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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 2 of 43

Opening the Van der Waals' sandwich

Engineers at Tohoku University created a system to measure the van der Waals' bonding force between crystal layers, increasing its strength seven times. This breakthrough enables more durable gallium selenide crystals for advanced technologies.

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.

NREL research yields significant thermoelectric performance

The research demonstrates significant potential for semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes as primary material for efficient thermoelectric generators. The discovery enables the fabrication of devices from a single material, simplifying production and improving performance.

'Monster' planet discovery challenges formation theory

A giant gas giant planet, NGTS-1b, has been discovered orbiting a tiny star, defying conventional formation theories. The planet's proximity to its star and short orbital period pose significant challenges for understanding the origins of such massive worlds.

Study shows voting does not reduce crime

A new study published in Political Behavior suggests that voting alone does not directly reduce criminality and may not foster good citizens. The research analyzed a large-scale field experiment involving over 550,000 young adults aged 18-20 in the US, finding no correlation between voting and reduced crime rates.

Illuminated pajamas treat newborns

Researchers developed illuminated pajamas that emit therapeutic blue light directly onto a baby's skin, improving the treatment experience and reducing discomfort. The photonic textiles, woven into satin fabric, are breathable, comfortable, and suitable for everyday wear.

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.

Newest dark matter map hints at where astrophysics must go for breakthroughs

A new cosmic picture of the universe's history shows a close agreement with previous findings, leaving little room for new physics that could reveal dark matter and dark energy. The results support the standard model of Big Bang cosmology, but scientists remain hopeful that new observations will offer clues about what lies beyond.

Future climate change may not adversely affect seafood quality

A study by the University of Plymouth found that oysters exposed to expected future levels of ocean acidification and warming do not lose their sensory qualities. This has potentially positive implications for global food supply, as seafood represents a significant portion of animal protein intake.

Football position and length of play affect brain impact

A new study found that playing position and career duration influence brain damage in former football players, with non-speed players experiencing more localized damage. The researchers used MRI techniques to analyze brain structure and function, suggesting that position-specific helmets may be warranted.

US cancer drug costs increasing despite competition, new research shows

A recent study found that US cancer drug costs increased substantially after launch, with prices rising by 37% over 12 years. The research team analyzed the monthly price trajectories of 24 FDA-approved cancer drugs and discovered no correlation between price changes and market structure or competition.

Research links locus coeruleus activity with hyperarousal in PTSD

A new study in Biological Psychiatry provides direct human evidence for a decades-old theory linking heightened arousal and reactivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to overactivity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brain region that mediates arousal and reactivity. The study found that participants with PTSD exhibited increased ...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

How to store information in your clothes invisibly, without electronics

Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new type of smart fabric that can store digital data without electronic components. The fabric uses off-the-shelf conductive thread with magnetic properties to encode and decode data, enabling secure passcode storage and smartphone-controlled interactions.

After Harvey: Scientists study changes in Galveston Bay

Researchers from the University of Houston are studying the impact of rainwater surging into Galveston Bay, estimating 34 trillion gallons fell along the Texas-Louisiana coast. They will survey the sea bottom and collect sediment samples to understand extreme event sedimentation patterns.

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.

Bilingual preschoolers show stronger inhibitory control

A University of Oregon study found that bilingual preschoolers develop faster inhibitory control skills than monolingual peers. The research used a longitudinal approach to examine the effects of bilingualism on executive function development in low-income children.

Genome scientists use UK Salmonella cases to shed light on African epidemic

Researchers have identified a different strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in the UK that is less severe and susceptible to antibiotics compared to the strain causing high levels of disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The genomic differences between the two strains may hold clues to why the African strain causes such high mortality rates.

Elderly chromosomes activate genes differently than in the young

Researchers discovered that our chromosomes age along with us, affecting how our immune system renews itself. In young people, thousands of gene sites are open, while in older adults, these sites become closed, leading to decreased activity in genes and pathways critical for defending against disease.

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.

Funding the elimination of viral hepatitis: Donors needed

Chronic hepatitis B and C cause life-threatening liver damage, cancer, and premature death, with 300 million infected worldwide. Donors are essential to deliver results in the next 13 years, as domestic funding is unlikely to meet the challenge.

Energy efficiency labeling for homes has little effect on purchase price

A Norwegian research team found that energy efficiency labeling for homes has no significant effect on purchase price. The researchers conducted a thorough analysis of home sales data before and after the labeling system was introduced in Norway in 2010. They discovered that any apparent impact of the label was likely due to other fact...

Does cutting weekend allied health services hurt patients?

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that removing weekend allied health services from hospitals had no significant effect on patients' length of stay or adverse events. In fact, having no services was associated with a 2% reduction in length of stay and a 3% decrease in adverse events.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NSF RAPID grant boosts CCNY's Caribbean storm study

The City College of New York has received a $174,895 NSF RAPID grant to investigate the impacts of post-hurricane land-atmosphere interactions on convective and precipitation processes in the Caribbean region. Researchers will conduct field studies in Puerto Rico to improve their understanding of storm development and intensification.

Landmark discovery turns marathon of evolution into a sprint

A research team has discovered a technique called Accelerated Evolution that rapidly generates valuable natural products by mimicking bacterial evolution processes. This breakthrough could lead to hundreds of new compounds and revolutionize natural product drug discovery.

Why do some head knocks cause more damage than others?

UNC researchers discovered that high-intensity shear shock waves amplify deep inside the brain, delivering a tenfold increase in tissue-ripping acceleration. This phenomenon may explain why some head knocks cause more harm than others.

Tracking mosquitoes with your cellphone

Researchers at Stanford University developed a platform called Abuzz that uses cellphone recordings to track mosquito populations and distributions. The platform aims to create the world's largest network of mosquito surveillance, enabling targeted control efforts and reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases.

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.

Strength exercise as vital as aerobic new research finds

A new study of over 80,000 adults found that strength-based exercise reduced the risk of premature death by 23% and cancer-related death by 31%. The research suggests that governments and public health authorities should promote strength-based guidelines to encourage long-term health and wellbeing.

'Monster' planet discovery challenges formation theory

NGTS-1b, the largest planet compared to its companion star, has been discovered by an international collaboration of astronomers. The giant gas giant orbits a small star half the size of our Sun and challenges theories on planet formation.

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.

More money, education only makes discrimination worse for minorities

A study by Ohio State University found that upwardly mobile blacks and Hispanics experience more racial discrimination than their socioeconomically stable peers. This discrimination may be linked to poor health outcomes among young adults of color. The research suggests that addressing poverty alone is insufficient to eradicate health ...

Chromosome organization emerges from 1-D patterns

Using computer models, researchers analyzed epigenetic marks to predict how chromosomes fold in three dimensions. By training a neural network on these marks, they were able to identify the structural types of chromatin and validate their findings with additional data.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Aliens may be more like us than we think

A new study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology suggests that aliens could have evolved in a similar way to humans, with natural selection playing a key role. The research uses evolutionary theory to predict the biological make-up and behavior of complex alien life forms.

SourceData is making data discoverable

SourceData provides a suite of tools to generate, validate and use figure data, making it efficient to find and reuse published results. The platform links figures to other related figures across papers and journals, creating a searchable knowledge graph.

Uncomfortable sight from an ancient reflex of the eye

A new study from Penn researchers shows that a reflexive system of the human eye also produces a conscious, visual experience that may be related to excessive light sensitivity. The findings suggest that people have brain activity and a visual experience in response to invisible light pulses that stimulate melanopsin cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The world's shortest laser pulse

Researchers at ETH Zurich generate the world's shortest controlled laser pulse with a duration of 43 attoseconds, allowing for unprecedented time resolution in studying molecular dynamics. This breakthrough enables faster charge transfer and potentially more efficient solar cells.

How to detect the risk of dyslexia before learning to read

A new approach to detecting dyslexia has been developed by associating auditory processing in children with their reading skills. The study found that children who had difficulty processing low-frequency sounds were more likely to have reading problems and may be at risk of developing dyslexia.

New app will help prevent HIV among transgender women

The Transwomen Connected app aims to cater to the physical, mental and emotional needs of transgender women. The project will build a mobile app with HIV prevention tools and resources tailored specifically with their needs in mind.

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.

Red Sea is warming faster than global average

Analyses of satellite sensing data show Red Sea's maximum surface temperatures increasing at a rate of 0.17°C per decade, four times faster than the global ocean warming rate. This rapid warming poses a threat to marine biodiversity in the region.

VIMS study may add to resource managers' toolbox

A VIMS study suggests that a common measure of fish health can help gauge the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. The researchers found that annual trends in fish condition were surprisingly consistent among diverse species, with correlations between condition and changes in water quality, food availability, and climatic factors.

NIH awards UTHealth's Vasanthi Jayaraman $2.6 million for brain research

Vasanthi Jayaraman receives Maximizing Investigators' Research Award to study brain cell communication, developing high-resolution images of glutamate receptors for potential drug targets. Her research aims to enhance learning and memory, treat neurodegenerative conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Social media data use needs tighter research controls, experts say

Experts say social media data use needs stricter guidelines due to rapid technological advancements and lack of adequate ethics frameworks. Researchers are mining large datasets to uncover insights into human behaviour, but only a small fraction report considering the ethical implications.

Breastfeeding for two months halves risk of SIDS, study finds

A recent international study found that breastfeeding for at least two months significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by almost half. This finding suggests that any amount of breastfeeding provides some level of protection against SIDS, regardless of whether it's exclusive or partial.