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Science News Archive September 2017


Page 15 of 39

10,000-year-old DNA proves when fish colonialized our lakes

Researchers found that whitefish DNA in lake sediment dates back 10,000 years to Stora Lögdasjön, while Lake Hotagen was only colonized 2,200 years ago. This discovery provides insights into the spread of fish species and how they responded to climate change.

Plants combine color and fragrance to procure pollinators

A study by Cornell University researchers found that plants use coordinated signals of color and fragrance to attract insects, which are essential for pollination. The research provides a new framework for understanding the complex relationships between plants and their pollinators.

Both high, low levels of magnesium in blood linked to risk of dementia

A recent study published in Neurology found that both high and low levels of magnesium in blood may increase the risk of developing dementia. The research involved 9,569 participants who were followed for eight years, with those having high or low magnesium levels showing a 30% higher risk of dementia compared to the middle group.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Bio-inspired approach to RNA delivery

Researchers at MIT have designed a synthetic delivery system that is four times more effective than delivering mRNA on its own. The system uses a protein cap and poly-A binding protein to help mRNA bind to ribosomes and begin translation, resulting in higher protein expression.

Real or fake? Creating fingers to protect identities

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new type of fake finger containing multiple properties of human skin, designed to test fingerprint recognition systems' resilience to spoof attacks. The synthetic fingers aim to improve the accuracy and security of fingerprint readers used in various applications.

New Army models predict number of cyberattacks that pierce company networks

Researchers developed a predictive model to estimate the number of successful cyber intrusions, which found that internal security policies and network access patterns are strong predictors. The model's accuracy was improved by analyzing regression results and demonstrated the feasibility of constructing a practical predictive model.

Penn researchers identify new target, develop new drug for cancer therapies

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new target for cancer therapies by blocking an enzyme crucial to tumor growth and a process that causes resistance to current treatments. A new drug called DQ661 successfully inhibits tumor growth in mice with melanoma, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.

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.

Plant physiology: Adjusting to fluctuating temperatures

Researchers found that native North American species have a vegetation period approximately 3 weeks shorter than those in Europe and Asia due to fluctuating temperatures. This difference affects plant productivity and biogeochemical cycling, with implications for climate change impacts on ecosystems.

System automatically modifies code for transfer to other programs

Researchers at MIT's CSAIL developed a new system called CodeCarbonCopy that allows programmers to transplant code from one program into another. The system can translate between different data representations used by the donor and recipient programs, making it possible to import code seamlessly.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists propose new concept of terrestrial planet formation

Scientists propose a new concept of terrestrial planet formation involving heat-pipes, which transport heat from interior to surface via mantle melting and magma ascent. This hypothesis resolves major outstanding problems across all planets, including the formation of volcanic terrains and lithospheres.

Fly away home? Ice age may have clipped bird migration

Researchers found that glaciers may have 'switched off' migratory behavior in bird species, transforming the tropics into long-term residences. The study challenges traditional assumptions about bird migration and has implications for understanding the evolution of this complex trait.

Epilepsy drugs may have damaging effects on children's bones

A recent study found that young people taking anti-epileptic drugs experience elevated rates of bone fractures and reduced bone mineral density. The study highlights the need to further investigate bone health issues in pediatric patients on these medications.

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.

Wave Glider surfs across stormy Drake Passage in Antarctica

Researchers used a Wave Glider to collect data on the Southern Ocean's mixing patterns, which are key to understanding climate change. The autonomous platform successfully traversed the turbulent Drake Passage, gathering insights into ocean physics and heat energy mixing.

Researchers hit the brakes on lethal brain cancers in mice

A new study published in Nature found that highly lethal brain tumors stop growing when deprived of a specific molecule naturally produced when brain cells fire. Researchers suggest targeting the protein neuroligin-3 as a potential approach for treating high-grade gliomas.

Lipid vesicles replace blood in new bacteria test

Researchers have developed a new test that can provide results in just hours for diagnosing bacterial infections like Strep throat. The test uses lipid vesicles to detect beta-hemolytic bacteria with 100% accuracy on plates and 99% accuracy in liquid broth.

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.

Slowly proliferating melanoma cells with high metastatic properties

A study at The Wistar Institute has discovered a slowly proliferating and highly invasive melanoma cell subpopulation that can leave the primary tumor and colonize distant sites. These cells express higher levels of the protein SerpinE2, which plays a critical role in melanoma invasion.

The right way to repair DNA

Researchers found that tiny protein CYREN inhibits fast but error-prone NHEJ pathway and enables slower HR pathway, offering potential tool against cancer. CYREN's discovery clarifies longstanding mystery about DNA repair pathways.

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.

Discovery helps improve accuracy of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

Researchers identify REC3 domain as a master controller of DNA cutting and engineer mutations to improve accuracy without impacting efficiency. The hyper-accurate gene editor, dubbed HypaCas9, retains on-target efficiency while discriminating between on- and off-target sites in human cells.

Brown to study music program for nursing home residents with dementia

Researchers at Brown University plan to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized music program in improving care and outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia. The new study aims to provide clearer evidence on the impact of MUSIC & MEMORY, which has shown promising results in previous studies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UNIST to track the spread of deadly avian influenza

The University of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed a self-powered tracking device capable of monitoring wild bird migration routes. The device will be used to predict bird flu outbreaks by compiling vast amounts of data into risk maps using data visualization techniques.

Drones can almost see in the dark

Researchers from the University of Zurich have developed a new camera system that allows drones to capture images in high-speed motion and low light, enabling autonomous flight. This technology can assist search and rescue teams in disaster areas where conventional drones are unable to operate.

Breaking legume's crop wild relative barrier

Researchers made significant strides in transferring disease- and stress-resistance traits from wild relatives of several legumes to their domesticated varieties. This research improves the resilience of domestic legume varieties and sustains agriculture in semi-arid regions.

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.

Self-control may not diminish throughout the day

Researchers monitored students' success in a 17-week online program, finding that time of day had little effect on task completion, contradicting the theory of finite self-control. Students' performance on specific tasks declined after about an hour, regardless of when they started.

HHMI selects 15 Hanna Gray Fellows to support diversity in science

The HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows Program supports 15 early career scientists from underrepresented groups with up to $1.4 million in funding over eight years. Fellows will receive mentoring and active involvement within the HHMI community, aiming to drive real change in academia.

NASA tracking Jose meandering off US East Coast

Hurricane Jose is slowly moving northward off the U.S. East Coast, producing dangerous surf and rip currents along the coast of North Carolina and Long Island. The storm's movement and strength are being closely monitored by NASA's GPM satellite and NOAA's GOES East satellites.

Supercontinuum lasers can lead to better bread and beer

A new breakthrough in food analysis using supercontinuum lasers can measure whole grains non-destructively and accurately predict health-promoting properties like beta-glucan content. This technology has great potential for improving the quality of food products, including bread and beer.

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.

Exposure to pet and pest allergens during infancy linked to reduced asthma risk

A new NIH-funded study finds that children exposed to high indoor levels of pet or pest allergens during infancy have a lower risk of developing asthma by age 7. The study suggests that exposure to certain allergens early in life may prevent asthma from developing, and may provide clues for the design of strategies to prevent asthma.

Landmark study suggests risks vary widely in drone-human impacts

A recent study published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering suggests that unmanned aircraft pose a wide range of risks to people on the ground, with some small drones potentially safe to operate over people while others present significant injury risk. The research found that design features such as deflection and deformation can ...

Cell-based therapy success could be boosted by new antioxidant

A new chemical compound has been found to significantly improve the survival of cells during transplantation, a process used in cell-based therapies for various conditions. The antioxidant, Proxison, was tested on lab-grown cells and shown to be 10 times more effective than natural antioxidants in protecting cells from damage.

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.

Political polarization? Don't blame the web, Brown study says

A Brown University study finds that political polarization has increased most among demographic groups with low internet and social media use. The authors suggest that broader forces beyond the digital landscape may be driving the rise in partisanship.

Monk parakeets invade Mexico

A recent study reveals that nearly half a million monk parakeets were imported into Mexico over five years, leading to rapid expansion across the country. The species was declared an invasive species in 2016, highlighting the need for management steps.

Tiny lasers from a gallery of whispers

Researchers have developed a new type of dye-doped WGM micro-laser that produces light with tunable wavelengths, offering broader tuning ranges and reversible tuning. The devices also exhibit enhanced sensitivity in refractive index sensing.

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.

NASA sees Tropical Depression Norma's small area of strength

Tropical Depression Norma has a smaller area of strong storms, with cloud top temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The depression is weakening and expected to degenerate into a remnant low on Wednesday, moving westward towards Mexico.

Why aren't house sparrows as big as geese?

A team of researchers at NTNU successfully conducted artificial selection on wild birds, altering their size and genetic composition. The study found that the birds' size changed as expected, with those on Vega becoming smaller and those on Leka becoming larger, before reverting back to original sizes once natural selection resumed.

Mathematician and chronicler of political murders

Professor Matthias Scherer and his team at TUM discovered new facts about Gumbel's life, including his statistical analyzes of court proceedings and newspaper articles. The researchers found that 326 out of 354 political murders by right-wing factions went unpunished, highlighting Gumbel's pioneering work in modern data journalism.