Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 26


Page 26 of 43

Combination of El Niño and 2016 Ecuador earthquake likely worsened Zika outbreak

A new study suggests that a strong El Niño and a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador in 2016 likely exacerbated the Zika virus outbreak, increasing cases by 12-fold in three months. The research highlights how climate variability can amplify the worst effects of natural disasters and disease outbreaks in socially vulnerable regions.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeoHealth·DateOct 12, 2017

Scientists pinpoint surprising origin of melanoma

Researchers have identified melanocytes as the origin of cutaneous melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. These cells are reprogrammed to become invasive and migratory cancer cells, leading to tumor formation.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

A liquid biopsy for retinoblastoma

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles developed a safe and effective way to derive genetic information from retinoblastoma tumors without removing the eye. The technique uses aqueous humor, which contains tumor DNA, to provide valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateOct 12, 2017

A new miniature solution for storing renewable energy

Researchers have created a new material that can store renewable energy efficiently. Metal-organic frameworks exhibit conductivity similar to metals, enabling large-scale storage of solar and wind power. This breakthrough could revolutionize intermittent renewable energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 12, 2017

Sandia's Direct Numerical Simulations enhance combustion efficiency, reduces pollution

Researchers discovered novel behavior of cool flames in diesel combustion, accelerating ignition kernel formation and improving engine design efficiency. The study used Direct Numerical Simulations to resolve all turbulence scales and has the potential to optimize engine design for cleaner burning engines.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalProceedings of the Combustion Institute·DateOct 12, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Interdisciplinary approaches to wildlife trade management

A new framework describes the complex dynamics of the illicit wildlife trade by combining biological, anthropological and socioeconomic data to provide a holistic picture of the problem. This framework can help practitioners untangle the complexities underlying the wildlife trade.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateOct 12, 2017

A better understanding of space -- via helicopter

Yale researchers Darryl Seligman and Greg Laughlin have created a new model for understanding how black holes, planets, and galaxies emerge from the vortex-rich environments of space. They found that vortices may shed Rossby waves as they spin and that the number of orbits between two vortices is different in their model.

SourceYale University·DateOct 12, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Global Change Center researchers to forecast water quality with NSF support

Global Change Center researchers developed a system to create real-time water forecasts for Falling Creek Reservoir in Roanoke, Va., using environmental data and local weather predictions. The system aims to predict times when water may require additional treatment due to environmental factors, improving drinking water quality.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 12, 2017

New protein study broadens knowledge of molecular basis for disease

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a new analysis procedure to better understand how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) function in cells. The study finds that most IDPs are more disordered than previously thought, which could lead to new strategies for preventing protein misfolding diseases.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017

Luring hornets: Scientists unlock sex pheromone of notorious honey bee predator

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a solution to control Asian hornets by luring males with synthesized sex pheromones, providing a simple and reliable way to monitor and potentially reduce populations. The study's findings demonstrate the key role of pheromones in long-distance attraction for these invasive insects.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

NIST urges caution in use of courtroom evidence presentation method

Statisticians Steve Lund and Hari Iyer argue that Likelihood Ratio's Bayesian reasoning approach is flawed for courtroom use, risking conclusions driven by assumptions rather than data. NIST recommends using the method only in cases where probability-based models are warranted.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology·DateOct 12, 2017

Enzymes at work: Breaking down stubborn cellulose

Researchers discovered oxidative enzymes that work together with hydrolytic enzymes to break down cellulose. The study observed these enzymes on the surface of cellulose particles using atomic force microscopy, providing direct evidence of their activity.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2017

Is it gonna blow? Measuring volcanic emissions from space

Researchers detect localized carbon dioxide sources from Mount Yasur and Los Angeles basin, providing insights into volcanic and anthropogenic emissions. The study supports the potential for space-based monitoring to prevent humanitarian disasters and reduce greenhouse gas-induced warming.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017

Like it or not: Broccoli may be good for the gut

Researchers found that broccoli's indole glucosinolates can activate the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the intestinal lining, maintaining a healthy balance in gut flora and immune surveillance. This may help prevent diseases like various cancers and Crohn's Disease caused by inflammation.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Functional Foods·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Autism often associated with multiple new mutations

Researchers discovered that autism is often associated with the appearance of new mutations in both protein-coding and regulatory genome regions. These newly formed mutations are more likely to increase an individual's risk of developing autism, with a significant impact from as few as two mutations.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCell·DateOct 12, 2017

$23 million in new funding for Dunlap Institute astronomers

The Dunlap Institute has received $23 million in funding to develop innovative astronomical technology, including a radio astronomy data centre and an infrared spectrograph. These projects will position Canada at the forefront of next-generation astronomy research.

SourceDunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics·DateOct 12, 2017

Spotting the spin of the Majorana fermion under the microscope

Scientists at Princeton University have enhanced scanning tunneling microscopy to capture signals from the elusive Majorana fermion in iron wires on a lead crystal. The study detects a unique quantum property called spin, which distinguishes the particle from other quasi-particles and provides a signature of its existence.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017

Lead fishing tackle may be threatening loon populations

A new study reveals that lead fishing tackle is the leading cause of mortality in adult common loons, resulting in 43% population decline over 24 years. The study found that jigs and sinkers accounted for most lead tackle objects ingested by loons.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Few patients hospitalized with acute kidney injury receive recommended follow-up care

A study found that Canadian nephrologists generally recommend follow-up kidney evaluations for most patients with acute kidney injury but only a minority receive these evaluations. The disparity between recommendations and actual practices may be attributed to various factors, including patient age and pre-existing conditions.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 12, 2017

Paleogenomic analysis sheds light on Easter Island mysteries

A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers rules out pre-European contact between Easter Island inhabitants and South Americans, leaving many questions unanswered about the island's population dynamics. The analysis of ancient DNA from skeletal remains found no evidence of gene flow between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Warming seas could lead to 70 percent increase in hurricane-related financial loss

A new study published in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure predicts that warmer oceans will lead to higher wind speeds and larger storms, resulting in increased damage and financial losses due to hurricanes. The study estimates a 70% increase in hurricane-related financial loss by 2100 for coastal communities in South Carolina.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalSustainable and Resilient Infrastructure·DateOct 12, 2017

Material mimics 3-D camouflage abilities of an octopus

Researchers have created a 2-D material that can morph into a 3D structure and change color to blend in with its environment. The material mimics the skin of an octopus, featuring erector muscles that rapidly form shapes to achieve camouflage.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Cell contacts in embryonic development determine cellular fate

Researchers at IST Austria have identified a positive feedback loop between cell-cell contact formation and cell fate specification in zebrafish embryos. This loop, triggered by long-lasting contacts, leads to the specification of head mesoderm cells, while short-lasting contacts result in endoderm cells.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 12, 2017

Pioneering discovery of an odor-detecting receptor enhancer

Researchers discovered an evolutionary conserved sequence motif in mammalian genomes that regulates class I odorant receptor genes, a novel mechanism of expression. The J element controls the selective expression of these genes, highlighting its importance in understanding gene regulation and disease.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2017

Sleep on your side, not your back in late pregnancy

A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that pregnant women who sleep on their backs during late pregnancy may be at increased risk of late stillbirth. Fetal activity levels were lower when mothers slept on their backs, suggesting a potential link between maternal position and fetal wellbeing.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateOct 12, 2017

New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease

Researchers at MIT developed a new way to screen for genes that protect against specific diseases by adapting the CRISPR genome-editing system. The new technology identified genes that protect yeast cells from a protein associated with Parkinson's disease, which may also provide protective effects in human neurons.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 12, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Fred Hutch studies advance methods to avert toxicity that can accompany immunotherapy

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center identified potential biomarkers and created algorithms to identify patients at risk of severe side effects from CAR T-cell therapy. The studies found that most patients with these toxicities experienced reversible or no harm, but severe cases were associated with endothelial cell activation.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Discovery·DateOct 12, 2017

Genes critical for hearing identified

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified 52 previously unknown genes that play a crucial role in human hearing. The research used 'knock-out' mice to assess their hearing thresholds and found that these genes can lead to mild to severe hearing loss or difficulties at specific frequencies.

SourceMedical Research Council·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Young men are getting more out of 'bromances' than romances

A recent study by Robinson et al. found that young men's 'bromances' are more emotionally satisfying than their romantic relationships with women. The researchers discovered that men felt less judged and more able to express emotions in their close male friendships compared to their girlfriends.

SourceSAGE·JournalMen and Masculinities·DateOct 12, 2017

Lost in translation: When humor kills the message

A QUT study found that humorous driver sleepiness advertisements can be ineffective due to drivers' expectations of shocking messages. Young Australian drivers prefer serious road safety topics over lighthearted approaches.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateOct 12, 2017

Making healthier decisions, step by step

A study at San Diego International Airport found that signs encouraging stair use increased steps taken by 50% compared to sign-free days. The prompts appeared to nudge both regular and non-exercisers into taking the stairs, demonstrating a ripple effect in behavior.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalThe Journal of Primary Prevention·DateOct 12, 2017

Tropical tree roots represent an underappreciated carbon pool

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that tropical tree roots account for almost 30% of the total biomass of young trees. The research also revealed diverse root architectures among species, with some sending large tap roots and others extending laterally just below the soil surface.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 12, 2017

How switches work in bacteria

Researchers analyzed the structure and dynamics of riboswitches using optical single-molecule experiments. They found that the riboswitch fluctuates between different conformations, with SAM attachment accelerating structure changes to ensure quick gene expression shutdown.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

USC team finds a potentially better way to treat liver cancer

A USC research team has identified a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer treatment: mitophagy, the removal of damaged mitochondria. This process can cause tumors to proliferate, but temporarily halting it may reduce cancer stem cell growth, leading to tumor regression.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 12, 2017

Watching plant photosynthesis...from space

A new technique uses satellite-based remote-sensing to quantify plant metabolism by measuring solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This correlation opens up applications for climate change and ecosystem monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and land management.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017

Whole genome sequencing identifies new genetic signature for autism

Researchers have discovered a new genetic signature for autism by analyzing the genomes of 516 autistic children and their families. The study found that individuals with autism are more likely to have multiple genetic variations, suggesting a complex interplay between genes in the development of the disorder.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

UH, ExxonMobil Chemical Company sign research agreement

The partnership aims to reduce environmental impact while developing innovative solutions for manufacturing petrochemical products. Researchers from ExxonMobil will collaborate with UH faculty and students on various projects, including studying catalysis and producing specialty chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateOct 12, 2017

Early pregnancy test for cows improves welfare and food production

A simpler early pregnancy test for cattle has improved animal welfare and food production by enabling pregnancy to be determined after just 25 days. This detection method has contributed to reduced animal costs, more efficient food production, and ultimately good human health.

SourceBioScientifica Limited·JournalReproduction·DateOct 12, 2017

Laser cavities take on new shapes and functionalities

The researchers have demonstrated the first laser cavity that can confine and propagate light in any shape imaginable, even pathways with sharp bends and angles. This new design could enable higher speed optical communication technologies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Geologic evidence is the forerunner of ominous prospects for a warming earth

A new review in Marine Geology reveals that slightly warmer temperatures and moderate CO2 concentrations over 100,000 years ago led to dramatic superstorms and sea-level rise in the Bahamas and Bermuda. The study emphasizes that strong climate forcing is not required to yield major impacts on the ocean and ice caps.

SourceElsevier·JournalMarine Geology·DateOct 12, 2017

Brain imaging results skewed by biased study samples

A new UCSF-led study found that non-representative sampling in pediatric MRI images significantly distorted findings about brain development with age. The research team created a weighted version of the dataset to better reflect the US population, revealing faster-paced brain development and a back-to-front model of brain region develo...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2017

Halting liver cancer with a sugar look-a-like

Researchers at RIKEN discovered a way to prevent liver cancer spread by treating with a modified fucose sugar. The treatment disrupts biological pathways, blocking hepatoma cells from invading healthy liver cells and suppressing migration, but not proliferation.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateOct 12, 2017

'Seeing' the other side of our galaxy

A team of astronomers successfully traced a spiral arm on the far side of our Galaxy using radio interferometry and parallax measurements. They located the Scutum-Centaurus spiral arm as it passes around the far side and verified a new method to infer distances in this region.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Understanding rare earth emulsions

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that surface polarization in mixed media increases the attraction among rare earth elements. This finding could make rare earth recovery faster, easier, and less expensive. The study's results have implications for separating rare earths as well as other elements and nuclear waste removal.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 12, 2017