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Science News Archive August 2017


Page 9 of 41

Gender gap in death from heart attack reduces particularly in younger women

Over a 20-year period, the gender gap in death from heart attack has reduced significantly, with overall in-hospital mortality for heart attack patients halved. Younger women have seen particularly significant reductions in mortality, with decreases of 6% and 13% in mortality rates for STEMI and NSTEMI patients, respectively.

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.

NASA analyzes Hurricane Harvey's rainfall, sees landfall

Harvey's heavy rainfall was measured by NASA's GPM satellite, showing intense storms dropping rain at a rate greater than 3.2 inches per hour. The storm's eye made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, Texas, causing catastrophic flooding. The National Hurricane Center predicts total rain accumulati...

NASA sees a slow-moving, soaking Tropical Storm Harvey

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to generate significant rainfall over southeastern Texas, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding. NASA satellite imagery shows the storm's elongated center of circulation and extensive thunderstorms stretching into Louisiana.

New research on Fragile X syndrome reinforces importance of early detection

Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 gene, leading to permanent changes in neural circuit structure and symptoms characteristic of ASD. Research confirms FMRP's essential role in refining brain processing during early development, highlighting the need for early detection and treatment methods.

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.

Hormonal IUDs have no effect on lactation or breastfeeding

A new study by University of Utah Health and University of New Mexico School of Medicine found that hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) do not negatively impact lactation or breastfeeding. Women who received IUDs immediately after birth were able to breastfeed just as well as those who waited several weeks.

Researchers identify cheaper, greener biofuels processing catalyst

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a new, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly method for processing bio-oil into liquid fuel. The catalyst uses common bacteria and recovered metal palladium, which can be sourced from waste materials, reducing production costs and environmental impact.

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 results reveal high tunability of 2-D material

A team at Berkeley Lab has precisely measured the band gap and tuning mechanism of monolayer molybdenum disulfide, a 2-D semiconducting material. The study reveals a powerful tuning mechanism and interrelationship between electronic and optical properties.

Faster, more precise, more stable: Study optimizes graphene growth

The Technical University of Munich has optimized graphene growth through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), creating highly pure and stable crystals. The breakthrough allows for mass production of graphene, which can be used in various applications such as electronics, displays, and electrodes.

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.

Next-generation drug testing on chips

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a tiny 'body-on-a-chip' device to test the side effects of anti-cancer drugs on human cells. The device revealed that a metabolite of the drug caused toxicity in heart cells, leading to improved pre-clinical testing for these medications.

INRS acquires new open laboratory for geothermal energy

The new lab will help researchers characterize thermal properties of rock samples and model subsurface heterogeneity for more efficient geothermal systems. Professor Jasmin Raymond's team aims to develop environments conducive to shallow and deep geothermal systems, improving their design and competitiveness.

Equipment grant will allow UTA researchers to safely send, receive high-speed data

The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $498,981 equipment grant to upgrade its ability to send and receive encrypted high-speed data securely through optical cables. This technology will enable researchers to perform high-speed coherent communications and signal processing experiments with both optical and electronic signals.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mothers with pre-eclampsia may encounter challenges later in life

A new study from Mayo Clinic researchers found that women with a history of pre-eclampsia are more likely to experience atherosclerosis, hardening and narrowing of the arteries, decades after their pregnancy. This condition can pose a risk to the mother's cardiovascular health even after menopause.

From plant odorant detection to sex pheromone communication

Biologists at Lund University discovered that the receptors for detecting plant odors in the leaf miner moth Eriocrania semipurpurella also sense female sex pheromones. This finding suggests that plant odorant receptors evolved into sex pheromone receptors in primitive species of moths.

Trash to treasure: The benefits of waste-to-energy technologies

A study led by Argonne National Laboratory found that waste-to-energy production pathways generate less greenhouse gases than decomposing organic waste. Researchers suggest diverting waste to energy can avoid landfill emissions and promote energy independence.

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.

Kepler satellite discovers variability in the Seven Sisters

The Kepler Space Telescope's K2 Mission has observed detailed variations in the brightness of stars in the Seven Sisters star cluster. The team developed a new algorithm to measure relative changes in brightness, overcoming instrumental effects and revealing slow-pulsating B stars.

Magic enzymes

Researchers have identified the enzymes responsible for psilocybin production in magic mushrooms, which could lead to its biotechnological production. The study reveals a previously unknown biosynthetic pathway and introduces a synthetic route that could transform psilocybin into a pharmaceutical ingredient.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NASA looks at Tropical Storm Pakhar in infrared light

Tropical Storm Pakhar is producing powerful storms in the Philippines, with some cloud tops reaching temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to strengthen before making landfall in southern China.

Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain

A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that dancing has a measurable impact on the brain of elderly individuals, reversing age-related decline. Dancing proved more effective than endurance training in improving balance and behavior.

A Galápagos seabird's population expected to shrink with ocean warming

A new study predicts that rising ocean temperatures will exclude sardines from the Galápagos Islands' ecosystem, leading to a decline in Nazca booby populations. The bird's reproductive success has already been affected by the absence of sardines, which were replaced by flying fish over 30 years ago.

Recipe for safer batteries -- Just add diamonds

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a recipe for safer lithium-ion batteries by adding nanodiamonds to the electrolyte solution. The nanodiamonds suppress the growth of dendrites, which can cause short-circuits and fires in traditional lithium-ion batteries.

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.

Delivers medicine to cancer cells while protecting healthy cells

Researchers have developed a method that targets cancerous tumors with chemotherapy, delivering the drug directly to cancer cells while protecting healthy cells. The treatment uses nanoparticles and ultrasound to improve delivery, showing promising results in mice experiments.

UNC-Chapel Hill reaches milestone in development of Kinase Chemogenomic Set

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a potent group of kinase inhibitors, known as the Kinase Chemogenomic Set, which will allow researchers to explore the human kinome in greater depth. The set consists of over 500 compounds and is available for free use by the scientific community.

Heart hormones protect against obesity and insulin resistance

A study published in Science Signaling reveals that enhanced natriuretic peptide signaling in adipose tissue protects against obesity and insulin resistance. Boosting levels of NPs in adipose tissue may be an important avenue for combating metabolic disease.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis pain

Researchers discuss evolving treatments and future therapies for osteoarthritis pain, highlighting the limitations of existing treatments and introducing new potential treatment targets. Combination therapies and biomarkers are also explored as promising approaches to improve effective pain treatment.

Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

Researchers review neuroinflammation as a key factor in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, highlighting four modifiable risk factors: physical inactivity, vascular disease-related conditions, obesity, and type two diabetes mellitus. Controlling these risk factors may help manage the increasing incidence of both diseases.

New wrapping material enables high quality bioimaging

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a nanosheet made of CYTOP to prevent drying and deformation of biological samples. The nanosheet retains water content and provides sufficient surface adhesion for fixing samples, resulting in high-resolution images.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

$4.5 million grant funds new disease-resistant strawberries

The University of California, Davis has received a $4.5 million grant to develop improved disease-resistant strawberry varieties. The project aims to reduce the use of fumigants like methyl bromide and promote sustainable production in the US strawberry industry.

NSF awards CCNY-led team inaugural convergence research grant

A CCNY-led team, including expert Ana Carnaval, will receive $500,000 over five years for their project exploring biodiversity's effects on the planet and human well-being. The team's research aims to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained, and lost, highlighting its crucial role in addressing societal challenges.

Drones relay RFID signals for inventory control

MIT researchers developed a system that uses drones to relay RFID signals, allowing for accurate location tracking of inventory items. The system can be used for continuous monitoring and resolving mismatches between inventory records and stock levels, potentially saving retailers billions lost due to errors.

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 gets an in-depth look at intensifying Hurricane Harvey

NASA used its Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) satellite to analyze Hurricane Harvey's intense rainfall, revealing powerful storms dropping rain at a rate of over 2.1 inches per hour. The hurricane is expected to produce devastating and life-threatening flooding in Texas and Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds near 110 mph.

Microbes compete for nutrients, affect metabolism, development in mice

A recent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Federico Rey group found that high levels of microbes consuming choline lead to nutrient deprivation in mice. The results showed increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases, altered epigenetic patterns, and changes in behavior in the offspring.

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.

Bleats and trills evolved multiple times to aid in 'caller ID'

Researchers found that vibrato-like frequency modulation improves the detection of formants, key acoustic components encoding animal size and identity. This mechanism has independently evolved in six mammalian orders, suggesting its importance for transmitting information about an individual's size and identity through calls.

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.

NIH awards $4.8 million to UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence

The University of Arizona Health Sciences has received a $4.8 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a live vaccine for Valley fever. Scientists aim to test the vaccine in dogs, with potential next steps including human evaluation and approval.

SNMMI 2017-2019 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship recipients announced

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced the recipients of the 2017-2019 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship. The two-year fellowship provides extensive training and experience in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for Japanese physicians in the early stages of their careers. This year's fellows are Sho Mo...

How people discern changes in pitch to extract meaning from language

A study by Claire Tang and colleagues reveals that a subset of neurons can detect relative pitch changes, enabling humans to extract meaning from words. The research found distinct neural responses for males and females, with areas tuned to high relative pitch and low pitch respectively.

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.