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Science News Archive July 2017


Page 12 of 37

Benefits of continued statin use after adverse reactions

A new study found that patients who continued receiving statins after experiencing an adverse reaction, such as muscle aches and pains, had a lower risk of death and cardiovascular events. The study analyzed data from 28,266 participants and found that about 70% of patients continued taking statin prescriptions.

Algae cultivation technique could advance biofuels

Researchers at Washington State University developed a unique biofilm reactor that efficiently grows algae in days, not weeks. The system uses recycled gases, less water, and lower light than traditional reactors, producing algae rich in fats suitable for biodiesel production.

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.

Shaping up against pathogens

A team of scientists at KAUST has discovered a key role for epigenetic chromatin modification in plant defense against pathogens. By phosphorylating histone deacetylase (HD2B), MPK3 releases genes and blocks others, rapidly reprogramming the cell's molecular makeup.

Smart sensors could save lives

A team from KAUST developed a cheap, reliable system to signal danger using disposable sensor nodes linked wirelessly to fixed nodes. The system uses 3D printing and inkjet printing to create small sensors that can detect heat, low humidity, and hydrogen sulphide.

Sports success not necessarily related to specialization

A recent study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that specializing in one sport at a young age does not increase the likelihood of achieving elite status. In fact, current high school and college athletes reported a higher incidence of sports-related injuries compared to professional athletes.

Approaching to autonomous controlling swarm of UAVs

A new control technique has been developed to achieve tight formation control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reducing power requirements by minimizing vortices effects. The technique uses an adaptive control scheme to estimate and suppress the aerodynamic interference caused by closely flying UAVs, improving overall performance.

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.

First patient treated in trial of a novel liver dialysis device, DIALIVE

A first patient has been successfully treated with the DIALIVE system, a novel liver dialysis device designed to remove toxins that trigger inflammation in liver failure patients. The trial aims to establish the device's safety and performance in 24 patients across Europe, with plans for an additional study enrolling over 100 patients.

World-first ketamine trial shows promise for geriatric depression

Researchers have conducted the world's first randomised control trial assessing ketamine's effectiveness as an antidepressant in elderly patients. The trial found that repeated intravenous doses of ketamine resulted in a 68.8% response and remission rate among patients, with no severe side effects reported.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ultrathin device harvests electricity from human motion

A Vanderbilt University team developed an ultrathin energy harvesting system that generates electricity from human motion, offering a potential solution for wearable devices and smart clothing. The device operates at low frequencies, making it suitable for slow movements like sitting or standing.

Energy-efficient accelerator was 50 years in the making

The Cornell-Brookhaven ERL Test Accelerator, CBETA, combines two energy-saving technologies: energy recovery and permanent magnets. This innovation could lead to higher luminosity in colliding-beam experiments and produce brighter, more coherent radiation.

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.

Rush hour pollution may be more dangerous than you think

A Duke University study reveals that rush hour commutes may be more hazardous to human health than previously thought. The levels of particulate matter and chemicals causing oxidative stress found in car cabins were twice as high as roadside sensors, posing a significant risk to drivers' health.

Neural nets model audience reactions to movies

A new technique called factorized variational autoencoders (FVAEs) uses neural networks to predict a viewer's facial expressions for the remainder of the movie after observing an audience member for just a few minutes. The approach demonstrated impressive accuracy in predicting reactions, outperforming conventional methods.

Rare discovery of 3 new toad species in Nevada's Great Basin

Scientists have discovered three new toad species in Nevada's Great Basin, with the Dixie Valley toad having unique physical features and a small population size. The finding is significant due to the rarity of toad discoveries in the United States.

Artificial intelligence suggests recipes based on food photos

Researchers from MIT's CSAIL developed an AI system called Pic2Recipe that can analyze photos of food and predict ingredients and suggest similar recipes. The system was trained on a database of over 1 million recipes and showed impressive results, particularly with desserts like cookies or muffins.

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.

Civil unrest after Freddie Gray's death harms health in Baltimore mothers

A new study found that civil unrest after Freddie Gray's death led to a significant spike in maternal depressive symptoms and concerns about daily routines. The research suggests chronic stress may undermine young children's health and well-being, highlighting the need for policies to protect mothers and children from community violence.

How enzymes produce hydrogen

Enzymes called [FeFe]-hydrogenases efficiently convert electrons and protons into hydrogen, offering a potential solution for biotechnological production of the energy source. The team's discovery reveals the crucial role of a complex structure called the H-cluster in facilitating this process.

Name that scotch

Researchers developed a novel sensor array that can detect and differentiate among a diverse range of aldehydes and ketones, providing a sensitive, fast, and inexpensive method for identifying volatile compounds. The array allows for the detection of chemical toxins, safety inspections, and preventative screening in various fields.

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.

How physical exercise prevents dementia

A recent study by Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that regular physical exercise not only enhances fitness but also positively affects brain metabolism and memory. The SMART trial found stable cerebral choline concentrations in the training group, indicating a reduced risk of dementia.

In saliva, clues to a 'ghost' species of ancient human

Researchers have found evidence of archaic admixture in modern Sub-Saharan African populations through the study of a salivary protein called MUC7. This suggests that interbreeding between different early hominin species may not have been unusual, but rather the norm.

Scientists announce the quest for high-index materials

Researchers systematically examine available high-index materials for their resonances in visible and infrared ranges. Crystalline silicon is identified as the best material for dielectric antennas operating in visible range, while germanium outperforms other materials in infrared band.

Five times the computing power

FPGAs can now handle five times more calculations, saving industry huge sums and enabling new functionality without hardware replacement. Carl Ingemarsson's method optimizes signal routes in chips to achieve the boost.

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.

Micro- and nanotechnologies for quantitative biology and medicine

This special issue reports advancements in assay design, microfluidic technologies, and digital assays for improved quantification of rare mutations, molecular analysis, and mechanobiological studies. It also highlights improvements in tissue dissection and sample processing for cancer diagnostics and drug screening.

Flashes of light on the dark matter

Researchers analyzed the interaction of cosmic web with distant quasar light to reveal properties of dark matter. The results support Cold Dark Matter theory and reject Fuzzy Dark Matter model.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Special focus on formation control of unmanned systems

The special focus on formation control of unmanned systems presents recent significant achievements in theoretical design and applications. Key findings include the use of consensus-based approaches for simultaneous attack problems and hybrid particle swarm optimization for multi-UAV formation reconfiguration.

Good fighters are bad runners

Research with house mice suggests that a strength in one area of Darwinian fitness may come at the expense of another. Good fighters and good runners had about the same body mass, despite differences in oxygen consumption during running. The findings give a clue as to how trade-offs may have shaped our evolution.

Sparkling springs aid quest for underground heat energy sources

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed naturally carbonated springs and found that oxygen's chemical fingerprint is influenced by CO2 gas, not heat from below. This discovery may help scientists narrow their search for sustainable geothermal energy sources.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Noru east of Japan

Tropical Storm Noru formed on July 21 near 28.0 degrees north latitude and 154.7 degrees east longitude, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The system is expected to move west then become quasi-stationary over the next couple of days due to warm sea surface temperatures.

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.

Computers using linguistic clues to deduce photo content

Researchers at Disney Research and UC Davis have developed a method for computer vision programs to understand spatial relationships in images based on caption sentence structure. This approach enables accurate visual localizations for language inputs, outperforming baseline systems that do not consider natural language structure.

On the path to vitamin A in rice

Scientists from the University of Freiburg successfully elucidated the three-dimensional structure of phytoene desaturase, a crucial enzyme in carotene production. This breakthrough offers insights into herbicide binding and reaction mechanisms, which may lead to new agents for crop protection and Golden Rice development.

The way of change is important!

A case study in Guangdong province finds green building development contributes to local economy but is limited by regional conditions. The research uses system dynamic theory to analyze the relationship between green building and regional economy.

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.

Social media: Simplifying surveillance

A new study by LMU assesses the benefits and risks of social media monitoring apps, highlighting their use in verification and tracking individuals across multiple networks. While some see these tools as useful for journalists, others express concerns over personal privacy and potential misuse.

NASA notes 9th northwestern Pacific Tropical Cyclone

The 9th tropical depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean has formed and developed into a tropical storm, Tropical Storm Kulap. Located near 28.4 degrees north latitude and 177.7 degrees east longitude, Kulap is moving northwest at 19.5 mph with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.

A genetic variation may increase tuberculosis susceptibility

Researchers discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism in the hepcidin promoter gene associated with increased susceptibility to extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This genetic variation leads to decreased hepcidin production, impairing macrophage function and allowing M. tuberculosis to spread to other areas of the body.

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.

Sixth volume of the German Surname Atlas released

The sixth volume of the German Surname Atlas offers a comprehensive survey of surnames derived from given names in medieval Germany. The research provides valuable insights into the development of the spoken language and cultural history.

Offer of $100 boosts rates of colon cancer screenings

A new study suggests that a simple financial incentive of $100 can boost the rate of colon cancer screenings, increasing it from 1.6% to 3.7%. The study found that offering this inducement more than doubled the rate of screening when compared to a simple emailed request.

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.

Spatial orientation: New model for the origin of grid cells

Researchers at LMU present a new theoretical model for the origin of grid cells in the brain, assigning a crucial role to the timing of signals from neurons called place cells. The model suggests that grid cells are generated through synaptic plasticity and transform temporal coordinated signaling into hexagonal patterns.

Socioeconomic factors and severity of coronary artery disease

A study published in The Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal found that higher income is associated with a higher risk of significant coronary artery disease and multivessel disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Poor lifestyle practices and high stress levels are thought to contribute to this association.

Vortex photons from electrons in circular motion

Researchers at IMS have shown theoretically and experimentally that high-energy electrons in circular/spiral motion radiate vortex photons across a broad wavelength range. This discovery indicates that vortex photons are ubiquitous in the universe, paving the way for a new research field.

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.

Study reveals most impactful neuroscience research

A study of 100 most-cited neuroscience articles reveals five top research topics: neurological disorders, prefrontal cortex, brain connectivity, brain mapping, and methodology studies. The study allows scientists to quickly identify impactful research in neuroscience.

Alzheimer's drug may help treat traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that memantine significantly reduced blood levels of neuron-specific enolase, a marker of neuronal damage, in patients with moderate TBI. The study also showed marked improvements in Glasgow Coma Scale scores on day 3, indicating potential therapeutic benefits.

3-D scanning with water

A global team of computer scientists and engineers developed an innovative technique for reconstructing complex objects using water displacement. The method accurately captures hidden parts of an object, previously inaccessible to laser scanners.

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.