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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 13 of 43

BU Medical student named TYLENOL Future Care Scholar

Adam Hsieh, a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the $10,000 TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship. He aims to pursue a career in medicine to better understand health and disease and extend compassionate care.

Disaster makes people with depression less healthy

Research from Rice University found that individuals with depressive symptoms before a disaster experience increased inflammation, a major risk factor for heart disease. The study tracked participants' health markers after the 2005 Texas City petrochemical refinery explosion and found a significant increase in inflammatory markers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

MIT neuroscientists build case for new theory of memory formation

Researchers suggest existing models of memory formation should be revised due to existence of 'silent engrams' which store memories even when they cannot be retrieved through natural cues. Memories are stored in a specific pattern of connections that form between cells during the first few minutes after an event occurs.

Scientists update 4 key fundamental constants

The updated values of Planck Constant and others bring world closer to revised measurement system, ensuring uniformly precise measurements that scale smoothly from almost infinitesimal to enormous. The new definition will redefine the SI's seven base units, including kilogram, kelvin, and ampere.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Single-molecule dissection of developmental gene control

A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals the mechanism by which PHF1 increases PRC2 activity, allowing for efficient gene regulation across different species. The findings suggest that stable PRC2 chromatin interactions mediated by PHF1 are key to increased lysine trimethylation and gene repression.

Dr. YouTube ... what's your diagnosis?

A study analyzed 300 seasonal influenza videos on YouTube, finding that most were created by healthcare providers (4.50 score) or professional societies (mean score of 3.52). Despite containing accurate information, these videos often failed to thoroughly educate patients, highlighting the need for improved online health resources.

Scientists develop new theory of molecular evolution

Scientists have developed a new theory of molecular evolution that explains how genes function and why proteins evolve. The theory applies statistical mechanics to understand protein evolution at a basic level, revealing the importance of amino acid interactions and sequence entropy of folding.

Scientists write 'traps' for light with tiny ink droplets

Researchers at University of Cambridge develop a printing technique that can write structures small enough to trap and harness light. The method combines high-resolution inkjet printing with nanophotonics, enabling the creation of sensors, lasers, and compact optical circuits.

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.

New tool captures fertility knowledge and attitudes in transgender youth

A novel tool captures fertility knowledge and attitudes in transgender youth, revealing early signs of common beliefs about fertility. The Transgender Youth Fertility Attitudes Questionnaire seeks to gather data to better support transgender teens, helping clinicians understand how their youth feel about medical gender treatments.

Saguaro and other towering cacti have a scrambled history

The study found that the giant saguaro, organ pipe, senita, and cardón have scrambled family relationships due to long generation times. However, some similarities like succulent flesh were retained by some cacti through ancient genes.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Research posits earliest tree growth method

Researchers uncover fossil evidence of a novel growth mechanism used by the Earth's first trees, allowing them to achieve large sizes. The study reveals that these early forests played a critical role in shaping global processes.

Cryo-EM reveals ignition mechanism for DNA replication

Scientists at Van Andel Research Institute and collaborators have shed new light on the critical step of DNA replication, revealing a spring-loaded mechanism that positions DNA strands toward two side-way gates. This discovery offers fresh insights into a fundamental process of life and driver of many different diseases, including cancer.

Study: Gun deaths, injuries in California spike following Nevada gun shows

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that gun-related deaths and injuries in California spiked after Nevada gun shows. The study, which analyzed data from 2005 to 2013, showed a nearly 70% increase in firearm injury rates in California near Nevada gun shows compared to regions without such exposure.

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.

Current organocatalysis and synthetic methods: Expanded aims & scope

Current Organocatalysis and Synthetic Methods is an international peer-reviewed journal covering organo homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis, mechanistic studies, and kinetics. The journal publishes new methods, reagents, and mechanisms for chemical synthesis, with a focus on green chemistry and chemoenzymatic reactions.

Infants' inference of others' emotions

Researchers found that infants can match emotions with probable causes and search for the cause when it's incongruent. They distinguished between five positive emotional expressions in tasks involving looking and searching behaviors.

Legibility emerges spontaneously, rather than evolving over time

Research reveals surprising patterns in letter orientation, favoring certain symmetries and angles, with no evidence of long-term evolution through cultural transformation or selection. The study analyzed over 100 scripts from around the world, finding that human cognitive preferences directly affect character shape.

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.

Genetic rescue boosts recovery of Australia's endangered mountain pygmy possums

A genetic rescue technique has increased population numbers and survival rates of the endangered mountain pygmy possum, with a rapid growth of over 200 individuals detected since its introduction in 2011. Habitat restoration, predator control, and environmental protection also played crucial roles in conservation management.

Selective memory

Researchers developed a new cache-management scheme that improves the data rate of in-package DRAM caches, reducing metadata transfer and increasing bandwidth. The 'Banshee' system adds three bits of data to each entry, enabling efficient storage and retrieval of frequently used data.

Penn study links mutations in notch gene to role in B cell cancers

A Penn study found that Notch gene mutations drive expression of Myc and other genes in B-cell cancers, offering new insights into cancer growth and potential therapeutic targets. The research may lead to more effective treatment combinations by targeting Notch-Myc signaling pathways.

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.

Maternal responses to infants' cries

Researchers observed maternal responses to infant crying across 11 countries, finding common brain activity patterns in new mothers. The study suggests a neurobiological and evolutionary basis for the human maternal response to infant cries.

Are clinicians prepared to give bad news?

Two studies investigated clinicians' preparedness to give bad news, finding that only one-third have received formal training. Medical students receive less training than other professionals, but more experienced physicians compensate with better skills. The study also highlights the importance of communication training in delivering b...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Rhythm of memory

A study by Prof. Dr. Marlene Bartos and her team found that inhibiting circuits in the hippocampus create high-frequency brainwaves that support parallel processing and storage of information, a key mechanism for laying initial traces of memory.

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.

Activation of immune T cells leads to behavioral changes

Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.

Synthetic hydrogels deliver cells to repair intestinal injuries

Researchers created synthetic hydrogels that allowed human intestinal cells to grow and differentiate in a 3D environment, forming normal tissue structures. The hydrogels can be easily modified to support various cell types, offering a promising approach for treating gut injuries and potentially other organ damage.

NASA sees Tropical Depression 27W still struggling

Tropical Depression 27W continues to struggle south of Guam, with vertical wind shear pushing clouds and thunderstorms away from its center. The depression is expected to consolidate and strengthen as it moves into warmer waters.

Crops evolving 10 millennia before experts thought

Research reveals that humans systemically affected crop evolution up to 30,000 years ago, triggering domestication of rice, wheat, and barley. This discovery proves the existence of dense populations and challenges previous understanding of agriculture's origins.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Resistive memory components the computer industry can't resist

Scientists at Yale University and international collaborators have developed new memsistor devices that can store information and regulate electrical current. The discovery offers great potential for applications in computing, particularly in neuromorphic and logic circuits.

How hospitals respond when it's uncertain if the newborn is a boy or a girl

A new study found substantial variability across US medical centers in diagnosing and treating disorders of sex development (DSD), with some institutions lacking specialist teams. Families often face difficult decisions about irreversible procedures, highlighting the need for improved guidelines and collaboration among providers.

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.

UCSF innovators use EHRs to track hospital-acquired infection

Using electronic health records, UCSF researchers mapped over 435,000 patient location changes and identified a critical CT scanner in the Emergency Department as a significant source of exposure-related C. diff infections. This analysis led to improved cleaning practices and bolstered infection prevention strategies.

Novel therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria

Researchers have developed novel antimicrobial compounds that can treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. The combination of colistin and a manganese tricarbonyl complex showed significant antibacterial activity in killing multidrug-resistant bacteria.

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.

Are e-cigarettes with higher nicotine associated with more smoking, vaping?

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that e-cigarette users who vaped with higher nicotine concentrations were more likely to use combustible cigarettes and experience intense vaping. The research suggests regulatory policies addressing nicotine concentration levels may affect progression of smoking and vaping among adolescents.

Moment of impact: A journey into the Chicxulub Crater

The IODP-ICDP Expedition 364 drilled into the Chicxulub crater off Mexico's coast, uncovering key findings about the impact event. The expedition revealed details about peak-ring crater formation and the recovery of life within 30,000 years after the impact.

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.

Solution to mysterious behavior of supercooled water

The study reveals that anomalous molecular motions in supercooled water lead to the breakdown of Stokes-Einstein behavior, with regions forming hydrogen bonds heterogeneously. The findings provide insights into the physical implications of this anomaly, which could help explain dynamic behaviors in glassy materials.

Teamwork makes the dream work?

A study by Montefiore Medical Center found that wearing personalized numbered jerseys for code team members significantly increases overall teamwork performance during cardiac arrest. The Mayo Teamwork score was higher in the experimental group, and the percent of directed commands was also increased.

Birds without own brood help other birds with parenting, but not selflessly

A recent study by Sjouke Kingma found that birds help other birds of the same species care for their offspring in exchange for future benefits, such as inheriting territory or creating an army of little helpers. This behavior challenges the traditional view that all creatures are selfish and maximizing their own reproductive success.