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Science News Archive November 2017


Page 1 of 42

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.

Research uncovers new weed control options for strawberry growers

Researchers discovered effective weed control methods using EPTC, flumioxazin and napropamide to manage yellow nutsedge and black medic in winter strawberry crops. However, none of the studied herbicides adequately suppressed Carolina geranium, with halosulfuron causing significant injury to strawberry plants.

ASCB announces cohort of 67 new Society Fellows

The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has announced 67 new Fellows, recognizing their significant and sustained impact on the discipline of cell biology. The honor is bestowed by peers and acknowledges not only outstanding scientific contributions but also service to ASCB and its missions.

Neutrophil-inspired propulsion

Researchers have created a novel system that enables aggregates composed of magnetized particles to roll along a channel using a combined acoustic and magnetic field. The system has shown promise for delivering drugs to hard-to-reach sites within the body, with potential applications in cancer treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study suggests measurable impact of colorectal cancer screening program

A new study suggests that an American Cancer Society program has been effective in promoting improvements in colorectal cancer screening rates in federally qualified health centers. Funded FQHCs increased their CRC screening rates significantly more than nonfunded FQHCs, with increases of 8.7% and 12.7% over three years.

Immune-boosting antibody combination could improve lymphoma survival

A Cancer Research UK-funded study found that combining anti-CD27 and anti-CD20 antibodies increases life expectancy in mice with cancer by nearly doubling the median survival time. The combination recruits more immune cells and enhances their ability to destroy cancer cells, offering a promising new approach to treating lymphoma.

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.

Helping the brain prune bad habits

Researchers found that fasudil, a drug that inhibits Rho kinase, promotes goal-directed behavior in mice by pruning dendritic spines, a process involved in learning new behaviors. The treatment showed promise in reducing cocaine self-administration and could be an effective adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy for treating drug abuse.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New vaccine technique effectively fights breast cancer in mice

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen developed a new vaccine technique that can fight HER2-positive breast cancer in mice with a 50-100% prevention rate. The vaccine works by inducing large amounts of antibodies targeted at cancer cells, preventing tumors from developing and slowing down cancer progression.

Migration makes breeding harder for seabirds

A study by University of Oxford researchers found that puffin colonies traveling great distances during winter often face difficulty breeding due to environmental factors like competition and habitat quality. The study provides new insights into seabird migration behaviors, highlighting the costs associated with long-distance travel.

Global longitudinal study confirms obesity increases dementia risk

A global longitudinal study confirmed that people with high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop dementia than those with normal weight. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million adults in the US and Europe, finding that individuals near dementia onset tend to have lower body weight.

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.

Army researchers seek better batteries

A team of Army scientists published new findings on modeling insights into battery electrolyte structure and stability, highlighting the importance of tailoring electrolytes to support fast and reversible lithium transport. The research aims to improve battery efficiency and lifespan.

How bone cells promote lung cancer growth

Research reveals that bone marrow-derived cells contribute to lung cancer progression by stimulating the production of specific neutrophils. These neutrophils exhibit increased expression of genes associated with tumor-promoting processes, leading to worse patient survival in a small study.

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.

Southern Ocean drives massive bloom of tiny phytoplankton

Researchers have discovered that a high concentration of coccolithophores and diatoms thrive in the Great Calcite Belt, driven by nutrient levels, sea surface temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration. The bloom plays a crucial role in global carbon cycle models and highlights the complexity of phytoplankton ecology.

Rising levels of HIV drug resistance

A new study reveals that HIV drug resistance is on the rise, particularly among individuals in low- to middle-income countries, where 11.1% of those starting therapy have resistant virus strains. The research highlights the importance of improving monitoring and response strategies to combat this growing threat.

Researchers advance technique to detect ovarian cancer

Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center use fluorescent carbon nanotube probes to locate specific tumors in the body. The noninvasive technique achieved first in vivo success in detecting small concentrations of nanotubes inside rodents with high accuracy.

NIFA supports next generation of farmers and ranchers

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides training, education, and technical assistance to attract diverse groups into farming and ranching. The program aims to help farmers and ranchers establish successful enterprises and increase their chances of survival.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Microscopy: A space-time sensor for light-matter interactions

Researchers at LMU Munich create a new mode of electron microscopy that enables the observation of fundamental interactions between light and matter in real time and space. The technique uses attosecond pulse trains to monitor ultrafast processes initiated by light oscillations onto matter, allowing for sub-atomic resolution.

Does physician age influence the likelihood of patient complaints?

A study found that younger ophthalmologists were more likely to be associated with patient complaints compared to their older colleagues. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Patient Advocacy Reporting System was used to analyze patient complaints between 2002 and 2015.

Gravity: A faster method for gauging the size of great quakes

Researchers have discovered a faster method for estimating large earthquake magnitudes by analyzing 'elasto-gravity' signals, which travel at the speed of light. These signals consistently arrive before seismic wave counterparts, allowing for near-real-time magnitude detection and more accurate estimates.

Global health committee issues report on heart disease burden

A report by the American College of Cardiology recommends prioritizing US resources toward detecting and treating cardiovascular disease, while maintaining efforts to eradicate infectious diseases. The report aims to save lives and contribute to worldwide economic prosperity through a strong global health strategy.

Diet success may depend on your DNA

A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that genetic differences can greatly impact how individuals respond to different diets. The researchers used four groups of animal models with unique genetic traits to test the effectiveness of various diets, including American-style, Mediterranean, Japanese, and ketogenic diets.

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.

New in the Hastings Center report, November-December 2017

The article examines the persistence of continuous electronic fetal monitoring as a standard of care, despite evidence that it increases risks. It also discusses the lack of mechanisms for ensuring medical professionals stay current with best practices and the role of malpractice law in setting boundaries on acceptable interventions.

Two-drug combination may boost immunotherapy responses in lung cancer patients

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified a novel drug combination that can prime nonsmall cell lung cancers to respond better to immunotherapy. The treatment, which combines a demethylating drug with an HDAC inhibitor, triggered a chemical cascade that increased the attraction of immune cells to fight tumors an...

Response to Ebola outbreak leads to improved mental health services in Sierra Leone

A new report highlights how the King's Sierra Leone Partnership joined forces with local mental health professionals to improve psychiatric healthcare during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The partnership created a nurse-led mental health and psychosocial support service, strengthening skills of non-specialist nurses, which led to the establ...

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.

Computer analysis fills gaps in antibody blueprint

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich used computer analysis to study IgG antibodies and reveal new steps in the glycosylation pathway. The findings confirmed predictions made by an algorithm and were replicated using genome-wide association studies and laboratory experiments.

HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) announces initiation of HPTN 084

The HPTN 084 study enrolls 3,200 HIV-uninfected women in seven countries to test the safety and efficacy of a long-acting injectable cabotegravir compared to daily oral TDF/FTC. The study aims to increase HIV prevention choices for women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where they bear a disproportionate burden.

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.

New treatment investigated for brain tapeworm infection

Researchers investigate pretreatment with etanercept to manage post-treatment inflammation in neurocysticercosis, a major cause of epilepsy worldwide. Etanercept suppresses inflammatory pathways involved in treatment-induced inflammation.

Hundreds of fossilized eggs sheds light on pterosaur development

A collection of over 200 fossilized pterosaur eggs is providing new insights into the species' development, with some containing embryonic remains up to 2 years old. The findings suggest that newborn pterosaurs needed parental care and likely participated in colonial nesting behavior.

Uncertainty surrounds US livestock methane emission estimates

A new study challenges previous estimates of US livestock methane emissions, suggesting a significant discrepancy between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The researchers used a spatially explicit approach to estimate enteric methane emissions for cattle and manure methane emissions for swine and poultry.

Hot, sunny days could slow 5G networks, but research offers solutions

A study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers found that solar radio emissions can degrade 5G network transmissions by up to 15% in hot weather. However, effective communication links are possible at distances of up to 134 meters indoors and 110 meters outdoors, even in hilly urban areas.

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.

Versatile cancer drugs

Kinase inhibitors show promise in treating various types of blood and lung cancers by blocking overactive enzymes that control cell growth. Researchers identified new target structures for drugs, including the kinase MELK, which is linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer.

Brain's appetite regulator disrupted in obese teens

A new study using advanced MRI techniques has discovered disrupted brain connectivity in obese adolescents, affecting regions involved in appetite regulation. The findings suggest a possible underlying cause for the rising rates of childhood obesity and its associated health risks.

Range of opioid prescribers play important role in epidemic, study finds

A study published in Addiction found that low- and high-volume prescribers both play a significant role in opioid prescriptions, challenging the focus on 'pill mill' doctors. The study also identified other high-risk patient groups, such as concomitant users and chronic high-dose users, who pose a greater public health threat.

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.

Squeezing light into a tiny channel brings optical computing a step closer

By forcing light to go through a smaller gap, researchers have increased its intensity and allowed photons to interact more strongly over a short distance. This technology brings optical processing closer to electrical transistors, potentially solving the problem of nonlinear optics and enabling faster, more efficient computers.

Parasitic worms don't just wait to be swallowed by new hosts

Scientists found that parasitic nematodes use odors from host mice as cues to position themselves where they have a higher chance of being eaten. The worms are attracted to fresh mouse feces and can migrate towards new hosts based on odorants produced by mammalian skin, feces, or urine.

Study suggests a way to stop HIV in its tracks

A Loyola University Chicago study has identified the protein bicaudal D2, which facilitates the trafficking and nuclear import of HIV-1 genomes during infection. This finding raises the possibility of developing a drug that would prevent HIV-1 from binding to bicaudal D2.

Gravitational waves could shed light on the origin of black holes

Researchers propose using gravitational wave experiments to detect merger events at redshifts greater than 40, which could indicate the presence of primordial black holes or non-Gaussianity in the early universe. A detection would bolster theories about dark matter, while a non-detection would cast doubt.

Researchers map brain activity to improve prosthetic design

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new way to understand how the brain controls walking in complex environments. Using brain-body imaging and motion capture technology, they identified specific areas of the brain involved in locomotion, including the posterior parietal lobe and sensorimotor cortex.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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