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Science News Archive November 2017


Page 8 of 42

New technique can detect impurities in ground beef within minutes

Researchers at University of British Columbia developed a method to identify unwanted animal products in ground beef with 99% accuracy. The technique uses a laser-equipped spectrometer and statistical analysis to determine the presence and concentration of offal in meat samples.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Holding infants -- or not -- can leave traces on their genes

A study published in Development and Psychopathology found that infants who experienced higher distress and received less physical contact had an underdeveloped molecular profile compared to those with more comfortable interaction. This effect was detectable four years later, pointing to the possibility of slower epigenetic aging.

New studies show brain impact of youth football

Youth football players undergo brain changes, including alterations in the default mode network, after a single season of play. This study suggests that repeated subconcussive impacts can have a lasting effect on brain health.

New strategy for multiple myeloma immunotherapy

Researchers at Osaka University developed a new strategy for multiple myeloma immunotherapy by identifying a novel therapeutic target, MMG49, specifically recognizing integrin β7. The resulting CAR-T treatment showed anti-MM effects without damaging normal blood cells.

Fear of sharks influences seaweed growth on Fijian coral reefs

Researchers found that sharks alter the feeding behavior of algae-eating fish, affecting where seaweeds grow on Fijian coral reefs. This change creates a trophic cascade, with seaweed flourishing on top of the reef during high tide when predators are present.

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.

Radiology offers clues in cases of domestic abuse and sexual assault

A study presented at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting found characteristic injuries among patients referred to domestic abuse and sexual assault programs. These injuries, including soft tissue injuries and extremity fractures, can alert radiologists to potential intimate partner violence. The findings suggest a ...

Physicists make most precise measurement ever of the proton's magnetic moment

Researchers at RIKEN and partner institutions have made the most precise measurement to date of the proton's magnetic moment, achieving a precision of less than one part per billion. The study used a combination of advanced engineering techniques and precise frequency measurements to isolate a single proton in a Penning trap.

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.

Glyphosate renewal approved

The European Union has approved the renewal of glyphosate for five years, recognizing its importance in maintaining food production and affordability. However, experts emphasize the need to balance this decision with reducing pesticide use and finding alternative weed control methods.

New HIV guidelines outline prevention strategies for high-risk populations

The new guidelines, published in CMAJ, endorse pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) as highly effective strategies to prevent HIV infection. These biomedical interventions should be used alongside behavioral interventions like condoms and risk reduction counseling.

Trigger for most common form of vision loss discovered

A recent study published in Nature Medicine has identified a critical trigger for the damaging inflammation that causes macular degeneration. The enzyme cGAS plays a key role in detecting foreign DNA and is activated in the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, leading to vision loss.

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.

New method benchmarks organic mixed conductors

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a novel framework to benchmark and compare the performances of organic mixed conductors. By using electrochemical transistors, they evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 10 newly developed materials, identifying top-performing conductors for specific applications.

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.

UBC study finds family-friendly overpasses are needed to help grizzly bears

Researchers from UBC's Okanagan campus found that female grizzly bears with cubs prefer using wildlife overpasses to cross the highway, highlighting the importance of designing structures that prioritize bear safety. The study also suggests that a diverse range of crossing design types can help mitigate road-bear conflicts.

Cells bulge to squeeze through barriers

Researchers identify a fleeting, yet key structure that allows cells to break through tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A single protrusion bulges out from the cell surface, wedges a hole through the protective layer, and swells until the breach is wide enough for the entire cell to squeeze through.

Nodding raises likability and approachability

A study conducted by Hokkaido University and Yamagata University found that nodding positively affects perceived attractiveness, likability, and approachability. Nodding increased these traits by 30% and 40%, respectively, compared to head shaking or motionlessness.

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.

New microscope sets a record for visualizing surface wetting properties

Aalto University researchers developed Scanning Droplet Adhesion Microscopy (SDAM) to understand and characterize the wetting properties of superhydrophobic materials. The microscope is 1,000 times more precise than current techniques, enabling the creation of wetting maps that reveal microscopic defects on surfaces.

SWOG and Hope give veterans better access to cancer trials

The SWOG and Hope Foundation's VA Integration Support Program provides $25,000 grants to VA medical centers to enroll veterans in targeted treatments and immunotherapies. Since program launch, 95 patients have enrolled in clinical trials, a 300% increase prior to the program.

Trees on fire

A new computational framework simulates each stage of tree combustion, capturing detailed geometry and effects on branches and leaves. The method efficiently models the kinetic behavior of plants and their reaction to heat release in the combustion process.

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.

As climate warms, mice morph

Biologists document changes in teeth and skull structure in two mouse species over the past 50 years, with the white-footed mouse showing more pronounced changes. The findings suggest a reversal in population proportions and highlight the consequences of climate change for small mammals.

Turning photos into an interactive experience

Researchers at Tel-Aviv University and Facebook develop a computational technique to animate still images with realistic facial expressions and emotions. The method enables subjects in a photo to come to life, expressing various emotions through subtle variations in facial expressions.

Maternal stress affects offspring growth in complicated ways

Researchers propose hypothesis that prenatal stress affects offspring in two ways: early stages leading to slow growth and later stages leading to fast growth. Study across 21 mammal species supports this idea, predicting outcomes in offspring development and performance.

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.

Structure of primary optogenetic tool revealed

An international team determined the 3-D structure of channelrhodopsin 2, a membrane protein used in optogenetics to control nerve cells. The study reveals how light manipulation can mimic nerve impulses, enabling fast and harmless cell activation.

Columbia researcher develops a molecular taxonomy for hair disorders

A research team from Columbia University has developed a molecular taxonomy for hair disorders, which will help diagnose diseases affecting the hair follicles. The taxonomy was created by analyzing more than three million data points and identified nearly 5,000 biological terms shared by groups of hair genes.

Large-scale approach reveals imperfect actor in plant biotechnology

A research team led by Whitehead Institute reveals how a key protein in plants can act imprecisely and how it can be successfully re-engineered to enhance specificity. The new study raises standards for bioengineering in the 21st century, using cutting-edge techniques like metabolomics.

SLU researchers discover BRCA cancer cells' last defense

Researchers at Saint Louis University have discovered a new defense mechanism in BRCA-deficient cancer cells that allows them to survive and thrive despite chemotherapy drugs. The study reveals the role of nucleases in degrading DNA replication forks, leading to increased chemotherapy sensitivity.

Asthma in infant boys may eventually be preventable

A University of Alberta study found that infant boys born to mothers with asthma have a reduced gut microbiome, particularly lower levels of Lactobacillus, which could lead to a preventative approach to reduce the risk of asthma. The study also suggests sex-specific differences in the impact of maternal asthma on infant gut microbes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Radiologists detect injury patterns of intimate partner violence

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals common clinical and radiologic patterns indicative of intimate partner violence (IPV) in radiology images. Radiologists can identify soft tissue injuries, extremity fractures, and facial fractures to spark a conversation with referring physicians about potential IPV.

Artificial muscles give soft robots superpowers

Researchers created origami-inspired artificial muscles that add strength to soft robots, allowing them to lift objects up to 1,000 times their own weight. The muscles are programmable, compact, and can be made for less than $1, opening the door to numerous applications in robotics, medicine, and space exploration.

Eco-friendly waterborne semiconductor inks using surfactant

A research team at DGIST has developed a technology to produce environmentally friendly water-borne semiconductor inks using surfactant, reducing the use of toxic organic solvents. The new ink has a relatively flat surface and is expected to be applied in various electronic devices such as transistors and photodiodes.

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.

Carbon capture is helped by oil revenue, but it may not be enough

Researchers find that oil industry revenue is helping accelerate carbon capture and storage (CCS) development, but may not be sufficient to meet the Paris Climate Agreement's emission reduction targets. CCS has the potential to slow global warming, but its deployment is currently limited.

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.

Reimagining autonomy in reproductive medicine

The report examines how financial constraints, clinical expectations, and societal pressures impact reproductive autonomy. It also delves into the 'criminalization of pregnancy' causing racial disparities in reproductive autonomy.

Taming charybdis: Controlling a vortex using polymers

Researchers at OIST created a device to study small-scale whirlpools and found that adding polymers reduces vortex intensity, saving energy. The discovery has implications for optimizing flows in lab-on-a-chip devices and improving inkjet printer resolution.

US companies are investing less in science

Large corporations are investing less in science, with publications by company scientists declining across industries since 1980. The value attributed to scientific research has dropped, while technical knowledge remains stable, suggesting a shift towards commercializing existing knowledge.

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.

New pain treatment tested in humans

A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology demonstrates pain relief in humans using a Trk inhibitor. The study involved 20 participants and compared the inhibitor with pregabalin, ibuprofen, and placebo.

Experts urge Europe to start planning for lung cancer screening

Leading lung cancer specialists call for immediate action to implement life-saving lung cancer screening programmes across Europe. The EU Position Statement on Lung Cancer Screening provides a detailed set of recommendations and a 'Call to Action' for policymakers to start planning within the next 18 months.

Researchers identify information gaps about opioid antidote naloxone

A systematic review of evidence reveals important gaps in knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of widespread off-label use of naloxone among patients, families, friends, and emergency responders. The study found that the majority of naloxone being administered nasally is probably the non-approved formulation, but little is know...

Haze pollution affects satellite cloud detection

Cloud detection by satellites MODIS, CALIPSO, AIRS and CloudSAT onboard A-Train satellite constellation during severe haze episodes in winter 2015-2016 found haze impacts cloud observation. MODIS misclassified aerosol as cloud, suggesting caution when using its cloud product

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.