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Science News Archive November 2017 - Page 23


Page 23 of 42

Stem cell therapy shows promise for common cause of blindness

Researchers from Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute conducted two clinical trials using human embryonic stem cells to treat dry macular degeneration, a leading cause of new blindness. The studies showed that stem cell injection into the eye replaced damaged cells and improved vision in some patients.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·DateNov 14, 2017

Quick! What's that smell? Mammal brains identify type of scent faster than once thought

Researchers at NYU School of Medicine found that mammalian brains can distinguish between one odor and another in under 100 milliseconds, using fewer nerve signals than previously believed. This groundbreaking study has implications for our understanding of human olfaction and the potential for new treatments for smell disorders.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

More stress and lower survival rates for birds in young, managed forests

Researchers found that young, managed forests cause higher stress levels and lower survival rates in willow tits due to reduced food availability and increased predation risks. About 92% of the birds sheltering in older trees survived the winter, compared to nearly 73% in younger plantations.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateNov 14, 2017
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.

Researchers reverse heart failure in Marfan mice

Johns Hopkins researchers identified a cellular pathway responsible for rapid heart failure in Marfan syndrome and reversed the disease in mouse models by increasing stress on the animals' hearts. The findings provide a potential model for treating this aggressive form of the disorder.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateNov 14, 2017

Soft magnetic material characterizations get a harder look

Soft magnetic materials are crucial for designing efficient electric machines, but current characterization methods are inadequate for applications like traction drives. Researchers offer improvements to guide the selection of the most suitable material.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateNov 14, 2017
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.

Researchers reveal new insights into why sleep is good for our memory

Researchers at the University of York found that sleep helps us use our memory in a flexible and adaptable manner by strengthening both old and new versions of an experience. This process allows for the adaptive updating of memories, but can also lead to distortions if incorrect information is incorporated.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalCortex·DateNov 14, 2017

Later-borns choose less prestigious programs at university

Research by Kieron Barclay and Mikko Myrskylä found that birth order differences in university subject choice explain half of the gap in siblings' long-term earnings. Later-borns tend to pursue less prestigious subjects like arts, journalism, and teaching.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalSocial Forces·DateNov 14, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom

The Aspidistra elatior flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom, with fungus gnats being the primary pollinators in its native habitat. This discovery clarifies that like most plants, A. elatior is mainly pollinated by flying insects.

SourceKobe University·JournalEcology·DateNov 14, 2017

Expanding geographic sharing of donor kidneys would increase transplants, study finds

A study suggests that expanding geographic sharing of donor kidneys could add 58 to 174 additional kidney transplants per year, helping more patients get off dialysis treatments. Organ quality varies from donor to donor and is concentrated in less populous regions, where patients are more willing to accept lower-quality organs.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateNov 14, 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.

Confusion, different priorities may cause EMTALA violations

A study by Penn State researchers found that EMTALA violations are often caused by confusion about the law and conflicting priorities between healthcare professionals. Hospitals may not report suspected violations due to financial pressure, referral burdens, or reluctance to maintain good relationships with other hospitals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Healthcare Risk Management·DateNov 14, 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.

Artificially cooling planet 'risky strategy,' new research shows

Artificially cooling the planet through geoengineering could have devastating effects on regions prone to storms or droughts, a new study shows. The researchers warn that targeting one hemisphere for geoengineering could lead to increased likelihood of natural disasters in other parts of the world.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2017

Aspirin can prevent heart attacks after noncardiac surgery in patients with prior PCI

A Canadian-led study found that perioperative aspirin can prevent heart-related complications after major noncardiac surgery in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). For every 1,000 patients with PCI, giving them aspirin at the time of noncardiac surgery would prevent 59 heart attacks and cause eight major bl...

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 14, 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.

Global birth season study links environment with disease risk

A new analysis of 10.5 million patients found that mothers' exposure to sunlight, air pollution, and carbon monoxide during pregnancy may increase their child's lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, depression, and anxiety. The study also found that relative age at school enrollment is a stronger predictor of ADHD.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateNov 14, 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.

Female mongooses help their pups by driving out rivals

A new study reveals that female mongooses evict rivals to reduce reproductive competition and increase pup survival rates. This behavior also leads to the creation of new social groups and reduced chances of successful breeding for evicted females.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateNov 14, 2017

Researchers examine social identity threat and religion in the US

A new US study examines how social identity threat affects religion and finds that highly religious individuals, particularly Christians, feel targeted and experience prejudice. The study reveals that religious minorities like Jews and Muslims also face heightened threat, likely due to prejudice and discrimination.

SourcePenn State·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 14, 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.

To find new biofuel enzymes, it can take a microbial village

A Berkeley Lab-led study discovers new types of cellulases from a microbiome, which can break down plant biomass into glucose at high temperatures. The enzymes were cultivated from a cluster of uncultivated bacteria in municipal compost, offering a scalable source for biofuel production.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Microbiology·DateNov 14, 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.

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.

Physicists mix waves on superconducting qubits

Researchers mixed electromagnetic waves on a superconducting qubit, enabling the detection of quantum wave mixing. The study could aid in developing new quantum electronics.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2017

Three decades of responding to infectious disease outbreaks

The article highlights the lessons learned from past infectious disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS and SARS, to inform current responses to emerging threats such as Zika. The NIAID Director emphasizes the importance of sustained support for scientific research and effective communication with policymakers and communities.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 14, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Proposed NASA mission would investigate where space weather begins

The proposed FOXSI mission will study the physical mechanisms behind solar flares and their impact on Earth. By analyzing X-ray radiation and particle acceleration, scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of space weather and its effects on satellites and communications systems.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 14, 2017

High speed video recording precisely measures blood cell velocity

Researchers at ITMO University developed a system to measure red blood cell velocity using high-speed video recording. The system provides accurate data for diagnosing vascular conditions and assessing therapy efficiency, offering a reliable tool for disease pattern recognition.

SourceITMO University·JournalOptics and Lasers in Engineering·DateNov 14, 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.

Shape-shifting agent targets harmful bacteria in the stomach

A new shape-shifting polymer can target and kill Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, improving digestive health for billions worldwide. The agent morphs into a bacterial hole-puncher at acidic pH, killing H. pylori while sparing helpful gut bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 14, 2017

New player in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis identified

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that membralin plays a crucial role in regulating the cell's machinery for producing beta-amyloid, the protein responsible for neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that membranes with lower levels of this protein are associated with increased neurodegeneration a...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2017

Health care reforms fail to lower hospitalizations in England

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that recent health care reforms in England did not lead to the expected decrease in hospitalisations and specialist visits. In fact, there was an increase in outpatient specialist visits, resulting in 3.7 million additional specialist visits between 2012 and 2015.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 14, 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.

Cognitive training enhanced innovative thinking and brain networks in older adults

A pilot study by the Center for BrainHealth found that cognitive training improved innovative thinking and corresponding brain changes in healthy adults over 55. The SMART program showed significant gains in high-quality innovation performance and increased connectivity among brain cells in the central executive network.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateNov 14, 2017

Screen time might boost depression, suicide behaviors in teens

A new study by San Diego State University professor Jean Twenge found that increased screen time is associated with higher symptoms of depression and suicide-related behaviors among American teenagers, particularly girls. Spending more than five hours per day on electronic devices was linked to at least one suicide-related outcome.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateNov 14, 2017