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Science News Archive January 2017


Page 18 of 35

Soft robot could aid failing hearts by mimicking healthy cardiac muscles

A soft robotic sleeve has been developed to mimic the natural compression motion of healthy cardiac muscles, restoring acutely failing hearts to 97% of their original output. The device attaches to the outside of the heart without contact with blood, reducing the risk of complications and infection.

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.

See how immune cells break through blood vessel walls

Researchers discovered that immune cells use an active process to create gaps in blood vessel walls, involving the breakage of thin filaments and rapid reassembly. This process allows immune cells to squeeze through and survey organs for problems or join the fight against pathogens.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mounting challenge to brain sex differences

Researchers at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science found no significant difference in brain amygdala volume between healthy men and women in a meta-analysis of dozens of studies. The study's findings suggest that there is more similarity than difference between the sexes, with minimal overlap in key brain structures.

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.

Wheat virus crosses over, harms native grasses

A common wheat virus can spread and harm perennial native grasses like switchgrass, reducing its vitality by 30%. This finding highlights the need for farmers and scientists to consider protecting native plants from diseases emanating from crops.

Bait knocks out cockroaches -- and asthma symptom days

A Tulane University study reveals that using cockroach bait alone can significantly reduce asthma symptom days in children, with 47 fewer days reported over the course of a year. The intervention also led to lower numbers of unscheduled clinic visits and emergency room trips.

Massachusetts General researchers identify new target for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) may be a major target for immuno-oncology treatments. The team's findings suggest that blocking TNFR2 could restore the ability of a patient's immune system to attack tumors, while also directly killing cancer cells.

Better diagnosis of fungal infections key to reducing antibiotic resistance

A new report calls for improved fungal disease diagnosis to reduce antibiotic resistance. Inadequate attention to fungal infections leads to overprescription of antibiotics, resulting in harmful resistance and increased healthcare costs. The report highlights four clinical situations where fungal disease misdiagnosis worsens the problem.

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.

Strength of hair inspires new materials for body armor

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that hair behaves differently depending on stretching speed, with faster stretches making it stronger. The team found a unique structural transformation allowing hair to withstand high stress without breaking.

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.

Nanotechnology: Lighting up ultrathin films

Novel ultrathin semiconductors exhibit strong interaction with light, making them suitable for opto-electronics applications. The researchers' new polarimetric method enables efficient detection of valley polarization in these materials.

Scientists find sensor that makes synapses fast

Researchers identified synaptotagmin 2 as the primary calcium sensor responsible for rapid neurotransmitter release in GABAergic synapses, enabling fast signaling speed and precision. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of microcircuits and motor control in the brain.

The power of attraction

Associate Professor Niveen Khashab's team created self-assembled toroids using a combination of materials and weak chemical bonds. The microstructures held their shape for months, providing insights into the formation of complex biological structures.

New in the Hastings Center Report

The Hastings Center Report explores the disagreement between physicians and surrogates on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and palliative sedation. The articles examine policy adopted by Massachusetts General Hospital to support doctors who judged CPR would not benefit a patient, and discuss limitations of surrogate decision-making author...

Study reveals for first time that talking therapy changes the brain's wiring

A new study from King's College London shows that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) strengthens specific connections in the brains of people with psychosis, associated with long-term recovery. CBT involves learning to think differently about unusual experiences and developing strategies to reduce distress and improve wellbeing.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The war on drugs causes massive human rights violations

The war on drugs has devastating effects on human rights and public health worldwide. Experts call for drug policy reform, citing mass incarceration's failure to deter drug consumption or trafficking. They also highlight the lack of access to medicines like morphine to treat pain in millions of people.

Bee alert but not alarmed

A national analysis of 13 years' data reveals that Australia's venomous creatures pose a significant public health threat. Bees and wasps are responsible for the most hospital admissions, followed by spider bites and snake bites, with anaphylactic shock being a major contributor to fatalities.

Delayed clamping prevents anemia

A new study from Uppsala University found that delaying umbilical cord clamping by more than three minutes can prevent iron deficiency and anemia in infants up to six months of age. This method resulted in a nine percent reduction in anaemia incidence at eight months and an eight percent decrease at twelve months.

Talking to children about STEM fields boosts test scores and career interest

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that parents who discuss the relevance of science and math with their high schoolers can increase math and science ACT scores by 12 percentage points. The research also showed that these students are more likely to pursue STEM careers and take additio...

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.

Microbiologists make big leap in developing 'green' electronics

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a 'green' conducting material using microbial nanowires, which can be mass-produced at room temperature from inexpensive renewable feedstocks. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of novel electronic devices and sensors with environmentally friendly technology.

Discovery of a protein that protects against fatty liver

The study reveals that CPEB4 is essential for driving the liver stress response and preventing fatty liver disease. By understanding the molecular function of CPEB4, researchers can develop predictive markers and treatments to prevent this condition, which affects millions of people worldwide.

More with mental illness and substance use disorders have health insurance

Research suggests that the Affordable Care Act has effectively reduced the uninsured rate among people with mental illness and substance use disorders, but significant barriers to treatment persist. Despite increased insurance coverage, access to services such as counseling and medication remains limited.

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.

World's first total-body PET scanner takes a big step forward

The EXPLORER consortium has successfully assembled a team of industry partners to build the world's first total-body PET scanner. The scanner promises improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure compared to existing technology, with the potential to transform clinical diagnostics and treatment.

Bay Area methane emissions may be double what we thought

A new study finds that methane emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area are about 1.8 times higher than estimated, with biological sources accounting for 82% and fossil fuel sources for 17%. The research highlights the importance of reducing methane levels to meet California's greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Moving up the food chain can beat being on top

A new study from Rice University found that smaller, younger predators have a significant ecological impact on pond ecosystems. The research, which involved over 54 test ponds and thousands of hours of data analysis, showed that even the earliest stages of salamander development can lead to lasting changes in the environment.

Climate policies alone will not save Earth's most diverse tropical forests

New research suggests climate-protection policies focusing on tree diversity and carbon stocks could imperil the world's most biodiverse tropical forests. The study found that African forests store high levels of carbon but are species-poor, while Amazon and Asian forests have higher biodiversity but less carbon stored per hectare.

Colorado medical students defend physicians' right to recommend marijuana

A study by University of Colorado School of Medicine students found that nearly half believe marijuana has significant physical health benefits and 37% think it has mental health benefits. Despite this support, many medical students expressed hesitancy to recommend marijuana themselves due to a lack of data and training.

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.

Bacterium named after UQ researcher

A new marine bacterium, Fuerstia marisgermanicae, has been named in honour of UQ microbiologist Emeritus Professor John Fuerst. The discovery reflects the global scientific community's high regard for Professor Fuerst's contributions to planctomycete research.

Metabolic pathway regulating key stage of embryo development revealed

A metabolic pathway regulating the formation of a crucial embryonic structure has been discovered, shedding light on how embryos develop and how certain drugs can affect pregnancy. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding statin use in pregnant women and may lead to safer drug regimens.

Whether our speech is fast or slow, we say about the same

A new study suggests that our speech is not just about speed, but also about conveying information efficiently. Researchers found that faster speech rates are associated with simpler word choices and syntax, while slower speech rates are linked to more complex words and structures. The study provides insights into how people craft thei...

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.

Genetic mechanisms underlying phenotype convergence of pandas revealed

Researchers used comparative genomics to study the giant panda and red panda, revealing 70 adaptively convergent genes involved in limb development, digestion, and pseudogenization. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotype convergence in these species.

Researchers zero-in on cholesterol's role in cells

Cholesterol is found predominantly in the outer layer of cell membranes, where it transmits signals across the membrane. In cancer cells, high levels of cholesterol are associated with suppressed growth activity, suggesting a new way to treat cancer through pharmacological modulation.

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.

Air polluters more likely to locate near downwind state borders

Research reveals companies strategically locating facilities near downwind state borders to avoid 'not-in-my-backyard' opposition, while also sharing air pollution costs with neighboring states. The study finds a significant trend of large polluters being more likely to locate near downwind state borders.

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.

Millions of people with metabolic syndrome may need more vitamin E

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people with metabolic syndrome require 30-50% more vitamin E than healthy individuals. Conventional blood tests may mask underlying deficiencies due to vitamin E's attraction to high cholesterol and fat.

DGIST identifies mechanisms of inflammation-induced animal aging

Research reveals that intestinal inflammation accumulation leads to vascular leakage and decreased blood vessel function in animals. The study proposes a novel mechanism for inflammation-induced aging and offers potential avenues for developing anti-aging therapies.

Movin' on up? Views on social mobility shape Americans' faith in the status quo

A Princeton University study found that people's perceptions of social mobility affect their willingness to defend the current system. Those who believe Americans have ample opportunities to change their place in society are more likely to support the status quo, while those who think people are mostly stuck are less likely to defend i...

NIH scientists identify early impact of Ebola virus on immune system

Researchers used a new mouse model to study how the Ebola virus affects the immune system, focusing on cellular signaling events. They found that macrophages play a critical role in controlling EBOV infection by producing MAVS, which helps limit organ damage and promotes type I interferon production.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Why scientists should research emojis and emoticons :-P

Researchers explore how emojis and emoticons aid in cross-cultural communication and provide insights into user personalities. Studies suggest that emoji use can be related to personality traits, such as agreeableness, and may impact social inclusion.

New colorectal cancer targeted therapy combination shows promise

A new study reveals significantly better outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer when combining vemurafenib with standard treatments. The three-drug combination improved progression-free survival rates and tumor response rates compared to traditional therapies.

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.