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Science News Archive May 2017


Page 12 of 42

Researchers untangle causes of differences in East Coast sea level rise

A new study models sea-level rise along North America's East Coast, including the impact of Greenland and Antarctica's melting ice. The researchers found that contributions to ocean volume from ice melt accelerate sea levels in the southern U.S. East Coast, while changing ocean dynamics drive rises in the northern part.

Making biological drugs with spider silk protein

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully synthesized lung surfactant, a drug used in the care of preterm babies, by mimicking the production of spider silk. The new method uses a part of the spider protein that ensures proteins remain soluble and is cheaper and simpler to produce than current methods.

Off-the-shelf, power-generating clothes are almost here

Researchers at UMass Amherst create a breathable, pliable, metal-free electrode coating that can be applied to off-the-shelf clothing without compromising comfort. The coating generates small electric currents through triboelectric charging and has been tested on various fabrics with promising results.

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.

Cowbird moms choosy when selecting foster parents for their young

Brown-headed cowbirds prefer larger host nests with smaller-than-average eggs to increase their offspring's chances of survival. Researchers found that female cowbirds adjust the allocation of resources in their eggs based on perceived environmental conditions, but not host species or size variations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Neptune: Neutralizer-free plasma propulsion

Researchers have successfully removed the neutralizer in plasma propulsion systems, enabling charge-neutral beams to be generated. This breakthrough is a significant improvement over traditional electric propulsion concepts.

Rare tooth find reveals horned dinosaurs in eastern North America

A rare tooth discovery in Mississippi, USA, has revealed that horned dinosaurs, closely related to Triceratops, roamed freely across eastern North America during the Late Cretaceous period. The fossil, dated to around 68-66 million years ago, challenges previous assumptions about the separation of western and eastern continents.

Crazy for ant eggs

Scientists at Kyoto University discovered that yellow crazy ant workers produce two types of egg: reproductive and nutritional. The latter variety is fed to larvae and also used as a supplement for queens and other castes.

What will happen to European criminal law after Brexit?

The UK's departure from the EU will likely result in a loss of flexibility in implementing European criminal law. The country's previous 'pick-and-choose' approach to EU integration is set to be replaced by a more rigid framework. As a result, fundamental rights may be disproportionately affected.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA adds up record Australia rainfall

Extreme rainfall in northeastern Australia exceeded 374 mm near Queensland coast, with storms associated with a low-pressure trough. The heavy rainfall was the heaviest since tropical cyclone Debbie hit Queensland in late March.

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.

Rethinking role of viruses in coral reef ecosystems

A new study by San Diego State University suggests that lysogeny, where viruses lie dormant within host cells, may be more prevalent under stressful environmental conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding degraded coral reef ecosystems and preserving them.

Study finds that sleep disorders affect men and women differently

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that women are more likely to experience severe symptoms of depression and daytime sleepiness due to sleep disorders. In contrast, men are more likely to have snoring that forces bed partners to sleep in different rooms.

Let there be light

Scientists have successfully created large-scale arrays of quantum light emitters in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a breakthrough that could enable the integration of ultra-thin single photons in electronic devices. This new method allows for deterministic and robust generation of quantum sources, opening up opportunities fo...

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.

Intestinal fungi worsen alcoholic liver disease

Researchers found that intestinal fungi exacerbate liver disease and can be protected against by antifungal treatment. Fungi overgrowth leads to inflammation, which kills liver cells and promotes disease progression.

Scientists find 7.2-million-year-old pre-human remains in the Balkans

Researchers discovered two fossils of Graecopithecus freybergi with fused premolar roots, characteristic of modern humans and early humans, indicating a European origin for the pre-human lineage. The study also suggests that environmental changes, such as the formation of the Sahara desert, drove the evolution of pre-humans.

Study examines polyneuropathy and long-term opioid use

A study published in JAMA Neurology examined the association of long-term opioid therapy with functional status, adverse outcomes, and death among patients with polyneuropathy. The study found that patients with polyneuropathy were more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy and experience depression, opioid dependence, or overdose.

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.

Human-induced deforestation is causing an increase in malaria cases

A study by Lehigh University sociologist Dr. Kelly Austin finds a link between deforestation and increasing malaria rates across developing nations due to rural population growth, agricultural specialization, and increased standing water and sunlight favoring Anopheles mosquito species.

NASA lab's life-saving work

The NASA Search and Rescue office is developing second-generation beacons with improved accuracy, which could save thousands of lives worldwide. The new beacons aim to reduce the search area from 2 kilometers to 100 meters, minimizing risk for responders.

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.

Smoke from wildfires can have lasting climate impact

Researchers found that brown carbon released into the air from wildfires is more likely to travel to the upper levels of the atmosphere, where it can cool or warm the air. Brown carbon appears more likely than black carbon to have a greater impact on climate due to its altitude.

Medical gamma-ray camera is now palm-sized

Researchers at Waseda University developed the world's first compact Compton camera for medical imaging, capturing high-resolution 3D molecular images of a live mouse in just 2 hours. The device weighs only 580g and can image energy from hundreds to mega-electron volts.

Researchers discover mechanism behind rapid smell source localization

Scientists at NERF have discovered a novel method to measure respiration dynamics, revealing that mice compare the strength of smells obtained through both nostrils for odor source localization. This process involves information transfer between brain hemispheres and has valuable implications for Alzheimer's research.

Chronic anabolic steroid use may damage heart, arteries

Chronic anabolic steroid use can lead to reduced heart function, including impaired pumping capacity and increased blood pressure. The study found strong associations between lifetime duration of illicit anabolic steroid use and plaque build-up in coronary arteries, highlighting the critical need for clinicians to monitor this population.

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.

Harvard Pilgrim awards Quality Grant funding to 14 providers for 2017

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has awarded grant funding to 14 Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire providers to improve care delivery and reduce costs. The grants focus on innovative practices in substance use management, medication adherence, and behavioral health integration.

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.

New therapy for atherosclerosis developed by Ben-Gurion University

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have developed a new biomedical polymer that targets damaged tissue, reducing existing plaque and preventing further progression and inflammation. The therapy has shown promising results in mice, improving myocardial function, decreasing inflammation, and thinning arteries.

Magnetic order in a two-dimensional molecular chessboard

In a breakthrough study, Uppsala researchers demonstrate magnetic order in a two-dimensional molecular chessboard lattice consisting of organometallic molecules. The researchers created long-range magnetic order at low temperatures through the transmission of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions and Kondo screening.

Researchers suppress fibrosis chemical signal to block haywire healing

Researchers identified a key protein, SMAD3, that facilitates pro-fibrotic TGF-beta signaling. By blocking this protein, they created a peptide-carrying SNX9 that prevents SMAD3 from entering the nucleus and impacting genes regulated by TGF-beta. This approach may lead to effective treatments for fibrosis-related diseases.

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.

ATS 2017: New COPD action plan outlines strategies for improved care

A new COPD National Action Plan was released by the NHLBI, outlining key goals to raise public awareness, advance research, improve patient care, and develop management strategies. The plan aims to empower people with COPD to recognize and reduce its burden, as well as promote education and training for healthcare professionals.

Calcium dynamics regulating the timing of decision-making in C. elegans

A team of researchers discovered that C. elegans makes decisions by calculating mathematical integration of environmental information via calcium ion concentration changes in nerve cells. This process is similar to the human brain's integration of information for decision-making, suggesting a possible genetic link between the two.

Wild geese in China are 'prisoners' in their own wetlands

A study found that China's wild geese are confined to degraded natural wetlands, unable to take advantage of neighboring farmland or rice paddies. Human activities such as hunting and agriculture have reduced the quality and extent of their habitats.

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.

Mindfulness takes practice

A new study from Aarhus University found that mindfulness practice at home is related to reduced stress, pain, and better well-being. Although the 45-minute daily home practice may seem short, it still has a statistically significant positive impact on participants.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Deep sleep maintains the learning efficiency of the brain

Researchers have demonstrated a causal connection between deep sleep and learning efficiency in the human brain. By manipulating deep sleep in targeted brain regions, they found that learning efficiency was blocked when synapses remained maximally excited without recovery.

RIT team creates high-speed internet lane for emergency situations

Researchers developed a new protocol to improve information flow between emergency responders and decision-makers, reducing delays by seconds. The Multi Node Label Routing (MNLR) protocol helps detect failures and reroute data quickly, making it more reliable for emergency situations.

Micro delivery service for fertilizers

A team has introduced a controlled delivery system for micronutrients based on biohybrid microgels. The system adheres selectively to leaves and slowly releases nutrients, minimizing environmental problems and plant damage.

Interrogating proteins

Researchers from the Bristol BioDesign Institute created a miniprotein with a stripped-down structure to investigate molecular forces that assemble and stabilize protein structures. They discovered subtle forces beyond hydrophobic interactions, which could lead to new drug targets.

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.

Weathering of rocks a poor regulator of global temperatures

A University of Washington study questions the natural thermostat related to rock weathering, suggesting a weaker link between temperature and chemical weathering rates. Researchers suggest alternative mechanisms controlling weathering, such as land exposure and surface steepness, may be more significant.