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Science News Archive November 2017


Page 31 of 42

Wireless handheld spectrometer transmits data to smartphone

A new handheld spectrometer, compatible with smartphones, can acquire spectral images of everyday objects and biological samples. It has potential applications in remote medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring, and its compact design makes it easy to use.

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.

The revolt of the Rust Belt may explain Trump's election

The article attributes Trump's victory to a rejection of the Democratic Party by working-class voters in the Rust Belt, citing institutions like labor unions as key factors. The author argues that regional characteristics and institutions connected these voters to national politics, explaining unusual voting behavior in 2016.

Microbial murder mystery solved

Killer cells use a methodical approach to destroy bacterial invaders, inflicting oxidative damage and targeting critical proteins with the deadly enzyme granzyme B. The discovery offers new insights into how immune systems combat bacteria, potentially leading to the development of new antimicrobial drugs.

How cells detect, mend DNA damage may improve chemotherapy

Cells can sense and mend damaged DNA caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. Researchers discovered a previously unknown repair complex that targets this type of damage. This finding could lead to more effective chemotherapy treatments by amplifying the killing power of existing drugs.

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.

Astronomers discover a star that would not die

An international team of astronomers discovered a star that exploded multiple times over 50 years, challenging existing theories on cosmic catastrophes. The star, iPTF14hls, was found to be at least 50 times more massive than the sun and may be the first example of a rare 'Pulsational Pair Instability Supernova'.

Data Science Institute develops statistical method that makes better predictions

The Data Science Institute developed a novel statistical method to measure predictivity in big data analysis. The approach allows researchers to compare their predictions to a theoretical baseline, enhancing accuracy. The team will help the New York City Department of Transportation assess complex social problems using big data sets.

Walk this way: A better way to identify gait differences

Researchers at Osaka University designed a novel gait recognition method that can overcome intra-subject variations by view differences. The proposed architectures outperformed state-of-the-art benchmarks in accordance with their suitable situations of verification/identification tasks and view differences.

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.

NASA sees the end of Tropical Depression 29W

Tropical Depression 29W rapidly decayed after forming from remnants of Tropical Cyclone 28W. The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite captured a poorly organized low-level center near the Malay Peninsula, with maximum sustained winds near 20 knots.

Nanoshells could deliver more chemo with fewer side effects

Researchers at Rice University and Northwestern University have developed a method to use nanoshells to deliver high doses of cancer-killing drugs inside tumors. The approach uses laser-activated gold nanoparticles to release approved drugs in laboratory cultures, demonstrating clinical applicability.

Exercise may benefit patients with leg ulcers

Researchers found that supervised exercise accelerated ulcer healing time by 22 weeks compared to compression therapy alone. The study suggests benefits for patients with venous leg ulcers, including cost savings.

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.

Turning jellyfish from a nuisance to useful product

The EU's Horizon 2020 program funds a €6 million project to transform problematic jellyfish into valuable resources. Researchers will analyze jellyfish life cycles and explore their use in producing microplastic filters, fertilizers, and fish feed. They also aim to develop biofilters to combat microplastic pollution.

Boy is given new skin thanks to gene therapy

A boy suffering from extensive skin damage due to epidermolysis bullosa was successfully treated with genetically modified stem cell transplants. The treatment resulted in the growth of high-quality, stress-resistant skin, allowing him to attend school and participate in social life.

Cool textiles to beat the heat

Researchers have developed a new material for clothing that can cool people down without external energy needed, using a nanocomposite thread made from boron nitride and polyvinyl alcohol. The fabric is more efficient at moving heat away from the body than pure polyvinyl alcohol or cotton fabrics.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bringing natural killer cells to the tumor battlefield

Researchers found that inhibiting autophagy in tumor cells increases the production of CCL5, a cytokine that attracts NK cells. This leads to a significant reduction in tumor size and improved survival rates for melanoma patients.

MSU biologists have found out how long can microorganisms live on Mars

Researchers studied microbial communities in permafrost sedimentary rocks under low temperature and pressure conditions similar to those on Mars. They found that these communities showed high resistance to simulated Martian environment, with some bacteria surviving even after doses of ionizing radiation exceeding 80 kGy.

Star exploded, survived, and exploded again more than 50 years later

An international team of astronomers, including Carnegie's Nick Konidaris, discovered a 'zombie star' that exploded multiple times over 50 years. The finding challenges existing knowledge of a star's end of life and was made possible by Konidaris' instrument-construction, which helped analyze the phenomenon.

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.

Half of UK's kids fib about brushing their teeth

A new survey reveals that almost half of UK kids fib about brushing their teeth, with barely a third of parents supervising their children's brushing twice a day. The consequences of neglecting children's teeth can be dire, with 40,970 surgical procedures carried out on children in 2014-15.

When you're tired, your brain cells actually slow down

A new study published in Nature Medicine finds that sleep-deprived individuals experience slowed-down neuron activity, affecting their ability to process visual information and respond to tasks. This slowdown can lead to lapses in attention and behavior, posing a risk for drowsy driving and other safety hazards.

Breast cancer recurrence risk lingers years after treatment ends

Women with ER-positive breast cancer still face a substantial risk of cancer returning or spreading even 20 years after diagnosis, according to a new analysis. The risk is directly tied to the original cancer's size and characteristics, as well as the number of lymph nodes involved.

Researchers develop flexible, stretchable photonic devices

Researchers have created a method to make photonic devices that can bend and stretch without damage, using a specialized glass called chalcogenide. These flexible devices could be used in various applications such as skin-mounted monitoring devices, diagnostic systems, or as connectors for electronics.

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.

Great Barrier Reef protected zones help fish in even lightly exploited areas

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that fish biomass is up to five times greater in protected zones compared to unprotected areas at northernmost reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The researchers analyzed data from 31 reefs and found that even in lightly exploited areas, protected zones showed significant benefits for fish popul...

Visual intelligence is not the same as IQ

A new study reveals that visual intelligence is a separate entity from general intelligence (IQ), with considerable individual differences among people. Researchers developed a novel test to measure visual object recognition and found that performance on this task was not predictive of IQ.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Fat cells may inactivate chemotherapeutic drug

Researchers found that adipocytes can metabolize daunorubicin, making it less toxic to leukemia cells. This discovery highlights the need for new chemotherapy strategies that are resistant to fat cell enzymes.

Transforming fibrils into crystals

An international team of experts has made a fundamental discovery by transforming amyloid fibrils into crystals, a process previously thought to be impossible. The transformation involves untwisting the fibril to form an elongated, matchstick-like crystal with unprecedented stability.

University of Arizona scientists awarded space research grant

The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a $943,000 grant to study the effects of simulated space radiation on the human gastrointestinal tract. The Human-Microbial Cross-Talk 'gut-on-a-chip' platform will provide insights into how solar events and cosmic rays affect humans in space.

A new way to mix oil and water

Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to mix oil and water, creating stable nanoscale emulsions without the need for shaking or sonicating. By cooling an oil bath with surfactant and allowing water vapor to condense onto its surface, they produce uniform droplets that remain stable over several months.

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.

Gender roles in ancient times

Researchers at Osaka University have found a key gene responsible for the development of male and female traits in an ancient crustacean. The study reveals how this gene, doublesex1, is expressed differently in males and females, leading to distinct sex-specific characteristics.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Identify the best drought index to study global drylands

A new study compares the spatiotemporal characteristics of global drylands using three different drought indices: SWI, PET_Th, and PET_PM. The researchers found that the Surface Wetness Index (SWI) yields broadly similar results to the Thornthwaite method when considering interdecadal variability of global and continental drylands.

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.

How ice in clouds is born

Scientists have found that water droplets in clouds can turn to ice more rapidly than previously predicted, with a disordered ice structure forming under certain cloud conditions. This discovery reconciles theoretical models of clouds with observations of freezing rates, helping cloud modelers understand better their observational data.

How the skin becomes inflamed

The study identifies a protein called IL-36 as a key player in inducing skin inflammation in response to bacteria on the skin surface. This finding has significant implications for developing alternative treatments for atopic dermatitis, a condition affecting 20% of children and 5% of adults.

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.

Researchers produce the first draft cell atlas of the small intestine

A team of researchers at the Broad Institute has created a high-resolution census of the small intestine's cellular composition, revealing new insights into gut biology and its connection to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. The atlas uses single-cell RNA sequencing and provides a reference for studying th...

Sifting gold from the data deluge

Researchers develop new data mining technique to extract genetic information from large sequence data sets. The method, tested on a plant family with unique floral structures, retrieves useful sequences from genes influencing flower shape and symmetry.

Fully integrated circuits printed directly onto fabric

Scientists have developed a method to print electronic circuits on fabric using graphene-based inks, creating flexible, washable, and breathable wearable devices. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the textile industry with applications in healthcare, energy harvesting, and fashion.

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.

UW scientists create a recipe to make human blood-brain-barrier

Researchers from UW-Madison detail a defined process to make an exact mimic of the human blood-brain barrier in a laboratory dish. This breakthrough allows for more robust exploration of cells and their properties, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.