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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 40 of 43

Visualizing life in silico

A new user-friendly interface allows cell biologists to create complex biological models using the Virtual Cell supercomputer, expanding access to modeling capabilities. The updated version of VCell enables users to define molecules and explain interactions with minimal coding, reducing complexity and increasing usability.

Good vibrations for the future of computing

KAUST researchers have demonstrated a scalable, efficient alternative technology to traditional electrical transistors, using mechanical vibrations excited by multifrequency electrical inputs. This novel technique enables the cascading of logic gates, resulting in lower complexity and higher integration densities.

Global research team fills language gap in plant science

A global research team of 22 scientists has created a comprehensive glossary of terms to describe cellular processes in plants, aiming to clarify confusion among experts. The lexicon covers key structures and processes involved in cytokinesis, a crucial phase of cell division that could accelerate breeding for sustainable materials.

One hour of exercise a week can prevent depression

A landmark study found that regular exercise can prevent future depression and that even small amounts of physical activity can deliver significant protection. The research involved 33,908 Norwegian adults and showed that 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented with just one hour of physical activity per week.

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.

Ninety-eight scientists launch a 2,000-year global temperature database

A team of 98 scientists from 22 countries compiled a comprehensive database of past global temperature records spanning 1 CE to the present. The PAGES2k 2,000 Year Multiproxy Database contains 692 records from 648 locations, providing the largest body of climate records with high temporal resolution.

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.

Tiny poisonous Brazilian frogs are 'deaf' to their own call

Researchers found that two species of pumpkin toadlets produce sounds outside their hearing range due to an undeveloped inner ear, indicating they are insensitive to the sound of their own calls. This finding suggests that these frogs may be evolving towards a loss of acoustic communication.

What is STEM education?

Research reveals eight mental models used by teachers to construct STEM-based lesson plans, highlighting the need for better understanding of STEM education's value and online classroom design. Implementing teacher leadership techniques in digital classrooms also improves communication patterns.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Genetic targets to chemo-resistant breast cancer identified

Research led by Dr. Carlos Arteaga has identified potential targets for treating chemotherapy-resistant triple negative breast cancer, including genes MCL1 and MYC. These genes can be targeted with specific drugs to slow or prevent chemotherapy resistance, improving the outlook for this aggressive form of breast cancer.

LSUHealthNO to study cause of alcohol abuse linked to PTSD

Researchers will investigate how individual differences in stress response affect escalation of alcohol drinking after traumatic stress, with potential treatments for vulnerable populations. The study aims to identify neurobiological targets for treating alcohol abuse in PTSD patients.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Surrounded by potential: New science in converting biomass

Researchers at Ames Laboratory have successfully decomposed lignin into stable components using a phosphate-modified ceria catalyst, producing useful industrial precursors for nylon production. The process eliminates the need for hydrogen from natural gas and uses an energy-conserving alcohol-based hydrogenation process.

Medical scribes reduce hospital wait time, study shows

A new study from the University of Colorado Denver finds that medical scribes significantly decrease patient wait times by about 13 minutes per patient. The presence of a scribe also reduces the time physicians spend completing patient charts, lowering overtime costs for emergency departments.

A radical solution comes from mixing tools

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have discovered a unique reaction pathway that utilizes molten sodium-based catalysts to efficiently convert natural gas into industrial products. The catalyst, which forms hydroxyl radicals from oxygen and water, has great potential for various catalytic reactions.

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.

Warming unlikely to have major impact on animal agriculture in Northeast

Researchers predict warming temperatures will alter forage growing season timing but have minimal effect on summer heat stress in dairy cattle. Poultry producers may benefit from lower energy costs, while beef cattle production could increase due to warmer conditions and more forage availability.

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.

Benchmarking computational methods for metagenomes

The Critical Assessment of Metagenome Interpretation (CAMI) Challenge evaluated computational tools for metagenomes, assessing assemblers, binners, and taxonomic profilers. The benchmarking results provide performance overviews for developers and applied scientists, informing the selection of suitable software for research questions.

Study identifies factors linked to dying comfortably for the very old

A new study from the University of Cambridge found that very old people are more likely to die comfortably in care homes or at home, compared to hospitals. The researchers highlight the need for improved training in end-of-life care for all staff and address the shortage of palliative care doctors in the NHS.

New targeted alpha therapy protocol for advanced prostate cancer

Researchers report on a new dosing regimen for actinium-225 labeled targeted alpha therapy, showing promising anti-tumor response in patients with PSMA-positive tumors. The treatment protocol balances treatment response with toxicity concerns to provide effective therapy with minimal side effects.

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.

Cell signals that trigger wound healing are surprisingly complex

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that wound healing is triggered by a complex series of calcium signals in cells. The team found that cells use both gap junctions and protein signaling to respond to injury, allowing them to differentiate between different types of wounds.

KTP grant enables SME to take key role in rail electrification

A Huddersfield-based company has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to leverage a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) and develop modernized products for the rail industry. The partnership aims to reduce material usage, increase efficiency, and lower costs through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.

A new way to produce clean hydrogen fuel from water using sunlight

Researchers at Osaka University developed a new metal-free photocatalyst that absorbs a wider range of sunlight than before, producing visible and near-infrared light-driven hydrogen from water. This breakthrough could lead to cheap and clean hydrogen fuel, tackling the challenges of the hydrogen economy.

Clumps as temporary storage

Researchers discovered that yeast cells form protein aggregates in response to stress, which are then dissolved when the stress passes. The aggregates serve as a protective mechanism for essential enzymes, enabling the cell to quickly recover from stress.

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.

New method for tissue regeneration, inspired by nature, described by scientists

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a novel approach to tissue regeneration, utilizing extracellular vesicles to stimulate cell production and facilitate tissue repair. The study shows promise in treating bone fractures, osteoporosis, and cartilage damage, with potential applications for widespread use.

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.

Studies of 'amorphous ice' reveal hidden order in glass

A new study reveals that amorphous ice, formed when water is cooled to low temperatures, exhibits a previously undetected internal pattern known as disordered hyperuniformity. This finding may help explain water's unique properties and challenge the definition of glass.

New method to measure cell stiffness could lead to improved cancer treatments

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method called quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC) to rapidly determine a single cell's stiffness and size. This technique allows for standardized measurements of single cells and could lead to improved cancer treatments by tracking patient progress and predicting drug effectiveness.

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.

Comparing different information levels (U. Saint-Mont)

The paper investigates differences between minimum and maximum information levels, introducing new theorems and concepts like overall info difference and typical ratios. It also explores inverse problems and applies comprehensive analysis to derive new insights.

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.

DNA: The next hot material in photonics?

Researchers fine-tune DNA-based thin films to achieve a range of refractive indexes four times greater than silicon, enabling the creation of thinner optical fibers. This could lead to applications in photodynamic therapy, optogenetics, and biosensors.

Non-invasive imaging predicts cancer malignancy

Researchers at Osaka University developed a non-invasive imaging technique using multiphoton microscopy (MPM) to quantify cancer severity. The method, called non-labeling multiphoton microscopy (NL-MPM), uses second harmonic generation and autofluorescence to detect malignancy with high accuracy.

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.

Evolutionary crop research: Ego-plants give lower yield

A new study by Jacob Weiner found that less competitive wheat varieties produce higher yields when grown in groups, challenging traditional plant breeding methods. This finding could lead to a shift towards group selection and the development of more efficient agricultural practices.

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.