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Science News Archive July 2017


Page 30 of 37

Oil spill impacts may perturb entire food webs

A new study reveals oil spills can alter the structure of aquatic food webs, leading to increased fish populations like menhaden in the Gulf of Mexico. The research found that the loss of top predators reduced predation on forage fish, resulting in a surge in their abundance after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout.

Physicians' losses can contribute to burnout

Ambiguous losses in physicians' roles can cause stress and grief, which contributes to burnout if not acknowledged. A proposed solution is supporting physicians in addressing their grief, rather than focusing on resilience training.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Touchscreen test reveals why some birds are quicker to explore than others

Research by the University of Lincoln and European scientists shows that individual characteristics, such as age and social hierarchy, significantly impact how quickly birds explore new objects. Neotic style, or fear of new things, affects when they choose to investigate but not their level of exploration.

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.

Largest genome-wide study of lung cancer susceptibility conducted

A new study has identified 18 genetic variations associated with lung cancer risk and 10 new gene variations. The research, conducted by an international team, used a special research platform called OncoArray to gather genotype data from different studies worldwide.

Who should treat patients with opioid use disorder?

Family physicians are well-qualified to treat addiction due to their focus on relationships, communities, and team-based care. Primary care physicians must be responsible for the initial and longitudinal care of patients with substance use disorders, and specialized services must be widely available and accessible.

Patients whose emergency surgery is delayed are at higher risk of death

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients experiencing delayed emergency surgery are at a higher risk of death and have longer hospital stays. The delays were primarily caused by staff and operating room unavailability, highlighting the need for spare capacity to ensure timely access to care.

USC and Georgia Tech receive $6.8 million for DARPA project

Researchers at USC and Georgia Tech will develop a powerful new data-analysis platform to process massive amounts of graph data in real-time, with potential applications in security, consumer applications, and predicting cyber attacks. The goal is to achieve a 1000-fold speed-up in processing data.

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.

Purpose in life by day linked to better sleep at night

A Northwestern University study finds that having a purpose in life is associated with improved sleep quality, reduced sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome in older adults. The research suggests that cultivating purpose through mindfulness therapies could be an effective drug-free strategy to improve sleep.

New research offers hope to neuro-tumor patients

Scientists from the University of Plymouth have discovered that cellular prion protein is over-produced in schwannoma cells, contributing to tumor growth and patient prognosis. The study identified existing drugs that could manage this protein overproduction and potentially lead to an effective therapy for neurofibromatosis 2 patients.

Study reveals new insights into rare chronic pain condition

A study reveals that individuals with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) process visual information from the affected side of their body more slowly than the unaffected side. This suggests a possible change in brain mechanisms that normally allow us to process information at different locations.

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.

Blood vessels are not designed to fight infection

Researchers discovered that endothelial cells lining blood vessels are not as effective at removing invading bacteria via xenophagy, a process used by epithelial cells. The study suggests that targeting the ubiquitination pathway could lead to new approaches for fighting infections like GAS.

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.

Going to extremes to predict natural disasters

Researchers at KAUST have developed a systematic method for comparing the accuracy of different types of simulation models for predicting extreme events. The study found that nonparametric methods are more flexible but limited to small dimensions, while parametric methods can handle higher-dimensional problems but are sensitive to errors.

Detailed structure of the sweat gland revealed

The study sheds light on the functions of sweat gland components, revealing key roles for myoepithelial cells and nerve interactions. The findings have implications for treating disorders of the perspiratory system and could lead to new treatments for heatstroke.

Killing cancer in the heat of the moment

Researchers from Kyoto University developed a new method to transfer genes into cancer cells using gold nanorods coated with oleate and DOTAP. The nanorods are activated by near-infrared laser heat, inducing cell death in surrounding cancer cells.

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.

Hubble's hidden galaxy

Located close to the Milky Way, IC 342 is a sweeping spiral galaxy with an active core. The Hubble Space Telescope image reveals a mixture of hot star-forming regions, cooler gas, and dark dust lanes around the bright core, indicating the presence of ionized hydrogen.

Computer vision techniques shed light on urban change

A computer vision system analyzed street-level photos to gauge neighborhood safety and predict urban change. The study found that the density of highly educated residents, rather than income or ethnic composition, predicts revitalization in five American cities.

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.

Baits may be bolstering bear populations

Baits have become a significant portion of black bears' diets, potentially bolstering population density. The widespread consumption of calorically rich foods may be driven by the goals and consequences of baiting policies needing re-evaluation.

Why does prenatal alcohol exposure increase the likelihood of addiction?

Researchers found that prenatal alcohol exposure alters the brain's reward system, making individuals more susceptible to addiction. The study suggests that endocannibinoids play a critical role in this process, leading to increased sensitivity to drugs of abuse and decreased dopamine neuron function.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Zero gravity: Graphene for space applications

Researchers are testing graphene's potential in space applications through two experiments. GrapheneX, a student-led team, will use microgravity conditions to test graphene for light sails, while another experiment investigates how graphene improves efficiency in loop heat pipes, crucial for satellite cooling systems.

The Ii Hamina cemetery reveals adaptation to the environment

The study found that despite a colder climate, residents in Ii Hamina survived for centuries by having similar diets from childhood to adulthood. However, one individual displayed variation in isotope composition potentially attributable to poor nutrition.

ASHG honors Dian Donnai with 2017 Education Award

Dian Donnai, a clinical geneticist and educator, received the ASHG's 2017 Education Award for her efforts in human genetics education. Her research focused on understanding developmental disorders in children, and she founded several international conferences and workshops to promote collaboration.

Recruiting manganese to upgrade carbon dioxide

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers created efficient catalysts based on inexpensive and abundant manganese to convert carbon dioxide into formic acid and formamide, widely used in industry. The new catalyst can perform over 6,000 turnovers and is stable in air, opening possibilities for other CO2 conversions.

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.

Diatoms have sex after all, and ammonium puts them in the mood

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that diatoms, previously thought to be asexual, reproduce sexually using ammonium as an inducer. The findings may aid in the evolution of sexual behavior and offer promising biotechnological applications.

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.

Childhood obesity major link to hip diseases

Research from the University of Liverpool reveals a strong association between childhood obesity and hip diseases, particularly Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). Obese children are at highest risk of developing SCFE, which can cause significant pain and lead to hip replacement in adolescence or early adulthood.

'Educating' patients' immune cells may help combat diabetes

New research suggests that educating patients' immune cells with cord blood stem cells may help combat type 1 and 2 diabetes. The therapy is safe and effective in improving islet beta cell function, making it a potential treatment for other autoimmune diseases.

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.

Family-based treatments may help address obesity in children

A family-based treatment approach for childhood obesity was found to be effective in reducing body mass index standard deviation scores. Young age and high BMI-SDS at baseline, as well as good motivation for treatment and adherence to the protocol, were key factors associated with successful weight loss.

Obstructing the 'inner eye'

Scientists have discovered that hypnotic states significantly impair deep processing operations while allowing simple perception to occur. This suggests that hypnosis affects specific regions of the brain when receiving visual stimuli.

Powerful new photodetector can enable optoelectronics advances

A team of engineers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University at Buffalo has developed a powerful new photodetector that combines unique fabrication methods and light-trapping structures. The device increases light absorption in thin materials, enabling smaller optoelectronic devices with improved performance.

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.

Well-being in later life: The mind plays an important role

A recent study found that psychosocial factors such as depression and anxiety disorders have a stronger negative impact on subjective well-being in older adults. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,600 participants aged 73 and found that women living alone were more likely to experience low well-being.

Simple test predicts return of bladder cancer

A simple test for bladder cancer has been developed that can predict its return in over 80% of patients, identifying the faulty protein TERT. This new method detects bladder cancers earlier than existing tests and distinguishes them from urinary tract infections, potentially helping doctors start treatment sooner.

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.

Marker may improve lung cancer screening and detection

A new circular RNA marker has been identified in blood and lung tissue, associated with increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. High expression of this marker may improve lung cancer screening and detection at late stages.