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Science News Archive December 2017


Page 17 of 33

Every grain of sand is a metropolis for bacteria

A single grain of sand harbors up to 100,000 microorganisms from thousands of species, showcasing the impressive diversity of bacterial life. This discovery highlights the crucial role sand-dwelling bacteria play in processing carbon and nitrogen compounds and purifying the marine ecosystem.

USC Viterbi faculty design thermal 'skin' to maintain temperature of satellites

Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new material to self-regulate the temperature of satellites, reducing on-board power reserves and increasing lifespan. The hybrid structure of silicon and vanadium dioxide performs 20 times better than current semiconductors in maintaining optimal satellite temperatures.

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.

Space weather, EarthScope, and protecting the national electrical grid

Researchers are using a new 3D mapping technique to assess the risk of space weather events on the US power grid. The method uses data from EarthScope to create detailed maps of ground conductivity, which can help identify vulnerable sections of transmission lines and inform real-time power-flow management.

Research reveals how diabetes in pregnancy affects baby's heart

Researchers at UCLA discovered that high glucose levels in pregnant women can lead to premature heart cell maturation, increasing the risk of congenital heart disease. The study found that targeting the pentose phosphate pathway could help generate more mature cells for regenerating heart tissue.

UTHealth researchers link epigenetic aging to bipolar disorder

Researchers at UTHealth found that individuals with bipolar disorder exhibit accelerated epigenetic aging, which may explain why they are more prone to age-related diseases and have shorter lifespans. The study suggests that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and substance use can contribute to this premature aging.

3-D printed microfibers could provide structure for artificially grown body parts

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to create high-resolution and repeatable 3D polymer fiber patterns on nonconductive materials for tissue engineering. This combination of 3D printing and electrospinning enables the growth of complex tissues with seamless structures, potentially replacing expensive donor tissues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Immune diseases inflict identical twins differently

Researchers at Osaka University found that differences in methylation patterns of specific genes and chromosomes are linked to the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases. This discovery highlights the importance of considering both genetic and epigenetic factors in diagnosing metabolic disorders.

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.

Action games expand the brain's cognitive abilities

A meta-analysis of 15 years of research on action video games found that gamers showed significant improvements in cognitive abilities compared to non-gamers. The study suggests that playing action video games can train the brain and improve attention, spatial cognition, and reaction time.

Spinal cord injury affects the heart

Research published in Experimental Physiology found that spinal cord injury affects the heart, with changes dependent on injury severity. The study suggests preserving more nerve fibers can improve heart function in individuals with spinal cord injury, who are at higher risk of heart disease.

Battling white-nose syndrome in bats

A new study sheds light on the source and spread of the white-nose syndrome fungus, which has wiped out millions of bats in North America. Researchers found that the fungus was introduced to North America from Europe and has since spread rapidly due to the effective dispersal abilities of bats.

Gecko adhesion technology moves closer to industrial uses

Researchers have developed a gecko-inspired adhesive technology that can be used to handle delicate materials like silicon wafers in manufacturing computer processors. The technology uses a specific angle of attachment and release to grip the surface, offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to current methods.

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.

Pokémon Go could help people who struggle socially

A UBC study found that extroverts perform better in Pokémon Go due to their strong social skills, while introverted players struggle. The researchers now aim to design video games with increasingly involved social features to aid those who struggle socially.

African immigrants: How race and gender shape the American dream

A new study led by Michigan State University sociologist Stephanie Nawyn examines the impact of race and gender on African immigrants' assimilation. The research reveals that black African immigrant women experienced a 130% increase in wages between 1990 and 2010, surpassing those of their male counterparts.

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.

Sandia researchers make solid ground toward better lithium-ion battery interfaces

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories identified major obstacles to advancing solid-state lithium-ion battery performance, focusing on the flow of lithium ions across battery interfaces. By improving the interfaces between materials, they aim to make solid-state batteries more efficient and reduce traffic jams in small electronics.

Genetics preserves traces of ancient resistance to Inca rule

A new study reveals that the original inhabitants of the Chachapoyas region in Peru remained genetically distinct from the Inca Empire, resisting forced assimilation. The research uses DNA analysis to challenge traditional accounts of the Incas' conquest of the area.

New research improves understanding of ancient landscapes

Geologists can improve estimates of landscape erosion and sediment dispersal by accounting for factors like bedrock material erosion rates, zircon fertility, and sediment recycling. Researchers collected zircon grain samples from modern river watersheds in the Andes Mountains to test these assumptions.

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.

Mark Griswold, PhD elected 2017 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

Dr Mark Griswold PhD has been elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development. He is renowned for pioneering research and innovations in biomedical imaging.

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.

Marijuana may help HIV patients keep mental stamina longer

A Michigan State University study suggests that THC in marijuana can reduce inflammatory white blood cells and decrease proteins released by the body, potentially slowing down mental decline in HIV patients. The researchers found that patients who used marijuana had lower levels of inflammatory cells compared to those who didn't use it.

A whole-body approach to understanding chemosensory cells

Researchers found that Skn-1a is a key regulator for generating Trpm5-expressing chemosensory cells in various parts of the body, including respiratory system and digestive tract. This discovery provides new insights into the role of these sensory cells in protecting against bacteria and potentially harmful substances.

Closing in on advanced prostate cancer

IRB Barcelona researchers have discovered a new target for treating advanced prostate cancer, the TFIIF protein. Removing this protein's interaction with the androgen receptor could make treatment effective again in resistant tumors.

Cystic fibrosis: Discovery of a key molecule for improving treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre has discovered a promising solution to improving treatments for cystic fibrosis. By adding quorum-sensing inhibitors to current drugs, they were able to restore treatment efficacy in cells of cystic fibrosis patients.

A drug to treat retinal diseases with drops instead of injections

A new compound developed by Sylentis can penetrate the retina to treat age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy with ophthalmic drops. The drug blocks the formation of new blood vessels and has shown efficacy in animal models, offering a promising alternative to painful injections.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The immune cells that help tumors instead of destroying them

Studies using mouse models of lung cancer found that neutrophils help tumors hide from T cells and promote their own growth through the production of Snail protein. This 'vicious cycle' between neutrophils and tumor cells hinders immunotherapy's effectiveness in up to two-thirds of patients.

UNIST design team receives prestigious 2017 Spark Design Awards

The Graduate School of Creative Design Engineering at UNIST has won prestigious Spark Design Awards for their 'Hyperloop System Innovation' concept, which envisions a futuristic UFO-shaped Hyperloop Station. The award-winning design focuses on user-centered design and a Dual Rotating System to manage passenger traffic, offering a novel...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Mosquito sex protein could provide key to controlling disease

Researchers discovered a chemical, HP-I, that regulates female mosquito sexual proclivities, helping females avoid multiple mates and reducing disease transmission. The protein's role in inter-species sex also holds promise for understanding complex reproductive patterns between different mosquito species.

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.

Estrogen discovery could shed new light on fertility problems

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discover estrogen produced in brain is necessary for ovulation in monkeys, potentially revealing cause of infertility problems and pointing to new methods of birth control. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of hormonal cascade leading to egg release from ovaries.

University of Tennessee extension launches project to study hops

The University of Tennessee is studying hops production in others states and developing educational materials to aid in the evaluation of hops production in Tennessee. The goal is to help Tennessee farmers capitalize on a new market opportunity for locally-grown specialty crops like hops.

Using computers to detect breast cancer

Researchers have developed an AI application that can detect lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients with high accuracy, similar to human pathologists. This breakthrough could improve the efficiency of surgical pathology work and provide better prognostication.

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.

Stuttering: Stop signals in the brain disturb speech flow

Research at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences reveals that hyperactivity in the right hemisphere of the brain is central to stuttering. The study found a stronger connection between brain regions involved in speech movements, leading to impaired fluency.

'Virtual child' to train workers to treat kids with autism

A new virtual child software is being developed to train professionals in behavioral intervention techniques for children with autism spectrum disorder. The software will feature a virtual child programmed with learning difficulties associated with autism, allowing users to practice and master treatment methods.

Important new aspects are revealed about the control of cell division

Researchers at Cabimer have made significant discoveries about the control of cell division, highlighting the importance of the nucleolus in ensuring accurate chromosome distribution. The study found that precise temporal control of DNA compaction is necessary for equal distribution of chromosomes during mitosis.

Forest resilience declines in face of wildfires, climate change

Researchers found significant decreases in tree regeneration following wildfires in the early 21st century, a period marked by hotter and drier conditions. This decline in forest resilience will take much longer to recover after a wildfire, with some areas showing no seedlings growing.

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.

Major award recognizes UK and global impact of wheat scientist

Cristobal Uauy, a world-leading wheat scientist, has been awarded the prestigious Research Medal by The Royal Agricultural Society of England. His work in developing genomic techniques and sharing them with the international community has led to significant benefits for wheat breeders and researchers.

Researchers building app to improve treatment outcomes for eating disorders

A new smartphone app aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with eating disorders by providing clinicians with real-time feedback on their progress. The app will guide clients through a series of questions using computer-adaptive technology, allowing therapists to track patient response and adjust treatment accordingly.

CCNY-led team develops cancer imaging aid from horse chestnuts

A CCNY-led team has developed a novel molecular gel that enhances optical photon output for cancer imaging, improving detection sensitivity. The esculin-derived gel addresses current challenges in Cerenkov light imaging and offers potential as a topical application.

Don't mix business with pleasure

A study of 1,916 employees found that those who integrated work into their personal life were more exhausted and had a lower sense of balance and well-being. Employees who did not separate work from free time reported fewer recovery activities and experienced greater exhaustion.

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.