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Science News Archive November 2017 - Page 10


Page 10 of 42

'Holy grail' for batteries: Solid-state magnesium battery a big step closer

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a new class of solid conductors that can transport magnesium ions at unprecedented speed. This breakthrough has the potential to make solid-state magnesium-ion batteries more energy dense, safe, and fire-resistant.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 24, 2017

Graphene oxide making any material suitable to create biosensors

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a new tool for biomedical research that uses graphene oxide to create surfaces suitable for immobilizing living cells. This technology will allow for the creation of flexible diagnostic devices implanted under the skin, and can help in the development of biosensors.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateNov 24, 2017

The piezoelectric effect of lysozyme was experimentally proved

Scientists from Ural Federal University and the University of Limerick proved that lysozyme exhibits piezoelectric properties, generating electric charges that can power pacemakers and stimulate nerve endings. This discovery has implications for various biomedical applications, including biosensors for disease detection.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 23, 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.

The world needs to rethink the value of water

A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

Effects of ethnocentrism on consumers

The study investigates how consumer ethnocentrism influences the purchase of food products with local, regional, or traditional features. It finds that consumers highly value these products and their levels of ethnocentrism are sometimes related to effective purchases.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateNov 23, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Infants understand that more desirable rewards require more effort

A new study found that infants attribute more value to rewards that are harder to attain, indicating they can grasp concepts of reward and cost. Infants gaze longer at scenarios where the character chooses a less desirable reward over a more accessible one, suggesting they understand that greater effort is needed for better outcomes.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

Analysis reveals barriers to routine HIV testing in high-income countries

Low rates of routine HIV testing were reported in emergency departments and acute medical units in the UK and US, with operational and patient-specific factors hindering uptake. The study identifies providers' fears about offering HIV testing as a major barrier, stemming from perceived lack of knowledge about HIV.

SourceWiley·JournalHIV Medicine·DateNov 23, 2017

Meadows beat out shrubs when it comes to storing carbon

A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that meadows store significantly more carbon than shrubs in high-latitude alpine zones. This discovery could have implications for carbon storage and global warming, particularly in regions where climate change is altering vegetation patterns.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEcosystems·DateNov 23, 2017
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.

Scientists find key to regenerating blood vessels

A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute identifies a crucial signaling pathway for angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. The findings may improve current strategies to increase blood flow in ischemic tissues associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 23, 2017

Research reveals China's reversing emission flows

Research reveals China's reversing emission flows due to changes in economic development patterns and international trade. The study found that emission flows have changed greatly in both domestic and foreign trade.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 23, 2017

Helpers at the nest may allow mother birds to lay smaller eggs

In cooperatively breeding species, females tend to produce smaller eggs when help with rearing offspring is at hand. This reduction in egg size allows breeding females to conserve energy and increase their chances of survival to the next year or having the next set of offspring sooner.

SourceSt. John's College, University of Cambridge·JournalPeerJ·DateNov 23, 2017

New batteries with better performance and improved safety

The new battery prototype uses a solid electrolyte and metal anode, enabling the storage of more energy while maintaining high safety levels. The researchers have tested the battery over 250 cycles, with 85% of its energy capacity still functional after that period.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateNov 23, 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.

New CO2 device for unmanned ocean vessels

A new instrument called CaPASOS will be used to measure CO2 levels in the air and surface of the ocean in remote regions. This will provide valuable data on carbon dioxide uptake by the ocean and its impact on climate change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateNov 23, 2017

Light facilitates n-doping of organic semiconductors

Researchers develop new method to dope organic semiconductors with n-type donor molecules using a two-step process involving the use of light. This approach enables significant increases in conductivity, making it suitable for applications such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 23, 2017

Tumor-associated bacteria hitches a ride to metastatic sites

A new study confirms presence of Fusobacterium in liver metastases of colon cancer patients, correlating with tumor growth and colonization. The bacteria travels with metastatic tumor cells to distant organs, potentially aiding their colonization.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

Ocean floor mud reveals secrets of past European climate

Scientists from Cardiff University analyzed sediment samples from the North Atlantic Ocean, finding changes in ocean circulation that impacted heat transport to Europe. They linked these changes to historical records of colder and warmer climates, shedding light on past climate variations.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 23, 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.

Climate change could increase volcano eruptions

Scientists at the University of Leeds warn that climate change could lead to more frequent volcanic eruptions in Iceland as glaciers melt. The study found a time lag of roughly 600 years between climate events and decreased volcanic activity, suggesting a similar delay may occur with warming temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGeology·DateNov 23, 2017

Push to twist: Achieving the classically impossible in human-made material

Scientists create 3D metamaterials that twist when compressed using computer simulations and laser microprinting. The material can respond in a chiral way, challenging classical solid mechanics, and could have applications in space missions, optics, and prosthetics.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

Max-Planck-Princeton partnership in fusion research confirmed

The Max-Planck-Princeton Center has made significant progress in fusion research, investigating plasmas in astrophysics and advancing understanding of magnetic reconnection. New computer codes and experimentation have improved simulations, resolving long-standing questions about solar wind heating and magnetic field behavior.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)·DateNov 23, 2017

Neurobiology: The chemistry of memory

Researchers found that reduced levels of Staufen2 are associated with a specific impairment of memory in rats. The study shows that Staufen2 plays a crucial role in conveying messenger RNAs to synapses, which is essential for learning and memory formation.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 23, 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.

World's smallest tape recorder is built from microbes

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a microscopic data recorder using CRISPR-Cas technology, allowing bacteria to monitor their surroundings and record temporal changes. The system has proven its ability to handle multiple signals and record for days.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

When friends become objects

Researchers found that Facebook users with strong materialistic values use the platform more frequently and engage deeper, objectifying their friends. The Social Online Self-Regulation Theory proposes self-regulation as the key to social media usage, aiming for a neutral attitude towards platforms.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalHeliyon·DateNov 23, 2017

'Lost' 99 percent of ocean microplastics to be identified with dye?

A new method developed by researchers at the University of Warwick uses fluorescent dye to detect small microplastics in oceans, challenging current estimates that only 1% of plastic waste is found. The method reveals a significant abundance of polypropylene microplastics, highlighting the impact of consumer habits on ocean health.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 23, 2017
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.

Galapagos study finds that new species can develop in as little as 2 generations

Researchers from Princeton University and Uppsala University report a new species of bird developed on Daphne Major island after interbreeding between two distinct species. The study reveals that the emergence of this new species occurred in just two generations, highlighting a critical step in speciation through hybridization.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

How badly do you want something? Babies can tell

A new study from MIT and Harvard University found that babies as young as 10 months can integrate information about costs and benefits to calculate the value of a goal. By observing an agent's effort to achieve a goal, 10-month-old infants inferred the amount of value they placed on it.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017

Comparison of primate brains hints at what makes us human

A comparative analysis of primate brains found that humans exhibit unique differences in dopamine gene expression, particularly in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine. These differences may contribute to aspects of cognition and behavior such as working memory, reasoning, and intelligence.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 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.

MRI shows brain differences among ADHD patients

Researchers used brain MRI to identify differences in brain regions among ADHD patients, distinguishing between subtypes with high accuracy. The study suggests that psychoradiology, a field combining imaging analysis and mental health expertise, could improve diagnosis and treatment planning.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateNov 22, 2017

Species may appear deceptively resilient to climate change

A study published in Ecology Letters found that natural habitats play a vital role in helping species resist heat stresses caused by climate change. For example, mussels and seaweed form habitat for coastal species, providing 'ecological air conditioning' that keeps them cool.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEcology Letters·DateNov 22, 2017

Lightning, with a chance of antimatter

A team of Japanese researchers from Kyoto University used gamma-ray detectors to study the effects of lightning on atmospheric elements. They found that lightning emits positrons, a form of antimatter equivalent to electrons, through interactions with nitrogen and other elements in the atmosphere.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2017

Sclerosis medicine can fight multi-resistant bacteria

Researchers have discovered that glatiramer acetate, a widely used multiple sclerosis treatment, can also effectively kill certain multi-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for treating cystic fibrosis patients and may even provide insight into the underlying causes of multiple sclerosis.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 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.

Cool lizards are better at learning socially

Researchers found that bearded dragons incubated in colder temperatures learned to open a sliding door faster than those from warmer temperatures. This ability is crucial for adapting to changing environments and may offer a potential buffer against human-induced environmental change.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateNov 22, 2017
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.

Quantum internet goes hybrid

ICFO researchers have successfully connected two distinct quantum nodes using a single photon, demonstrating the feasibility of hybrid quantum networks. This breakthrough enables secure data transmission and advanced computing capabilities.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2017

Certain popular cigars deliver more nicotine than cigarettes

Researchers at Penn State found that popular cigar brands deliver more nicotine than commonly used cigarettes. The study suggests that small cigars, often perceived as safer alternatives, are just as addictive and harmful. The researchers plan to explore further comparisons between the toxins released by cigars and cigarettes.

SourcePenn State·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateNov 22, 2017

Nanosponges show promise for potentially blinding eye infections

Researchers have developed nanosponges that can absorb and neutralize toxins secreted by bacteria causing intraocular infections. These engineered nanoparticles, consisting of a polymeric core surrounded by natural red blood cell membranes, demonstrated effectiveness in protecting the retina from damage in animal models.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·DateNov 22, 2017

Metabolites altered in chronic kidney disease

A new study reveals that chronic kidney disease patients have abnormal metabolites in their cells' energy centers, supporting the view of CKD as a state of mitochondrial dysfunction. Researchers hope to identify novel therapeutic targets for CKD using metabolomics.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalEBioMedicine·DateNov 22, 2017

EU trade ban brings down global trade in wild birds by 90 percent

A study published in Science Advances reveals that the EU's 2005 bird import ban drastically decreased global wild bird trade from 1.3 million to 130,000 annually. The ban has minimized the risk of exotic birds spreading worldwide and reduced biodiversity loss.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 22, 2017
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.

Retreating permafrost coasts threaten the fragile Arctic environment

The EU project Nunataryuk explores the consequences of permafrost thaw on Earth's coldest shorelines, collaborating with local communities to devise new strategies. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, contaminates coastal waters, and harms marine habitats.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·DateNov 22, 2017

Flexible production of electric motors for vehicles

Researchers at KIT will develop process knowledge and innovative systems for series- and type-flexible production of electric motors. The 'AnStaHa' project aims to support medium-sized component suppliers and plant equipment providers in the automotive industry.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·DateNov 22, 2017
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.

Big data creates family tree of constitutions

Researchers at Dartmouth College created an evolutionary taxonomy of world constitutions using big data and machine learning. The study identifies surprising relationships and unexpected information about constitutional inspirations.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateNov 22, 2017
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.