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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 30


Page 30 of 43

Ketone nutritional supplements: Good or bad for athletic performance?

Research suggests that ketone salts enhance fat burning but inhibit high-intensity exercise performance. The study found that power output decreased by seven percent when participants consumed ketone salts during a cycling time trial. The long-term impacts of artificially increasing blood ketone levels are unknown.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateOct 11, 2017

Playing a conversation game may encourage advance care planning

A study found that playing a game called 'Hello' encourages people with chronic illness and their caregivers to engage in advance care planning. Three months after playing the game, 75 percent of participants had completed some form of advance care planning.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·DateOct 11, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Calcium lets T cells use sugar to multiply and fight infection

Researchers at NYU School of Medicine discovered that calcium flow into cells controls the activation of genes involved in glucose metabolism, enabling T cells to multiply. The study's findings have implications for autoimmune diseases and may lead to new treatments.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalImmunity·DateOct 11, 2017

Gel to fight rheumatoid arthritis

Scientists developed a hydrogel that detects nitric oxide and absorbs excess fluids, delivering drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The gel uses acrylamide as a base material and NOCCL crosslinker to trap drug molecules.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 11, 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.

Pumas living near human development expend more energy

A study found that pumas in developed areas are more active at night, expending 10-11% more energy daily. This increased activity affects their ability to hunt and feed their young, highlighting the importance of conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 11, 2017

When the brain's wiring breaks

Scientists have discovered that axon damage leads to shrinking dendritic spines and rising excitability in neurons, but also found that blocking gene activity with netrin-1 can reverse these changes. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for brain injury patients.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 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.

A new potential alternative to mosquito control discovered

Researchers have found that essential oils extracted from citrus fruit peels are highly effective in killing mosquito larvae, suggesting a potential eco-friendly alternative for mosquito control programs. The study, believed to be the first of its kind, uses three citrus species and has shown promising results.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalNatural Product Research·DateOct 10, 2017

Lung cancer research gets a breath of fresh air

Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a human lung-on-a-chip technology that models the growth and metastatic behaviors of non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that tumor cells grow rampantly in the alveolar microenvironment but remain quiescent in the airway chip, and that cyclic...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 10, 2017

How fever in early pregnancy causes heart, facial birth defects

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that fever in early pregnancy can cause heart and facial birth defects, but using a fever reducer like acetaminophen may help prevent these defects. The study used zebrafish and chicken embryos to demonstrate the impact of fever on development.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalScience Signaling·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Study shows epidurals don't slow labor

A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that epidural analgesia does not affect the duration of the second stage of labor, contrary to long-held beliefs. The research compared catheter-infused epidural anesthetic with a saline placebo and found no significant difference in duration or other outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 10, 2017

Meeting an unmet need: Surgical implant that grows with a child

A new growth-accommodating implant designed for cardiac repair in children can reduce the number of surgeries needed over time. The implant, developed by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, uses a biopolymer core that degrades predictably, allowing it to grow with the child.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Seeing the next dimension of computer chips

Scientists at Osaka University used scanning tunneling microscopy to create images of atomically flat side-surfaces of 3D silicon crystals, a crucial step towards designing smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient computer chips. The achievement paves the way for innovation in semiconductor manufacturing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJapanese Journal of Applied Physics·DateOct 10, 2017

Without a nudge, old prescribing habits die hard for clinicians

Researchers found that two psychological approaches, peer comparison and accountable justification, significantly reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rates. However, when these interventions were removed after a year, some clinicians' bad habits returned, highlighting the need for long-term adoption of nudges to maintain bette...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateOct 10, 2017

New Zika serotypes may emerge, researcher warns

Researchers warn that Zika virus is rapidly mutating in Brazilian patients, potentially leading to the emergence of new serotypes. This could hinder the production of effective vaccines and diagnostic tests, posing significant public health risks.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateOct 10, 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.

This soft robotic gripper can screw in your light bulbs for you

Developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego, the gripper combines capabilities to twist, sense, and build models of objects. Researchers tested it on an industrial robot, demonstrating its ability to manipulate a wide range of objects in low light conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 10, 2017

Call to action on food justice and overcoming disparities in infant nutrition

A new article introduces the concept of food justice to address infant feeding disparities and environmental injustices in breast milk access. The authors propose activism strategies to advance food justice, emphasizing the importance of breast milk as a basis for infants' immune response.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Justice·DateOct 10, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

A self-propelled catheter with earthworm-like peristaltic motion

Researchers developed a self-propelled catheter that uses peristaltic motion to navigate ultrafine bronchi, improving biopsy accuracy. The catheter's actively curving function helps choose the direction of propulsion and its flexing drive adjusts to changes in line diameter.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·DateOct 10, 2017

Advantages of breast feeding -- Elucidation of a molecular mechanism

Research reveals that oxytocin is ingested by intestinal villiated epithelial cells via RAGE receptors after gut closure. This mechanism enables oxytocin to be orally administered as a medication and/or nutrient supplement in milk, promoting social brain development and communication.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2017

When anemones bleach, clownfish suffer

Researchers found that bleached anemones led to a drastic fall in viable eggs among clownfish (-73%) and increased cortisol levels. This study reveals the impact of climate change on coral reefs and the fish that depend on them.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Flexible sensors can detect movement in GI tract

Researchers at MIT have developed a flexible sensor that can be ingested to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders such as slow digestion and monitor food intake. The sensor measures the rhythmic contractions of the digestive tract, providing valuable information on stomach movement.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateOct 10, 2017

Quorn protein on par with animal sources

A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that Quorn protein may be as effective as animal-based proteins in building muscle. The research compared Mycoprotein, a fungi-based protein source found in Quorn foods, to milk protein and found equivalent bioavailability.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateOct 10, 2017

BU: Stepped care beneficial after hurricanes

A stepped care approach is more effective in reducing PTSD prevalence than usual care in the aftermath of hurricanes. The study found that stepped care delivered greater reach, treatment effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness than usual care when it came to hurricane-related PTSD.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 10, 2017

Do male fish prefer them big and colorful?

In a study published in Springer's Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, researchers found that male black-finned goodeid fish prefer females with larger bellies and more vibrant colors. These physical traits were associated with higher reproductive value and increased chances of offspring survival.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 10, 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.

A hard lesson -- the way poor sleep impacts on schooling

Research found that over a third of primary school children are getting less than ten hours of sleep per night, with poor sleep associated with difficulties in paying attention in class and keeping up with school work. Removing technology from the bedroom may help improve sleep outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateOct 10, 2017

Debate over Mars exploration strategy heats up in astrobiology journal

The article discusses a debate over Mars exploration strategies, with some experts proposing the relaxation of planetary protection policies to expand the search for life on Mars. Current robotic missions may be hindering the discovery of Martian life due to contamination concerns, but easing policies could lead to breakthroughs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAstrobiology·DateOct 10, 2017

Targeting 'lipid chaperones' may preserve lifelong metabolic health

Researchers found that mice lacking fatty acid-binding proteins exhibit substantial protection against obesity and metabolic diseases as they age. However, this effect did not lengthen lifespan. The study suggests that targeting lipid chaperones may be a way to mimic the benefits of calorie restriction.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 10, 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.

NASA eyes the development of Tropical Storm Ophelia

Tropical Storm Ophelia developed on Oct. 9, strengthening into a tropical storm with strong thunderstorms and an eye-like feature. NASA forecasts gradual strengthening over the next 48 hours, with Ophelia expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 10, 2017

Protein restricts sap uptake by aphids

Researchers at Umea University have discovered a plant protein that limits aphid feeding behavior, resulting in reduced sap ingestion and fewer offspring on resistant plants. The protein is thought to occlude the narrow food canal of the aphid, providing a new avenue for developing more sustainable crop resistance.

SourceUmea University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateOct 10, 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.

Machine learning translates 'hidden' information to reveal chemistry in action

Scientists have developed a new machine learning method that can analyze x-ray data to reveal the structures and environments of catalysts during reactions. This allows for real-time analysis and optimization of reaction conditions, potentially leading to improved catalyst performance and faster production of desired products.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateOct 10, 2017

Drivers are less cautious at railway crossings

A QUT study found drivers approach level crossings significantly faster and with less caution than at road intersections, posing a significant risk of fatalities. Drivers often fail to assess the situation properly, failing to recognize approaching trains or adapting their behavior for reduced visibility during night-time driving.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateOct 10, 2017

SUNY Downstate awarded $10 million from National Institutes of Health

SUNY Downstate has been awarded a $10 million grant to form a translational health disparities research program, focusing on recruiting and training underrepresented minority scientists. The program will support junior faculty endowments, research fellowships, and recruit underrepresented minority students to study health disparities.

SourceSUNY Downstate Health Science University·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Forget about it

Researchers develop a quantum perovskite material that exhibits adaptive response to repeated proton insertion and removal, resembling brain's desensitization. This property enables effective programming of the material like a computer.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

More than half of police killings not officially documented on US death certificates

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official US death certificates failed to count over half of the people killed by police in 2015, with a greater proportion undercounted in lower-income counties and for deaths involving non-firearm means like Tasers. The study's findings highlight the need for better...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Mass. General team creates functional, stem-cell-derived small bowel segments

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has successfully created functional small intestine segments using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The segments were able to absorb nutrients and transfer glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream when transplanted into rats. This breakthrough could potentially provide a ...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

Research clarifies nuclear hormone receptor function in plants

A new study reveals that Mediator subunit MED25 links the jasmonate receptor to transcriptionally active chromatin. It also interacts with histone modification enzymes to regulate gene expression, integrating genetic and epigenetic regulators.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2017

Study identifies whale blow microbiome

A new study found a shared respiratory microbiome in healthy humpback whales, with 25 bacterial groups present across all samples. This discovery could serve as an important framework for monitoring whale health and detecting diseases.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSystems·DateOct 10, 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.