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Science News Archive October 2017


Page 8 of 43

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.

UNIST researchers develop highly stable perovskite solar cells

Researchers at UNIST have developed highly stable perovskite solar cells using fluorine-functionalized graphene nano-platelets, overcoming the material's notorious instability. This breakthrough could lead to next-generation solar cells with high efficiencies and low costs.

Marine species threatened by deep-sea mining

A new study finds that deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules poses a significant threat to the Plenaster craigi sponge species. The removal of these metal-rich nodules disrupts the sponge's filtering habits, making it vulnerable to extinction.

Mimicking biological process, hydrogel signals and releases proteins

Researchers at Penn State create artificial system using DNA-laced hydrogel that releases signaling protein in response to chemical signal. The system, which uses aptamers and double-stranded helical molecules of DNA, can repeat the sequence, releasing proteins until there are no more to release.

Some infant rice cereals contain elevated levels of methylmercury

Recent research reveals that some infant rice cereal samples tested for high amounts of methylmercury, posing health risks to babies who consume them. The study found rice-based cereals had significantly higher levels of the substance compared to products with no rice.

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.

New enzyme rewrites the genome

Researchers have developed a new enzyme called a base editor that can directly change DNA base pairs, enabling precise genome editing. This technology may one day enable the treatment of genetic diseases by erasing harmful mutations and writing in helpful ones.

Stopping children getting unnecessary antibiotics for colds and sore throats

A project in rural China has successfully reduced the over-prescription of antibiotics for children's upper respiratory tract infections by half. The collaboration between UK, Canadian, and Chinese scientists introduced clinical guidelines to help doctors decide when antibiotics are necessary, resulting in a significant decrease in ant...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Investing in conservation pays off, study finds

A new study found that conservation spending from 1992 to 2003 reduced expected declines in global biodiversity by 29%. The $14.4 billion investment significantly impacted countries, with poorer nations experiencing greater gains.

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.

Marine microbiology: Scavenging to survive below the seafloor

Researchers analyzed enzymes secreted by microorganisms living in ocean sediments and found that they break down organic matter to recycle carbon. The study reveals that these microbes scavenge nutrients from dead cells, enabling them to survive in the anoxic environment.

Helicobacter pylori: Dodging the bullet

A recent study found that Helicobacter pylori's mutation rate is high from the beginning of infection, making it challenging to develop an effective vaccine. The bacterium's genetic diversity can also inhibit the production of antigens in a potential vaccine.

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.

Yellowstone spawned twin super-eruptions that altered global climate

A new geological record reveals two closely spaced Yellowstone supervolcano eruptions that cooled the ocean by about 3 degrees Celsius and triggered volcanic winters. The eruptions occurred 170 years apart and coincided with a natural global-warming trend, leading to a major ice age.

Hepatitis C care falling short for young opioid users in R.I.

A study finds that while HCV screening is common among young adults who use prescription opioids recreationally, the follow-up measures needed to stop the spread of the virus are significantly less so. Only a small percentage received confirmatory testing, specialty care, or education on how not to transmit the virus.

The psychological toll of shame in military personnel

A study by Dr Katherine C Cunningham found that shame and guilt predicted PTSD severity, with trauma-related shame accounting for more variance. Shame can lead to social withdrawal, while guilt motivates prosocial behavior.

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.

Blocking key pathways is a way to defeat cancer stem cells

Researchers have discovered a cocktail of drugs that effectively eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting key pathways. By simultaneously blocking two important pathways, the team was able to achieve complete elimination of AML in most cases tested.

New property found in unusual crystalline materials

Scientists have found a new mechanism of deformation at the boundaries of coherent twin crystal boundaries, which can increase material strength while preserving ductility. This discovery could lead to designing strong nanostructures and devices that respond to specific stress levels.

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.

The male dominance in diplomacy is changing

A study by Ann Towns and Birgitta Niklasson reveals that the share of female diplomats has shown an upward trend since the late 1990s, including at ambassador level. The research found a clear gender pattern in diplomacy, with men dominating positions of power and prestige.

New software lets your car tell you what it needs

Researchers at MIT developed a smartphone app that can analyze a car's sounds and vibrations to detect issues such as clogged air filters and worn-out spark plugs. The system uses machine-learning processes to extract subtle differences, achieving accuracy above 90% in tests.

Printable battery, selected for top 100 National R&D Achievements

Professor Sang-Young Lee's 'all-inkjet-printed flexible batteries on paper' technique fabricates batteries directly on conventional A4 paper using a commercial desktop inkjet printer. This technology enables printing portable electronic devices on any surface, regardless of shape, holding promise for IoT and wearable electronics.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Preclinical study suggests path toward non-addictive painkillers

A preclinical study suggests a novel mechanism for treating pain without the addictive side effects of current opioid medications. The use of positive allosteric modulators enhances the effect of pain-relief chemicals naturally produced by the body, providing stronger and longer-lasting pain relief.

Targeting mitochondria in pulmonary hypertension

A new clinical trial has shown that the generic drug Dichloroacetate (DCA) can decrease blood pressure in lung vessels and improve walking ability in PAH patients, without significant side effects. DCA works by activating mitochondria, which are suppressed in PAH, leading to cell growth and overgrowth of cells narrowing vessel lumen.

New frontiers for CRISPR: Editing RNA

Scientists have developed a new CRISPR RNA editing tool called REPAIR, which can target and edit RNA with high efficiency and specificity. This tool allows for the correction of mutations in different time windows, including during key developmental periods, and may have disease-modifying potential.

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.

Japanese earthquake zone strongly influenced by the effects of friction

Researchers at Kyushu University have identified a strong influence of pre-existing faults on earthquake location and behavior in the Nankai Trough offshore Japan. The study found that aftershocks only occurred in front of an ancient accretionary prism, where stress accumulation is greatest.

Osaka university roll the dice on perovskite interfaces

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new method to model the structure of perovskite oxide interfaces using a Bayesian probability-based computer program. This approach provides fast and accurate results, allowing for easier analysis of complex structural data.

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.

Can open and honest scientists win public trust?

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that fully disclosing personal beliefs can actually decrease people's trust in scientific research. The researchers used two scenarios focused on the additive Bisphenol A, a controversial substance often found in plastic water bottles, and found that when scientists made statements about their...

New RoboBee flies, dives, swims and explodes out the of water

The new RoboBee, 1,000 times lighter than previous robots, uses floating devices and an internal combustion system to stabilize on the water's surface before propelling itself back into the air. The robot can perform search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and biological studies.

Women more likely to die in the first year after a heart attack

A new study published in PLOS ONE has found that women are at a significantly higher risk of dying in the first year after a heart attack compared to men. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,100 patients and found that women were 1.5 times more likely to die within this timeframe.

Study finds 3 million Americans carry a loaded handgun daily

A new study by Northeastern University found that approximately 9 million handgun owners in the US carry loaded firearms monthly, while 3 million report daily carrying. The study revealed that gun owners are more likely to be male, aged 18-29, conservative, and from the South.

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.

Can good design be cost-effective?

A massive database of mobile app designs has been created to help designers find cost-effective solutions, allowing for the automated exploration of less common screens and machine-learning models that can go beyond simple search interactions.

Deforestation linked to palm oil production is making Indonesia warmer

A new study published in Biogeosciences found that deforestation linked to palm oil production in Indonesia has made the region warmer. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists, used satellite data and ground observations to determine the impact of land use changes on surface temperatures.

A better way to wash pesticides off apples

Researchers found that a baking soda solution was the most effective at removing pesticide residues from organic Gala apples. After 12 and 15 minutes of washing, 80% of thiabendazole and 96% of phosmet were removed. The study suggests that this simple method could be an effective strategy for cleaning pesticides off produce.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Bacterial toxins made in the gut

Austrian scientists identify critical enterotoxin tilivalline and its potent metabolite tilimycin, produced by penicillin-resistant bacteria. The discovery provides insights into antibiotic side reactions and potential new approaches for producing anticancer drugs.

UNIST-Mando embark on developing self-charging electric bike

The UNIST-Mando team has developed a self-charging electric bike called Hybrid Module Mobility, which uses regenerative technology to recharge batteries while riding or pedaling. The bike can transform into different forms to suit users' needs, including cargo-carrying and family modes.

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.