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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 6


Page 6 of 43
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.

FSU researcher: Modern civilization doesn't diminish violence

A Florida State University researcher challenges the idea that modern civilization reduces violence by arguing it may actually increase the likelihood of surviving a war. Studies on chimpanzees and human societies show that larger populations lead to more deaths in conflicts.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateOct 27, 2017

'European Muslims perceive the EU more positively than other Europeans'

A study by the Cluster of Excellence found that European Muslims have a more positive view of the EU compared to other groups. This is largely due to their satisfaction with living conditions and higher political interest. The study also highlights the importance of successful integration in maintaining trust in EU institutions.

SourceCluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics"·JournalEuropean Union Politics·DateOct 27, 2017

AAAS launches SciLine, new service for journalists to enhance science coverage

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched SciLine, a new service connecting reporters with credible scientists to provide evidence-based information on news-worthy topics. This initiative aims to advance quality reporting on science and technology issues, building trust between news outlets and audiences.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 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.

James Webb Space Telescope's laser-focused sight

The James Webb Space Telescope aligns its primary mirror segments through wavefront sensing and control, measuring imperfections with a near-infrared camera instrument. Engineers use computer algorithms to determine the mirror's shape and movement, resulting in sharp, focused images.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 26, 2017

Why insects can develop from unfertilized egg cells

Parthenogenesis is favorable for appearance and further existence of groups when population density is low, allowing rapid reproduction. Phytophagous insects reproducing by thelytoky can cause significant harm to agriculture and forestry.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalJournal of Zoological Systematics & Evolutionary Research·DateOct 26, 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.

The Lancet: Afternoon heart surgery syncs with body's circadian clock and is linked to better outcomes for patients

A study published in The Lancet found that moving heart surgery to the afternoon can reduce the risk of heart damage and major cardiac events. Afternoon surgery was associated with a 50% lower risk of major cardiac events compared to morning surgery, suggesting that synchronization with the body's circadian clock may improve outcomes.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 26, 2017

UTA alumna/Arlington teacher earns national award

Jennifer Fuller, a UTA alumna and Arlington teacher, has been awarded the Milken Educator Award for her efforts to further excellence in education. Her innovative teaching methods have resulted in high student achievement growth, earning her classes the highest end-of-course exam scores in the district for two consecutive years.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateOct 26, 2017

For older adults, keeping your heart healthy may protect against disability

A study of Chilean adults aged 65 and older found that maintaining ideal cardiovascular health behaviors, such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and not smoking, can reduce the risk of disability. The researchers also discovered that having an ideal body mass index (BMI) can lower disability risk, particularly for those wit...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 26, 2017

Peers can reduce tobacco use among younger smokers

A study from UC Davis Health found that peer-led interventions can significantly reduce tobacco use among youth and young adults, with a 12.5% quit rate at six months. The most effective tools were informational conversations and 'quit kits' of behavior-replacement activities.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Community Health·DateOct 26, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Deep-depletion: A new concept for MOSFETs

Researchers have created a proof of concept for MOSFETs using the deep depletion regime in bulk-boron-doped diamond, increasing hole channel carrier mobility by an order of magnitude. This enables more efficient power electronics and paves the way for fully exploiting diamond's potential in MOSFET applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 26, 2017

FRAX online risk assessments reach 20 million milestone

The FRAX calculator has been widely adopted globally, helping clinicians make informed decisions based on multiple scientifically validated risk factors. A recent study confirms that intervention thresholds based on fracture probabilities are highly effective in targeting high-risk individuals.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateOct 26, 2017

The Guanches originated from North Africa, shows DNA-study

The new study reveals that the Guanches carried a mixture of genetic ancestry, with a significant proportion derived from modern North Africans and European Stone Age farmers. The findings provide conclusive evidence on the origins of the Guanches and shed light on their cultural and genetic legacy.

SourceStockholm University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 26, 2017

Researchers greenlight gas detection at room temperature

Researchers have developed a mechanism for detecting molecular hydrogen using green light to illuminate a nanocrystalline composite sensor based on zinc and indium oxides. This enables gas sensors operating at room temperature.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 2017
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.

Study: How cities can best fight climate change

A new study by MIT researchers found that cities can reduce urban emissions primarily through better building practices, not greater housing density. Implementing energy-efficient construction standards and retrofitting existing homes can lower residential emissions by up to 19% by 2030.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·DateOct 26, 2017

Taking a tip from mussels to make materials both strong and flexible

Researchers created a polymer-based material with enhanced strength and elasticity by mimicking a mussel's adhesive qualities. The material, which is 770 times stiffer and 92 times tougher than its untreated precursor, offers potential applications in structural, biomedical, and aerospace materials.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2017

A new player helping viruses hijack their hosts

Scientists have identified a new player in viral infection, revealing how certain long noncoding RNAs can aid viruses in hijacking host cells. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding host-virus interactions to develop effective antiviral strategies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2017

CNS awards Lithuanian professor for the paradigm shift in neurology

A Lithuanian professor has been awarded the Paper of the Year by The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) for his groundbreaking research on severe traumatic brain injury. The study found that longer durations of cerebrovascular autoregulation impairment events significantly correlate with worse patient outcomes.

SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalNeurosurgery·DateOct 26, 2017
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.

Pregnancy poses no greater risk to breast cancer survivors

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that pregnancy does not incur a greater risk of relapse for survivors of breast cancer. The study found no significant difference in breast cancer recurrence rates among pregnant and non-pregnant women with a history of ER-positive breast cancer.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 26, 2017

Researchers use a pump-induced disease to define underlying molecular mechanism

A study published in Journal of General Physiology investigated the functional effects of specific mutations in Na/K pumps found in tumors that induce primary aldosteronism. The researchers found that impaired sodium and potassium transport is a common mechanism behind the pathology, contradicting previous 'gain-of-function' proposals.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateOct 26, 2017

BU receives prestigious ACS award

The American Cancer Society has awarded Boston University School of Medicine with a three-year, $270,000 Institutional Research Grants program award to support early-stage cancer research by junior faculty. This funding will provide grants per year and is valued for its opportunity to establish proof-of-concept.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateOct 26, 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.

Scientific evaluation of rhino diets improves zoo

A study by San Diego Zoo Global found that changing diets for southern white rhinos to low phytoestrogen levels improved reproductive success. The switch resulted in two females becoming pregnant and giving birth to healthy calves.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·DateOct 26, 2017

Mending hearts in three dimensions

A Kyoto-Osaka team uses hiPSCs to develop biodegradable aligned nanofibers as a scaffold for culturing cardiomyocytes, forming robust and functional cardiac tissue-like constructs. These CTLCs show excellent operability leading to favorable heart function recovery in injured rat hearts.

SourceKyoto University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 26, 2017

Doctors need cultural training

A Norwegian study reveals that general practitioners lack cultural competency when dealing with patients from diverse backgrounds. Researchers emphasize the need for mandatory cultural training in medical education to address these gaps.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalFamily Practice·DateOct 26, 2017

Sonic Hedgehog at the center of Parkinson's research at CCNY

Researchers at City College of New York are exploring Sonic Hedgehog as a potential treatment for Parkinson's Disease. They have found that dopamine neurons secrete SHH, which can help reduce symptoms like dyskinesia, and are now testing Smoothened agonists in both mice and macaques.

SourceCity College of New York·DateOct 26, 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.

The oceans were colder than we thought

A study by EPFL and European researchers found that past ocean temperatures may have remained relatively stable over the past 100 million years. This challenges decades of paleoclimate research and raises concerns about current levels of climate change.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 26, 2017

Scientists detect comets outside our solar system

A team of scientists and amateur astronomers have detected six exocomets, the smallest objects yet found outside our solar system, using transit photometry. The detection marks the first time an object as small as a comet has been identified using this technique.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 26, 2017

Russian scientists have found flaws in popular theories of gravity

Researchers at Ural Federal University found that a popular theory of gravity is flawed when applied to real-world astrophysical conditions. They propose new Horndeski models to stabilize black holes, addressing modern physics prerequisites and inconsistencies. The study aims to develop a new theory of gravity meeting all requirements.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateOct 26, 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.

Smell sensitivity varies with circadian rhythm, study suggests

Researchers found that smell sensitivity peaks in the late evening and varies over the course of a day, influenced by internal circadian rhythms. This discovery has implications for assessing a patient's sense of smell and may affect food choices and eating behaviors among teens.

SourceBrown University·JournalChemical Senses·DateOct 26, 2017

Knowledge of larval fish just a drop in the ocean

A year-long survey of Red Sea fish larvae found varying stock levels through the seasons, with higher abundance at near-shore sites during colder months. The study also identified differences in community structure, with deeper-adapted species prevalent at offshore sites.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 26, 2017

Geobiologist receives prestigious Packard Fellowship

Magdalena Osburn, a Northwestern University geobiologist, has been awarded a $875,000 Packard Fellowship to study 'microbial dark matter', or unknown microbes that have evaded cultivation in the lab. Her research will explore how these microorganisms interact with their environments and produce chemical signatures.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateOct 26, 2017

The sea turtle that refused to be beaten by the storm

Researchers discovered that adult sea turtles like Eleanor can survive and even thrive during tropical storms. The study found that sea turtles like Eleanor drastically change behavior when the storm strikes, using more energy than usual but still surviving without injury.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 26, 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.

Mutation in fallopian tube lesions may help catch ovarian cancer years earlier

Researchers discovered that tumor cells in the fallopian tubes of women at high-risk for ovarian cancer can be detected years before they develop into the disease, providing a potential window of time for early detection and intervention. The study identified TP53 gene mutations as an early indicator of ovarian cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 26, 2017

Is Alzheimer's disease a disorder of energy metabolism?

Researchers found impaired mitochondrial metabolism and increased glycolysis in LOAD cells, indicating failing mitochondria. The study suggests that bioenergetics changes may contribute to the risk and pathophysiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 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.

A new weapon against malaria

Researchers have identified two proteases essential for the malaria parasite's survival and dissemination, as well as a molecule capable of inhibiting them. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs blocking not only the parasite's development in humans but also its transmission to mosquitoes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2017

Novel technology provides powerful new means for studying neural circuits

A new Brown University-developed technology called trans-Tango allows scientists to visualize neural connections in fruit flies, revealing previously unmapped gustatory circuits. The technology enables circuit tracing and has the potential to control circuit functions, expanding its applications in neuroscience.

SourceBrown University·JournalNeuron·DateOct 26, 2017

Cowpea protected from a devastating pest, free for smallholder African farmers

Scientists have engineered cowpea to produce a Bacillus thuringiensis protein that protects against the Maruca pod borer. The resulting Bt cowpea variety can yield up to 25% more than traditional varieties, making it an attractive option for smallholder farmers in Africa.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·DateOct 26, 2017

Sidetracked by a donut?

A recent study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that calorie-dense foods are more distracting than low-calorie foods or everyday objects, even if they are not related to food. The researchers used a distraction paradigm to test how participants' thoughts and cognition relate to their eating habits.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateOct 26, 2017

Manipulating mitochondrial networks could promote healthy aging

Researchers found that restricting diet or using genetic manipulation to mimic it can maintain youthful mitochondrial networks, increasing lifespan. These youthful networks also improve fat metabolism by communicating with peroxisomes.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 26, 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.

Late Triassic terrestrial ecosystem changes

The Norian Chinle Formation provides a snapshot of an ancient terrestrial ecosystem with plant and vertebrate remains. A new extinction event occurred between 213-217 million years ago, leading to a shift towards drier conditions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateOct 26, 2017

Bat poop: A reliable source of climate change

Researchers from University of South Florida use bat guano to study climate change in east-central Europe since the Medieval Warm Period. Isotopes found in bat guano provide a near annual record of winter precipitation for the region.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 2017

Fly hunter has described 30 new species

A Norwegian PhD candidate has discovered 30 new species of non-biting midges, using DNA barcoding to confirm the identities of the insects. The research provides significant contributions to the knowledge of this insect group and highlights the importance of DNA barcoding in understanding biodiversity.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInsect Systematics & Evolution·DateOct 26, 2017