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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 3 of 41

Robots on the move: How to better track movement

A new method for controlling self-balancing mobile robots has been proposed by Prof. Mou Chen, improving their tracking performance. The technique utilizes a disturbance observer to fully utilize dynamic information and adjust the robot's behavior.

New device could turn heat energy into a viable fuel source

A new device developed by Washington State University physicist Yi Gu converts heat energy into electricity up to three times more efficiently than silicon. The multilayered composite material, called a van der Waals Schottky diode, has the potential to provide an extra source of power for electronics, cars, and other devices.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tick saliva may hold potential treatment for reducing HIV-linked heart disease risk

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research and National Institutes of Health found that tick saliva-based drug Ixolaris reduces inflammation in monkeys infected with SIV, a primate form of HIV. The study suggests that targeting this inflammation pathway could improve the clinical management of HIV-infected ...

Antibacterial combination could fight drug-resistant tuberculosis

Researchers propose a novel antibacterial combination to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis, with potent sterilizing activity against highly resistant strains. The study suggests that pairing ceftazidime and avibactam could be an effective treatment option for patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Scientists recover nova first spotted 600 years ago by Korean astrologers

A team of researchers has recovered the location of a nova that was first spotted by Korean astrologers in 1437, providing evidence for a long-term life cycle with multiple stages. The study supports the idea that novae undergo smaller-scale eruptions after fading to obscurity for thousands of years.

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.

Barbers, hair salons market cosmetic surgery on Instagram

A Northwestern University study found that most Instagram providers marketing cosmetic surgery are not board-certified plastic surgeons, leading to patient harm and risk. Non-qualified providers include dentists, barbers, and hair salons, confusing patients and putting them at risk.

Motorized molecules drill through cells

Researchers have developed motorized molecules that can target and destroy specific cells using ultraviolet light. The nanomachines can be designed to deliver drugs or disrupt cell membranes, showing promise for treating diseases like breast tumors and melanomas.

NASA sees strengthening Tropical Cyclone Sanvu develop a tail

Tropical Storm Sanvu is strengthening with cloud top temperatures reaching minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating high potential for heavy rain and strong winds. The storm's center is located near 27.1 degrees north latitude and 142.9 degrees east longitude, moving west-northwest at 16 knots.

Key factor identified in gene silencing

Scientists have identified a crucial protein called RSF1 that plays a vital role in gene silencing during normal embryo development. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation and its potential application in cancer treatment.

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.

New robot rolls with the rules of pedestrian conduct

Engineers at MIT created a robot that can follow pedestrian rules, avoiding collisions while keeping pace with foot traffic. The 'socially aware navigation' system uses reinforcement learning to adapt to unpredictable pedestrian behavior.

Study negates concerns regarding radioactivity in migratory seafood

A new study by an international research team has shown that the levels of cesium isotopes, particularly 134Cs and 137Cs, are generally consistent with background levels from aboveground nuclear testing during the 1940s and 50s. The study suggests that the risks to human health from eating contaminated seafood are likely to be negligible.

Research on the meaning of ancient geometric earthworks in southwestern Amazonia

Researchers from University of Helsinki explore pre-colonial geometric earthworks in southwestern Amazonia, finding them to be important ritual spaces where indigenous peoples communicated with environmental beings. The study highlights the interconnectedness of human life with nature and the significance of these sites as sacred places.

St. Jude unveils powerful resource to advance treatment of pediatric solid tumors

The Childhood Solid Tumor Network offers a vast collection of pediatric solid tumor samples, drug-sensitivity data, and related information to researchers worldwide. This resource has significantly expanded scientific resources for pediatric solid tumor research, enabling the study of rare cancers like osteosarcoma and retinoblastoma.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dog walkers motivated by happiness, not health

A University of Liverpool study found that dog walking motivates owners to do so due to feelings of happiness and well-being. Owners' motivations are contingent on their dog's enjoyment during the walk.

Monkeys with Parkinson's disease benefit from human stem cells

Scientists have successfully transplanted human stem cells into monkeys with Parkinson's disease, showing long-term benefits. The quality of donor cells, particularly the Dlk1 gene, played a crucial role in determining cell survival. This study brings iPS cell-based therapy closer to clinical trials.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Good as gold

Researchers have designed a new assay that uses gold nanoparticles to improve the accuracy of medical screening, reducing false positives and wait times. The technology has been shown to be up to clinical standards, allowing patients to receive results in about an hour.

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.

The underwater jungles of the sea give clearer water

A new study found that underwater plants can positively affect water quality in bays along the Baltic Sea coast. The plants take up nutrients, slow down water movement, and stabilize the soft bottom, leading to clearer water and improved living conditions for marine life.

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.

'Seeing' robot learns tricky technique for studying brain cells in mammals

A team of scientists at Imperial College London has developed a robot that can guide tiny measuring devices to specific neurons in live mice brains, recording electrical currents without human intervention. This automated platform accelerates the study of brain function and brain disorders like Alzheimer's.

New clue may reveal the fate of famous French explorer

An Australian anthropologist believes a 1818 Indian newspaper article reveals the fate of La Pérouse's crew, who survived shipwreck on the Great Barrier Reef near Murray Island. The crew spent several months building a small vessel to return to France before being forgotten.

Biosensor could help diagnose illnesses directly in serum

Developed by a team of researchers, the biosensor uses antibody fragments and polyethylene glycol molecules to detect target compounds in serum. The device can diagnose many conditions and illnesses at sub-picomolar concentrations, making it inexpensive and easy to use.

T cell responses may help dodge dengue virus symptoms during infection

Researchers identified distinct gene expression patterns and immune signatures associated with asymptomatic dengue infections, revealing a supporting role for T cell protection. These findings could optimize vaccine development efforts by understanding what types of immune responses are important in defending the body against the disease.

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.

NASA shows how Harvey saturated areas in Texas

Hurricane Harvey's rainfall caused widespread saturation in southeastern Texas, which already showed signs of moisture levels near 20-40% before the storm made landfall. NASA's data also revealed exceptionally wet conditions in southwest Houston after Harvey's arrival, exacerbating the flooding issue.

Expanding tropical forest spells disaster for conservation

A North Carolina State University study reveals that fire suppression in Brazilian savannas leads to a loss of plant and ant species, with some species declining by up to 86%. The findings highlight the importance of fire in maintaining biodiversity in tropical savannas.

A blood test can predict early lung cancer prognosis

A new blood test can predict how early-stage lung cancer patients will fare, identifying clusters of aggressive tumor cells that indicate shorter survival times. The test uses circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream to monitor cancer progression and resistance to treatments.

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.

Fungal spore 'death clouds' key in gypsy moth fight

Researchers discovered a method to track gypsy moth fungus, understanding its range and predicting damage. The study suggests that understanding the distances these killer spores travel could help scientists correlate the fungus' range with weather patterns.

Z-endoxifen shows promise as new treatment for common breast cancer type

Researchers found that Z-endoxifen provided substantial drug exposure, acceptable toxicity, and promising anti-tumor activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer who had progressed on standard anti-estrogen treatments. The treatment resulted in tumor shrinkage, with some cases lasting over two years without disease progression.

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.

Stroke patient improvement with a brain-computer interface

A novel brain-computer interface (BCI) has been developed to improve motor function in stroke patients. The BCI produced a 36% improvement in motor function of a stroke-damaged hand after just 10 training sessions. This innovative therapy has shown promise for helping stroke patients recover from debilitating damage.

Spectroscopy: Simple solution for soil sample

Researchers have developed a high-tech method using visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (vis-NIRS) to analyze soil texture. This technique allows for rapid, cost-effective, and portable measurements of clay, silt, and sand content, providing valuable insights into soil properties.

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.

Two distinct brain regions have independent influence on decision-making

Research at Mount Sinai Hospital identified two distinct brain areas involved in decision-making: the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Monkeys with OFC lesions lost ability to track reward probability, while those with VLPFC lesions showed preference for M&Ms.

A magic formula to predict attraction is more elusive than ever

A new study used speed dating data to test if machine learning could predict unique romantic desire. The researchers found that while they could predict overall tendencies for someone to like and be liked by others, they couldn't anticipate which two people were a match.

Breastfeeding reduces risk of endometriosis diagnosis

Women who breastfed for longer periods had significantly lower risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis, with exclusive breastfeeding offering even greater protection. Longer durations of breastfeeding were associated with an 8-14% drop in risk, and women who breastfed exclusively across multiple pregnancies saw a nearly 30% lower risk.

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.

Patient plays saxophone while surgeons remove brain tumor

Researchers used advanced brain mapping techniques to preserve musician's musical ability during surgery. The study, published in Current Biology, sheds new light on how music is processed in the brain and its importance for individuals like Dan Fabbio, who relies on music as his livelihood.

UMass Amherst prof honored for mentoring, inspiring student to community activism

Harold Grotevant, a UMass Amherst professor and internationally known adoption expert, has been chosen for the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award. The award recognizes educators who have inspired their former students to create an organization that benefits the community. Grotevant established two mentoring programs, including the Adoptio...

Volcanic eruptions drove ancient global warming event

A natural global warming event occurred 56 million years ago, caused almost entirely by volcanic eruptions during Greenland's separation from Europe. The Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to a significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures.

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.

Blunting CRISPR's 'scissors' gives new insight into autoimmune disorders

A research team has developed a method using modified CRISPR to find gene activators associated with autoimmune disorders. By targeting specific regions of the genome, they identified fundamental circuitry of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease, providing new insights into their mechanisms.

Inherited herpesvirus study finds links to ancient humans

A study led by the University of Leicester discovered that a small number of human ancestors thousands of years ago transmitted ancient strains of the virus to individuals today. Most integrated HHV-6 genomes are intact and may be able to reactivate as viruses.

Making 3-D printing safer

Researchers eliminate almost all nanoparticle emissions from some 3-D printers using a new approach that involves enclosing the device with a HEPA filter and printing at low temperatures.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.