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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 35 of 43

The Lord Howe Island stick insect lives: A story of survival

Researchers used genetic sequencing to confirm that Ball's Pyramid stick insects are the same species as Lord Howe Island's, making them officially resurrected. The discovery provides hope for reintroducing the insect into its native home on Lord Howe Island.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Low serum calcium may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest

A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings has found that individuals with lower serum calcium levels are more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest. The research, which analyzed data from over 200 SCA cases and 445 control subjects, suggests that even normal-range serum calcium levels may pose a risk for SCA.

Found in translation

Researchers found that reading stories triggers unique patterns of brain activation, regardless of language or cultural origin. This study suggests exposure to narrative storytelling can have a widespread effect on triggering better self-awareness and empathy for others.

Novel PET tracer identifies most bacterial infections

A novel PET tracer, 6"-18F-fluoromaltotriose, has been developed to identify most bacterial infections. The agent is a derivative of maltose and targets the maltodextrin transporter in bacteria, allowing for non-invasive detection and monitoring of antibiotic therapy.

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.

Brain study reveals how insects make beeline for home

Scientists discovered a network of neurons in bees' brains that integrates direction and distance changes, enabling them to return home. A detailed computer model was developed based on this research, which could lead to new algorithms for autonomous robots.

Study: Why lab researchers should talk with industry counterparts

A study reveals that lab researchers should engage with industry counterparts to better understand the needs and challenges of real-world applications. This approach helped researchers adjust their focus and develop a potentially more useful set of applications for their work. By bridging the gap between research and commercialization,...

Is your partner's hearing loss driving you mad?

Research by University of Nottingham academics reveals common areas causing concern for both individuals with hearing loss and their loved ones, including communication difficulties, emotional strain, and social isolation. The study emphasizes the importance of involving partners and family members in rehabilitation plans to ease the p...

Sustainable financing of conservation just got a major boost

The Conservation Finance Alliance has received a major funding award of €701,114 (US$822,315) to support its work in promoting sustainable financing solutions for biodiversity conservation. The funding will be used to hire a full-time Executive Director and build the network's capacity for administration and fundraising.

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.

UMass Lowell professor steers ethical debate on self-driving cars

A UMass Lowell professor is leading a research study on the ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous vehicles. The team aims to develop decision-making algorithms that balance individual rights with societal welfare. They will also investigate cybersecurity and privacy concerns related to self-driving cars.

Nanopatch polio vaccine delivers

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shown that the Nanopatch, a microscopic vaccine delivery platform, is more effective at combating poliovirus than traditional needles and syringes. This breakthrough has significant implications for the eradication of polio, a disease responsible for tens of millions of cases worldwide.

Magma chambers have a sponge-like structure

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that supervolcano magma chambers contain a mixture of liquid and crystalline magma. The chambers may exhibit a sponge-like texture, with a mesh structure of crystallised rock and pores containing molten material.

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.

Honey samples worldwide test positive for neonicotinoids

A global sampling of honey found 75% contaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides, a key factor in the global decline of pollinators, particularly bees. The study's findings suggest that chronic exposure to these pesticides may have detrimental effects on bee populations.

Coming a step closer to understanding how gastric bypass works

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has made a technological advancement toward accelerating the discovery of drug targets for obesity, type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases. They utilized rodent gastric bypass models, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and an array of bioinformatics tools to begin unravelin...

How yellow and blue make green in parrots

Researchers identified a mutated gene in budgies that synthesizes the bird's yellow pigments. The findings could be applied to many parrots around the world and shed light on the evolutionary change that led to their brilliant colors.

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.

Planning for the future

A team of scientists explored links between climate effects and two health outcome indicators: malnutrition and low birth weights. Their models indicate that vulnerable areas may see more malnourished children and lower birth weights due to warming and drying, but positive development trends can mitigate these effects.

Pushy or laid back? Economic factors influence parenting style

A new study by Yale economists Fabrizio Zilibotti and Matthias Doepke finds that economic conditions, especially inequality and return to education, shape parenting styles. Parents are driven by a combination of altruism and paternalism, influencing their children's choices through permissive, authoritative, or authoritarian approaches.

Brain wiring affects how people perform specific tasks

High-modularity brains excel at simple tasks, while low-modularity brains outperform on complex tasks. The study's findings suggest that brain modularity impacts cognitive function and has implications for understanding the brain as a network.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New tool for oil and gas exploration beats all competition

The MIPT Center for Molecular Electronics developed a seismic station that can reveal underground reservoir structures at great depths. The device has a wider bandwidth than existing seismic stations, allowing it to pick up low-frequency waves and detect potential hydrocarbon reserves more effectively.

The high price of the nocebo effect

Scientists used fMRI to study the neurological causes of the nocebo effect, finding that brain regions can influence primal pain sensing. People who believed they were receiving an expensive cream reported greater sensitivity on a heat-tolerance test and experienced more pronounced nocebo effects over time.

Climate solution in soil?

Stanford researchers found that managed soil can trap more carbon dioxide than previously estimated, potentially offsetting future emissions. Improving land management practices like reduced tillage and perennial crops could increase soil's carbon storage.

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.

Stealing from the body: How cancer recharges its batteries

Researchers found that cancer cells 'recharge' by transferring power-generating mitochondria from healthy bone marrow cells, supporting leukaemia growth. Inhibiting a specific enzyme reduced mitochondrial transfer and slowed cancer growth.

Old Faithful's geological heart revealed

Researchers used dense seismograph network to map near-surface geology around Old Faithful, discovering a reservoir of heated water that fuels the geyser. The study also reveals how ground shaking behaves between eruptions and finds an underground feature affecting seismic waves in a specific area.

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.

JILA's 3-D quantum gas atomic clock offers new dimensions in measurement

JILA physicists have created an entirely new design for an atomic clock, packing strontium atoms into a tiny 3-D cube at 1,000 times the density of previous clocks. This approach enables a globally interacting collection of atoms to constrain collisions and improve measurements, leading to higher precision.

Violent helium reaction on white dwarf surface triggers supernova explosion

A team of researchers found evidence that a Type Ia supernova explosion was triggered by a violent helium detonation on the surface of a white dwarf star. The study used the Hyper Suprime-Cam camera on the Subaru Telescope to discover and analyze a recent supernova, providing the first solid evidence supporting this theory.

MTRAC awards spark biomedical innovation at Wayne State University

Three WSU research teams received $1.1 million in funding to develop innovative biomedical technologies, including a smart artificial urinary sphincter and zwitterionic hydrogel-based islet encapsulation technology. The award complements Wayne State's Technology Commercialization Office and MTRAC Program.

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.

More traits associated with your Neandertal DNA

Neandertal DNA has been linked to various human characteristics, including skin tone, hair color, and sleep patterns. The study suggests that sun exposure plays a crucial role in shaping these traits, with Neandertal genes contributing to lighter or darker skin tones.

Smart bandage could promote better, faster healing

Researchers have designed a smart bandage that can deliver customized medication to promote better, faster healing of chronic wounds. The bandage uses electrically conductive fibers coated in a gel to release medications tailored to specific types of wounds.

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.

Did Teddy Evans fatally undermine Scott of the Antarctic?

A University of New South Wales researcher has uncovered documents that suggest Teddy Evans, Scott's second-in-command, may have been responsible for his leader's death and that of four others. Evans' actions, including stealing rations and failing to pass on orders, are believed to have contributed to the tragedy.

Identifying ways to minimize the harm of energy drinks

Researchers found that young people's confusion about energy drinks suggests the need for educational campaigns. Participants suggested strategies to reduce consumption, including restrictions on sale, changing packaging, and increasing prices.

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.

Good-guy bacteria may help cancer immunotherapies do their job

Researchers found a strong association between certain beneficial gut bacteria and improved response to immunotherapies in patients with metastatic melanoma. The beneficial bacteria, including three specific species, were found to prime the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.

Delivering bad news? Don't beat around the bush

A study by BYU linguistics professor Alan Manning and the University of South Alabama's Nicole Amare found that most people value clarity and directness over extended buffers when delivering bad news. Participants ranked directness as a top characteristic they valued most in receiving bad news.

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.

Fight against top killer atherosclerosis garners acclaimed NIH award

A team of researchers, led by Tony Kim, has developed an innovative lab chip called the human-coronary-artery-on-a-chip to explore new treatments for atherosclerosis. The study aims to improve understanding of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) interactions with proinflammatory proteins and vascular tissues.

UQ study shines a light to understand the body's balance system

A University of Queensland team has made a breakthrough in understanding the vestibular system, which controls balance and movement. Using optical tweezers, they were able to activate the vestibular system without the animal moving, allowing for the study of neural circuits in the brain that mediate vestibular perception.

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.

Completing the drug design jigsaw

Researchers developed a new approach to analyze drug-protein interactions, revealing the specific amino acids involved in binding. This allows for more precise chemical requirements and stronger, selective drug candidates.

Caution ahead: The growing challenge for drivers' attention

A new study by University of Utah researchers found that drivers using infotainment systems are taking their hands, eyes, and mind off the road for over 24 seconds to complete tasks. The study, led by Professor David L. Strayer, identified programming navigation as the most distracting task.

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.

Women who get frequent UTIs may reduce risk by drinking plenty of water

A study published at IDWeek 2017 suggests that women with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can reduce their risk by increasing their daily water intake. The research found that those who drank an additional three pints of water a day were nearly half as likely to get UTIs compared to those who didn't.