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Science News Archive March 2017


Page 24 of 41

Overuse of antibiotics brings risks for bees -- and for us

Researchers found that antibiotic-treated honeybees were half as likely to survive, with gut microbes disrupted and harmful bacteria increased. The study suggests that overuse of antibiotics may contribute to colony collapse and has implications for human health.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

'Going deep' to measure Earth's rotational effects

A team in Italy has successfully installed a prototype for the Gyroscopes in General Relativity (GINGER) project, which aims to measure Earth's rotation rate vector with high precision. The device uses ring laser gyroscope technology and is housed deep underground to minimize external disturbances.

Shaping the future

Researchers from OIST Graduate University have developed a new approach to produce uniform iron nanocubes using magnetron-sputtering inert-gas condensation. These nanocubes exhibit high sensitivity and specificity in detecting NO2 gas, with potential applications in diagnosis of asthma patients and environmental pollution detection.

'Dreamers' policy may have reduced depression in eligible individuals

A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that DACA-eligible individuals were 50% less likely to report symptoms consistent with major depression. This suggests that increased access to the US labor market and improved economic prospects contributed to reduced levels of depression among these individuals.

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.

Female soccer players suffer the most concussions in high school sports

A new study found that female soccer players suffer the most concussions in high school sports, with a significantly higher concussion rate than boys. The study, which analyzed injury data from 2005 to 2015, also revealed that girls' soccer had the highest concussion rate during the 10-year study period.

Flies and bees act like plant cultivators

Researchers found that plants pollinated by bumblebees became more fragrant and had larger flowers with greater UV color component. In contrast, plants pollinated by hoverflies were smaller and less fragrant, with increased self-pollination.

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.

Study identifies molecular clues for age-related intestinal issues

Researchers found that intestinal stem cells lose regenerative capacity with age and that reactivating Wnt signaling can restore healthy function in older people. The study suggests a possible therapeutic approach to address imbalances in food and nutrient absorption, which may be linked to diminished Wnt signaling.

Did humans create the Sahara desert?

A new study challenges the idea that changes in Earth's orbit triggered Sahara desertification. Human activities, such as pastoralism, are believed to have contributed to the region's ecological shift towards desert-like conditions. The findings highlight the importance of understanding human impact on environmental systems.

Bonding chips using inkjet printers

Researchers at the University of Barcelona have developed a new bonding technique for chips using inkjet printers with silver nanoparticles, enabling the creation of rigid and flexible hybrid circuitry. The method uses inkjet printing technology to assemble surface mount devices, achieving high electrical conductivity and reliability.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Probiotics may not always be a silver bullet for better health

Researchers found that probiotics had little impact on microbial diversity and even impaired recognition memory in rats on a balanced diet. However, for rats fed a junk diet, probiotics positively changed the bacterial make-up in their digestive tract and benefitted brain function, preventing spatial memory loss.

Reducing radiation could safely cut breast cancer treatment costs

A study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that over half of older women with early-stage breast cancer received more radiation therapy than necessary, adding to healthcare costs. The researchers estimate a potential savings of $164 million by reducing radiation therapy regimens from six weeks to four weeks.

Antibiotics not effective for clinically infected eczema in children

A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that antibiotics are not effective in treating eczema flares in children. The CREAM study analyzed data from 113 children with non-severely infected eczema and showed no significant difference between groups in the resolution of eczema symptoms.

The molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that exhausted T cells have distinct DNA structures and activate specific genes, including NFAT and Nr4a proteins. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion and offer potential targets for improving cancer immunotherapies.

Microbes measure ecological restoration success

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new method to monitor soil microbes, which could boost the success of ecological restoration projects. By analyzing the DNA of bacteria in soil samples, scientists found that native plant revegetation can restore a natural state to cleared land just eight years after implementa...

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.

World's oldest plant-like fossils discovered

Scientists have discovered the world's oldest plant-like fossils, estimated to be 1.6 billion years old, in sedimentary rocks in central India. The findings suggest that advanced multicellular life evolved much earlier than previously thought, challenging our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth.

Power of shared pain triggers extreme self-sacrifice

Researchers found that sharing strong negative experiences enables extreme cooperation in groups and can cause individuals to be willing to die for the group. Human evolution explains the origin of this visceral bonding over shared painful experiences.

Switching oxygen on and off

Researchers at TU Wien have successfully switched individual oxygen molecules between a reactive and unreactive state using a force microscope. This process enables new possibilities for investigating the inner workings of photocatalysts.

Finding positive in the negative

A phase 2 clinical trial of sacituzumab govitecan, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting Trop-2, achieved a response in 21 participants with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. The responses were early and durable, lasting up to 20 months, with improved overall survival.

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.

Quantum physics offers insight into music expressivity

Scientists at Queen Mary University of London use the Filter Diagonalisation Method to analyze vibrato, a common musical effect that adds expressivity and enhances sound quality. The technique, originating from quantum physics, allows for precise analysis of music signals with great precision.

AASM publishes new guideline for diagnostic testing for adult sleep apnea

The new guideline recommends that polysomnography be used for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with significant cardiorespiratory disease or other complicating conditions. Home sleep apnea testing is recommended only for uncomplicated adult patients with increased risk of moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Buzzing the brain with electricity can boost working memory

Researchers at Imperial College London found that applying a low voltage current can bring different areas of the brain in sync, enabling people to perform better on tasks involving working memory. The approach could one day be used to treat conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy.

Emotional intelligence helps make better doctors

A new Loyola study reveals that physicians-in-training possess a high level of emotional intelligence, scoring in the high range on an emotional intelligence survey. The study found that pediatric and med-peds residents scored highest in empathy and social responsibility, but lowest in assertiveness.

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.

Bowel cancer medication could help combat early-onset Parkinson's disease

A University of Leicester study found that folinic acid can protect neurons in fruit flies with Parkinson's disease, offering potential hope for people with early-onset forms of the condition. The researchers believe that supplementing folinic acid could be a faster and more effective treatment option than developing new drugs.

Study finds no benefit, but possible harm, from drug used to prevent preterm births

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a commonly prescribed drug for pregnant women with a history of early delivery provides no benefits, while potentially increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. The researchers also noted a higher rate of preterm births among those treated with the dru...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New strategy may help combat Alzheimer's disease

Researchers discovered a mechanism to block amyloid-beta fragments in Alzheimer's disease, reducing levels of enzyme BACE-1. A type of nucleic acid found in healthy brains promotes its degradation, offering hope for treatment.

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.

Development launches Special Issue on Organoids

The Special Issue highlights the exciting applications of organoid research in the medical field, including drug screening and modeling human diseases. Organoid technology also offers insight into developmental biology, enabling scientists to study human development in a developing embryo.

New extension improves inflight Wi-Fi

A new Chrome extension called ScaleUp improves web browsing speeds at 30,000 feet by increasing image size and simplifying font loads. The solution reduces latency and packet loss, providing faster Internet access to air travelers.

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.

At mealtime, honey bees prefer country blossoms to city blooms

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that honey bees favor agricultural areas over urban neighborhoods for nectar and pollen. The discovery suggests that farmland can be a superior source of food for honey bees, contradicting the assumption that urban areas are more attractive to them.

Report: Milkweed losses may not fully explain monarch butterfly declines

A new study reviews decades of monarch research and finds that milkweed numbers have dropped by about 95% in cropland over the last 20 years, but natural areas show a smaller decline. The researchers suggest other factors such as habitat loss, disease, parasites, and climate change may also be contributing to the decline.

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.

Major research project provides new clues to schizophrenia

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that patients with schizophrenia have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA and altered immune cell function. These findings provide new clues to the disease mechanisms of schizophrenia, but follow-up studies are needed to determine if these changes are causes or effects.

Researchers make old gut stem cells grow like young ones in a dish

Researchers have successfully rejuvenated old gut stem cells by restoring Wnt signaling, suggesting a potential pathway to target for clinicians. This breakthrough offers new insights into the role of Wnt proteins in controlling stem cell growth and pluripotency in the gut later in life.

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 fashion industry gains new tools to reduce its environmental load

Researcher Sandra Roos developed a comprehensive life cycle analysis to map the environmental impact of clothing. She found that conventional cotton growing is particularly heavy on the environment, but post-fibre processing stages like dyeing are equally hazardous. The most effective way for consumers to reduce their environmental loa...

Noninvasive imaging helps predict heart attacks

Researchers found that noninvasive CT angiography and stress tests can predict future adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, with similar accuracy to invasive procedures. The study suggests that the noninvasive approach is a safer and more cost-effective option for patients, and its findings have important implications...

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.