Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive June 2017


Page 1 of 40

No pain, no gain?

A recent study by University of Freiburg researchers found that an individual's expectations and self-perception play a significant role in determining the level of strenuousness experienced during physical exercise. The study, which involved 78 test subjects, showed that those who believed they were more athletic or had faith in sport...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Singapore scientists uncover how the liver unclogs itself

Researchers have found that liver cells can eliminate excess bile from blocked ducts through a mechanism involving the internal structure of the cell, which allows bile to be packaged inside vesicles for transport. This discovery could potentially improve the prognosis for infants with rare liver disease.

Zoning in on specifics of Mediterranean diet for colorectal health

A new study suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet with high levels of fish and fruit consumption can significantly reduce the risk of advanced colorectal polyps. The researchers found that even minimal consumption of two to three components of the diet was associated with half the odds of advanced polyps.

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.

Power to the people

A UCSB political science professor suggests that public support for renewable energy is strong in the US, with states having abundant resources at the top of the list. However, public opinion can sometimes fail to translate into state legislation, and framing context and local benefits as key factors can increase support. A study found...

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.

Most reproductive-age women using opioids also use another substance

Most reproductive-age and pregnant women who use opioids for non-medical purposes also use at least one other substance, including nicotine, alcohol, or cocaine. This finding suggests that public health efforts addressing the opioid epidemic should include interventions targeting concurrent use of multiple substances among these women.

To buzz or to scrabble? To foraging bees, that's the question

Researchers discovered that bumblebees use two distinct behaviors to collect pollen from flowers: scrabbling when pollen is abundant and sonication when it's scarce. By analyzing chemical and mechanical cues, the team found that bees switch between these motor regimes depending on their environment.

Illegal activities threaten natural World Heritage -- IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that two-thirds of monitored World Heritage sites face threats from illegal fishing, logging, and poaching. IUCN calls for strengthened international cooperation to protect these unique ecosystems and species at risk.

New measurement will help redefine international unit of mass

Researchers at NIST have made the most precise determination yet of Planck's constant, a fundamental value that will help redefine the kilogram. The new measurement has an uncertainty of just 13 parts per billion, exceeding international requirements for redefining the unit.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Method elucidates inner workings of neural networks

Researchers develop fully automated method to analyze neural networks trained on visual data, shedding light on node firing patterns and emphasis on different visual properties. The approach provides specific insights into the organization of human brain and computer vision algorithms.

New method of measurement could lead to cheaper, more accurate sensors

Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a new sensor technology that can measure tiny objects with high accuracy, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medical diagnosis and gas detection. The sensor uses electromagnetism to determine mass, reducing interference and enabling wireless transmission of results.

Hubble eyes a powerful galaxy with a password name

The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a powerful Seyfert galaxy, 2XMM J143450.5+033843, emitting huge amounts of radiation due to its supermassive black hole. The galaxy is nearly 400 million light-years away and is one of the unlucky ones with a unique X-ray name.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tiny 'motors' are driven by light

A team at MIT has created a system that can manipulate particles ranging from molecules to bacteria-sized objects using ordinary light. The researchers engineered asymmetrical particles, called Janus particles, which respond to the orientation of the beam and create forces that set them spinning uniformly.

Researchers find out how bromine fits into Venusian chemistry

Astrophysicists from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology discovered that hydrogen bromide could play an important part in the photochemistry of Venus' lower atmosphere. The study found low abundance of HBr, but thermodynamic calculations suggest it dominates at lower altitudes.

Table top plasma gets wind of solar turbulence

A team of scientists recreated turbulent magnetic field dynamics in a lab setting, mirroring the evolution of stars and plasma behavior. The study's findings have an uncanny resemblance to satellite data on the solar wind and magnetosheath.

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.

Pipetting in space

Astronauts are exposed to DNA damage due to zero gravity and cosmic radiation; an automated diagnostic procedure is being adapted for use in space, promising constant conditions for each sample. The device could also be used to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy.

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.

Colon cancer nuclear pore dynamics are captured by HS-AFM

Researchers at Kanazawa University have successfully imaged the dynamics of nuclear pores in colon cancer cells, revealing a new 'nano dying code' that could lead to novel treatments. The study uses high-speed Atomic Force Microscopy (HS-AFM) to visualize the structure and dynamics of nuclear membrane pores at the nanoscale.

Japanese children learn to write through rhythm

Researchers found that Japanese children's handwriting development involves distinct temporal patterns of movement, which differentiate subtle features of each symbol. This process is linked to an air writing phenomenon in Chinese character-based cultures, suggesting a unique approach to learning the hiragana script.

Uniting lost voices

Bioarchaeology International is a new journal that aims to unify perspectives in the field of bioarchaeology by providing a space for peer-reviewed articles and encouraging global discussion. The journal will release its inaugural issue on June 30, 2017, and will focus on integrating material and biological evidence left behind in graves.

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.

New clues found to common respiratory virus

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered clues to how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes disease. The study reveals that a specific protein, NS1, interferes with the body's ability to fight off RSV, potentially leading to new targets for vaccine or treatment development.

Fixation of powder catalysts on electrodes

Researchers developed a new method to tightly fix powder catalysts on electrode surfaces, addressing the challenge of high physical stress induced by gas evolving reactions. The technique involves applying an organic polymer that transforms into carbon at high temperatures, providing a stable and conductive surface for catalysis.

Miniature technology, big hope for disease detection

Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University developed a new printing method to create effective disease detection tools using microfluidic bioassay devices. The device is about the size of a postage stamp and can detect multiple biomarkers for complex diseases like cancer.

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.

The Black Forest and climate change

Scientists discovered silver fir and Douglas fir are more tolerant to extreme droughts than Norway spruce in the Black Forest. Replacing spruce forests with mixed-species forests of these conifers could have a greater positive effect on biodiversity.

How do impurities move in tungsten?

A research group at National Institutes of Natural Sciences has developed a high-speed automatic search method for the migration path of impurity atoms in materials with polycrystalline structures, enabling the investigation of collective migration and its impact on plasma confinement. This method uses molecular dynamics and parallel c...

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.

Liquid biopsies: A non-invasive look at treatment response

A new study shows that liquid biopsies can provide more information than traditional tissue biopsies, helping doctors tailor care based on individual disease biology. The tests detected genetic mutations that made cancer resistant to treatment, allowing for better patient care.

Self-powered system makes smart windows smarter

Researchers at Princeton University developed a self-powered smart window system using transparent solar cells that selectively absorb near-UV light. The system reduces energy costs by up to 40% and can be applied to existing windows via lamination.

How Alzheimer's-causing plaques become trapped in the brain

Researchers at USC found that stiff brain vessels and decreased blood flow are associated with the build-up of harmful plaque and cognitive decline. The study used patient data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative to explore cerebrovascular resistance, a new way to calculate it, and its link to dementia.

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.

Birds become immune to influenza

Researchers found that water birds, particularly mallards, develop significant immunity and resistance to other variants of the low-pathogenic influenza A virus after infection. This means they can partially protect themselves against future infections, including virulent strains like H5N1 or H5N8.

Size not important for fish in the largest mass extinction of all time

Despite massive climate change and volcanic eruptions, larger fish were no more likely to go extinct than small fish during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. The study used a detailed analysis of fossil records to conclude that body size played no role in determining which species survived or went extinct.

Picture overload hinders children's word learning from storybooks

A recent study published in Infant and Child Development found that pre-schoolers learn twice as many words from storybooks with only one illustration at a time compared to those with two or more illustrations. Guiding children's attention to the correct page can also help them focus on new words.

In urban Baltimore, poor neighborhoods have more mosquitoes

A study reveals that tiger mosquitoes thrive in low-income urban areas of Baltimore due to vacant lots, abandoned buildings, and inadequate waste management. This research underscores the need for targeted mosquito control strategies and urban greening initiatives to mitigate environmental injustices and protect public health.

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.

Bizarro comet challenging researchers

Comet 174P/Echeclus, part of the centaur population, exhibits unusual emission activity despite low temperatures, suggesting it may be more fragile than other comets. The study provides insights into comet composition and formation, potentially shedding light on the origins of life.

SmartPractice donates $50,000 toward TGen liquid biopsy research

TGen is developing 'liquid biopsies' that can help clinicians accurately treat patients with high-risk breast cancer. These non-invasive blood tests could enable continuous monitoring of a patient's progress, reducing the need for surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Spinning electrons open the door to future hybrid electronics

Scientists at Linköping University demonstrate a method to combine semiconductor and topological insulator materials, generating directional electric currents. This breakthrough enables efficient conversion of light energy to electricity, promising advancements in spintronics and opto-spintronics.

Mistaken identity of East Asian vine species resolved after 100 years

After 100 years of misidentification, researchers have confirmed the existence of Kadsura matsudae, a distinct East Asian vine species. The discovery was made by collaborating experts from Japan and Taiwan, who utilized molecular analysis to distinguish it from previously thought to be Kadsura japonica.

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.

Bringing CRISPR into focus

Researchers describe for the first time the exact chain of events as the CRISPR complex loads target DNA and prepares it for cutting by the Cas3 enzyme. The study reveals a molecular redundancy that prevents unintended genomic damage, providing insights into ways to improve CRISPR-Cas systems for precision gene editing.