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Science News Archive August 2017 - Page 21


Page 21 of 41

Candy cane supercapacitor could enable fast charging of mobile phones

A new type of supercapacitor with improved flexibility, resilience to charge/discharge cycling, and energy storage capacity has been developed. The technique can be applied to various materials, enabling fast charging of mobile phones, smart clothes, and implantable devices.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateAug 16, 2017

Scientists give star treatment to lesser-known cells crucial for brain development

A new study published in Neuron confirms that lab-grown astrocytes mature at the same rate as human brains, providing a valuable technique to investigate their role in brain development and disease. The findings have significant implications for understanding the roots of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNeuron·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.

New test differentiates between Lyme disease, similar illness

A new test has been developed to differentiate between Lyme disease and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) with an accuracy of up to 98 percent. This breakthrough offers improved early detection and diagnosis for Lyme disease, a vector-borne illness affecting the US.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 16, 2017

Boron nitride foam soaks up carbon dioxide

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that can absorb up to 340% of its weight in carbon dioxide, making it a promising solution for capturing greenhouse gases. The boron nitride foam is highly porous and can be tuned for specific applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 16, 2017

Elevated testosterone causes bull market trading

A new study by researchers at the Ivey Business School found that elevated testosterone levels in male traders increased bid prices and asset price bubbles, leading to market instability. The experiment showed that testosterone drove changes in market dynamics by increasing bidding, selling prices, and volume.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario, Ivey Business School·JournalManagement Science·DateAug 16, 2017

Predators preserve existing animal species

A new study found that hybrids of roach and bream fish are more likely to be preyed upon by cormorants than their parent species. This suggests that natural predators play a role in maintaining the genetic diversity between species.

SourceLund University·JournalBiology Letters·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.

Biophysics explains how immune cells kill bacteria

Researchers developed moving subtrajectory analysis to study TCR microclusters, revealing kinetic and spatial details of CD3 and CD45 behavior. The study shows that the two molecules exhibit distinct mobility states, depending on their location relative to the microcluster, providing new insights into T cell activation mechanisms.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 16, 2017

Voter behavior influenced by hot weather

A study found that increases in state-level temperatures lead to higher voter turnout and votes for the incumbent party. For every 10C increase, voter turnout rises by 1.4%., The study also reveals a rise in temperature motivates citizens to vote for smaller parties while government popularity soars.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 16, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Noninvasive detection for early stage cancers from circulating DNA

Researchers developed a DNA sequencing-based method to detect early stage cancers by analyzing circulating tumor DNA in blood plasma. The approach, called TEC-Seq, identified cancer driver genes in over 90% of patients with colorectal, ovarian, lung, and breast cancers.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 16, 2017

Harvard researchers develop tough, self-healing rubber

Researchers have created a new type of rubber that can self-heal, offering potential applications in durable tires, wearable electronics, and medical devices. The hybrid rubber combines covalent and reversible bonds to achieve its unique properties.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Researchers discover fundamental pathology behind ALS

A team of researchers has discovered a fundamental pathology behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, identifying the basic cellular malfunction underlying the diseases. The study found that an abnormal version of a protein called TIA1 causes phase separation in cells, leading to neuron death.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNeuron·DateAug 16, 2017

Comparing the jaws of porcupine fish reveals three new species

Researchers have identified three new species of porcupine fish, expanding our understanding of these unique creatures and their role in ancient ocean ecosystems. The discovery sheds light on the impact of the Isthmus of Panama's formation on tropical biodiversity.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 16, 2017

Spray-on electric rainbows: Making safer electrochromic inks

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed water-based electrochromic film inks, making them safer and more accessible for various industries. The new method eliminates the use of flammable solvents and toxic fumes associated with previous inks.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateAug 16, 2017

Moving beyond nudges to improve health and health care policies

A report suggests that behavioral science can be used to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of American healthcare by encouraging healthier lifestyles and insurance plan enrollment. The study proposes policy recommendations for employers, insurers, and policymakers to reduce costs and promote evidence-based treatments.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalBehavioral Science & Policy·DateAug 16, 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.

Larvaceans provide a pathway for transporting microplastics into deep-sea food webs

A new study by MBARI researchers reveals that giant larvaceans collect and consume microplastic particles in the deep sea. These particles accumulate in the animals' cast-off filters and are passed into their fecal pellets, which sink rapidly to the seafloor, potentially carrying microplastics to the deep seafloor.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 16, 2017

Fish database could help eliminate the ultimate bait and switch

A new protein database developed by scientists can definitively identify fish species, helping to curb seafood fraud worldwide. The database uses mass spectrometry to create unique 'fingerprints' for 54 fish species, including salmon and tuna.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateAug 16, 2017

Could olfactory loss point to Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers found that individuals with difficulty identifying odors had elevated AD-related proteins in their cerebrospinal fluid. The study suggests a potential cheaper alternative for tracking the progression of Alzheimer's disease through simple smell tests.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeurology·DateAug 16, 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.

CU Anschutz and UC San Diego researchers find creosote bush could treat deadly infections

Researchers from CU Anschutz and UC San Diego found that creosote bush compounds exhibit potent anti-parasitic activity against Giardia and Naegleria fowleri, two deadly parasites responsible for giardiasis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The discovery could lead to a more effective treatment option for these infections.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 16, 2017

Online education boosts proper use of drugs that prevent blood clots

A yearlong study found that well-designed online education can decrease nonadministration rates of prescribed blood thinners to prevent venous thromboembolism. Nurses who completed an interactive education module showed a greater reduction in non-administration rates compared to those who received traditional voice-over instruction.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 16, 2017

Scientists discover powerful potential pain reliever

Researchers have discovered a potent pain reliever, UKH-1114, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to alleviate neuropathic pain. The compound is as effective as gabapentin but works at a lower dose and longer duration, offering a potential alternative to opioids.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·DateAug 16, 2017

Domestic abuse 'workshops' reduce repeat offending and harm to public -- study

A new domestic abuse policing strategy has found that an inexpensive two-day course in behaviour management for first offenders resulted in 35% fewer men reoffending against their partner. The CARA programme prevented significant harm to victims, hundreds of prison days, and saved thousands of pounds.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCambridge Journal of Evidence-Based Policing·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.

Understanding how fish grow their hearts could help humans, professor finds

A University of Guelph professor has identified a protein that enables fish to adjust the size of their hearts in response to changing temperatures. This finding may lead to new insights into preventing or treating cardiac fibrosis, a condition where the heart builds up scar tissue after injury.

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

TDRS: An era of continuous space communications

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) have provided critical communication services to NASA's missions since the 1980s, increasing global communication coverage to over 99%. The TDRS network will continue to play a vital role in space communications for years to come.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 16, 2017

Raising the minimum wage would reduce child neglect cases

A study by Indiana University researcher Lindsey Rose Bullinger found that increasing the federal minimum wage would lead to a decrease in reported child neglect cases. The analysis of nine years of data shows a substantial reduction in cases among toddlers and school-age children.

SourceIndiana University·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateAug 16, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Blood-filtering organs fight infections that enter through the skin

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that certain viruses evade the innate immune system by spreading to blood and being fought off in organs like the liver and spleen. This finding could lead to better treatments for viral infections like Zika, dengue, and measles.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 16, 2017

City College researchers produce smart fabric to neutralize nerve gas

Researchers have created a smart fabric that can detect and neutralize nerve gas, with the ability to absorb up to 7g of toxin per gram of Cu. The fabric uses copper-based nanoparticles to break down nerve gas surrogates, making it a potential tool for detecting chemical warfare agents.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalNanoscale Horizons·DateAug 16, 2017

Telling people not to 'down' drinks could make them drink more

A University of Exeter study found that warnings about peers' behavior can backfire and increase intentions to bolt. In contrast, messages emphasizing what most people do, rather than what they think others do, are effective in reducing such behavior.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAddiction Research & Theory·DateAug 16, 2017

Injecting manure instead of spreading on surface reduces estrogen loads

A new study by Penn State researchers finds that injecting manure into crop fields instead of spreading it on the surface significantly reduces estrogen loads in surface runoff. The method also showed reduced transport rates of total dissolved phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 16, 2017

Study reveals the evolutionary history of imperiled salmon stocks

Researchers used DNA analysis to uncover the genetic basis of early migration in Pacific salmon species, finding a single gene variant responsible for this adaptation. This discovery challenges previous views on the evolution of early migrating populations and highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 16, 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.

Tropical trees maintain high carbon accumulation rates into old age

Researchers studied 61 tropical tree species with age ranges of 84 to 255 years and found that old trees stored more carbon than younger ones. The trees maintained high carbon accumulation rates until the end of their lives, accumulating up to 50% of their final carbon stock in the last quarter.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 16, 2017

Study calls for action to help adolescents with diabetes transition to adult care

A new study from McGill University Health Centre highlights significant gaps in transition care services for young adults with diabetes in Quebec. Pediatric care providers reported lack of standardized policies and limited communication between settings, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve the transition process.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care·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.

Supervolcanoes: A key to America's electric future?

Researchers found concentrated lithium in caldera lakes formed by ancient supervolcanic eruptions. This discovery aims to reduce reliance on single companies or countries for lithium supply, addressing global energy and climate change concerns.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2017

HIIT helps combat high insulin resistance -- a warning sign for diabetes

A new study suggests that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an efficient way to combat high insulin resistance, a warning sign for diabetes. HIIT improved blood pressure and glucose levels in women at risk of type 2 diabetes, with the greatest benefits seen in those with higher insulin resistance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateAug 16, 2017

Follow the Bitcoin to find victims of human trafficking

A team of researchers has created a suite of tools to help identify victims of sexual exploitation by analyzing online ads and Bitcoin transactions. The algorithm can link ads to a common author and Bitcoin wallet, potentially revealing human traffickers' identities. This technology is crucial for law enforcement and nonprofit organiza...

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Why teens take risks: It's not a deficit in brain development

A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience·DateAug 16, 2017

Going 'green' with plant-based resins

Researchers developed a new curing agent made from castor oil components that strengthened a soybean-based epoxy thermoset, increasing its durability and heat resistance. The material also allows light to pass through, potentially ideal for applications like solar cells.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalMacromolecules·DateAug 16, 2017

Starting opioid addiction treatment in the ED is cost-effective

A Yale University study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment was the most cost-effective approach for individuals screening positive for opioid addiction. The treatment resulted in lower healthcare costs and better patient outcomes compared to referral alone or brief intervention with facilitated referral.

SourceYale University·JournalAddiction·DateAug 16, 2017

Survey examines pubic hair grooming-related injuries

A national survey of pubic hair grooming habits found that 76.1% of participants reported a history of grooming, with 25.6% experiencing injuries such as cuts, burns, and rashes. The study's findings may contribute to the development of clinical guidelines for safe pubic hair removal.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateAug 16, 2017

Study: Playing smartphone app aids concussion recovery in teens

A mobile health app called SuperBetter improved concussion symptoms and optimism in teens who used it daily alongside standard medical treatment. The app incorporates social game mechanics and a heroic narrative to help teens cope with unresolved concussion symptoms, promoting healthy habits and reduced risk of depression.

SourceMediaSource·JournalBrain Injury·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Trying to resist the urge to splurge? Ditch the smartphone

A UBC study found that consumers are more likely to buy hedonic products with touchscreen technology, evoking experiential thinking. The study advises consumers to put away their smartphones when shopping for guilty pleasures to save money.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Retailing and Consumer Services·DateAug 16, 2017

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and the need for expert treatment

Subarachnoid hemorrhages account for 5-10% of all strokes, particularly among younger patients, and can result in long-term neuropsychological effects. Expert treatment is crucial, with high-volume centers and specialized neurosurgeons offering the best outcomes.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 16, 2017

Children who skip breakfast may not be getting recommended nutrients

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that children who eat breakfast every day have superior nutritional profiles compared to those who skip it. Children who consumed breakfast daily had higher intakes of key nutrients like folate, calcium, and iodine.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateAug 16, 2017

NASA's infrared look at Hurricane Gert

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument detected very cold cloud top temperatures exceeding minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, suggesting the presence of intense thunderstorms that can generate heavy rain. The hurricane's center was located near Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia, with forecasted strengthening and weakening phases.

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

Using barcodes to trace cell development

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center create a new barcode system to study blood cell development, revealing two major branches that give rise to different cell types. The technology allows for precise tracking of individual cells and has implications for cancer research and other tissue studies.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2017