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Science News for December 22, 2017


How odors are turned into long-term memories

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum investigate the brain area responsible for storing odours as long-term memories. They found that the piriform cortex is involved, but only works in interaction with other areas, and requires instruction from the orbitofrontal cortex to establish long-term memory.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateDec 22, 2017

Lobachevsky University scientists study the problem of electrical response of plants as a mechanism

Lobachevsky University scientists find that moderate temperature increase induces small electrical responses in plant leaves. These responses are observed even at lower temperatures, suggesting a possible natural occurrence under field conditions. The research opens prospects for controlling plant resistance to high temperatures by reg...

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateDec 22, 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.

Moth females use scent proximity to attract mates

Female moths can increase their chances of attracting a mate by emitting sex pheromones in close proximity to attractive females. Attractive females also benefit from proximity to unattractive females, mating sooner than if searching alone or with other attractive females.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 22, 2017

Accelerated analysis of the stability of complex alloys

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have developed a novel process for analyzing the temperature and oxidation resistance of complex alloys, reducing test time from months to days. The method, which combines multiple techniques, allows for rapid testing of high-performance materials.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateDec 22, 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.

Folic acid late in pregnancy may increase childhood allergy risk

Research from the University of Adelaide suggests that taking folic acid in late pregnancy may increase the risk of allergies in children. This contradicts previous studies showing a protective effect against childhood allergies in offspring born with growth restriction during pregnancy. The study found that continued folic acid supple...

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateDec 22, 2017

How small does your rice pudding need to get when stirring jam into it?

A new study by Loris Ferrari examines the practical consequences of two entropy theories in small systems. The research finds that certain quantities can be measured experimentally to assess which theory is more accurate, resolving a long-standing debate between Ludwig Boltzmann and Willard Gibbs.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateDec 22, 2017

Electronically-smooth '3-D graphene': A bright future for trisodium bismuthide

Trisodium bismuthide (Na3Bi) has been found to have an electronically smooth nature similar to graphene, allowing it to maintain high electron mobility. This discovery opens up possibilities for the advancement of topological materials and their applications in electronics.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 2017

Shape separates substance

Japanese researchers developed a novel phase-field model to study phase separation in binary mixtures within porous materials. The model revealed a clear relationship between demixing and wetness, influenced by the topology of the pore structure.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 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.

Alexa and Siri in our head: Where voice recognition occurs in the brain

Scientists tested patients with brain injuries to understand how the brain recognizes voices. The study found that lesions in the right posterior temporal lobe led to difficulties recognizing voices, with a crucial role played by the posterior superior temporal gyrus.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalBrain·DateDec 22, 2017

DFG to fund 11 new research training groups

The DFG is establishing 11 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany. These collaborations will focus on areas like cyber-physical production systems, mathematical complexity, and the regulation of mRNA life cycles. The groups will receive €134 million in funding over four and a half years.

SourceDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft·DateDec 22, 2017

Salamander genome gives clues about unique regenerative ability

Researchers sequenced the giant salamander genome, uncovering a family of genes that provide clues to its remarkable ability to rebuild complex tissue and resist tumour formation. The study offers new insights into regeneration and potential avenues for developing regenerative strategies for humans.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 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.

NASA captures Tropical Depression Kai-Tak's final bow

Tropical Depression Kai-Tak was captured dissipating in the Gulf of Thailand by NASA's Aqua satellite, revealing fragmented storms and strong vertical wind shear. The system is expected to disperse due to persistent high wind shear, leading to its final dissipation on Dec. 22.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 22, 2017

A visual database of human plasma compounds

Researchers at Tohoku University have created a visual database of metabolites from over 5,000 Japanese volunteers, offering valuable insights into how specific compounds relate to each other. The jMorp database contains information on 306 metabolites and 256 common proteins, with graphical correlation tools to facilitate further study.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateDec 22, 2017

T cell-inducing dengue vaccines may better protect children of vaccinated mothers

Researchers found that a vaccine inducing killer T cells provides broader protection for children of vaccinated mothers. The vaccine prevents the immune system from producing antibodies specific to the virus and induces protective killer T cells that can recognize and attack the virus.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJCI Insight·DateDec 22, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA's next major telescope to see the big picture of the universe

The Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) will generate never-before-seen big pictures of the universe, enabling astronomers to explore mysteries like dark energy and galaxy evolution. The mission will also discover thousands of exoplanets, including rocky planets in the habitable zone.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 22, 2017

Breaking up (protein complexes) is hard to do, but new UW study shows how

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified the structural basis for how tightly bound protein complexes are broken apart to become inactivated. The structure shows that TIRPL can attack active PP2A complexes, changing their conformation and making them fall apart robustly.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2017

Study: Rate and risk of head injury in mixed martial arts remain unknown

A recent study reviewed 18 studies involving 7,587 patients, examining head injuries in MMA fighting published between 1990 and 2016. The review found no consistent definition or protocol for reporting and medical clearance return to play, making it impossible to determine the frequency and severity of these injuries.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalTrauma·DateDec 22, 2017

NASA sees second Tropical soaking in Southern Philippines

Tropical Storm Tembin, also known as Vinta, is bringing strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to the southern Philippines. The storm has a high potential for generating heavy rainfall due to its cold cloud tops, which are colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 22, 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.

Zika remains a research and public health challenge, say NIAID scientists

The Zika pandemic has infected millions of people across over 80 countries, leaving many babies with birth defects. Researchers are working toward treatments and a preventive vaccine, but experts warn that the virus may reemerge more aggressively.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateDec 22, 2017

Study identifies new loci associated with asthma enriched in epigenetic marks

An international study discovered five new regions of the genome associated with increased asthma risk, characterized by epigenetic marks on gene enhancers. The genetic variants also show associations with auto-immune diseases and inflammatory component diseases, highlighting the importance of pleiotropy in multifactorial diseases.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 22, 2017

Analysis of new studies including 250,000 people confirms sugar-sweetened drinks are linked to overweight and obesity in children and adults

A new review of 30 studies on sugar-sweetened beverages confirms their association with overweight and obesity in children and adults. Countries are advised to implement policies to reduce SSB consumption, with examples from Mexico's successful tax policy and the UK's upcoming sugar tax.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·JournalObesity Facts·DateDec 22, 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.

Quantum noise reduction method for enhanced precision in atomic clocks

Researchers develop a new approach to analyze and reduce quantum noise in atomic systems, known as spin squeezing, which enhances measurement reliability at the quantum scale. The method involves redistributing uncertainty between two components of spin, improving precision and potentially enabling future quantum networks.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 22, 2017