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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 35 of 37

Toward all-solid lithium batteries

A team at MIT has probed the mechanical properties of a sulfide-based solid electrolyte material, determining its potential for use in all-solid-state batteries. The research found that the material exhibits a combination of properties similar to silly putty or salt water taffy, showing promise in energy density and safety.

Precision-medicine approach could revive prostate cancer test

Researchers at UC San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente have identified genetic predictors of normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men. This information can be used to improve the accuracy of PSA-based prostate cancer screening tests.

Tail of stray black hole hiding in the Milky Way

Astronomers detected a compact molecular cloud with unusual motion near the supernova remnant W44, suggesting the presence of a hidden black hole. The black hole is estimated to be between 3.5 and 36 times more massive than the sun, sparking debate over its origin.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists look to shine light on our dark genome

The new ENCODE centers will use cutting-edge technology to define the functions and gene targets of regulatory sequences, which play a major role in diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and autism. Scientists aim to identify crucial regulatory elements that control gene expression and cell behavior.

Adults with autism see interests as strengths, career paths

A study by NYU's Steinhardt School found that adults with autism view their interests positively, believing they should be encouraged. These interests also alleviate anxiety in 92% of respondents and are used as strengths in career paths and educational settings.

Change in astronaut's gut bacteria attributed to spaceflight

Researchers studying NASA astronaut Scott Kelly's gut bacteria found changes associated with spaceflight that reversed upon return to Earth. The study, part of the 'twins' research, also discovered fluctuations in bacterial populations between identical twin brothers Scott and Mark Kelly.

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.

Wetlands play vital role in carbon storage, study finds

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that wetlands store a significant amount of carbon, with freshwater inland wetlands holding nearly 10 times more carbon than tidal saltwater sites. The research highlights the importance of protecting wetlands from human activity to prevent climate change.

Researchers engineer new thyroid cells

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered an efficient way to generate thyroid cells using genetically modified embryonic stem cells. The findings, published in Stem Cell Reports, are the first step towards developing a protocol using human stem cells to model thyroid disease and develop therapies.

The drugs don't work, say back pain researchers

New research from The George Institute for Global Health reveals that commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provide limited short-term pain relief and cause significant side effects. The study highlights the need for developing new therapies to treat back pain, which affects 80% of Australians during their lifetime.

Why has ENSO been more difficult to predict since 2000?

Decadal variations in ENSO's predictability have decreased significantly since 2000, according to a recent study. The researchers suggest that a weakening of ocean-atmosphere coupling in the tropical Pacific is responsible for this decline, leading to more variable and less predictable weather patterns.

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.

UW scientists find key cues to regulate bone-building cells

Researchers discovered lipocalin-2 and prolactin proteins regulate mesenchymal stem cell activity in the lab and in mice with calvarial defects. This discovery aims to improve culture conditions for growing bone cells and develop therapies for bone repair.

Protecting rice crops at no extra cost

A new study identified a genetic mechanism in rice that provides resistance to devastating disease without compromising grain yield. Researchers discovered that co-expression of PigmS limits seed damage associated with PigmR, allowing for increased protection and yield.

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.

NIH to expand critical catalog for genomics research

The National Institutes of Health plans to expand its ENCODE Project, a genomics resource used by many scientists to study human health and disease. With additional funding, NHGRI will strengthen the foundation of high-quality data, tools, and analyses for research projects on genome sequences and gene regulation.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Study: Children, parents over-report leukemia treatment adherence

A new study found that 84% of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia or their parents over-reported adherence to a regimen of 6-mercaptopurine, an oral maintenance therapy. Forgetfulness was the primary reason for non-adherence, and parental involvement improved adherence rates.

Treatment has no sufficient effect in 1 of 5 psoriasis patients

A study of 2,646 Swedish psoriasis patients found that nearly one in five still experienced high disease activity despite ongoing systemic treatment. The authors suggest increasing access to biologics and exploring new treatments, as well as supporting lifestyle improvements for better outcomes.

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.

Full(erene) potential

Researchers at UCSB have developed a simple method to master the electrical properties of polymer semiconductors by adding specific molecules that 'trap' charge carriers. This technique allows for efficient design and manufacture of organic circuitry with varying complexity, while maintaining economical manufacturing costs.

Insomnia linked to higher risk of developing asthma

A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people experiencing insomnia symptoms have a higher risk of developing asthma. Participants who reported difficulty falling asleep or waking up early had a significantly increased risk of developing asthma over an 11-year period.

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.

Older Canadians skip meds due to cost, putting them at risk for complications

A study by the University of British Columbia found that one in 12 older Canadians skipped prescriptions in 2014 due to cost, highlighting a public health issue. Canadians aged 55-64 face significant barriers to filling their prescriptions, with low-income individuals being three times more likely to report financial barriers.

'Mirror game' test could secure early detection of schizophrenia, study shows

A new study has developed a mirror game test using computer avatars to accurately detect specific variations in patient movement and social interaction, showing comparable results to clinical interviews and neuroimaging methods. The test may provide an affordable and effective device for early diagnosis and management of schizophrenia.

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.

Soccer ball heading may commonly cause concussion symptoms

A new study published in Neurology suggests that frequent soccer ball heading is a common and underrecognized cause of concussion symptoms. The study found that amateur soccer players who frequently head the ball are at an increased risk of experiencing classic concussion symptoms, even without an overt collision.

What to expect from big pharma in 2017

The number of new therapeutic drugs approved by the FDA was significantly lower in 2016 compared to previous years, with only four cancer drugs receiving approval. Delays in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and a reduction in cancer drug approvals contributed to this trend.

Seven heart-healthy habits could save billions in Medicare costs

A new study found that achieving ideal levels for five to seven heart-healthy habits can reduce cardiovascular risk and lower healthcare expenditures. Participants with higher scores were less likely to have all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, resulting in $5,016 less in total costs.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Vitamin D discovery could prove key to new treatments

Researchers discovered that a vitamin D metabolite inhibits proteins regulating lipid production, opening new treatment opportunities for diseases linked to vitamin D deficiency. The study's findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for synthetic analogs of the metabolite.

Understanding the genetics of human height

Researchers discovered 83 genetic variations affecting adult height by more than 2 centimeters, influencing bone and cartilage development. The study's findings may help identify genetic variations that influence common diseases and develop personalized treatments.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Discovery of new T-cell subtype opens window on rheumatoid arthritis

A research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital has identified a unique subset of T-cells that collaborate with other immune cells to drive inflammation in peripheral tissues. These cells display unusual biological features and stimulate B-cells to produce antibodies, contributing to tissue damage in autoimmune diseases.

More dialysis does not deliver benefits, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that doubling dialysis hours did not improve overall quality of life for patients with kidney failure. However, some intermediate outcomes improved, such as blood pressure parameters and biochemistry measurements.

A closer look at what caused the Flint water crisis

Researchers analyzed galvanized iron pipes from Flint, Michigan's 'ground zero' house and found that high lead concentrations correlated with cadmium, zinc, and tin levels. The study suggests that corrosion inhibitors were necessary to prevent lead contamination, highlighting the need for long-term pipe replacement.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Background suppression for super-resolution light microscopy

The team of Professor Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus has refined the STED nanoscopy method to suppress background efficiently, resulting in enhanced image quality. This new method, named STEDD, is particularly advantageous for quantitative data analysis of three-dimensional molecules and cell structures.

Banks hold major information advantage over other investors

A study by University of Vermont researchers found that banks enjoy a significant edge over investors due to their superior access to local private information. Banks can quickly adapt to new information and withdraw capital or invest more heavily in targeted areas, giving them a major advantage. In contrast, direct investors face limi...

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.

Drug combination effective against chikungunya arthritis in mice

A combination of a rheumatoid arthritis drug and an antiviral targeting the chikungunya virus eliminates signs of arthritis in mice at its earliest stage. The treatment shows promise for patients with no existing treatment options, with further studies planned to investigate human efficacy.

New type of PET imaging identifies primary and metastatic prostate cancer

A new gallium-68 labeled peptide BBN-RGD agent has been developed to target both gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and integrin αvβ3, providing dual-receptor targeting and advantages over single-receptor targeting. The agent has shown safety and effectiveness in detecting primary and metastatic prostate cancer lesions.

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.

Ozone watch

The 2016 Quadrennial Ozone Symposium presented findings on trends of ozone in the stratosphere and troposphere. Emerging techniques for ozone observations were also discussed, as well as effects of ozone on human health and ecosystems.

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.