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Science News Archive May 2017


Page 6 of 42

Obesity can cause cardiovascular ill-health, even in the young

Researchers found that higher body mass index (BMI) can cause worse cardiovascular health in young adults as young as 17, according to a study using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The study suggests that tackling obesity from an early age may help prevent cardiovascular changes that are precursors to car...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Designer viruses stimulate the immune system to fight cancer

Researchers have created artificial viruses that can specifically target and destroy cancer cells by stimulating the immune system. The unique combination of alarm signals and cancer cell proteins enables the creation of a powerful army of killer cells to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Marine species distribution shifts will continue under ocean warming

As ocean waters warm at a rate two to three times faster than the global average, commercially important species will continue to shift their distribution. This shift is expected to impact local fishing communities, as species now landed at those ports move out of range and new species move in.

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.

Conch shells may inspire better helmets, body armor

Researchers at MIT developed a composite material inspired by conch shells, showing 85% better crack propagation prevention than traditional materials. The 3-tiered structure combines strength and toughness, allowing for individualized, personalized helmets and body armor.

CCNY-UTEP partner to produce next generation Latino professors

The City College of New York is partnering with the University of Texas at El Paso to educate Hispanic doctoral students in environmental sciences and engineering. A $3.7 million NSF grant will fund the project, which aims to train and transition students to STEM instructional faculty positions.

Losing sleep over climate change

A new study found that warmer nights due to climate change can lead to increased instances of insufficient sleep, with the poor and elderly being most affected. The research shows that a single month of nightly temperatures averaging 1 degree Celsius higher than normal could result in 9 million more nights of insufficient sleep.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Penn State DNA ladders: Inexpensive molecular rulers for DNA research

Researchers at Penn State have created inexpensive molecular rulers for DNA research using new, license-free DNA ladders. These plasmids can estimate DNA fragment sizes between 50 and 5,000 base pairs in length, offering a cost-effective alternative to commercially available methods.

HIV patients sticking with therapy longer, Medicaid data show

A Brown University study finds that HIV patients persisting with treatment has increased by more than 50% since 2001, with median duration reaching 35.4 months in 2004-2006. Despite progress, significant disparities remain, with certain groups facing higher discontinuation rates.

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 3-D look at the 2015 El Niño

The 2015-2016 El Niño event was characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, with blue regions representing colder and red regions warmer temperatures. The El Niño-inducing westerlies caused eastward currents to occur in pulses.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Millions in funding for TU Dresden

TU Dresden will establish two new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) and continue a third CRC, receiving significant funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The new CRCs focus on interdisciplinary research topics such as vituperations and insults, and the adrenal's role in stress and disease.

Study takes step toward mass-producible quantum computers

Researchers from MIT, Harvard University, and Sandia National Laboratories report a new technique for creating targeted defects in diamond materials, which can function as qubits in quantum computing. The defects produced by the technique were found to be within 50 nanometers of their ideal locations.

Self-healing catalyst films for hydrogen production

Researchers developed a self-healing catalyst film that regenerates under water electrolysis conditions, enhancing hydrogen production efficiency. The film forms and regenerates through electrostatic attraction forces, allowing it to remain stable for several days.

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.

NASA's SDO sees partial eclipse in space

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught a partial solar eclipse in space when the moon passed in front of the sun. The lunar transit lasted almost an hour and covered about 89% of the sun's surface. The moon's rugged terrain, sprinkled with craters and mountains, influenced what was seen during the event.

Study sweetens connection between cancer and sugar

Researchers found that squamous cell carcinoma is remarkably dependent on glucose as an energy source, with a protein called GLUT1 being highly active in the cancer. Elevated GLUT1 levels were also linked to other types of squamous cell cancers, including head and neck, esophageal, and cervical cancers.

Fungal enzymes team up to more efficiently break down cellulose

Researchers have discovered that early lineages of fungi can form protein complexes capable of degrading plant biomass, teaming up to work more efficiently. The findings, enabled by a collaborative science initiative, could help advance sustainable biofuels production.

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.

Statins associated with improved heart structure and function

Researchers found that statin users had improved left ventricular mass and volume, and reduced thickened heart muscle and large heart chambers. This suggests that statins may lower the risk of future heart attacks, heart failure, or stroke by reversing negative changes in the heart.

Diesel pollution linked to heart damage

Research has found a strong association between particulate matter (PM2.5) and increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death. Higher education was found to be protective against the negative effects of PM2.5 on heart structure and function.

Dog skull study reveals genetic changes linked to face shape

A recent dog DNA study has uncovered a genetic mutation linked to flatter faces in breeds like pugs and bulldogs. Researchers used CT scans to measure skulls and compared the results with genetic data, identifying variations associated with brachycephaly.

People match confidence levels to make decisions in groups

A study by UCL and University of Oxford researchers found that people tend to align their confidence levels when working in teams, even when one person has more expertise. This 'confidence matching' behavior can lead to poor decisions if individuals do not calibrate their confidence levels to the reliability of their opinions.

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.

'Tiny clocks' crystallize understanding of meteorite crashes

Scientists have developed a new technique to date ancient meteorite strikes using tiny crystal fragments. By analyzing the atomic nanostructure of these crystals, researchers can determine the age of impact and gain insight into the beginnings of life on Earth.

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 insights into the ancestors of all complex life

A team of scientists has provided a new evolutionary tree for Archaea, resolving their deepest relationships. The study suggests that early Archaea likely used the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to make energy, dating back over 3.5 billion years.

Scientists jump hurdle in HIV vaccine design

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have designed a mimic of the viral protein from a different HIV subtype, subtype C, to combat many strains of HIV. The new immunogen was tested in non-human primates and showed promising results in eliciting neutralizing antibodies.

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.

Researchers studying century-old drug in potential new approach to autism

A small clinical trial found improvements in language and social behavior, restricted repetitive behaviors, and coping skills in children with autism spectrum disorder after a single dose of suramin. The study suggests the cell danger hypothesis as a possible unifying theory for ASD, highlighting a potential new approach to treatment.

Tornado spawning Eastern US storms examined by NASA's GPM satellite

Tornadoes spawned severe weather in Florida, Georgia, and the Southeastern US on May 24, 2017, with intense rain showers reaching rates of over 8.5 inches per hour. The GPM satellite's data revealed powerful storms dropping heavy rain over the Gulf of Mexico and reaching heights above 9 miles.

Nagoya University researchers break down plastic waste

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a highly efficient catalyst that can break down even the toughest amide bonds in plastics under mild conditions. This breakthrough has significant implications for the recovery of materials from waste plastics and could help realize an anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle.

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.

Why communication is vital -- even among plants and fungi

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a plant protein crucial for communication with fungi, enabling mutually beneficial symbiosis. The study found that a transporter molecule helps plants signal to fungi, promoting nutrient exchange and improving crop yields.

Study examines role of business angels during periods of austerity

Research from University of East Anglia and University of Glasgow highlights the positive impact of government intervention on angel investing in Portugal during economic crisis. The study found that fiscal incentives were not effective, while co-investment schemes and network support improved take-up rates.

Penn study finds gray matter density increases during adolescence

Researchers discovered that gray matter density in the brain increases during adolescence, which may explain improved cognitive performance despite decreased brain volume and cortical thickness. The study found higher gray matter density in females compared to males, potentially contributing to comparable cognitive performance.

Darwin was right: Females prefer sex with good listeners

A study on moths found that males with larger antennae are better at detecting female signals, suggesting females may prefer males who can respond to them effectively. This supports Darwin's theory of sexual selection and highlights the role of females in choosing mates.

Scientists identify protein linked to chronic heart failure

Researchers discovered a receptor protein on heart cells that promotes chronic heart failure, and found that inhibiting it could help treat the disease. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to new treatments for millions of people affected by chronic heart failure.

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.

Viral protein may help chickenpox virus spread within the body

A viral protein in the chickenpox virus enhances its ability to hijack white blood cells and spread throughout the body. The protein interacts with chemokines to attract more white blood cells to the site of infection, allowing the virus to spread to other parts of the body.

Expressing genetic interactions through music

The Chromos EP captures microscopic elegance of gene organisation using moving soundscapes, revealing how genes interact and influence each other. Researchers from the Babraham Institute's nuclear dynamics research are changing our understanding of biology with their findings.

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.

Scientists to probe dolphin intelligence using an interactive touchpad

A team of scientists from Rockefeller University and Hunter College has developed an interactive underwater touchscreen to investigate dolphin intelligence and communication. The system allows dolphins to choose activities and make decisions, providing insights into their cognitive abilities and potential for symbolic communication.

Genetic test for anal cancer could identify those at high risk

A new test based on a patient's epigenetics may accurately identify those at highest risk of anal cancer, minimizing painful procedures and over-treatment. This test has the potential to reduce costs, pain, and anxiety associated with diagnosis, particularly in high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men and people with HIV.