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Science News Archive July 2017


Page 11 of 37

What do sex in moss and neurons have in common?

Researchers discover moss sperm uses glutamate receptors to navigate towards female organs, fertilize eggs and develop spores. The study also shows that glutamate receptors play a crucial role in controlling gene expression essential for spore development.

Study: Indian monsoons have strengthened over past 15 years

The Indian summer monsoons have strengthened in the last 15 years over north central India, reversing a 50-year drying period. This increase in monsoon rainfall is attributed to a shift in India's land and sea temperatures, with higher land temperatures combining with lower ocean temperatures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Does the Affordable Care Act impact patient visits in the emergency department?

Researchers found that Medicaid expansion under the ACA reduced total emergency department visits in Maryland by nearly 36,000, with a 6% increase in Medicaid-covered visits and a 6% decrease in uninsured patient visits. The study suggests that while the ACA did not immediately reduce emergency department utilization, it provides incre...

Monitoring fluid intake may help improve outcomes for bariatric surgery patients

A hospital implemented a water intake improvement project to increase patient hydration, resulting in increased water intake among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The study found that standardizing the intake process led to significant improvements in hydration and reduced variability in postoperative fluid progression.

UMD engineers invent the first bio-compatible, ion current battery

Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Immune cells the missing ingredient in new bladder cancer treatment

Researchers identified a cellular signaling pathway blocking immune cell infiltration into bladder tumors, explaining the limited success of checkpoint immunotherapy. The finding suggests targeting this pathway could enhance treatment effectiveness when combined with checkpoint immunotherapy.

Weight in adolescence may affect colorectal cancer risk

A new study has found a link between adolescent obesity and an increased risk of developing colon and rectal cancer in adulthood. The study analyzed data from over 1.7 million Israeli males and females, finding that being overweight or obese at age 17 was associated with a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Three new 'club-tailed' scorpions join the tree of life

Researchers have revised the understanding of a large group of Neotropical 'club-tailed' scorpions, revealing two new genera and three new species. The findings provide insight into the evolution and classification of these ancient arthropods, which are among the oldest living terrestrial species on Earth.

Chances to treat childhood dementia

Childhood dementia, an inherited disorder affecting brain metabolism, shows promise in treating with immunomodulators. Inflammation of the brain is a key feature, and drugs like fingolimod and teriflunomide have shown therapeutic effects in mouse models.

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.

Exposure to violence hinders short-term memory, cognitive control

A study published in PNAS found that exposure to violent episodes hinders short-term memory and cognitive control, with significant impacts on school performance, job prospects, and overall life success. Researchers examined civilians in Colombia, finding long-lasting effects of violence on cognition and memory recall.

Molecular archaeology

A new phylogenetic tree resolves key relationships among vertebrates, including the identification of lungfishes as closest living relatives of land vertebrates. The study uses a novel set of analyses for building large-scale genomic datasets.

Working around spinal injuries

Researchers found that rats partially recovered hind limb movement using cycling, semi-load bearing treadmill training, and serotonin treatment without healing the spinal cord break. The body re-routes nerve cell outputs to control muscles and stiffens back muscles to support weight and independent steps.

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.

The coast is not so clear

A new study synthesizes research on coastal armoring and its ecological effects, revealing gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for more studies. The study evaluates a conceptual model that predicts ecological responses to armoring across various soft sediment ecosystems.

Shining rings: A new material emits white light when exposed to electricity

Scientists at Nagoya University developed a new material that conducts electricity and emits white light when exposed to electricity. The 'responsive porous host' method allows for predictable synthesis of stimuli-responsive materials with potential applications in memory devices, artificial muscles, and drug delivery systems.

Bird songs provide insight into how developing brain forms memories

Researchers discovered that a specific neural signal in the brain regulates young animals' ability to learn behavioral patterns from adults, particularly in zebra finches. The findings suggest that disruptions in this protein complex may be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.

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.

The oldest 'bad boy' in the world

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena reconstructed a 300 million-year-old beetle from Australia, shedding new light on the earliest developments in beetles. The 'Bad Boy' exhibits an unorthodox mix of ancestral and modern characteristics, challenging traditional beetle classification.

Using money to buy time linked to increased happiness

Research at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School found that spending money on time-saving purchases leads to greater life satisfaction. The study surveyed over 6,000 adults across four countries and controlled for income, revealing that buying time has similar benefits as having more money.

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.

Greatest threat to eastern forest birds is habitat loss on wintering grounds

A new study predicts that habitat loss on wintering grounds will be the greatest threat to eastern forest birds, exacerbated by climate change. The research found that bird species spend up to 60% of their year in Central America's wintering grounds, where habitat conversion and land-use changes will have a significant impact.

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.

Multitasking monolayers

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a method to produce patterned monolayers that can perform multiple functions, such as catalyzing chemical reactions and sensing molecules. These materials offer a new option for device designers, allowing for the creation of single materials with two functionalities.

NASA sees Tropical Depression Roke over Hong Kong

Tropical Depression Roke made landfall in Hong Kong on July 23, weakening from a tropical storm earlier that day. After the landfall, NASA's Terra satellite captured visible light images of the depression, showing an elongated area of clouds and thunderstorms along the southeastern coast of China.

Carnegie Mellon Robotics pioneer receives highest honor in computer graphics

Jessica Hodgins, a pioneer in character animation and robotics, has been recognized with the prestigious Steven Anson Coons Award for her outstanding contributions to computer graphics. Her work on physical simulation and control has advanced the development of realistic computer animations and human-robot interaction.

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.

Two undergrads improve plant carbon-cycle models

Two undergraduate students from the University of Illinois improved plant carbon-cycle models by discovering variation in stomata behavior among different tree species. Their findings reduced error rates by 30-60%, increasing model accuracy and improving predictions of crop growth, biomass production, and ecosystem dynamics.

Scientists gain clearer picture of how genes affect lean body mass

A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications reveals that lean body mass is highly heritable and can be attributed to specific genes. The research may lead to the development of future therapies to prevent the loss of lean mass and associated disabilities such as sarcopenia.

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.

Reshaping computer-aided design

Researchers from MIT's CSAIL have developed InstantCAD, a tool that enables designers to interactively edit and optimize CAD models using a streamlined workflow. This allows for real-time improvements and optimizations, reducing the time required to test and refine complex designs.

Alcohol boosts recall of earlier learning

A University of Exeter study found that drinking alcohol boosts memory recall for information learned before the drinking episode began. Those who consumed more alcohol showed stronger effects on memory performance.

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.

Rahul Roychoudhuri awarded prestigious Lister Prize

Babraham Institute group leader Dr Rahul Roychoudhuri has been selected for the £200,000 Lister Institute Research Prize Fellowship to support his research on immune system regulation and suppression. His goal is to better understand how gene regulators affect T cells and potentially treat autoimmune diseases.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

High-temperature superconductivity in B-doped Q-carbon

Scientists have discovered a novel way to create superconductors at higher temperatures using boron-doped Q-carbon, with a transition temperature of 57K. This breakthrough could lead to practical applications in fields like energy and transportation.

Physics of bubbles could explain language patterns

A new study using physics to predict where and how dialects occur suggests that dialects tend to move outwards from population centers. This theory explains why cities have their own dialects and how language boundaries get smoother over time.

How fear alone can cause animal extinction

A recent study found that the scent of a praying mantis can cause fruit flies to spend less time eating, more time being vigilant, and produce fewer offspring, leading to increased extinction risk. The study sheds light on the Allee effect, a long-standing biological conundrum related to population size and extinction.

Study finds 90 percent of American men overfat

A recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that up to 90% of adult males and 50% of children in the US may be overfat. The condition is linked to various health problems, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

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.

NASA mission surfs through waves in space to understand space weather

A new NASA study using data from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft has discovered that plasmaspheric hiss waves are more complex than previously understood. Low-frequency hiss waves interact with high-energy particles and can efficiently remove them from the radiation belts, protecting satellites.

Writing with the electron beam: Now in silver

A team from HZB and EMPA successfully realized direct electron beam writing of silver nanocrystals using Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex features onto a substrate in a single step, promising applications in nano-optics and information technology.

Stroke survivors without early complications at long-term risk of death, stroke

A new study published in CMAJ found that people who survive a stroke or mini-stroke without early complications have an increased risk of death and stroke for at least 5 years following the initial event. Researchers recommend long-term management of modifiable risks, such as high blood pressure and physical activity, to reduce this risk.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Fearing surveillance, dads with a record avoid kids' schools

Research reveals that fathers with a record are nearly 50% less involved in their child's education, linked to distrust and avoidance of 'surveilling institutions'. This can lead to poor educational outcomes and transfer feelings of institutional distrust, setting up disadvantage from early childhood.

New vaccine production could improve flu shot accuracy

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new way to produce the seasonal flu vaccine that could speed up production and provide better protection against infection. By keeping the human influenza virus from mutating during production, they generate a perfect match to the target vaccine in a shorter time frame.