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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 27 of 37

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Carlos moving past La Reunion Island

Tropical Cyclone Carlos was tracked by NASA as it moved between Madagascar and La Reunion Island in the Southern Indian Ocean, revealing a concentrated storm with heavy rainfall rates up to 120 mm per hour. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 51.7 mph, with a predicted intensification due to decreasing vertical wind shear.

Analysis uncovers racial bias in fatal shootings by police

A recent analysis found that Black civilians were over twice as likely to be unarmed when fatally shot by US police in 2015 compared to their white counterparts. The study also revealed that civilians from other minority groups were more likely not to pose a threat to officers or others.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Who needs a flu shot? -- not me'

A study by Hyunmin Lee found that individuals tend to think the media's coverage of flu epidemics influences others more than themselves. This perception counteracts the message's intended behavior, leading to decreased vaccination intentions.

Orexin as a potential drug for treating septic shock

Researchers found that subcutaneous injection of orexin can improve survival rates in mice with endotoxin shock by restoring body temperature and increasing heart rate. Future studies aim to validate the effect of peripherally administered orexin in primates with septic shock.

Gold standard monitoring of HCC in patients with cirrhosis is cost-effective

Following screening guidelines for HCC in cirrhotic patients significantly increases life expectancy, with a 5-month average gain compared to 'real life' monitoring. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals that standardized surveillance is cost-effective at $1754/yr per life year gained in French costs and $32,415/yr in US costs.

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.

Study provides new insight into different forms of heart failure

Researchers developed a novel noninvasive technique to measure leg oxygen consumption in heart failure patients, revealing differences between dilated and stiff hearts. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies aimed at increasing blood flow and improving exercise capacity.

UMass Amherst boosts deep learning research with powerful new GPU cluster

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has unveiled a powerful new GPU cluster, housing 400 specialized graphics processing units, to accelerate deep learning research and attract top talent in the field. The cluster is expected to significantly boost the university's capabilities in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and natur...

Carnivores more seriously threatened by roads than previously acknowledged

A global study found that carnivores are more seriously threatened by roads than previously acknowledged. The research highlights the need to update the protection status of species such as the puma, American black bear, and brown bear, which are severely affected by road habitats cut through their habitat.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets are about one-quarter livestock

A study published in PLOS ONE found that around a quarter of snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets consist of livestock, highlighting the challenges for conserving these endangered species. The research analyzed DNA and hairs in scats from 182 snow leopards and 57 wolves, revealing prey preferences and diet composition.

Deep groundwater aquifers respond rapidly to climate variability

Researchers found that responses to climate variations can be detected in deep groundwater aquifers within a year, suggesting an intermediate connection between precipitation and groundwater levels. Pumping of aquifers may drive this rapid response, controlled by crop water demand and agricultural industry activities.

Collapsed chloroplasts are targeted in self-eating process

Scientists at Tohoku University have discovered a previously unknown type of autophagy that removes damaged chloroplasts in plants, shedding light on the aging process. This finding could lead to new methods for controlling plant aging and enhancing crop yields.

How can marijuana policy protect the adolescent brain?

Experts recommend that laws legalizing marijuana outline restrictions on age, frequency of use, potency, and advertising to prevent abuse. They also emphasize the need for additional research to guide informed policy decisions.

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.

Quinoa genome accelerates solutions for food security

Researchers at KAUST have sequenced quinoa's genome, providing insights into its traits and growth mechanisms. The high-quality sequence is expected to aid in breeding quinoa plants with desirable characteristics, such as seed taste and plant stability.

Calcified plaque raises heart disease risk for young adults

A major report found that young adults with even a small amount of calcified coronary plaque are strongly associated with increased risk of developing clinical coronary heart disease over the ensuing decade. Those with the highest scores had a greater than 20 percent chance of dying of a heart event.

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.

Exposure to a newer flame retardant has been on the rise

Exposure to newer organophosphate flame retardants has significantly increased over the past decade, with a metabolite of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) found at levels 15 times higher in 2014-2015 samples than in 2002-2003.

Is it time for a dedicated tax to fund the NHS?

The BMJ publishes a debate article on whether a dedicated tax is needed to fund the NHS, with proponents arguing it would reflect public wishes and provide welcome certainty. Critics, however, believe a hypothecated tax would not protect funding from economic uncertainty and that simpler solutions exist.

Flat lens opens a broad world of color

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed the first flat lens that works across a continuous bandwidth of colors, from blue to green. This breakthrough enables new applications in imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing.

Blood test may help differentiate Parkinson's from similar diseases

A new study suggests a simple blood test can differentiate between Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism disorders as accurately as a spinal fluid test. Researchers found that concentrations of neurofilament light chain protein in the blood can discriminate between these diseases.

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.

Pure iron grains are rare in the universe

New research suggests that pure iron grains are extremely rare in the universe, contrary to previously thought, and may be forming invisible metal particles. A study published in Science Advances used a rocket-based experiment to simulate the formation of pure iron grains in space, revealing grain formation is highly unlikely.

Hijacking bacteria to kill cancer

Modified bacteria successfully infiltrated tumors and activated the immune system to eliminate malignant cells. In a mouse model of human colon cancer, the combination of Salmonella and FlaB shrunk tumors and prolonged survival.

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.

Most stretchable elastomer for 3-D printing

Researchers have developed a highly stretchable and UV curable elastomer that can be stretched by up to 1100%, making it suitable for 3D printing techniques. The new material enables the direct creation of complex structures and devices, such as soft robotic grippers, with significantly reduced fabrication time.

Measuring time without a clock

Researchers at EPFL have determined a delay of one billionth of one billionth of a second in photoemission by measuring the spin of photoemitted electrons. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the properties of electrons in solids and advancing spectroscopy techniques.

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.

UChicago receives $2.4 million NIH grant to build visual prosthesis

A multidisciplinary team from UChicago is developing wireless brain implants that can convert camera input into electrical stimulations to produce useful visual perception in the brain. The technology could restore partial vision to people who have lost their sight, significantly improving their quality of life.

Record-breaking material that contracts when heated

Nagoya University researchers have developed a new class of composite materials with negative thermal expansion, offering potential solutions for industrial applications. The reduced ruthenate ceramic material shrinks by up to 6.7% when heated, making it more than double the current record-holding material.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Commercial weight-loss drug could help treat opioid addiction

A recent study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience found that the commercial weight-loss drug lorcaserin can help reduce opioid use and cravings in rats. The researchers administered lorcaserin to rats who had been self-administering oxycodone, resulting in decreased oxycodone use and drug-seeking behaviors.

Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation to bestow annual awards

The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation will bestow annual awards to recognize innovators and researchers in the field. Dr. Riad Salem will receive the Leaders in Innovation Award for his pioneering work on yttrium-90 radioembolization, while Terence Gade will receive the Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award for his p...

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.

Diesel trains may expose passengers to exhaust

A new study from the University of Toronto finds that diesel trains can emit nine times higher levels of black carbon and ultrafine particles in cars directly behind locomotives compared to busy city streets. Practical steps for passengers include avoiding front cars during peak emissions periods.

Penn researchers are among the first to grow a versatile 2-dimensional material

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown a single layer of tungsten ditelluride, a unique two-dimensional material with predicted topological electronic states. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in quantum computing, as these materials may enable intrinsically error-tolerant forms of computation.

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.

Study finds naps may help preschoolers learn

A new study found that preschoolers who napped after learning new verbs had a better understanding of the words when tested 24 hours later. The study suggests that parents may want to consider maintaining regular naptimes for preschoolers, who are at an age where naps have a tendency to dwindle.

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.

Hidden lakes drain below West Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier

Researchers at the University of Washington used CryoSat-2 data to identify four interconnected lakes draining beneath Thwaites Glacier in eight months. The glacier sped up by about 10 percent during this time, indicating that other factors, such as ocean warming, are driving its long-term movement.