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Science News Archive September 2017


Page 6 of 39

How forest fires spoil wine

Glycosylation of smoke-derived volatiles in grapevine is catalyzed by a promiscuous resveratrol/guaiacol glucosyltransferase, leading to undesirable aromas in wine. The study provides insight into the molecular mechanism behind this phenomenon and potential counter-measures for vintners.

Warm Northwest waters draw spawning fish north

Scientists found anchovies and sardines spawning earlier and longer in Northwest waters due to unusually warm ocean conditions. This change may have unforeseen consequences on the food web, including competing with other species for food.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Large increase in rate of death from chronic respiratory diseases

Between 1980 and 2014, US chronic respiratory disease deaths rose significantly, with a 29.7% increase overall. The majority of this growth occurred in specific regions, including central Appalachia for COPD, the Southwest for interstitial lung disease, and southern states for asthma.

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.

Fisheries sustainability linked to gender roles among traders

A WCS study of fish traders in coastal Kenya found that women largely occupied fisheries with low profits and are excluded from more profitable fisheries. To promote gender coexistence and sustainability, the authors suggest increasing gear and market diversity and providing better access to fisheries knowledge and education for women.

Amount of water in stem cells can determine its fate as fat or bone

Researchers found that altering stem cell volume changes its internal dynamics and influences the cell's fate, with removing water making it stiff pre-bone cells and adding water forming soft pre-fat cells. This study adds a new tool to understanding stem cell biology for regenerative medicine.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In plain sight

Human brains tend to miss objects that are mis-scaled, even when they're in view. Researchers found this phenomenon in eye-tracking studies, but not in computer vision algorithms like deep neural networks. This study aims to better understand human visual search strategies and improve computer vision.

A new role for insulin as a vital factor in maintaining stem cells

A new study reveals that insulin is essential for preserving pluripotent stem cells' ability to become any cell type. Insufficient insulin leads to a specialized endoderm cell type, similar to early embryonic cells, suggesting potential importance in human development and pregnancy.

Drug combo gangs up to take on triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers have discovered a powerful combination treatment that disrupts multiple factors in aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. The novel approach, combining a protein inhibitor with a chemotherapy drug, produced a synergistic effect that was more effective than either drug alone.

Injection alternative

The new model predicts how glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) will affect patients' blood sugar levels based on chemical traits. The MIT team identified several strong GRI candidates and plans to test them in animals.

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.

Berkeley Lab aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of the grid

Berkeley Lab is developing algorithms to monitor the grid for irregularities and dispatch safe settings to counter potential cyber attacks. The project aims to enhance grid resilience while maintaining security. It partners with industry leaders and utilities to leverage best practices and standards.

New study analyzes causes of 2010 landslide in Saint-Jude, Quebec

A new study has identified the triggers behind a devastating 2010 landslide in Quebec, Canada, which killed four people and destroyed a house. Sediment erosion by the Salvail River and high groundwater pressure under the river bed contributed to the failure of sensitive clay sediments.

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.

New system proposed for logging physician experience in robotic surgeries

A new web-based program called RoboLog has been developed to improve the reporting of robotic surgeries performed by surgeons in training. The system provides detailed information about a resident's involvement in robotic surgeries, allowing for more accurate assessment of their competency and earlier identification of deficits.

Chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and farm animals, with limited effectiveness of past management strategies. New research proposes controlled forest fires as a risk control strategy, aiming to reduce the spread of prions shed by animal waste and carcasses.

Drought -- a cause of riots

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management found a systematic link between droughts and riots in sub-Saharan Africa. Droughts increase the possibility of rioting by 10% in a given month, with population density playing a key role in this relationship.

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.

Even open-label placebos work -- if they are explained

Researchers found that open-label placebos can be effective in treating physical complaints such as chronic back pain and migraine. The placebo effect is enhanced when participants are given a clear explanation of how it works, suggesting that a narrative plays a crucial role.

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.

International prize recognizes Northwest ocean research program

The Newport Line, a decades-long ocean monitoring program off the Pacific Northwest coast, has been recognized for its significant contributions to marine science. The PICES Ocean Monitoring Service Award acknowledges the program's value in understanding climate patterns, salmon returns, and ocean currents.

Older drivers adapt their thinking to improve road hazard detection

Researchers found that older drivers modify their response criteria to identify hazards in high-traffic situations, leading to more false alarms. This adaptation allows them to compensate for age-related changes and potentially improve their driving abilities through training.

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.

Post-heart attack: How can scar tissue be turned back into healthy heart muscle?

Scientists at UNC School of Medicine compare two reprogramming techniques to generate patient-specific cardiomyocytes, finding that one method produces cells with embryonic cell signatures while the other yields cells with adult characteristics. This knowledge is crucial for developing new therapies and understanding cardiac disease.

Opening up a new chapter for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's

A research team led by DGIST Professor Moon Cheil has identified the reason behind olfactory dysfunction in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that a toxic protein called beta-amyloid accumulates in the peripheral nervous system, specifically in the olfactory epithelium, leading to olfactory failure.

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.

More than 100 schools sign on to teach health risks of climate change

A growing movement in higher education is launching a global effort to educate health professionals on the health impacts of climate change. The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education aims to build expertise among health workers to integrate knowledge into daily practice, enhancing public health while mitigating climate change.

TMIST breast cancer screening trial begins to enroll nearly 165,000 women

The Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) is a randomized trial comparing two types of digital mammography for breast cancer screening. The study aims to determine if the newer technology, tomosynthesis (3D), reduces advanced breast cancers more effectively than conventional mammography.

Higher risk of heart failure in cold weather, study suggests

A study found that cold temperatures and atmospheric pressure increases are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and death in elderly patients with heart failure. The researchers suggest that elderly patients should avoid fog and low cloud weather in winter to prevent such events.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Graphene forged into three-dimensional shapes

Researchers from Finland and Taiwan have successfully fabricated three-dimensional graphene structures using optical forging, a technique that utilizes laser light to shape the material. The resulting graphene objects exhibit unique electronic and optical properties, opening up new possibilities for graphene-based devices.

New approaches in targeted cancer therapy

Researchers at Cologne University Hospital have discovered a novel inhibitor that specifically targets NMC tumours, a rare and lethal form of cancer. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism responsible for the effectiveness of the inhibitor, paving the way for new and improved therapies.

Portland State study links cancerous toxins to cannabis extract

Researchers at Portland State University found benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals in butane hash oil vapor, raising health concerns about dabbing. The study highlights the need for further toxicology research to guide future policy on marijuana consumption.

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.

Researchers identify novel way to target Ebola

Scientists have discovered that the Ebola virus directly interacts with T-cells and specifically Tim-1, triggering a cytokine storm. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Ebola infection and offers potential targets for therapeutic strategies to reduce the severity of the disease.

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.

Discovering potential therapeutic protein inhibitors for Chagas disease

Researchers used computational drug discovery and in vitro enzyme assays to identify potential therapeutic protein inhibitors for Chagas disease. The study successfully selected four drug-like compounds that interacted with a key amino acid, demonstrating the promise of docking simulation for identifying effective treatments.

The drying of peatlands is reducing bird diversity

A recent study reveals that peatland bird populations have decreased by a third in Finland and Sweden over the past three decades. The Finnish ruff is among the most threatened species, with its population falling to just 3% of its original size. In contrast, the crane species has tripled its population during this time period.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Weight loss for adults at any age leads to cost savings, study suggests

A new study suggests that weight loss in adults leads to significant cost savings, peaking at age 50. The research found that an adult who goes from obese to overweight can save $17,655 in direct medical costs and productivity losses over their lifetime, while losing weight from obese to healthy results in a savings of $28,020.