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Science News Archive June 2017


Page 17 of 40

Sound waves direct particles to self-assemble, self-heal

Scientists at Berkeley Lab demonstrated how particles synchronize in response to acoustic waves, exhibiting a phononic bandgap that emerged only when collectively organized. The study provides a simple platform to study non-equilibrium systems and could lead to the development of intelligent networks with sentient-like decision making.

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.

Wheat coproducts vary in protein digestibility when fed to pigs

Researchers have found that wheat middlings and red dog, two coproducts of the wheat milling process, have varying levels of protein digestibility when fed to pigs. The study suggests that red dog contains more easily digested amino acids due to its lower fiber content.

Poor adolescent diet may influence brain and behavior in adulthood

A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that adolescent mice fed a poor diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids showed increased anxiety-like behavior and poorer memory performance as adults. The study suggests that adequate nutrition during adolescence is crucial for brain refinement and function.

Fighting global warming and climate change requires a broad energy portfolio

A new study published in PNAS argues that achieving net-zero carbon emissions requires a diverse portfolio of clean energy technologies beyond wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Experts emphasize the importance of a broader approach to decarbonization, citing technical challenges and infrastructure realities.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How ticks get a proper foothold

Ticks use specialized pads on their feet to adhere to surfaces, allowing them to walk and search for prey on humans and animals. Their attachment mechanism is reversible and can be folded and unfolded like an accordion.

Yoga is an effective alternative to physical therapy for easing low back pain

A study of 320 predominantly low-income, racially diverse adults with chronic low back pain found that yoga was as safe and effective as physical therapy in restoring function and relieving pain. Yoga and physical therapy groups showed similar improvements at 1 year, suggesting a reasonable alternative for patients.

Study shows how an opportunistic microbe kills cancer cells

Researchers discovered how dying cells alert neighbors to replace them, a process called compensatory proliferation signaling (CPS). Specialized vesicles containing the CrkI protein travel to neighboring cells and cause them to create new cells.

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.

Scientists step closer to drug treatment for hepatitis B

Researchers at the University of York and Leeds have made a major discovery in Hepatitis B Virus assembly, paving the way for new drug treatments. The team identified an 'assembly code' in the genetic material that allows the virus to create a protective casing.

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.

Unearned fun tastes just as sweet

New research suggests that people over-worry about waiting for a 'right time' to enjoy themselves, continually postponing fun. In contrast, studies found that leisure activities tend to be enjoyable regardless of when experienced, with some tasks even enhancing enjoyment when completed before work.

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.

Electron caught in the act

Griffith University researchers used Australia's fastest camera to measure the time it takes for molecules to break apart, achieving a record-breaking 15 millionth of a billionth of a second. This breakthrough could help design new molecules for materials science and drug discovery.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Bacterial classification may be more elusive than previously thought

Scientists have found that random diversification and extinction of cells can organize bacteria into taxonomic units as effectively as traditional ecological forces. This discovery challenges current models of microbial classification, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of the task.

Monitoring soil structure changes after compaction

Researchers developed a long-term field experiment to monitor post-compaction evolution of soil structure, revealing projected recovery rates of years to decades. Initial results indicate different recovery rates for various properties and decreasing recovery rates with soil depth.

BUSM's Orly Leiva selected to Minority Medical Student Award Program

Orly Leiva, a fourth-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has been named to the 2017 Minority Medical Student Award Program. The program supports underrepresented minority students pursuing hematology research projects with $7,000 funding and mentorship.

Financial incentives improve viral suppression among people living with HIV

The HPTN 065 study found that financial incentives can motivate some people living with HIV to take their medication regularly and maintain viral load suppression. This increase in viral suppression was observed at care sites offering financial incentives, with an overall increase of 5% at the peak of the intervention.

Freshwater from salt water using only solar energy

A new desalination system uses solar energy to turn salt water into freshwater, promising a cost-effective and sustainable solution for global water scarcity. The technology combines membrane distillation with light-harvesting nanophotonics to efficiently generate steam from sunlight.

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.

New study from KKI shows feasibility of acupuncture in young children with ASD

A new study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that acupuncture interventions can lead to improved behavior, attention span, sleep quality, and reduced parenting stress in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Most parents reported a positive relationship with their child after participating in the intervention.

We are much more unique than assumed

Computational biologists discover that protein variations have a significant impact on cell functions, even in healthy individuals. The study's findings could lead to advances in personalized medicine and better understanding of individual responses to environmental influences.

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.

CCNY researchers produce molecules with potential against HIV

City College of New York scientists discover a rapid method to produce new molecules inhibiting the HIV virus, focusing on modifying nucleosides and their impact on biological activity. The research yields diverse compounds that can be tested for structural effects against the virus.

Keeping California's natural gas system safe

Berkeley Lab awards $4.6 million for two projects to mitigate risks in California's natural gas system, focusing on risk management and ground deformation monitoring. The projects will help facility operators detect leaks early and prevent catastrophic events.

New branch in family tree of exoplanets discovered

A new study has classified nearly 3,500 confirmed exoplanets into two distinct size groups: rocky Earth-like planets and larger mini-Neptunes. The researchers used data from NASA's Kepler mission and the W.M. Keck Observatory to make this discovery.

Implant infections could be banished thanks to scaffold breakthrough

A team from Ireland developed a collagen scaffold loaded with an antibiotic to prevent bacterial biofilm formation, successfully targeting Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The discovery marks a significant step forward in combating implant infections, which can cause long hospitalization periods and additional surgeries.

Researchers sample a DC swamp to study a spineless creature

Researchers at the University of Illinois used a new technique called eDNA to detect and monitor the Hay's Spring amphipod, an endangered species found in seepage springs in Rock Creek Park. The method successfully detected the creature's DNA in water samples from three sites where it had been previously seen.

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.

Mann receives Schneider award for outstanding climate science communication

Michael Mann, a world leader in climate science, has been awarded the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communications. The award recognizes his work on reconstructing global temperature variations over the past two millennia and its significance in understanding human-caused warming.

Chemistry of sea spray particles linked for first time to formation process

Researchers have identified the driving force behind differences in sea spray particles' chemical make-up, enabling better understanding of ocean chemistry and physics' influence on cloud formation. The study's findings could improve climate models by providing a more accurate representation of clouds' impact on precipitation.

Figuring out the 3-D shape of molecules with a push of a button

A team of researchers led by Carnegie Mellon University chemist Roberto R. Gil and Universidade Federal de Pernambuco chemist Armando Navarro-Vázquez has developed a program that automates the process of figuring out a molecule's three-dimensional structure, reducing human error and shortening the pipeline of drug discovery.

How cells combat chromosome imbalance

MIT biologists identified a mechanism for eliminating genetically imbalanced cells using natural killer cells. Aneuploidy, or uneven chromosome distribution, harms most cells but can help cancer cells grow uncontrollably.

X-ray eyes in the sky: Drones and WiFi for 3-D through-wall imaging

UCSB researchers have developed a method for 3D through-wall imaging using drones and WiFi, enabling objects to be imaged in real-time with high resolution. The technology has potential applications in emergency search-and-rescue, archaeological discovery, and structural monitoring.

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.

Deadly heatwaves will continue to rise, according to study

A study published in Nature Climate Change warns that 74% of the world's population will face deadly heatwaves by 2100 if current emissions continue. Researchers found a common threshold beyond which temperatures and humidities become lethal, with tropical areas projected to bear the greatest risk.

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.

Mapping how words leap from brain to tongue

Researchers led by SDSU neuroscientist Stephanie Ries discovered that wide swaths of the brain work in parallel to retrieve correct words from memory, challenging previous assumptions about localized language processing. The study's findings could help speech-language pathologists develop strategies for treating disorders like anomia.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Close failing banks before they cost US billions of dollars, says study

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University researchers proposes a new capital ratio that would allow regulators to close insolvent banks earlier, potentially saving $18.5 billion in closure costs. The proposed ratio, called the nonperforming asset coverage ratio, could prevent regulators from granting forbearance to insolvent banks.

Inexpensive organic material gives safe batteries a longer life

Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered a new class of material that addresses many battery concerns, including fire risk, cold weather performance, and lifespan. The quinones-based anode is inexpensive, chemically stable, and allows batteries to work across temperature ranges.

Riding a romantic roller coaster? Relationship anxiety may be to blame

A recent study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships explores how high levels of relationship anxiety impact partner experiences. Researchers found that individuals experiencing anxiety about their partner's commitment tend to experience increased volatility in their feelings about the relationship.

Sugar-coated nanomaterial excels at promoting bone growth

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed a sugar-coated nanomaterial that promotes bone regeneration by binding to growth factor BMP-2, reducing its need by 100 times. The biodegradable material functions as an artificial extracellular matrix, mimicking natural cell interactions.

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.

A diagnostic test for ALS

Researchers have developed a diagnostic test for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using neurofilaments, which can confirm the presence of the disease. The test has shown promising results in accurately diagnosing ALS patients, with a good correlation between neurofilament levels and motor neuron loss.

Is it sometimes ok to cheat?

Research at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that fig wasps that cheat by not collecting pollen can still flourish in populations where they have a time and energy advantage. This suggests that cheaters may become more common when punishment is too severe, allowing them to reproduce and pass on their non-cooperative behavior.