administration, but did exhibit increased donations when combined with peer-derived norms.

Air pollution linked to cardiovascular disease; air purifiers may lessen impact

A study published by the American Heart Association found that exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter increased stress hormone levels and negative metabolic changes in healthy young adults. Air purifiers reduced these effects, with significant benefits seen in blood pressure, insulin resistance, and biomarkers of inflammation.

Cancer detection with sugar molecules

Researchers have designed a complex sugar molecule that binds to galectin-1, enabling the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs and rapid tests for early cancer detection.

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.

NASA sees a tightly wound Typhoon Banyan

Typhoon Banyan formed from Tropical Depression 14W and maintained its status with maximum sustained winds near 80 knots. The storm is forecast to intensify and turn north-northeast before becoming extratropical.

Injectable tissue patch could help repair damaged organs

Researchers at University of Toronto have developed an injectable tissue patch that can be delivered through minimally invasive surgery to repair damaged organs. The patch uses lab-grown heart cells and has been shown to improve cardiac function after a heart attack in rat models.

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.

University of Sydney charges ahead on zinc-air batteries

Researchers at the University of Sydney have made a breakthrough in rechargeable zinc-air batteries by developing a new three-stage method that produces low-cost and high-performance catalysts. The new catalysts can be used to build rechargeable zinc-air batteries, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles preventing their widespread use.

Climate and feeding behavior in lake trout

A 11-year study on lake trout found that warmer years lead to reduced growth and diet changes, with a focus on smaller prey. The research suggests climate change impacts top predators' feeding behavior and energy acquisition.

Evidence on cannabis for chronic pain and PTSD

The scientific evidence on cannabis for chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is inconclusive, with only low-strength evidence suggesting potential benefits. However, researchers found significant risks associated with cannabis use, including increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and psychotic symptoms.

Now showing: Researchers create first 3-D movie of virus in action

A team of researchers has created a three-dimensional movie showing a virus preparing to infect a healthy cell. The study uses powerful algorithms and X-ray imaging equipment to reveal the sequential images of the virus's molecular machinery. The findings provide new insights into how viruses undergo changes during infection.

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.

PNNL scientist Jiwen Fan receives DOE Early Career Research award

PNNL scientist Jiwen Fan has received a $2.5 million DOE Early Career Research award to investigate severe thunderstorms in the central United States. The research aims to understand how storms form, change, and are influenced by factors such as urban heat islands and wildfires.

Are your tweets feeling well?

A study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that changes in tweet opinion and emotion can signal rising health issues. Researchers analyzed 171 million anonymous tweets to identify patterns that correlate with medical visits for flu-like illnesses.

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.

Probiotics help poplar trees clean up toxins in Superfund sites

Researchers have successfully used probiotic bacteria to boost the speed and effectiveness of natural processes that capture and remove pollutants from soil. The technology has shown promising results in cleaning up contaminated groundwater with trichloroethylene, a common pollutant found in industrial areas.

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.

Smartphone tracking shows fear affects where youth spend time

Researchers found that adolescents aged 11-17 spent over an hour less daily in their neighborhoods if residents had a high fear of crime, compared to kids from safer areas. The study used smartphone data to track kids' whereabouts and linked collective fear of crime to high-poverty neighborhoods.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria a growing obstacle

A study found a nearly 60% increase in exclusion criteria for lung cancer trials from 1986 to 2016, making it difficult to conduct clinical trials. The rise in exclusions is largely due to new medical concerns and complexities with targeted therapies, which are often given in pill form.

A tiny fraction of oceans could satisfy the world's fish demand

A new study suggests that a tiny fraction of oceans, approximately 0.025 percent, could satisfy the world's fish demand through sustainable aquaculture. The research identifies tropical countries with high production potential, where food security issues are prevalent, as key areas for development.

Protein to stop acute cerebral hemorrhage

Researchers at DGIST have identified a thermally responsive elastin-like polypeptide that controls acute intracerebral hemorrhage by forming protein nanostructures in damaged cerebral blood vessels. The polypeptide also accelerates vascular restoration and stimulates brain tissue regeneration.

Study hints at experimental therapy for heart fibrosis

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report encouraging preclinical results on an experimental molecular treatment for heart failure. By inhibiting a protein that regulates the heart's response to adrenaline, they alleviated disease processes in mouse models of human heart failure.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Bacteria can feel their surroundings

A new study by CU Boulder researchers found that individual bacteria cells can feel their external environment through electrical signals, similar to vertebrates. This discovery could advance fundamental bacteria research and aid in developing drugs for infectious diseases.

Sorghum yield and temperature

Researchers analyzed climatological and sorghum yield data from Kansas, finding that temperatures above 33°C result in declining yields. Moderate and high temperature increases of 2°C and 4°C led to significant yield losses, with an average reduction of 10% per 1°C from 1-5°C.

How Gata4 helps mend a broken heart

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that Gata4 can reduce post-heart attack fibrosis, leading to improved cardiac function in small animal models. The study's results suggest a novel role for Gata4 in heart regeneration and may lead to new treatments for heart failure.

Lungs in space

Researchers at UTMB and Houston Methodist are growing lungs in space to understand how lung cells react to the change in gravity and extreme space environment. The goal is to develop therapeutics that could help astronauts and people on Earth with autoimmune diseases, hormone deficiencies, and other issues.

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.

Seafood for thought

A study by UCSB marine scientists reveals the world's oceans have sufficient space to produce 15 billion metric tons of finfish annually, meeting global demand using less than 1% of ocean surface. Aquaculture could support human livelihoods and economic growth while providing food security.

X-ray imaging with a significantly enhanced resolution

Physicists from FAU and DESY have developed a method to improve X-ray image quality, enabling the visualization of individual atoms in molecules at higher resolutions. The new technique uses incoherent radiation and time-resolved snapshots to overcome limitations of conventional coherent imaging methods.