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Science News for June 9, 2017


Graphene enhancing our vision of the infinitely small

Researchers at OIST used one-atom-thin graphene film to drastically enhance the quality of electron microscopy images of biological specimens. The low-energy electrons interact strongly with the virus sample but not with the background graphene layer, providing high contrast and resolving tiny details.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalMicroscopy·DateJun 9, 2017

Physicists use numerical 'tweezers' to study nuclear interactions

Researchers created a numerical 'tweezers' tool to study nucleus interactions, finding that local forces play a crucial role in determining attraction or repulsion. The study sheds light on the parameters controlling these nuclear forces, which inform nuclear structure.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 9, 2017

Unraveling the mysteries of Nipponosaurus

Researchers confirm Nipponosaurus is a valid taxon and a juvenile dinosaur that has not reached sexual maturity. It was discovered to have unique characteristics, including a wide shelf-like structure on the lower jaw and extremely short front legs.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalHistorical Biology·DateJun 9, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NIH funds NYC center for AIDS research

The NIH-funded Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research aims to prevent HIV transmission and develop a cure. The center will focus on behavioral science, clinical translation, biomarker discovery, and HIV vaccine development to improve population health outcomes.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·DateJun 9, 2017

Soft shelled turtles, food in China, likely spread cholera

Research finds that soft shelled turtles in China are spreading cholera due to the presence of Vibrio cholerae pathogens. The study used bioluminescent proteins to observe the bacteria's colonization on the turtles' surfaces and intestines.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 9, 2017

UNIST improves remote detection of hazardous radioactive substances

A study by UNIST has introduced a method for remote detection of hazardous radioactive substances, increasing sensitivity 4,800 times over conventional methods. The new device can detect radioactivity at distances of tens to 100 km, enabling early warning systems and improved safety measures.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2017

Fractal planting patterns yield optimal harvests, without central control

Balinese rice farmers' planting patterns create fractal designs that yield optimal harvests without global planning. The pattern's emergence is driven by water availability and pest damage, making the system more resilient. Farmers adapt locally, taking individual decisions that optimize their own harvests, resulting in a stable system.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2017
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.

Biodiversity is 3-D

A recent study explores the species-area relationship and volume-species relation, finding that higher canopies are associated with more plant species due to increased biospace. This correlation is observed across different climate zones, suggesting a fundamental role in ecology.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalPlant Ecology·DateJun 9, 2017

Removal of aging cells could extend human life

A recent study suggests that targeted removal of senescent cells can delay the onset of age-related pathologies, such as osteoarthritis. The research team found that selectively destroying these old cells can reduce pain, promote new cartilage growth, and create a pro-regenerative environment.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 9, 2017
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.

Radiation therapy vital to treating brain tumors, but it exacts a toll

Researchers found that radiation therapy can alter neural networks and lead to cognitive decline in patients with brain tumors. The study suggests that the treatment may cause broader adverse effects, including thinning of the brain cortex and increased segregation between brain regions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBrain Connectivity·DateJun 9, 2017

Study shows Cesarean patients sent home with more narcotic pain medications than needed

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that most women who undergo a cesarean childbirth are prescribed more opioid pain medications than needed when released from the hospital. Most patients use opioids for an average of eight days after discharge, with many storing unused tablets in unlocked locations.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 9, 2017

The first nanometrically-sized superelastic alloy

Researchers have created a new alloy that exhibits superelastic behavior at the nanoscale, requiring much higher stress to deform than larger materials. This discovery opens up new channels for developing flexible microsystems and electromechanical nanosystems, including implantable devices with potential applications in smart healthcare.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 9, 2017
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.

Chemists brought mixed folded proteins to life

Researchers from ITMO University and Hebrew University have developed a method to recover protein structure after chemical denaturation, working for both specific molecules and multiprotein systems. The technology simplifies and cheapens the production of drug proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2017

Mussels add muscle to biocompatible fibers

Researchers at Rice University have created hydrogel strings using a compound found in mussels, allowing for controlled growth of cells on surfaces. The aligned fibers promote ordered cell growth, making it possible to direct cell growth from one location to another.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 9, 2017

New study design holds promise for drug safety research

A new research design from Perelman School of Medicine scientists provides a more effective way to assess the safety of newly approved drugs and those with rapidly increasing or declining use. This trend-in-trend method can identify rare side effects and provide accurate results, even in the absence of comparable control groups.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalEpidemiology·DateJun 9, 2017

Batteries from scrap metal

Researchers have developed a novel method to create stable and low-cost electrodes from discarded stainless steel mesh, ideal for potassium-ion batteries. The new electrode design uses a waste material to store potassium ions, overcoming the limitations of sodium ion batteries.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 9, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Balance and movement improved in animal model of Parkinson's disease

A new study found that a molecular compound called CLR01 improves balance and coordination in mice with early-stage Parkinson's disease. CLR01 reduces the amount of toxic alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, which is thought to contribute to the development of the disorder.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNeurotherapeutics·DateJun 9, 2017

Cash for weight loss

A new study published in Social Science and Medicine found that a rewards programme increased weight loss magnitude and duration by more than twice as much as a control group. The programme, which offered cash or lottery tickets for meeting monthly weight loss goals, also led to higher rates of sustained weight loss.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJun 9, 2017

Being overweight linked to longer life in older diabetics

Among older patients with diabetes, being overweight reduces the risk of early death by 18% compared to normal weight counterparts. However, this survival benefit is only observed in older patients and diminishes over time.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Diabetes Investigation·DateJun 9, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Clemson graduate uncovers link between toxicants and lipid metabolism

A Clemson University graduate discovered that certain toxicants can disrupt the maturation of Daphnia magna by altering lipid levels, affecting development and reproductive rates. The study found that triclosan and atrazine can lead to stunted growth and altered lipid allocation in newborns.

SourceClemson University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 9, 2017

Drug combination benefits patients with tophaceous gout

A phase III clinical trial showed that combining lesinurad with febuxostat was more effective at lowering blood urate levels than febuxostat alone. The combination group achieved target urate levels in significantly more patients over 12 months.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 9, 2017

NIH-led workshop addresses opioid misuse during pregnancy

Experts agree on routine screening, medication-assisted treatment, and addressing pain management for women with opioid use disorder. Research is needed to improve outcomes for affected women, newborns, and families.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 9, 2017

Researchers compute their way toward cleaner coal plants

A team of researchers at RWTH Aachen University used the Cray XC40 Hazel Hen supercomputer to simulate turbulent multiphase flows, paving the way for more accurate modeling and design of cleaner coal plants. The study's findings support the team's goal of improving CO2 emissions from coal power plants.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateJun 9, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New way to weigh a white dwarf: Use Hubble Space Telescope

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers measured the deflection of light rays as they passed near a white dwarf star, providing a solid estimate of its mass. The result confirms theoretical predictions and offers insights into the star's structure and composition.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJun 9, 2017

New form of carbon that's hard as a rock, yet elastic, like rubber

Researchers created a new form of ultrastrong, lightweight carbon by pressurizing and heating glassy carbon to extreme temperatures. This material has unique properties that make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace engineering and military armor.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 9, 2017
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.

Male farmers at highest risk of contracting 'monkey malaria' in Malaysia

A new study has identified human factors that could be targeted by elimination interventions for 'monkey malaria', a complex and potentially life-threatening parasite. Adult male farmers in the Sabah region are more likely to contract Plasmodium knowlesi malaria due to their outdoor work on plantations.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJun 9, 2017

It's a breeze: How to harness the power of the wind

Researchers propose a day-ahead economic dispatch model to optimize wind power generation, considering both planned and real-time energy use. The framework successfully predicts optimal models for energy commitment and has been tested in real-world simulations.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 9, 2017

Chemists brought mixed folded proteins to life

Scientists have discovered a way to revive mixed folded proteins by applying an electrostatic interaction between folded or denatured proteins and alumina nanoparticles. This breakthrough could simplify and reduce the production costs of drug proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2017
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.

UNIST engineers robotic device helping stroke survivors recover

A new robotic tool has been introduced for assessing muscle overactivity and movement dysfunction in stroke survivors. The robotic-assisted rehabilitation therapy is expected to improve the mobility of patients surviving a stroke.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateJun 9, 2017

Retina may be sensitive gauge of blast-wave pressure injury

Researchers found long-term retinal injury and inflammation after blast exposure, even without detectable brain damage. The retina may serve as a sensitive indicator of low-level blast injury, helping identify individuals at risk of visual impairment.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 9, 2017

Infants born preterm may lack key lung cells later in life

Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that preterm infants may be more susceptible to lung diseases due to a lack of alveolar type II cells. These cells play a crucial role in rebuilding lung tissue after damage and producing pulmonary surfactant, a vital compound for healthy lungs.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJun 9, 2017

The largest virtual Universe ever simulated

The University of Zurich has simulated a gigantic catalogue of 25 billion virtual galaxies from 2 trillion digital particles using the revolutionary code PKDGRAV3. This simulation will help optimize the observational strategy of the Euclid satellite, which aims to investigate dark matter and dark energy.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalComputational Astrophysics and Cosmology·DateJun 9, 2017