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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 19 of 43

Understanding the coevolving web of life as a network

A new study explores the coevolving web of life as a network, revealing counterintuitive results on direct and indirect effects within large webs of interacting species. The findings suggest that strong coevolutionary selection between partners increases the importance of indirect effects on overall evolution.

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.

First time mums with an epidural who lie down more likely to have a normal birth

A recent study published in The BMJ found that first-time mothers with an epidural who adopt a lying down position during the second stage of labor are more likely to deliver their baby without any medical intervention. The study involved 3,093 women and found a 5.9% increase in the chance of spontaneous birth in the lying down group.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nature or nurture? Innate social behaviors in the mouse brain

Research finds that social experience with a female mouse triggers separate neural populations and aggressive behavior in males, challenging the 'hardwired' hypothesis. The study reveals that even innate behaviors have a degree of plasticity and computation.

Is HPV vaccination safe for adult women?

A large-scale study involving over 3 million Danish and Swedish adult women found no association between HPV vaccination and serious chronic diseases. However, the vaccine may increase the risk of developing celiac disease, particularly in Denmark where the condition is underdiagnosed.

Physics boosts artificial intelligence methods

Researchers developed a method to extract Higgs boson signal from noise data using quantum-compatible machine learning techniques, outperforming standard counterparts even with small datasets. The new approach is expected to be useful for problems beyond high-energy physics.

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.

Study finds epilepsy drug to be safe during pregnancy

A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that using lamotrigine during pregnancy does not increase birth malformations or neurodevelopmental disorders. The research monitored 83 children born to epileptic mothers who took the medication between 2004 and 2014.

From Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde of cancer immunotherapy

Researchers found that neutrophils can inhibit T lymphocyte activity, weakening the effect of cancer immunotherapy. This mechanism, triggered by soluble mediators released by cancer tissues, can cause an 'evil alter ego' in neutrophils, making them less effective at fighting cancer cells.

Migraine drug commonly used in ER may not be best option

A study published in Neurology found that prochlorperazine was more effective than hydromorphone in treating acute migraine, with 60% of patients experiencing sustained headache relief. The study also found no significant difference in opioid addiction rates between the two groups.

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.

Screening for disease or toxins in a drop of blood

Newomics Inc.'s multinozzle emitter array (MEA) technology can screen for diseases or toxins in small volumes of biological samples, improving sensitivity and throughput. This technology is designed to work with mass spectrometers to measure the structure and concentration of molecules, enabling better medicines and diagnostics.

UMN receives grant from Helmsley Charitable Trust to test 'super ambulances'

The University of Minnesota Medical School has received a $892,462 grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust's Rural Healthcare Program to develop a plan for equipping ambulances with mobile emergency departments. The goal is to improve emergency care for critical-need patients in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Petals produce a 'blue halo' that helps bees find flowers

Researchers found that flower petals with nanoscale ridges on their surface produce a 'blue halo' effect, which helps bees locate flowers. The irregularities in these nanostructures appear to be harnessed by evolution to aid floral communication.

Police satisfaction in developing countries dependent on less corruption

A new study by researchers at the University of Kent and Utrecht found that reducing corruption is crucial to improving police satisfaction in developing countries. The study, which involved 559 residents in Accra, Ghana, showed that even fair treatment by police can be undermined by awareness of corruption and ineffectiveness.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Stiff fibers spun from slime

Scientists discover that velvet worm slime consists of a mix of proteins and fatty acids, forming nanoglobules that harden into stiff filaments when exposed to shear forces. These fibers have tensile stiffness similar to Nylon and can be dissolved in water again within hours.

Mouse studies shed light on how protein controls heart failure

A new study on mice sheds light on the role of protein modification in heart failure, suggesting new strategies for personalizing treatment by examining phosphorylation. Researchers found that abnormal addition of phosphate to a specific heart muscle protein may damage the heart's pumping ability.

First ESMO award for immuno-oncology goes to Laurence Zitvogel

Prof Laurence Zitvogel has been awarded the first ESMO Award for Immuno-Oncology for her pioneering work in advancing cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Her research focuses on understanding the gut microbiome's role in cancer immunosurveillance, with implications for predicting response to immunomodulators.

Teenage girls more likely to self-harm than boys

A recent study published in The BMJ found that teenage girls are more likely to self-harm than boys, with a sharp rise in self-harm rates among UK girls aged 13-16. The study analyzed data from 16,912 patients and found that girls were nine times more likely to die unnaturally than unaffected children.

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.

Gentle touch soothes the pain of social rejection

Researchers at University College London discovered that gentle touch can soothe the effects of social exclusion, one of the most emotionally painful human experiences. The study found that slow, affectionate touch reduced feelings of negativity and social exclusion induced by social rejection, even though general mood remained the same.

Is 3-D printing living up to the hype?

Industry is utilizing 3-D printing technology to reduce production time and costs, with companies like Volkswagen saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, material flaws and limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of 3-D printed products for consumers.

Art advancing science at the nanoscale

Don Ingber and Charles Reilly created a film that accurately depicts the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, revealing new insights into molecular-scale processes. The film's animation pipeline integrated physics-based software with molecular dynamics simulation to create a model that worked across all size scales.

Multiple sclerosis: Oligodendrocytes from stem cells

Researchers have found that interaction between mesenchymal and adult neural stem cells can strongly promote oligodendrogenesis, potentially leading to improved treatment options for Multiple Sclerosis. The study's results demonstrate conservation across species, offering hope for clinical translation.

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.

Turning brain cells into skin cells

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute successfully transformed mature cells from various parts of the body into melanocytes, responsible for producing skin pigment. This breakthrough enables the potential for curing deafness and developing novel transplants.

New material for digital memories of the future

Scientists have created a novel ferroelectric material that can be switched on and off using polarization, enabling the development of small, flexible digital memories. The material has potential applications in solar cells and other emerging technologies.

Gene therapy can cure lameness in horses, research finds

A groundbreaking study has found that injecting DNA into injured horse tendons and ligaments can cure lameness within two to three weeks. The gene therapy technology also showed no adverse side effects, with the horses returning to full health after just two months.

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.

MRI may predict neurological outcomes for cardiac arrest survivors

A study using advanced MRI techniques found that brain connectivity can predict long-term recovery in patients with cardiac arrest-related brain damage. Functional connectivity was stronger in those who achieved higher levels of independence, and the interaction between default mode and salience networks was a key predictor of outcomes.

Individual receptors caught at work

Researchers used single-molecule microscopy to study receptor-G protein interactions, finding specialized sites called hot spots where they meet and interact. These hot spots play a crucial role in regulating intracellular processes and may enable more precise therapeutic approaches.

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.

Separating methane and CO2 will become more efficient

Researchers at KU Leuven have created a new membrane that significantly enhances the separation of methane and CO2 in natural gas and biogas. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

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.

Obesity may exacerbate asthma in children

A study of 38,679 hospitalized children with asthma found obesity to be a risk factor for repeated hospital admissions and longer stays. Those who were obese required more intensive care and had higher total hospitalization costs compared to normal-weight children.

Living mulch builds profits, soil

Scientists at the University of Georgia developed an efficient living mulch system that benefits both corn production and soil health. By removing portions of clover after each harvest, farmers can reap cost savings from reduced herbicide and nitrogen fertilizer usage.

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 Amazon threat? Deforestation from mining

A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Arsenic in domestic well water could affect 2 million people in the US

A new study estimates that about 2 million Americans may be exposed to high levels of naturally occurring arsenic in their private well water. The researchers developed a model incorporating tens of thousands of existing arsenic measurements and identified arsenic hotspots in regions with higher concentrations.

UC Riverside physicists win two awards at Science Hack Day

The University of California, Riverside team won the 'Best in Show' and 'Most Whimsical Hack' awards for their creative projects, including a hack that converted cat pictures into constellations. The team's work has the potential to educate and engage the community through interactive science experiences.

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.