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Science News Archive December 2017 - Page 25


Page 25 of 33

Life of an albatross: Tackling individuality in studies of populations

Researchers tracked individual albatrosses for their entire lives to identify intrinsic quality that drives performance, including reproductive success and longevity. The study found that birds born in warmer years were smaller and performed poorly, while those from denser populations had reduced success.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcological Monographs·DateDec 7, 2017

Spark Therapeutics and Pfizer announce publication in The New England Journal of Medicine of Interim Data from phase 1/2 clinical trial of investigational gene therapy for Hemophilia B

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial showed that SPK-9001 reduced annualized bleeding rate by 97% and factor IX concentrate use by 99% in participants with hemophilia B. The data suggest a one-time infusion of SPK-9001 may sustain factor IX activity levels, reducing bleeding episodes.

SourceTen Bridge Communications·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 7, 2017
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.

Study finds ways to avoid hidden dangers of accumulated stresses on seagrass

A QUT-led study found that cumulative maintenance dredging can increase risks on seagrass survival, but shorter dredging programs are unlikely to impact seagrass. The research developed a risk modelling approach to predict how resilient seagrass meadows will be under different environmental conditions.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateDec 7, 2017

5G set to revolutionize communications and to transform industry

The new generation of 5G mobile networks promises to deliver the Internet of Things and transform industry through innovative technologies. Key applications include e-Health, AGVs, industry 4.0, drones for agriculture, fair tourism, and entertainment, with benefits for sectors such as energy, health, automotive, and manufacturing

SourceIMDEA Networks Institute·DateDec 7, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Smartphone case offers blood glucose monitoring on the go

Engineers at UC San Diego developed a smartphone case and app that allows patients to record and track their blood glucose readings anywhere. The device, called GlucPhone, uses reusable sensors and wireless transmission for accurate measurements.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateDec 7, 2017

Uncovering varied pathways to agriculture

A team of scientists and archaeologists has discovered a 15,000-year-old Natufian site in Jordan that pushes back the timeline for permanent settlement in the region. The site's early dates suggest that hunter-gatherers were more versatile than previously thought and had multiple pathways to agriculture.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 7, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists create stretchable battery made entirely out of fabric

Researchers have developed a new microbial fuel cell that can produce maximum power and exhibit stable electricity-generating capability when tested under stretching and twisting cycles. The textile-based biobattery could be integrated into wearable electronics in the future, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly energy solution.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 7, 2017

Dust on the wind: Study reveals surprising role of dust in mountain ecosystems

Researchers found that windborne dust provides a significant source of nutrients for plants in mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. The study's results have implications for understanding the global influence of regional processes and the Earth's balance.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2017

New Lancaster study 'reimagines infertility'

A new study by Lancaster University reveals that marginalized groups are often excluded from fertility data due to biases in survey design and sampling. This exclusion can lead to unequal access to reproductive healthcare and misguided policies.

SourceLancaster University·JournalHealth Policy and Planning·DateDec 7, 2017

Life under the surface in live broadcast

Scientists at Lund University have developed new systems to study microorganisms in the ground using microchips, revealing complex ecosystems and interactions between microbes and their environment. The technology allows for real-time analysis of microbial processes, enabling researchers to better understand soil structures and functions.

SourceLund University·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateDec 7, 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.

Researchers launch atlas of developing human brain

A comprehensive atlas of gene expression in human brain cells reveals new insights into autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. The study identifies links between neural stem cell populations and neurodevelopmental disease, opening up new avenues for research.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017

How the cat parasite exploits immune cells to reach the brain

A new study from Stockholm University shows that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii takes control of immune cells, turning them into 'zombies' that spread the infection. This allows the parasite to infect the brain, which may be linked to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 7, 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.

Media research: Time not up for newsprint

A new study reveals that younger readers are spending nearly twice as much time reading print newspapers as they do online. Despite the rise of digital distribution, the young are actually spending less time with newspaper brands overall, with a 40% drop in attention from younger and middle-aged readers since the turn of the millennium.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournalism Studies·DateDec 7, 2017

Heart monitors on wild narwhals reveal alarming responses to stress

Deep-diving narwhals experience unusually low heart rates while escaping human disturbances, potentially harming oxygenation and brain function. The study's findings raise concerns about the effects of ocean noise and increased human activity on these Arctic whales.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017

Arctic sea ice loss and the Eurasian winter cooling trend: Is there a link?

A recent study investigates the relationship between Arctic sea ice loss and the Eurasian winter cooling trend. The research suggests that changes in sea surface temperature, not sea ice concentration, are responsible for the observed warming trend.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateDec 7, 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 power devices could drastically reduce energy waste

Researchers at MIT developed a new design for gallium nitride power devices that can handle higher voltages, potentially reducing energy waste in electric vehicles, data centers and the power grid. The device uses a bladelike fin design to confine current, improving efficiency and heat dissipation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 7, 2017

Stretching language to its limit

Antipodal words, encapsulating opposites, offer sharp communication and irony. They articulate predation, violence, and human excess, briefly opening a semiotic window onto the unspeakable.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateDec 7, 2017

New discovery, more bees mark Michigan's first, full bee census

A comprehensive bee census led by Michigan State University scientists confirmed the discovery of a new species and revealed that Michigan has more than 420 species of bees, exceeding earlier estimates. The study also highlighted the importance of understanding wild bee populations and their benefits to crops and the environment.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalZootaxa·DateDec 7, 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.

Researchers model optimal amount of rainfall for plants

Researchers found that the optimal amount of rainfall for plant productivity lies in an intermediate climate, where plants can use slightly more moisture than usual. This 'mesic maximum' range is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and agricultural systems under projected climate change conditions.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 6, 2017

Precision medicine test may help detect coronary artery disease

A blood-based precision medicine test incorporating age, sex, and gene expression score (ASGES) helped evaluate older outpatients with symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. The study found higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in those with high ASGES scores compared to low ASGES scores

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 6, 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.

New hope for waitlisted patients addicted to opioids

A new intervention by Dr. Stacey Sigmon reduces illicit opioid use and injection drug use among waitlisted patients by providing daily medication via a computerized dispenser. This regimen allows patients to start potentially life-saving treatment immediately, while waiting for access to comprehensive counseling services.

SourceAmerican College of Neuropsychopharmacology·DateDec 6, 2017

3-D mini brains accelerate research for repairing brain function

Researchers created 3D mini brains using bioengineered 'asteroids' to study neural connections and accelerate disease research. The model allows for rapid screening of drugs and analysis of mutations, paving the way for potential treatments and clinical trials to improve or regenerate impaired nervous systems.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateDec 6, 2017

Found: The most distant supermassive black hole ever observed

A team of astronomers discovered the most-distant supermassive black hole ever observed, located in a luminous quasar and emitting light from 5% of its current age. The black hole has a mass 800 million times that of our Sun, posing a challenge to theories of supermassive black hole growth.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 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.

Birth of a storm in the Arabian Sea validates climate model

Researchers from Princeton University and NOAA found that the Arabian Sea's extreme cyclone activity increased significantly since 2014, with a 27% rise in 2015. The study validated climate model projections by showing that global warming and fossil fuel burning led to the formation of these storms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 6, 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.

Diesel vehicles in oil sands operations contribute to regional pollution

Recent studies have identified off-road diesel vehicles in oil sands production as a major contributor to regional levels of isocyanic acid pollution. Laboratory experiments show that these vehicles release up to 6 kilograms of the compound per hour, with secondary emissions potentially being up to four fold larger.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 6, 2017

Bristol scientists turn beer into fuel

Scientists from the University of Bristol have developed technology to convert widely-available ethanol into butanol, a more efficient fuel alternative. The breakthrough uses catalysts to convert beer's ethanol content into butanol, paving the way for sustainable petrol production.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCatalysis Science & Technology·DateDec 6, 2017

Hydrogen gas from enzyme production

Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin and Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered how enzymes produce molecular hydrogen. The process involves two electrons being transferred to two hydrogen ions through proton-coupled electron transfer, a mechanism that could explain the production of hydrogen gas in other enzymes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 6, 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.

Brain remaps itself in child with double hand transplant

Researchers detected massive changes in how sensations from hands are represented in a child's brain before and after a successful double hand transplant. The brain remapping is thought to have begun six years before the transplant and reverted toward a more typical pattern after receiving transplanted hands.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateDec 6, 2017

'Stressed out' cocoa trees could produce more flavorful chocolate

Researchers found that monocultural cocoa groves subjected to stress conditions produce slightly more antioxidants and phenols than agroforest settings. The differences in chemical composition were not significant, but the researchers suggest these variations could contribute to variability in cocoa bean flavor.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 6, 2017
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.

Study finds evidence that a protein, MCP-1, may determine bone loss responses to parathyroid hormone

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a crucial role in bone loss responses to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hyperparathyroidism. Elevated MCP-1 levels have been correlated with elevated serum PTH levels, and its presence may serve as a marker for PTH's effects in humans.

SourceNew York University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 6, 2017

Routing gene therapy directly into the brain

Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating neurodegenerative disorders and lysosomal storage diseases by transplanting hematopoietic stem cells directly into the brain, achieving therapeutic benefits faster than traditional methods. This innovative technique could pave the way for new treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and o...

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 6, 2017

How does it look when Earth is bombarded with dark matter?

Scientists use a simulation program called DaMaSCUS to study how dark matter particles interact with normal matter, potentially affecting detector performance. The researchers found that if dark matter interacts strongly with atoms, deep site detectors may struggle to detect it.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateDec 6, 2017

A risk factor for drug-induced skin disease identified

A type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene, HLA-DQB1*03:01, is associated with an increased risk of developing bullous pemphigoid (BP) in diabetic patients taking DPP-4 inhibitory drugs. The gene was found to be present in 86% of non-inflammatory BP patients administered with DPP-4i, compared to 18% in the general population.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateDec 6, 2017

Quantifying the greenhouse gas footprint of crop cultivation

A new study proposes a generic methodological framework to accurately quantify the greenhouse gas footprints of crop cultivation systems. The framework takes into account direct and indirect contributors, providing example values of emission factors and emphasizing the combination of measurements and model simulations.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateDec 6, 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.

Flipping the electron spin

Researchers at TUM and Jülich Institute have developed a novel EPR spectroscopy process to investigate lithium plating in lithium-ion batteries. This allows for the detection of metallic lithium deposits on anodes, which can reduce battery capacity and lifespan.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalMaterials Today·DateDec 6, 2017