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Science News Archive November 2017 - Page 29


Page 29 of 42

Study helps make microgrids a more reliable power source

A new framework developed by MIT researchers guarantees stability in microgrids supplying local power to communities, reducing the reliance on main power grids. The design allows for modular power systems that can be easily reconfigured for changing needs, providing a lower-cost solution with guaranteed reliability and security.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Control Systems Letters·DateNov 9, 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.

'Perfectly frustrated' metal provides possible path to superconductivity

Researchers at Ames Laboratory have discovered a metallic material, CaCo1.86As2, with a perfectly frustrated magnetic state that persists even at low temperatures. This finding offers a new pathway for studying frustrated magnets and their potential applications in quantum computing and high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 9, 2017

Efforts are needed to study elder abuse among veterans

A new Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article calls for increased research on elder abuse among US Military Veterans, who face high risk due to known risk factors. The study highlights the need for a national scope and partnerships with federal agencies to improve care and prevent abuse.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 9, 2017
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.

Cancer drug parity laws lower costs for many, but not everyone

State cancer drug parity laws have had a mixed impact on treatment costs, with modest improvements for many patients and increased monthly out-of-pocket costs for others. The laws aim to ensure that oral cancer treatments are not more costly than infusions, but they may not fully address affordability concerns.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateNov 9, 2017

Teacher-to-student knowledge transfer studied in joint Russia-US effort

A joint Russia-US effort studied teacher-to-student knowledge transfer in lower secondary mathematics, finding significant differences in subject-related knowledge between Russian and US teachers. The research emphasizes the crucial role of teachers' knowledge in students' academic attainment.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalThe Journal of Mathematical Behavior·DateNov 9, 2017

NSF grant harnesses big data & AI to advance disease prevention

Scientists are developing tools to map areas at risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks using machine learning and big data. The project aims to predict when and where pathogens will make the leap from animals to people, enabling a proactive approach to managing zoonotic diseases.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·DateNov 9, 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.

Driving national discussions

A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that even smaller media outlets can have a significant impact on the national conversation about major public policy issues. The study, which involved 48 news outlets and over 35 experiments, showed that discussion of a particular topic across social media rose by more than 62 perc...

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2017

A neighborhood's quality influences children's behaviors through teens, study suggests

A neighborhood's quality has a significant impact on the number of problem behaviors displayed by children during elementary and teenage years. The study found that children living in poor-quality neighborhoods had significantly more serious behavior problems compared to those in excellent neighborhoods.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateNov 9, 2017

USDA invests in integrated pest management for increased production

The USDA has announced grants to support integrated pest management (IPM) projects, aiming to increase production and ensure food security. These projects focus on developing safer, more effective pest management approaches for various crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops.

SourceNational Institute of Food and Agriculture·DateNov 9, 2017

Scientists figure out how cell division timer works

Researchers at KU Leuven unravelled how the cell division timer is switched on and off, potentially leading to effective cancer therapy. The discovery involves a biochemical clock that gives cells time to fix attachment-related problems, allowing for more efficient cell division.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 9, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Crested pigeons use feathers to sound the alarm

Researchers have found that crested pigeons produce a critical high-pitched sound as they fly away from danger, which serves as an alarm signal. The birds' wings produce alternating high and low notes in flight, with the high notes being crucial for sounding an alarm.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 9, 2017

Low protein diet in early life increases lifespan in fruit flies

Researchers found that fruit flies raised on a low protein diet during early life lived more than twice as long as those fed throughout on a standard diet. Adult flies release toxic lipids from their skin, which were less toxic if they ate a low-protein diet earlier in life.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2017

Finger and toe fossils belonged to tiny primates 45 million years ago

A new study reveals nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonging to tiny early primates, some as small as a mustard seed, dating back 45 million years. The fossils, representing nine different taxonomic families of primates, provide evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures.

SourceNorthern Illinois University·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateNov 9, 2017

New method developed to 3-D print fully functional electronic circuits

A new method enables rapid 3D printing of fully functional electronic circuits using a single inkjet printing process. The technique combines 2D printed electronics with additive manufacturing, allowing for the creation of complex structures with multiple materials, including metals and plastics.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateNov 9, 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.

UK study shows cell signaling interaction may prevent key step in lung cancer progression

A UK study published in Scientific Reports has identified a novel cell signaling interaction that may prevent a key step in lung cancer progression. The research, conducted by the University of Kentucky, found that microRNA molecules can alter TGFβ activity and prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 9, 2017

Fruit fly brains inform search engines of the future

Researchers at Salk Institute have found that fruit fly brains use an efficient method to perform similarity searches, expanding the dimension of odor information to improve detection. This approach could inform computer algorithms and enhance their ability to find similarities quickly.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2017

Building better silk

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create reconstituted silk that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart. The material has potential applications in medical sutures, scaffolding for new skin or other biomaterials, and sensing devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 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.

Survey finds pediatric doctors attempts to address parental health issues are limited by barriers

A national survey of pediatric primary care physicians found that while most address at least one parental health issue during child health visits, fewer feel responsible for doing so. The study highlights the need to better understand how health systems can support current practices and improve parental health promotion in pediatrics.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateNov 9, 2017

Telling teeth

Researchers at Wits University found that the Willems method of dental age estimation is more accurate than the Demirjian method in different populations. The study highlights the need for population-specific standards for age estimation in Africa, where birth registry and date of birth challenges are common.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 9, 2017

Small news outlets have big impact on public discourse

A large-scale study found that articles from small news outlets can increase discussion by 63% and shift the balance of opinion by 2.3% in favor of the article's ideological direction. The impact is observed across different political affiliations, geographies, and social media intensity.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 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.

How challenges change the way you think

Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2017

New research to target air pollution as a potential trigger for Parkinson's

A four-year study investigates how long-term exposure to airborne particulates relates to Parkinson's onset later in life, exploring the role of nasal inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications. The team aims to develop ways to evaluate an individual's risk for the disease and therapies to prevent or slow its progression.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·DateNov 9, 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.

BU: Air pollution exposure inequality persists in Massachusetts

A study published in Environmental Research found that while ambient air pollution decreased in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2010, exposure remained higher in predominantly Hispanic and non-Hispanic black communities. The researchers tracked disparities over space and time using data from the 2000 and 2010 Census and the American Com...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateNov 9, 2017

Neolithic farmers coexisted with hunter-gatherers for centuries in Europe

New research suggests that early European farmers lived side-by-side with hunter-gatherers, slowly mixing and assimilating them over time. The study found that hunter-gatherer heritage increased in the farming populations, indicating a gradual integration rather than replacement or extermination.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature·DateNov 9, 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.

Some Chinese coal ash too radioactive for reuse

A new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists found that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China contains radiation levels 43 times higher than UN safety standards. The use of such ash in residential building materials is not suitable due to potential human health risks.

SourceDuke University·DateNov 9, 2017

Lessons from the fly brain improve search algorithms

Researchers developed better search algorithms using fruit fly brain's odor classification technique, which assigns similar neural activity patterns to similar odors. The fly-based approach outperformed conventional computer algorithms in sorting data with improved performance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 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.

Taking blood using 'push-pull' method gets accurate results with fewer pokes

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers has found that the 'push-pull' blood sampling technique is as accurate as venipuncture, but requires no presample to be discarded and minimizes contamination risk. The method uses a catheter's dead space to collect samples, reducing needle pricks and pain for patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateNov 9, 2017

LEDs light the way for better drug therapies

A new technique using blue LED lights and catalysts reduces the time to create radioactive molecules from months to hours, accelerating the arrival of new drugs to the marketplace. This innovation has the potential to bring medicines to patients much faster than before.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2017

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP sees Tropical Depression Haikui form

Tropical Depression Haikui has formed over the central Philippines with maximum sustained winds of 35 knots. The storm is expected to move northwest, crossing the Philippines and tracking through the South China Sea before making landfall in southern China.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 9, 2017

All forms of sexual harassment can cause psychological harm

Researchers found that girls struggle more than boys with anxiety, depression, negative body image, and low self-esteem due to non-physical sexual harassment. The study included almost 3,000 high school students in two studies and showed consistent findings across studies.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateNov 9, 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.

Mutant gene network in colon cancer identified

A KAIST research team has identified a mutant gene network in colon cancer, which could lead to the development of effective anti-cancer drugs. The study used large-scale genomic data to construct a mathematical model on the cooperative effects of multiple genetic mutations found in gene interaction networks.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2017

Theranostic nanoparticles for tracking and monitoring disease state

Self-reporting theranostic nanoparticles can provide real-time disease monitoring and tracking. The emerging field of responsive theranostic nanoparticles has the potential to advance imaging platforms and improve disease diagnosis.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS TECHNOLOGY·DateNov 9, 2017

New program to help veterans, others who want to become farmers

The Tennessee Beginning Farmers Development Program aims to connect Tennesseans with opportunities in agriculture, providing resources and support for those starting or developing an agriculture-based enterprise. The program will also help build a network of veteran farmers across the state.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateNov 9, 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.

Parasites suck it up

A recent study has identified a fatty molecule in human blood that controls the malaria parasite's decision to switch from replicating in humans to transmitting to mosquitoes. This discovery improves understanding of a critical stage in the Plasmodium life cycle and may lead to new strategies for controlling and treating malaria.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 9, 2017

Study reveals how a very low calorie diet can reverse type 2 diabetes

A Yale-led research team has discovered how a very low calorie diet rapidly reverses type 2 diabetes in animal models. The study found that the diet lowers glucose production by decreasing conversion of lactate and amino acids into glucose, liver glycogen conversion to glucose, and fat content.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 9, 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.

Star kills its 'congenial' to form together a dwarf-binary system, astronomers confirm

A team of Brazilian astronomers observed a unique binary system consisting of a low-mass white dwarf and a brown dwarf. The white dwarf's existence was cut off due to the loss of matter caused by the companion, resulting in its premature death and transformation into a white dwarf.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 9, 2017

Ozanimod successful in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis

Ozanimod demonstrated a significant reduction in new or enlarging T2 lesions over one year, as well as slowed brain volume loss, compared to Avonex in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. The findings pave the way for ozanimod to enter the New Drug Approval process with the FDA.

SourceScripps Research Institute·DateNov 9, 2017

U of M study affirms new strategies for reducing achievement gap

A new study from the University of Minnesota confirms that preschool to 3rd grade programs can close the achievement gap by increasing school readiness, improving attendance, and strengthening parental involvement. The Child-Parent Center program led to literacy gains in St. Paul Public schools.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalChild Development·DateNov 9, 2017