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Science News Archive May 2017


Page 4 of 42

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.

Scientists to probe dolphin intelligence using an interactive touchpad

Researchers are using an underwater touchscreen to investigate dolphin communication, cognitive abilities and social behavior. The system provides dolphins with choice and control over activities, enabling scientists to decode their vocal communication and gain insights into their way of thinking.

First step taken toward epigenetically modified cotton

Researchers have identified key genes that control epigenetic modifications in wild and domesticated cotton, opening the door to new breeding techniques. By targeting these genes, breeders may be able to create crops with improved traits such as increased fiber yield and drought resistance.

Small molecule prevents blood clots without increasing bleeding risk

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown cell receptor interaction that can safely prevent blood clots. The new mechanism targets the Mac-1-GPIbα receptor duo, which is required for harmful clots, but blocking its interaction with a therapeutic small molecule has no effect on bleeding risk.

Preventing software from causing injury

Researchers have developed a new tool called SEAT to measure software-induced ergonomic risks, which can help prevent debilitating hand and wrist problems in office workers. The tool uses self-reported surveys to identify stressors and strain, allowing developers to remove stressors from software and prevent injuries.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Violence against conflict-affected teenage girls in Africa is widespread

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that over half of conflict-affected girls aged 13-19 were victims of violence, with intimate partners and family members being perpetrators. The researchers identified context-specific predictors of violence, highlighting the need for prevention strategies that ...

Causes of major birth defects still largely unknown

Researchers found that only 20.2% of major birth defects had a definite cause, highlighting the need for better research to prevent and care for these conditions. The study emphasizes the importance of population-based preventive interventions for known causes, such as smoking or diabetes.

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.

Overhead signs on freeways: Are drivers being told too much?

A QUT study found that drivers can respond safely to emergency situations despite multiple road signs displayed at the same location. Drivers correctly chose their destination regardless of single or multiple signs, and reaction times were not significantly affected.

NASA team takes on a new optical challenge -- the Lyman Alpha Limit

A NASA team led by Manuel Quijada is investigating techniques for creating highly reflective aluminum mirrors sensitive to the infrared, optical, and far-ultraviolet wavelength bands. They aim to develop a coating that improves reflectance in the far ultraviolet while allowing observations in other wavelength bands.

The synchronized dance of skyrmion spins

Researchers in Singapore used computer simulations to study skyrmion particles, gaining insights into their internal behaviors. The study found that the three fundamental modes of skyrmions respond differently to external magnetic fields, potentially leading to new microwave nano-oscillators and ultra-compact devices.

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.

Hunting can help European ecosystems

A study found that recreational hunting in Spain's Asturias region can help control wild boar populations. The research team analyzed hunting bag data and found a significant increase in population numbers after temporary bans were lifted, indicating hunters' ability to regulate wild boar numbers.

Study: Ketamine doesn't affect delirium or pain after surgery

A recent study published in The Lancet found that ketamine does not prevent delirium and does not reduce post-surgical pain, contradicting widespread medical practices. However, higher doses of ketamine were associated with increased negative effects such as hallucinations and nightmares.

Chemical coatings boss around bacteria, in the bugs' own language

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a way to control bacterial growth using chemical coatings that communicate with bacteria in their own language. The coatings can inhibit or promote bacterial growth as needed, making them useful for applications such as hospital surfaces and industrial equipment.

A tough talk: How to improve cost transparency in cancer care

A new study at Penn Medicine identified several barriers to discussing cost transparency in cancer care, including patient fear of being 'profiled' based on socioeconomic status. Strong doctor-patient relationships, availability of financial expertise, and scalability are potential facilitators for improving cost transparency discussions.

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.

Drug believed to reduce postoperative pain and delirium does neither

A new study published in The Lancet found that ketamine does not reduce postoperative pain or prevent delirium, but may cause hallucinations and nightmares in older patients. Researchers evaluated 672 surgery patients and found no significant effect of ketamine on postoperative pain or delirium.

Must children attend obesity treatment with parents to be effective?

A randomized clinical trial found that parent-based weight loss treatment (PBT) with or without child attendance resulted in similar weight loss outcomes, including decreased BMI z scores and improved calorie intake and physical activity. The study suggests that child attendance at treatment is not necessary to achieve similar outcomes.

Just how old are animals?

Researchers from the University of Bristol found that a recently developed molecular clock method called RelTime failed to relax the clock, sparking debate on the age of animals. The team's findings suggest that animals are unlikely to be older than approximately 850 million years, in agreement with previous studies.

PNG expedition discovers largest trees at extreme altitudes

Researchers found that forest biomass had a major peak at altitudes of 2400-3100m, where forests struggle to reach more than 15m tall. This discovery challenges the assumption that tall mountains make small trees and reveals unique climate conditions on mountain tops of PNG.

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.

Study documents opioid abuse following urologic surgery

A study by Loyola Medicine found that 0.09% of patients who underwent urologic surgery were diagnosed with opioid dependence or overdose (ODO) within a year. Patients at highest risk for ODO were younger, had longer hospital stays, and were on Medicaid or Medicare.

Childhood obesity causes lasting damage to the body

A new study reveals that childhood obesity can cause lasting arterial damage and increase the likelihood of pre-diabetes, heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants and found that obese children were more prone to these conditions, even 25 years later.

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.

Household chemicals may impair thyroid in young girls

Early childhood exposure to specific phthalates was associated with depressed thyroid function in girls at age 3. Lower levels of active thyroid hormone free thyroxin (FT4) were linked to metabolites of certain phthalate chemicals.

Common antioxidant could slow symptoms of aging in human skin

Researchers found that methylene blue slowed signs of aging in human skin cells, improving cellular health and reducing damage from reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant also increased cell division rates and reduced senescence markers in older donors.

Breaking glass in infinite dimensions

A team of researchers, led by Sho Yaida, have found a phase transition in glasses using infinite-dimensional calculations. This discovery could significantly change the properties of glasses at low temperatures, affecting their response to heat, sound and stress.

Fossil skeleton confirms earliest primates were tree dwellers

A new fossil discovery in New Mexico reveals that the earliest primates, known as plesiadapiforms, were adapted to living in trees. The 62-million-year-old skeleton shows flexible joints for climbing and clinging to branches, contradicting previous theories of terrestrial lifestyles.

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 method allows real-time monitoring of irradiated materials

Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique that allows for continuous, high-precision monitoring of materials exposed to high-radiation environments. This method could significantly speed up the development of new materials for nuclear reactors, enabling real-time diagnostic systems to monitor damage over time.

The first genome data from ancient Egyptian mummies

A recent study has successfully recovered and analyzed ancient DNA from Egyptian mummies, providing new insights into the genetic history of ancient Egyptians. The research found that modern Egyptians share more ancestry with Sub-Saharan Africans than ancient Egyptians did, and were most closely related to ancient populations in the Ne...

Do obese children need to attend treatment to lose weight?

Researchers found that obese children do not need to attend treatment to lose weight with parent-based therapy, which can be more cost-effective than traditional family-based treatment. The study showed similar outcomes in both groups for weight loss, nutrition, physical activity, and parent feeding behaviors.

Evolution on the fast lane -- 1 flounder species became 2

Researchers found two groups of flounders became distinct species at an extraordinary pace of approximately 2400 generations, setting a new record for the fastest event of speciation. The study's findings have important implications for our understanding of ecological speciation and its role in marine biodiversity.

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.

How the popularity of sea cucumbers is threatening coastal communities

A growing global demand for sea cucumbers is causing complex social and ecological impacts on coastal communities, leading to financial rewards that incentivize risky fishing practices and deplete local resources. The study highlights the need for rapid management of these impacts to sustainably manage fisheries with coastal communities.

Women underrepresented in philosophy journals, data reveals

Research reveals women are underrepresented in philosophy journals, with female authors making up only 14-16% of publications. Journals without anonymous review tend to have higher percentages of women authors, highlighting the need for change in publishing practices.

Prenatal stress predisposes female mice to binge eating

A study found that stressed mouse mothers gave birth to pups exhibiting binge-eating-like behavior, which was reversed by a balanced diet. The researchers identified an epigenetic signature in the embryo's brain and suggest non-invasive dietary interventions may prevent binge eating.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

NASA observes heavy monsoon rainfall in Sri Lanka

Heavy rainfall, over 434 mm, was measured over the Bay of Bengal to the northeast of Sri Lanka from May 23-26. The village of Bellana experienced a landslide killing 90 people and over 100 missing due to strong winds and rough seas.

Magnetoelectric memory cell increases energy efficiency for data storage

Researchers developed a magnetoelectric random access memory cell that can increase power efficiency and decrease heat waste by orders of magnitude for read operations at room temperature. This innovation has the potential to aid production of devices with lower energy consumption, such as instant-on laptops and data storage centers.

Cost of a common ER visit? Study finds most health care providers don't know

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that only 38% of emergency medicine healthcare professionals can accurately estimate the costs for three common conditions. This lack of transparency has the potential to lower costs for patients and the overall healthcare system.

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.

Nitrogen fixation research could shed light on biological mystery

Researchers at Caltech have developed a new way of fixing nitrogen, inspired by how microbes do it, which could hold the potential for two major benefits: ease of production and understanding natural nitrogen fixation. The technology being developed is simpler and more efficient than previous methods, making it possible to study fixati...

Tactile feedback adds 'muscle sense' to prosthetic hand

Researchers at Rice University and the Italian Institute of Technology developed a skin-stretch device that provides tactile feedback to prosthetic hands. This 'muscle sense' allows blindfolded test subjects to more than double their ability to discern object sizes, opening up new possibilities for amputees.

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.

The fascinating molecule linking hydration and health

Dr. Charles Bourque's research reveals vasopressin's role in regulating body hydration and its link to various health problems, including congestive heart failure and salt-dependent hypertension. The molecule is also involved in feed-forward mechanisms, producing anticipatory signals before sleep and dehydration.

How circadian clocks communicate with each other

Researchers have discovered a key connection between circadian clocks in the brain and peripheral organs, revealing how they synchronize their rhythms. The study found that a specific neuropeptide pathway enables communication between the central clock in the brain and peripheral clocks in organs like the prothoracic gland.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Nanosubmarine with self-destroying activity

A Dutch scientist has designed a nanomotor that can deliver and release drugs for cells, triggered by glutathione, a chemical signal inside cells. The nanomotor uses hydrogen peroxide to propel itself across the cellular membrane and releases its cargo upon encountering higher concentrations of glutathione.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.