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Science News Archive March 2017


Page 28 of 41

Effects of weather variability on maple syrup production studied

Research by Montana State University's Selena Ahmed aims to understand the effects of weather variability on maple syrup production. The study found that warmer temperatures lead to higher levels of phenolic compounds, resulting in darker syrups with lower demand and prices.

Biodegradable packages will keep your food fresh

Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed biodegradable packaging that can keep food fresh for longer, reducing food waste and plastic usage. The packaging, made from cellulose composites with added ethereal oil and silver particles, degrades in nature in around two years.

Doctors and patients often disagree on pain treatment goals

Researchers at UC Davis Health found that doctors and patients often have differing priorities for pain treatment, with patients seeking to reduce pain intensity and physicians focusing on improving physical function. The study recommends pain-focused communication training to improve doctor-patient agreements.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Using telemedicine to treat multiple sclerosis

A new home-based telemedicine program will be developed and pilot-tested to treat multiple sclerosis patients. The program, funded by a $100,000 Genentech grant, aims to improve care for people with advanced MS living in medically underserved communities.

Stressed seabird parents think only of themselves

When parent little auks were stressed, they reduced feeding and spent more time searching for food, impacting their offspring's nutrition. Despite this, the birds still displayed a care response to their chicks' begging behaviour.

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.

A breath of fresh air for severe asthma research

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that natural killer cells in patients with severe asthma are disabled from resolving inflammation, leading to ineffective corticosteroid treatment. Researchers also identified lipoxins as a potential therapeutic approach, as they preserve NK cell pro-resolving functions.

An utter shambles

Researchers found that parenting by ADHD parents is less adequate, with more criticism and household chaos. However, they also rated their relationship to children more positively than non-ADHD parents. The study suggests a complex interplay between these factors and recommends future research on designing parent training programs.

Floods and hurricanes predicted with social media

Researchers tracked social media posts with specific tags before extreme weather events to identify areas at risk. This early warning system has the potential to improve prediction and monitoring of floods and other natural hazards, saving lives and protecting homes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Behavioral biology: Ripeness is all

Researchers discovered that spotted-wing flies use senses of smell, touch, and taste to choose ideal nursery sites. They prefer firm texture and volatile chemicals emitted by freshly ripened fruits.

Immunology: Live and let live

Dendritic cells, which help activate and suppress immune responses, play a key role in maintaining the balance between self and non-self in the gut. The discovery of a signaling molecule, CD40, reveals how this balance can be disrupted, leading to severe colitis, but also highlights the importance of regulatory T-cells in maintaining i...

This small molecule could have a big future in global food security

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a promising method to prevent aflatoxin contamination in crops, which could improve food security in developing countries. The transgenic corn plants produce small RNA molecules that suppress toxin production when infected with a fungus.

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.

Drug use drops after ER visits used as 'teachable moments'

A new study suggests that ER visits can be effective 'teachable moments' for reducing drug use, with brief chats with counselors or virtual therapists showing promise. Participants who received the intervention had 21% fewer days of drug use compared to those in the control group.

Information avoidance

Research reveals that people deliberately avoid information that challenges their beliefs, leading to harm in individual wellbeing and societal polarization. By understanding the reasons behind information avoidance, governments and firms can develop effective strategies to reach their audiences.

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.

What cancer research can learn from military strategy

Researchers are exploring parallels between military counter-insurgency tactics and cancer treatment, focusing on targeted therapies that harness the patient's own resources. By adopting an intelligence-led approach, clinicians can adapt treatment strategies to tackle evolving tumour genetic codes.

Single molecule switch

Researchers successfully demonstrated a reliable and reproducible single molecule switch, enabling electric current to flow between electrodes through the molecule or not. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in molecular electronics.

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.

Investigational vaccine protects cattle from respiratory syncytial virus

A novel vaccine developed by scientists at NIAID protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus infection, with high levels of neutralizing antibodies and protection against viral replication. The vaccine's pre-F protein construct showed promise in a model that may be applied to human RSV vaccine development.

Greater insight into basic biology of pain will reveal non-addictive remedies

Researchers propose a $10 billion public-private partnership to fund new research on pain biology and development of non-addictive medications. The plan focuses on understanding individual variability in response to pain, biomarkers for drug efficacy, and complementary approaches such as acupuncture and mindfulness techniques.

New indicators to aid Crohn's disease diagnosis and treatment

A study by Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic identified several unique biomarkers, called autoantibodies, that can accurately diagnose Crohn's disease. The discovery has the potential to provide early warning for those at risk of major illnesses, including cancer, autism, and diabetes.

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.

Bilateral tinnitus is hereditary

A Swedish twin registry study reveals that bilateral tinnitus has a strong genetic component, especially in men, while unilateral tinnitus is more influenced by environmental factors. The findings have important clinical implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health.

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.

Cancer immunotherapy: Revived T cells still need fuel

A new study shows that even with PD-1 blockade, tumor-specific T cells require CD28 co-stimulation to expand and restore effective immune responses. This finding suggests that only a subset of tumor-specific CD8 T cells will proliferate after PD-1-directed therapy.

Single atom memory: The world's smallest storage medium

Researchers use Scanning Tunneling Microscope to store and read information in individual holmium atoms, achieving unprecedented miniaturization of storage media. The discovery could revolutionize quantum computing and pave the way for high-density data storage.

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.

'Recycling protein' shown to affect learning and memory in mice

Researchers found that removing GRASP1 protein reduced mice's ability to learn and recall information. The protein plays a crucial role in recycling receptors in brain cells, which is essential for strengthening neural connections required for learning and memory.

Study shows how H. pylori causes white blood cells to morph

Researchers found that H. pylori bacteria can alter the structure of white blood cells, known as neutrophils, allowing them to survive within the human body. This change enables the bacteria to evade the immune system, but also shares characteristics with tumor-associated neutrophils that may limit cancer growth.

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.

Introducing steel that doesn't crack under (repeated) pressure

A new study introduces a steel alloy with a laminated nanosubstructure, inspired by bone structure, which is more resistant to cracking under repeated stress. This development has potential to improve the safety of buildings and components that experience cyclic loads.

Scientists reveal structure of potential leishmaniasis vaccine

Researchers have characterized the structure of a protein from sand flies that can convey immunity to Leishmania parasites. The SALO protein showed promise in inducing long-term protection against leishmaniasis in mice, with no appreciable similarities to human proteins.

Flame retardant chemicals may affect social behavior in young children

A pilot study by Oregon State University found a significant relationship between exposure to flame retardants and externalizing behaviors such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity in children aged 3-5. Higher exposure rates were associated with less responsible behavior and more social issues.

Conquering metal fatigue

A team of researchers at MIT has developed a novel material with a laminated nanostructure that reduces metal fatigue, allowing it to deform without spreading microcracks. This breakthrough could lead to improved structural components in industries such as aerospace and automotive.

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.

Chronic comorbidities raise hospitalization risk in dementia

A retrospective analysis of 30,112 home-care clients with dementia found that chronic comorbidities significantly increase the risk of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The study suggests that targeting high-risk individuals may help prioritize healthcare resources.

The researchers discovered an unexpected link between cancer and autism

A new study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals that the SHANK protein plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of breast cancer cells by regulating cell adhesion. The research also found that gene mutations in SHANK are linked to autism, demonstrating the protein's importance in both brain development and tumor invasion.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The prototype of a chemical computer detects a sphere

Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences developed a chemical computer that can recognize the shape of a sphere with great accuracy. The system uses a network of oscillating droplets, where each droplet acts as a 'neuronal' unit, to process information and make decisions.

Robber fly's aerial hunting skill relies on extreme visual acuity

Researchers discovered that robber flies employ a constant bearing angle strategy and 'lock on' to their prey at a distance, allowing them to capture small targets. The flies' eyes have been found to have a high spatial resolution, enabling them to detect prey items up to 100 body lengths away.