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Science News Archive December 2017


Page 4 of 33

Mars' surface water: We finally know what happened--SFU study

A recent study published in Nature found that Mars' surface water was absorbed by its crust over time, leaving the planet essentially dry. The research suggests that approximately 300 meters of surface water on Mars could have been locked up in microscopic mineral structures.

How a tumor grows can predict response to cancer therapy

A new USC study reveals that tumor growth properties can influence response to cancer drugs. Researchers found certain parameters of tumor growth can forecast the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic treatment, allowing for more accurate predictions. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cancer therapy outcomes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research opening gates for better targeting drugs

Scientists have determined the kinetic cycle of a potassium channel at atomic resolution, allowing for more precise targeting of specific spots within the channel structure. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new drug molecules that can correct potassium channels dysfunction, addressing conditions such as epilepsy and diab...

Hunting for immune cells' cancer targets

Scientists have identified a common target shared by the T-cell receptors of two patients with colorectal cancer, paving the way for personalized immunotherapies. The breakthrough could lead to the development of broadly effective treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer.

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.

Mathematical model reveals solution to sloshing coffee

A mathematical model reveals that adding a pendulum between the container and carrying hand reduces sloshing by diminishing resonant frequency. The study shows that this design significantly reduces liquid movement, minimizing spills and burns.

A kiss of death for prostate cancer

Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified a cellular protein called STAP-2 that stabilizes the EGFR signaling pathway, leading to increased cell proliferation and tumor formation in prostate cancer. Suppressing STAP-2 with inhibitors could potentially treat Gefitinib-resistant prostate cancers.

Medicaid expansion leads to increase in early-stage cancer diagnoses

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that Medicaid expansion led to a significant increase in early-stage cancer diagnoses, particularly among those aged 35-54. The research suggests that public health insurance may increase cancer detection, resulting in fewer cancer deaths and better patient outcomes.

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.

Study confirms beauty is in the eye of the beer holder

The study found that intoxicated participants spent significantly less time looking at women's faces compared to sober participants. Intoxicated men were more likely to 'check out' the body parts of women they perceived as unfriendly or unintelligent.

Memristors power quick-learning neural network

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a new type of neural network made with memristors that can dramatically improve the efficiency of teaching machines to think like humans. The system, called reservoir computing, uses fewer nodes and requires less training time than traditional neural networks.

Deep brain stimulation linked to longer survival for Parkinson's patients

A study of over 1,200 Veterans with Parkinson's disease found that those receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) lived an average of 6.3 years after surgery, compared to 5.7 years for non-DBS patients. This modest survival advantage was attributed to improved quality of life and better symptom control.

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.

Fewer laboratory animals thanks to secondary nanobodies

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry have developed secondary nanobodies that outperform traditional antibodies in key cell-biological applications. These nanobodies can be produced in large scale by bacteria, reducing the need for animals in antibody production and improving resolution in light microscopy.

Making waves

A new approach identifies and measures changes in thousands of proteins as Xenopus eggs undergo fertilization, revealing details of protein destruction and release to prevent multiple fertilization. This method enables comprehensive analyses of protein dynamics and sheds light on cellular changes driving disease.

Small Ontario municipalities least prepared to support aging adults

Small Ontario municipalities are less prepared to support aging adults due to lack of planning and funding, according to a University of Waterloo report. The report recommends that municipalities adopt age-friendly policies and strategies, as seen in British Columbia, to better support their aging populations.

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.

Meet the tiny machines in cells that massacre viruses

Researchers at University of Utah Health have found a way for cells to destroy viruses without harming themselves. The study reveals how the protein Dicer, which is part of normal cell function, uses a different mechanism to process viral dsRNA.

Molecular mapping made easy

Researchers have developed a standardized, freely available method for creating interactive 3D maps of molecules on the skin. The technique has been used to study the influence of environmental factors and health outcomes, with potential applications in forensics, agriculture, and microbiome studies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Exposure study to assess people and water near Colorado Springs

Researchers in Colorado study 200 people affected by AFFF contamination, collecting data on biological markers and health indicators to assess biopersistence and potential health impacts of PFASs. The study aims to provide a better understanding of the effects of long-term exposure to these chemicals.

USDA's NIFA science, education, extension investments

NIFA's investments support transformative discoveries in maximizing agricultural productivity, providing a safe food supply, and promoting responsible stewardship. The partnership aims to bolster the US economy by creating jobs and enhancing nutrition while sustaining natural resources.

Machine learning will change jobs

Carnegie Mellon University's Tom Mitchell and MIT's Erik Brynjolfsson describe 21 criteria for evaluating task amenable to machine learning. Skills people develop and investments businesses make will determine who thrives in ML-driven economy.

Scientists learned to predict public corruption with neural networks

Researchers from HSE and University of Valladolid created a neural network prediction model to detect corruption cases in Spanish regions. The model uses macroeconomic and political determinants to estimate the probability of corrupt cases emerging over three years, providing valuable insights for anti-corruption measures.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Insect communication

Entomologist Gia Aradottir from Rothamsted Research explores insect communication through chemical signals and sound-based interactions. Her experiments with aphids and parasitic wasps demonstrate the complex ways insects convey information to each other.

Why digital strategies matter in bond markets

New research by professors Sunil Mithas and Michael Kimbrough at the University of Maryland shows that IT investments also matter to bond markets. Bond investors favor IT investments in industries where automation and richer information flows are key, but view them as riskier in transform industries.

Short-term exercise equals big-time brain boost

A 10-minute burst of exercise can measurably boost brain power, improving focus and problem-solving skills. Research found that exercising for a short duration primes the brain's problem-solving areas, leading to faster reaction times and improved cognitive performance.

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.

Climate change: Soil animals cannot explain self-reinforcing effect

A new study challenges the long-held assumption that soil animals contribute to the self-reinforcing effect of climate change by releasing more CO2. The research found that warming temperatures and drought actually lead to a decrease in feeding activity, contrary to expectations.

Physicists negate century-old assumption regarding neurons and brain activity

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University demonstrate that each neuron functions as a collection of excitable elements, where inputs from different directions are processed differently. This new understanding could impact research into the origin of degenerative diseases and challenges traditional spike sorting techniques.

Protein analysis allows for treatment of eye-disease symptoms with existing drugs

A team of researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified four on-the-market drugs that successfully quelled symptoms triggered by several overabundant proteins in patients with a rare eye disease. The findings demonstrate the potential of treating rare and complex eye conditions using precision health approaches.

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.

Understanding the impact of defects on the properties of moS2

Researchers discovered that defects in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibit electrical switching, providing new insights into the material's electrical properties. This finding could contribute to MoS2's future use in opto-electronics and address current limitations.

An integrated assessment of vascular plants species of the Americas

Dr. Carmen Ulloa and her team compiled a comprehensive checklist of 124,993 vascular plant species of the Americas, representing one third of all known vascular plants worldwide. The checklist was published in Science today and used the Garden's plant database, Tropicos, as its data repository.

A particle like slow light

Weyl fermions, massless particles similar to light, were discovered in materials with strong electron interaction. They move extremely slowly despite no mass, lending unique properties to these materials.

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.

Robots and humans: How to improve physical interaction

A model predictive control framework incorporates adaptable interaction models for personalized human-robot collaboration, resulting in precise shared movements. Personalization allows robots to learn from users and adjust their interference to optimize performance.

Discovery of a 4,000-year-old military network in northern Syria

Archaeologists have uncovered a vast, structured surveillance and communication network dating back to the Middle Bronze Age in northern Syria. The network, comprising fortresses, small forts, towers, and enclosures, stretched across approximately 7,000 km2 and was designed to protect urban areas and transport corridors.

New lensless camera creates detailed 3-D images without scanning

Researchers developed a compact and inexpensive camera that produces high-resolution 3D images from a single 2D image. The DiffuserCam uses computational imaging to reconstruct 100 million voxels from a 1.3-megapixel image, with potential applications in brain research, self-driving cars, and machine learning.

In the mood for love

A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia found that worldwide peaks of sexual interest coincide with specific religious celebrations, leading to peaks in birth rates. Online searches related to sex display a cyclical nature that correlates with a specific "loving mood" independently detected on Twitter.

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.

A detailed map of North and South America's plant diversity

The study presents a comprehensive checklist of 124,993 plant species across North and South America. Notably, the vast majority of plant species in the Americas are found in just one country or region, with Brazil having the most diverse flora. The authors predict an additional 25,000 species will be documented by 2050.

Shining molecules distinguish between proteins in the brain

Researchers have developed small shining molecules that can recognize specific proteins in the brain, such as amyloid beta and tau. These molecules emit light at different wavelengths when bound to their target protein, enabling potential diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.

Duke-led team develops more accurate tool to track new HIV infections

A new population-based model has been developed to track new HIV infections with greater accuracy, enabling researchers to better target prevention strategies and evaluate interventions. The tool uses biomarkers to identify recent infections, reducing false classifications and costs for studies.

G-quadruplex regulates breast cancer-associated gene

Researchers discovered a mechanism to regulate switching between breast cancer-associated genes, using G-quadruplex structures. The study provides new insights into alternative splicing and could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for controlling cancer growth.

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.

Taking stock of a thorny issue

The new book highlights scientific advances and emerging opportunities for targeted research, focusing on key questions to improve management effectiveness. World-renowned experts discuss the biology, ecology, and early life stages of COTS, emphasizing the need for improved knowledge to prevent outbreaks.

Towards better fates for wheat crops: Gene-level insights into a deadly pathogen

Researchers have gained crucial gene-level insights into an age-old evolutionary arms race between wheat and stem rust disease, a devastating fungal pathogen. The studies identified key peptides released by the fungus that can evade plant immune systems, potentially allowing for more effective DNA testing to identify resistant crops.

How singing your heart out could make you happier

Research from the University of East Anglia found that singing in a community group improved mental health for participants. The combination of singing and socializing promoted feelings of belonging and well-being, leading to improved mood and daily functioning.

Wheat disease breakthrough to help feed the world

Researchers have isolated the first rust pathogen gene that wheat plants detect to 'switch on' resistance, allowing for faster DNA testing and prioritizing resistance genes. The breakthrough could save crops from being destroyed by devastating diseases, threatening food security globally.

Tracking a solvation process step by step

Chemists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum tracked individual water molecules attaching to an organic molecule, exploring hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. The study uses low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, providing insights into solvation processes.

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.

Now entering, lithium niobate valley

Harvard researchers have developed a technique to fabricate high-quality lithium niobate devices with ultralow loss and high optical confinement. This breakthrough opens the door to practical integrated photonic circuits for applications in quantum photonics, microwave-to-optical conversion, and more.