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Science News Archive August 2017 - Page 20


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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

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.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Plant Science Journal·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcological Economics·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNeuron·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

Young people with chronic illness more likely to attempt suicide

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that young people with chronic illnesses are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their healthy peers. Chronic conditions increase odds of suicidal thoughts by 28% and plans to die by suicide by 134%.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalThe Canadian Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell·DateAug 17, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalToxicology Letters·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 17, 2017

Antibiotics found to weaken body's ability to fight off disease

New research finds that antibiotic use reduces the diversity of microbes in the gut, making it harder for the immune system to fight off infections. This disruption can compromise the intestinal barrier and leave the gut vulnerable to severe infection.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

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.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2017

Families bear most of the costs related to dementia care

A new study estimates that families of individuals with dementia incur $184,500 greater in lifetime care costs compared to those without dementia. Reducing symptoms by 10% can lower lifetime costs by $3,880 and $680, respectively.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalTobacco Control·DateAug 17, 2017

Female mouse embryos actively remove male reproductive systems

Researchers at NIH reveal that COUP-TFII determines sex-specific reproductive system development in mice. Female mouse embryos without COUP-TFII display both male and female ducts, indicating the active removal of male reproductive systems.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateAug 17, 2017

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.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal·DateAug 17, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New tool aims to make surgery safer by helping doctors see nerves

A new non-invasive approach using polarized light can help surgeons identify nerves in real-time, minimizing nerve damage and improving surgical outcomes. The technique has been shown to outperform visual inspection with an accuracy rate of 100% compared to 77%.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Antifreeze to improve airplanes, ice cream and organ transplants

Researchers develop iron-based synthetic antifreeze mimicking natural Antifreeze Proteins (AFPs), which can slow ice crystal growth, making airplane wings safer, ice cream smoother and human tissue for transplantation more stable.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 16, 2017

Therapeutic cocktail could restore motor skills after spinal cord injury, stroke

A team of scientists at Boston Children's Hospital has developed a therapeutic cocktail that promotes axon regrowth after spinal cord injury or stroke, resulting in improved fine motor skills. The treatment showed significant improvement in mice with either condition, with error rates dropping to 30% and 46% respectively.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNeuron·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCephalalgia·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

BU researcher receives AHA grant to improve cardiovascular treatments

Kolachalama's research aims to improve cardiovascular treatments by developing models for smarter artery care and improving drug-coated angioplasty balloons. The $231,000 Scientist Development grant will support his three-year study on the mechanisms of drug-coated balloon therapy.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateAug 16, 2017

Fizzy soda water could be key to clean manufacture of flat wonder material: Graphene

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to manufacture graphene using carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and producing a more environmentally friendly process. This breakthrough has significant implications for the production of graphene, a key material in sensors and flexible devices.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateAug 16, 2017

What does music mean? Sign language may offer an answer, new research concludes

A new analysis concludes that music uses abstract animated components to convey information about an extra-musical reality, similar to sign languages. The study suggests that the diverse inferences drawn from musical sources are combined using iconic rules, creating a 'fictional source' for what is perceived as real.

SourceNew York University·JournalMusic Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateAug 16, 2017

The irresistible fragrance of dying vinegar flies

Researchers found that healthy flies are attracted to the smell of infected ones, which produces more sex pheromones. This leads to increased dispersal of disease among fly populations.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceRutgers University·DateAug 16, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 16, 2017

Eye patterns in children: The development of anxiety and emotion

A new study by Kalina Michalska found that children who are more anxious tend to avoid making eye contact, leading to greater fear experience. This avoidance of eye contact affects how afraid children are of potentially threatening information.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateAug 16, 2017

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 16, 2017
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.