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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 3 of 37

Inactivity, excess weight linked to hard-to-treat heart failures

Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that inactivity and excess weight are strongly associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which has a poor five-year survival rate of around 30-40%. Increasing physical activity levels and reducing weight may be crucial for combating this growing disease.

New standards for better water quality in Europe

New EU Water Framework Directive recommendations aim to improve monitoring, assessment, and management of water quality. The directive suggests effect-based methods instead of individual substance analysis and proposes a reversed burden of proof for data collection.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Spontaneous 'dust traps': Astronomers discover a missing link in planet formation

Researchers propose that dust traps, high-pressure regions where dust grains accumulate and avoid fragmentation, play a key role in planet formation. These spontaneous traps concentrate grains from outer disk regions, helping to form planets and addressing the long-standing problem of how pebbles join together to create planetary cores.

Tracking the movement of cyborg cockroaches

Researchers tracked the movement of cyborg cockroaches to understand their navigation patterns in unfamiliar territory. The study found that unguided biobots preferred to hug the wall, but randomly stimulating them increased movement time, speed, and likelihood of exploring open space.

Planned protection area would help basking sharks

A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Sea of the Hebrides, Scotland, would provide essential conditions for basking sharks to forage and possibly breed. Satellite tracking data from 36 sharks showed 86% residency within the proposed area.

How your brain makes articles go viral

Studies reveal that brain activity in self-related and mentalizing regions combine unconsciously to produce a signal about an article's value, predicting its likelihood of going viral. Brain scans from a small group of people can accurately predict the virality of health articles among real New York Times readers.

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.

A sustained and controllable insulin release system

The study focuses on combining SPRA technology with polypseudorotaxane (PPRX) technology to create a sustained and controllable insulin release system. Four types of PPRXs were developed, showing improved blood glucose reduction times and safety profiles.

Kinase discovery sheds new light on several disease processes

A study published in PNAS reveals details about Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a signaling protein controlling cellular behavior. The research found unexpected parts of ASK1's structure that help control its activity, shedding new light on disease processes such as Parkinson's and melanoma.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study opens new questions on how the atmosphere and oceans formed

A new study by Australian National University has found evidence of seawater cycling as deep as 2,900km into the Earth's mantle, raising questions about how the atmosphere and oceans formed. The research suggests alternative theories, such as icy comets or meteorites bringing water to Earth, could be plausible.

How protein misfolding may kickstart chemical evolution

Protein misfolding may have kickstarted chemical evolution, enabling the creation of complex systems and potentially leading to the emergence of life. The study designed multi-phase dynamic chemical networks and self-propagating peptide assemblies with remarkable functions.

ZeitZeiger: Computer tells the time according to your body clock

Researchers developed a computer method called ZeitZeiger that uses genome-wide expression data to predict a person's 'internal' time of day. The method demonstrates accurate predictions using 15 genes from across the human genome, including non-core clock genes.

Dogs, toddlers show similarities in social intelligence

Studies suggest that dogs and humans share a common type of social intelligence, which could help scientists better understand human evolution. Researchers found that dogs who excel in one social skill tend to perform well in related skills, similar to children, but not chimpanzees.

It may not have been too late to save 'extinct' pigeon

A team of researchers found that captive breeding efforts were unnecessary if hunting controls had been implemented to save the species. The study dispels the theory that the Passenger Pigeon underwent functional extinction before its actual extinction in the early 20th century.

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.

Activated T-cells drive post-heart attack heart failure

Activated T-cells play a crucial role in promoting heart failure after a heart attack by attacking heart muscle tissue. Targeting specific T-cell subsets at defined stages of disease may represent a better therapeutic approach to improve heart failure outcomes.

Super resolution imaging helps determine a stem cell's future

Researchers at Rutgers and other universities created a new way to identify stem cells' state and fate, allowing for better manipulation of cells for therapy. The approach uses super-resolution microscopy to analyze epigenetic modifications, identifying changes that signal a cell's future type.

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.

Effects of genes often influenced by network

Researchers at Uppsala University found that genes frequently collaborate in large clusters or networks to regulate traits. This study highlights the importance of considering gene interactions when predicting genetic effects on individuals.

Novel syndrome highlights the importance of rare disease research

A group of researchers discovered a rare deafness-dystonia syndrome, named Siddiqi syndrome, in a family living in remote Pakistan. The condition is characterized by hearing impairment and delayed motor development, and has been linked to a single homozygous nonsense mutation in the FITM2 gene.

Common bacterium may help control disease-bearing mosquitoes

Researchers at Yale University and Vanderbilt University have discovered a common bacterium that can be used to sterilize male insects, potentially controlling disease-bearing mosquitoes and agricultural pests. The discovery of two genes encoded by Wolbachia bacteria can completely sterilize male fruit flies.

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.

Preventing and treating smoking in children and youth

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends that physicians provide brief information and advice to prevent or treat tobacco smoking in children and youth. Research shows that raising the minimum legal age for access to tobacco can significantly reduce smoking rates among young people.

Do we look like our names? New research says yes

Researchers found that observers correctly identified a person's real name based on their facial appearance even when controlling for age and ethnicity. The study suggests that self-fulfilling prophecy plays a role in matching faces with names, as people may choose hairstyles associated with stereotypes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Woodstoves are good for the soul, bad for the heart

A McGill University and Health Canada study found that air pollution from wood burning increases the risk of heart attacks in seniors by 19% during cold seasons. The researchers suggest that tackling air pollution caused by fireplaces and woodstoves may improve public health.

New tool for combating mosquito-borne disease: Insect parasite genes

Researchers from Vanderbilt University have identified specific genes that make Wolbachia, a parasitic bacterium, effective in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika. The 'super-Wolbachia' gene can be used to genetically engineer insects to spread the bacteria more rapidly.

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.

Stars regularly ripped apart by black holes in colliding galaxies

Astronomers found that stars are ripped apart by supermassive black holes much more often than previously thought, with rates dramatically increasing during galaxy collisions. This new understanding could lead to locating and studying dim black holes in the Milky Way.

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.

Earth probably began with a solid shell

Scientists found evidence of an ancient solid shell on Earth's surface using thermodynamic calculations and rock samples from Western Australia. The 'stagnant lid' model supports this theory, which contradicts the long-held assumption that plate tectonics began immediately after Earth formed.

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.

How after-hours trading sheds light on investor sentiment

A new study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that overnight market activity provides insight into investor sentiment at the firm level. Short-term price persistence was observed, with high and low overnight returns outperforming over the long term.

Pregnancy-specific β1-glycoproteins

PSGs are recognized as trophoblast quality and embryo viability markers, with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. The discovery of PSG receptors and interactions with integrins suggests new avenues for drug design and therapeutic intervention.

Nano 'sandwich' offers unique properties

Rice University researchers simulate a nanoscale sandwich of graphene and magnesium oxide, offering unique properties for molecular sensing, catalysis, and bio-imaging. The hybrid material has tunable band gaps and optical properties, making it suitable for various applications.

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.

World-first genetic clues point to risk of blindness

Australian scientists have discovered five key genetic regions that increase the risk of developing Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a degenerative eye disease leading to blindness. The findings will help researchers understand the disease and explore ways to prevent or treat its progression.

Sound-shaping super-material invented

Researchers have invented a super-material that bends, shapes and focuses sound waves, pushing the boundaries of metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging and personal audio, allowing for precise control over sound waves.

New studies illustrate how gamers get good

Researchers analyzed data from thousands of online Halo and StarCraft matches to understand skill development patterns. They found that players who spaced out their activity and used consistent hotkeys habits improved most efficiently, while elite players warmed up with meaningless dummy commands to get into peak performance mode.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Research could lead to better vaccines and new antivirals

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified K-homology splicing regulatory protein (KHSRP) as a regulator of the innate immune response. Depleting KHSRP improves immune signaling and reduces viral replication, suggesting that drugs inhibiting the protein may have therapeutic value.

First CRISPR single-nucleotide edited transgenic mice

Researchers successfully produced the first transgenic mice with a single nucleotide difference in the dystrophin and tyrosinase genes, demonstrating a new gene editing technique that can substitute one nucleotide into another without DNA deletion. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the correction of genetic defects in humans.

Increased physical activity, lower BMI may lower heart failure risk

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that increased physical activity and lower body mass index (BMI) are associated with a reduced risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a subtype of heart failure. The research, which pooled data from three cohort studies invol...

Matching up fruit flies, mushroom toxins and human health

Researchers from Michigan Technological University found that fruit flies' resistance to mushroom toxins corresponds to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, regulating cell physiology and metabolism in humans. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying diseases like cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and n...

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Molecule stops fatal pediatric brain tumor

Researchers at Northwestern University have found a molecule that stops the growth of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a fatal pediatric brain tumor. The study, published in Nature Medicine, reveals the molecule detaches proteins that enable cancer cells to grow, offering new treatment options for children under 10.

NSF CAREER award for bio-inspired research of burrowing animals

Dr. Junliang Tao receives $500,000 grant to apply burrowing strategies from nature in underground construction technologies and small-scale robots. His project aims to improve high-efficiency tunnel design and generate enthusiasm among K-12 students for STEM education.