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Science News Archive March 2017


Page 4 of 41

A faster single-pixel camera

Researchers at MIT Media Lab describe a new technique that makes image acquisition using compressed sensing 50 times as efficient. The technique enables the development of novel imaging systems without lenses, opening new prospects for design and applications in harsh environments or non-visible spectrum wavelengths.

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.

Asthmatic schoolchildren are 'uncomfortable' using their inhalers

Nearly half of secondary schoolchildren with asthma are not controlling their symptoms optimally, and nearly a third experience discomfort using inhalers. The study calls for increased clinical monitoring and targeted interventions to address poor asthma control in UK schools.

'KinderMining:' Tackling big data sets by keeping things simple

KinderMiner, a Morgridge Institute for Research team's algorithm, scans Europe PubMed Central and provides ranked associations for select target terms and key phrases. The tool identifies relevant transcription factors in top 20 hits, significantly speeding up scientific process.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NASA sees ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie over Queensland

NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie over Queensland on March 29, 2017. The system's clouds stretched from Townsville to Brisbane along the coast, with heavy rainfall expected in central and southeastern regions.

Choosing a simpler path to drug discovery

A team of scientists from Kyoto University has developed a simpler approach to drug discovery using decision trees, achieving high predictive ability with reduced data sets. The new method could lead to significant cost savings in the drug development process.

Heroin use rises significantly among young whites

Heroin use has increased five-fold among Americans since 2001, with significant rises in white males with low income and education. The prevalence of heroin use disorder also increased, particularly among younger individuals, with whites ages 18-44 experiencing a more pronounced increase than non-whites and older adults.

Building trust, not hate

Researchers found that when participants knew each other, they were more likely to cooperate in the prisoner's dilemma game. The findings suggest that knowing others can promote cooperation and reduce hate and fake news on social networks.

Steering towards grazing fields

A 16-year Nebraska study found minimal negative impacts of grazing cattle on corn stubble on soil properties, except for slight compaction. Grazing may even have a slightly positive effect on soil microbial community structure due to the addition of nutrient-rich manure.

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.

A new marker for the most common form of ALS

A molecule called polyGP accumulates in the CSF and blood cells of patients with C9ORF72 ALS, offering a potential pharmacodynamic marker for therapeutic responses. Detection of polyGP in asymptomatic carriers may help identify patients at risk before symptoms appear.

The search for obesity drugs targets hunger's complex chemistry

Scientists are shifting focus to combination therapies targeting multiple appetite control system components, driven by understanding of protein sensors and neurotransmitters. This approach aims to better regulate body's appetite, potentially leading to more effective obesity treatments.

Adding grads and going green can brighten economic outlook

A study by Penn State economists found that a combination of college graduates and high-quality-of-life amenities significantly contributes to economic growth. Rural counties, which often struggle with growth, may particularly benefit from this approach.

Officials dedicate OSC's newest, most powerful supercomputer

The Owens Cluster is the most powerful supercomputer in Ohio Supercomputer Center history, featuring a peak performance of 1.5 petaflops. It provides a massive increase in computing power and storage space for researchers, enabling them to make extraordinary discoveries and innovations.

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.

Reliable molecular toggle switch developed

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have created a molecular toggle switch that can be operated as often as desired without physical degradation. The switch is made from individual molecules and measures just a nanometer in size, enabling future circuits to be integrated into spaces smaller by up to 100 times.

Researchers track perfluorinated chemicals in the body

Scientists have developed a method to track perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the body, with the highest amounts recorded in the stomach and liver. The study found that PFAS accumulate in multiple organs, including the lungs, kidney, heart, brain, skin, muscle, and bone.

Team highlights work on tuning block polymers for nanostructured systems

The Epps group has made significant strides in tuning and characterizing block polymers for various applications. They aim to optimize materials design by manipulating phase behavior, thermal transitions and mechanical properties. The goal is to create high-performance materials that reduce defects and mitigate environmental concerns.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Hepatitis B and C may be linked to increased risk of Parkinson's disease

A recent study published in Neurology found that people with hepatitis B are 76% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without the virus. Those with hepatitis C have a 51% increased risk. The research linked both viruses to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, contradicting previous findings on hepatitis B.

Can childhood obesity be prevented before conception?

Researchers aim to reduce body fat, improve glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight women planning pregnancy with the Lifestyle Intervention in Preparation for Pregnancy (LIPP) program. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity and related health issues in women and their children.

'On-off switch' brings researchers a step closer to potential HIV vaccine

University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers engineer an on/off switch into a weakened form of HIV to enhance vaccine safety and effectiveness. The team demonstrates that flipping the switch allows weakened HIV to replicate at a level likely to generate immunity in a host, while also allowing for controlled replication.

Microscopic muscles: How non-muscle cells find the strength to move

Researchers discovered ordered arrangement of myosin-II filaments in actin cables of non-muscle cells, enabling slow contractility and movement through connective tissue. This organisation allows for dynamic assembly and disassembly of protein cables, providing the necessary strength to interact with the microenvironment.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New smart system to reduce queues at roundabouts

Researchers propose a smart system to reduce long queues at certain roundabout approaches, using magnetic detection devices under the road surface to activate traffic metering signals. The system can delay and length of vehicle lines up by up to 60% while also reducing pollutant emissions as motorists stop less frequently.

Poor outlook for biodiversity in Antarctica: Study finds

An international study led by Monash scientists found that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean's biodiversity management is lagging behind the global average in some areas, but exceling in others. The study's findings have significant implications for conservation efforts globally.

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.

Inflammation awakens sleepers

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that inflammation triggers the transfer of phage genes to Salmonella bacteria, increasing their pathogenicity. Vaccination can prevent this process, alleviating the risk of phage release.

TBI in emergency departments a substantial economic burden

A new study estimates that traumatic brain injuries in emergency departments had a total cost of $945 million over the lifetimes of those patients. Medical treatments and lost productivity accounted for $292 million and $653 million, respectively.

Kids' wildlife preferences differ from island to mainland

Children from island locations in the Bahamas prefer invasive species like feral cats and pigs, while mainland children prefer mammals. Island children also show a greater preference for native species, highlighting the need to consider human factors in conservation decisions.

Vaping and withdrawal

Researchers aim to determine whether quitting e-cigarettes causes withdrawal symptoms, with a focus on nicotine levels and potential health risks. A National Cancer Institute-funded study is recruiting long-term e-cigarette users for an eight-week experiment involving nicotine withdrawal reporting and breath/urine sampling.

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.

Researchers control soft robots using magnetic fields

A team of engineers has developed a technique to control soft robots using magnetic fields, enabling the creation of devices with complex functions and simple designs. The new method involves embedding iron microparticles in liquid polymer mixtures and applying magnetic fields to induce chain formation.

Brain scans show dopamine levels fall during migraine attacks

Researchers used PET scans to study dopamine levels in patients with migraines and healthy individuals. The study found that dopamine levels fell significantly during migraine attacks, which may contribute to increased sensory sensitivity. This suggests that dopamine-based therapies could be effective in managing migraines.

Tests can help quantify automatic empathy and moral intuitions

A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.

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.

Products can be pals when you're lonely, but it may cost you, study finds

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that humanlike electronic products can replace human contact for lonely individuals. However, this phenomenon has limits, and certain cues can snap participants back to reality, highlighting the need for consumers to be aware of potential pitfalls.

Reading between the lines of highly turbulent plasmas

Researchers develop an iterative simulation model that accurately predicts changes to line shape in strong plasma turbulence, providing a system for assessing plasma turbulence. The study finds that the width of hydrogen lines increases in presence of strong turbulence, with oscillating waves at plasma frequency.

Discovery may help patients beat deadly pneumonia

Researchers have found that a hormone called hepcidin helps fight off bacterial pneumonia by limiting the spread of bacteria in the blood. Stimulating hepcidin production could be lifesaving for vulnerable patients, including those with iron overload or liver disease.

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.

Adults with disabilities screened less often for colorectal cancer

Researchers found that individuals with blindness, intellectual disability, or spinal cord injury are less likely to receive recommended colorectal screenings. The study's findings emphasize the importance of increased awareness and advocacy efforts to ensure all individuals are screened appropriately for this preventable cancer.

Financialization's negative effect on the American solar industry

A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.

Vulnerability to psychosis: How to detect it

A new study has identified an early vulnerability brain marker for psychosis in late adolescence, which can be detected through exaggerated emotional responses to non-threatening cues. This finding could lead to the development of new intervention strategies for at-risk youth.

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.

Organic-inorganic heterostructures with programmable electronic properties

Scientists develop self-assembled organic molecular lattices with controlled geometry and atomic precision on top of graphene, inducing periodic potentials and unprecedented electrical, magnetic, piezoelectric, and optical functionalities. The approach allows for pre-programming and adjustment of the induced potentials.

A bird's blind spot plays an important role in its vision

A new study found that birds with longer beaks have larger blind areas in front of their heads, resulting in narrower fields of binocular vision. This finding suggests that the size of the blind area plays an important role in birds' vision.

Quantum communication: How to outwit noise

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck and TU Wien have developed a new quantum communication protocol that can reliably transfer quantum information even in the presence of detrimental noise. The protocol uses an additional quantum oscillator to couple qubits, allowing for precise separation of the noisy signal from the weaker qua...

Painting fingernails with silver and gold

Researchers have developed a simple way to integrate metal nanoparticles in nail polish, resulting in durable, transparent polishes with metallic sheen. The technique could also be used to create coatings for medical devices.

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.

Cost of neurological disease in US approaching $800 billion a year

A US study reveals that the annual cost of neurological diseases in the US is nearly $800 billion, with an estimated $600 billion to be spent on stroke and dementia treatment by 2030. The study emphasizes the need for increased funding to develop treatments and cures for these conditions.