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Science News for November 10, 2017


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.

Site of asteroid impact changed the history of life

Research suggests that asteroid impacts on hydrocarbon-rich areas may have caused global climate changes, leading to mass extinctions. The Chicxulub impact, occurring 66 million years ago, is a rare case of this phenomenon.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2017

Boys could benefit from greater numbers of girls in schools

A new study found that boys' reading test scores significantly improve in schools where more than 60% of pupils are girls, shedding light on the benefits of gender balance in education. This suggests that characteristics commonly associated with girls' academic behavior can positively influence boys' performance.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalSchool Effectiveness and School Improvement·DateNov 10, 2017

Plasma from lasers can shed light on cosmic rays, solar eruptions

Researchers used laser-created plasmas to simulate astrophysical behavior, finding two processes that transfer energy from magnetic reconnection to particles. Fermi acceleration and X-line acceleration were identified as key mechanisms.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateNov 10, 2017

Exit through the lymphatic system

Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified that cerebrospinal fluid exits the cranial cavity through lymph vessels in mice, rewriting anatomy textbooks. The study found that this pathway is responsible for flushing out unwanted substances and may offer a starting point for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Factors in the fabrication of heterojunctions of 2D-materials through CVD

The article discusses the importance of designing heterojunctions using 2D-materials, which have super clean surfaces and van der Waals coupling. The review highlights various factors influencing CVD fabrication, including temperature, substrate, precursor, lattice mismatch, carrier gas flow rate, and carrier gas composition.

SourceScience China Press·DateNov 10, 2017

Metal membranes in construction: From Russia with love

Metal membrane suspended roofs can span hundreds of square meters and are used in sports complexes, airports, and other buildings. These structures reduce material consumption by up to 70% and allow for a combination of bearing and enclosing functions in one material.

SourceRUDN University·JournalThin-Walled Structures·DateNov 10, 2017

Understanding the Berlin patient's unexpected cure

Researchers at OHSU have successfully performed stem transplants on monkeys, offering a critical tool to explore the Berlin patient's unexpected cure. The findings provide hope for improving stem cell transplant outcomes for human patients with blood-related conditions.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017

Genetic treatment for blindness may soon be reality

A new gene therapy has shown significant improvements in vision for patients with Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare inherited retinal disease. The treatment, currently under FDA review, allows patients to navigate mazes and experience improved light sensitivity and peripheral vision.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

Crunch time for food security

Insect-based food sources present a significant nutritional opportunity due to their high levels of animal protein and key micronutrients. However, the nutritional quality of insects is influenced by their diet and environmental impact remains a concern.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNutrition Bulletin·DateNov 10, 2017

Cancer immunotherapy uses melanin against melanoma

Researchers developed a melanin-enhanced cancer immunotherapy technique using a transdermal patch that promotes the systemic immune response against melanoma. The patch is applied via a skin patch and triggers an immune response, allowing the body's immune system to remember and respond to the presence of melanoma cells.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Immunology·DateNov 10, 2017

Jefferson Lab staff scientist honored with APS Fellowship

Fulvia Pilat, a leading expert in accelerator physics, has been awarded the American Physical Society (APS) Fellowship. She made significant contributions to the commissioning of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility and led efforts toward an electron-ion collider.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

Sleep apnea may increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

Research published in the American Thoracic Society's journal found a correlation between sleep apnea severity and an increase in amyloid deposits in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that treatments for sleep apnea may delay cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 10, 2017

Biomarker may predict early Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a peptide that can predict early Alzheimer's disease by recognizing vasculature associated with brain inflammation. The discovery may provide a means of homing drugs to diseased areas of the brain, targeting treatments before amyloid plaques appear.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Both obese and anorexic women have low levels of 'feel good' neurosteroid

Women with anorexia nervosa and obesity have lower levels of allopregnanolone, a key player in regulating mood, compared to normal-weight women. Low allo levels are associated with greater severity of depression symptoms, suggesting a potential new target for treating these disorders.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateNov 10, 2017

NIH study finds donor corneas can be safely preserved for longer period

A study found that corneal donor tissue can be preserved for up to 11 days without affecting graft success rates. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 individuals and found that longer preservation times did not significantly impact the success of corneal transplantation.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateNov 10, 2017

Researchers exploit rhythm of DNA replication to kill cancer cells

Scientists mapped the flow and regulation of nucleotides, revealing a mechanism that slows down DNA replication when out of rhythm. This slowdown allows for nucleotide production to catch up, ensuring healthy genome copying without mistakes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience·DateNov 10, 2017

New wake-promoting node pinpointed in brain

Scientists have identified a new group of cells responsible for keeping humans awake. The supramammillary nucleus is part of the caudal hypothalamus and plays a crucial role in maintaining wakefulness. When activated, it promotes prolonged wakefulness during normal sleep periods.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

HKBU Chinese medicine scholars develop HKBU Chinese medicine scholars develop

Researchers at Hong Kong Baptist University have developed a novel targeted delivery system for CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve therapeutic genome editing of VEGFA in osteosarcoma. The aptamer-functionalised lipopolymer delivery system successfully delivered CRISPR/Cas9 to tumor cells, inhibiting malignancy and angiogenesis.

SourceHong Kong Baptist University·JournalBiomaterials·DateNov 10, 2017

Green rooves to reduce the effects of climate change

Researchers from the University of Seville suggest that green roofs could mitigate climate change effects by reducing maximum temperature rises. Installing these gardens on buildings can provide better insulation, leading to energy savings and improved environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalBuilding and Environment·DateNov 10, 2017

The path length of light in opaque media

Researchers have confirmed that the average path length of light in opaque media is always the same, regardless of transparency. This result has implications for our understanding of wave propagation in disordered media and has potential applications in various fields.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

Research highlights ethical sourcing of materials for modern technology

A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has identified methods to predict the environmental and social cost of resourcing new deposits of rare earth minerals. The study proposes a 'Fairtrade' model for ethically and sustainably resourcing raw materials, crucial in the manufacturing of next-generation technologies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalElements·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

Ludwig researchers uncover novel mechanism by which tumors evade cancer immunotherapies

Researchers at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have identified a novel mechanism by which certain skin cancers, such as melanoma, resist cancer immunotherapy. The study found that an immune cell recruited to the tumor induces programmed suicide in killer T cells, and this interaction can be disrupted to improve treatment efficacy.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017

Working to reduce brain injury in newborns

A new study has identified a promising treatment to reduce brain injury in newborns who have suffered from hypoxia-ischemia, a condition that can cause severe complications. The treatment involves combining standard cooling therapy with a selective Src kinase inhibitor to block a regulatory enzyme of apoptosis.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNeonatology·DateNov 10, 2017

Winds blowing off a dying star

Researchers have observed the formation of aluminum oxide dust around an AGB star, providing insight into wind acceleration. The team discovered that AlO was distributed within three stellar radii, while SiO remained gaseous beyond five stellar radii.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 10, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Ink from ancient Egyptian papyri contains copper

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has revealed that ancient Egyptian scribes used carbon-based inks containing copper, a previously unidentified element. The analysis of 2,000-year-old papyri fragments found consistent composition across different geographical regions and time periods.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Humanities·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2017

Promising sensors for submarines, mines and spacecraft

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University have discovered a mechanism allowing gas sensors to operate at room temperature using nanocrystalline metal oxides. The invention will enhance environmental monitoring efficiency in nuclear power plants, submarines, and spacecrafts.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2017

The end of 'Pump Fiction'

A Danish research team has uncovered new basic insights into the workings of a biomolecular mechanism crucial to life: the calcium pumps in our cells. They have successfully tracked how a single molecule of the protein 'engine' known as the calcium pump works, revealing its one-way nature and importance for cell function.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

How a 'shadow zone' traps the world's oldest ocean water

Researchers have discovered a 'shadow zone' around 2km below the sea surface where ancient water has remained isolated for centuries. This region's unique shape and geothermal heat sources trap ocean water, suspended in an area with minimal vertical movement.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

Common genetic fusion event may be associated with low-risk prostate cancer

Researchers detected TMPRSS2-ERG fusions in 45% of analyzed prostate cancers, with those retaining interstitial genes showing lower risk of progression. The study suggests that identifying the formation mechanism of gene fusions could help stratify patients into more well-defined risk groups.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 10, 2017