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Science News Archive September 2017


Page 9 of 39

Tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby, argue experts

A recent evidence review found that collision sports, such as youth rugby, carry high rates of injury, including concussions. Experts argue that banning tackle and scrum in school rugby could significantly reduce these risks. In contrast, other strategies like wearing protective equipment have weak evidence supporting their effectiveness.

Antarctica: The wind sublimates snowflakes

Researchers found that katabatic winds in Antarctica cause sublimation of snowflakes, reducing precipitation and affecting the ice sheet's mass balance. This phenomenon could be worsened by climate change.

New tool demonstrates high cost of lack of sleep in the workplace

A new fatigue cost calculator reveals that US employers can lose up to $1.4 million annually due to employee sleep deficiency. The calculator estimates costs for absenteeism, productivity loss, healthcare expenses, accidents, and other occupational costs associated with exhausted employees.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Newly revealed autism-related genes include genes involved in cancer

Researchers have identified networks of genes related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may also be involved in cancer, potentially leading to new treatment options. The study used a computational technique to account for gene interactions, revealing genes that could affect similar pathways.

Four elements make 2-D optical platform

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a four-component alloy with tunable optical properties, which could lead to more efficient solar cells and light-emitting diodes. The alloy's optical bandgap can be altered by changing the growth temperature, making it a promising material for various applications.

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.

Fresh blood for damaged tissues via alginate hydrogels

Researchers have developed an alginate hydrogel that can deliver angiogenic growth factors like VEGF and IGF to promote vascularization in ischemic tissues. The system increases blood flow and perfusion, improving muscle strength and tissue regeneration, with promising results in both young mice and aged rabbits.

Can stevia help treat metabolic syndrome?

The study investigates stevia's antiobesity, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic effects. Stevia extracts derived from the plant's leaves, flowers, and roots may provide natural alternatives for treating metabolic syndrome-related disorders.

Creative use of noise brings bio-inspired electronic improvement

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a single-walled carbon nanotube device that can detect below-threshold signals through the use of stochastic resonance. The device's self-noise component is generated by molecular adsorption on graphite materials, increasing its signal detection ability.

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.

Filter may be a match for fracking water

Researchers create a superhydrophilic filter that can remove greater than 90% of hydrocarbons and all bacteria from contaminated water produced by hydraulic fracturing operations. The filter significantly cuts the amount of water that needs to be stored or transported, making it ideal for reusing in fracking operations.

Information processing breakdown in sleep-deprived rats

A study published in JNeurosci found that sleep-deprived rats exhibited rapid transitions between wake- and sleep-like states, disrupting neural activity. The researchers suggest that one function of sleep is to reset the activity of neural networks for optimal information processing while awake.

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.

Electronic triage tool improves patient care in emergency departments

Researchers developed an electronic triage tool to improve patient care in emergency departments, identifying critically ill patients and assigning priority treatment levels. The tool showed equal or improved identification of patient outcomes compared to the existing emergency severity index (ESI) based on a multi-site retrospective s...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Brain guides body much sooner than previously believed

Researchers removed frog embryos' brains and found muscles & nerves developed abnormally without brain; they successfully rescued defects with human-approved drugs. The study reveals the brain's role in early development and could lead to better ways to address birth defects.

Tension makes the heart grow stronger

Researchers found that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in the regeneration of zebrafish hearts, with supersized cells leading the way and smaller cells multiplying to cover the surface. The study's findings open up new possibilities for developing bioengineering approaches to human heart disease.

Scientists call for more research on how human activities affect the seabed

Researchers found that species adjusted to new environments, with some thriving and others struggling, but also discovered vulnerabilities to climate change and fishing pressure. The study highlights the need for further research to safeguard these complex ecosystems and their role in supporting marine life.

Regenerating tissues with gene-targeting molecules

A synthetic DNA-targeting molecule called PIP-S2 has been developed to guide human induced pluripotent stem cells into specific cell types. This breakthrough overcomes challenges in current approaches and offers a promising strategy for tissue regeneration.

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.

Oxygen-deficient dwarf galaxy hints at makings of early universe

A newly discovered dwarf galaxy in the constellation Lynx has extremely low oxygen levels, likely resembling early nascent galaxies. The finding suggests that these tiny star-forming galaxies can offer valuable insights into how the first galaxies formed 13 billion years ago.

Prenatal weight talks are easier with props

A new study by Allina Health found that using a combination of education and a tracking tool improves communication about gestational weight gain during prenatal care. Patients at intervention clinics were more likely to remember provider advice on weight gain and report a target weight within guidelines.

After 15 years in a vegetative state, nerve stimulation restores consciousness

Researchers successfully restored consciousness in a 35-year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years after implanting a vagus nerve stimulator. The study reveals major changes in brain activity and connectivity, suggesting that right intervention can yield changes in consciousness even in severe clinical cases.

Hospital mortality rates for heart attack differ by age

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospital mortality rates after heart attack vary by age, with older and younger patient groups showing different outcomes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently only considers data for patients aged 65 or older when calculating hospital quality ratings.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Open-ended laboratory tests for cyclists could help athletes train better

A study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that experienced male cyclists performed better when they didn't have to pace their efforts. The researchers used open-ended Time-To-Exhaustion trials and compared them with race-like Time-Trials, discovering that pacing restrictions hindered performance.

DSI professors mine social media to curb gang violence

A team of researchers from the Data Science Institute at Columbia are developing tools to flag aggressive social media posts from gangs and ISIS, aiming to prevent violent escalation. They will use natural language processing and machine learning techniques to analyze millions of tweets from gang members in Chicago and ISIS recruits.

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.

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.

Brain damage in fish affected by plastic nanoparticles

A recent study conducted at Lund University has found that brain damage can occur in fish due to exposure to plastic nanoparticles. The research shows that these tiny particles can accumulate in the brains of fish and cause behavioural disorders, including slower eating rates and reduced exploration.

Holograms for molecules

Scientists at ETH Zurich and Roche have developed a new diagnostic method using light diffraction on molecules, allowing for quick and easy disease detection in doctors' offices. The technique uses molecular recognition and focused laser light to identify specific protein interactions.

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.

Autism's gender patterns

The largest study to date finds a significant difference in autism recurrence risk based on sibling gender. Boys are more susceptible to autism, especially when an older female sibling has the condition. Meanwhile, female siblings with older brothers have lower risks.

The fastest light-driven current source

Researchers from FAU have successfully controlled electronic current in graphene using a single laser pulse within a femtosecond, generating a current that is more than a thousand times faster than the most efficient transistors today. The method uses light waves to regulate electron movement and generate electricity.

Auxin drives leaf flattening

Researchers discovered that auxin signaling defines the expression of genes WOX1 and PRS, which enable leaf blade expansion and flattening. This finding refines our understanding of auxin signaling in leaf development.

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.

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP Satellite gets two looks at Hurricane Maria

The Suomi NPP satellite analyzed Hurricane Maria in visible and infrared light, revealing intense rainfall bands with rates of over 6.57 inches per hour. The satellite's data helped forecasters predict storm track and strengthen, with Maria expected to become a tropical storm by Tuesday night.

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.

The material that obscures supermassive black holes

Researchers studied nuclear obscuration in AGN using infrared and X-ray studies, revealing complex gas and dusty clouds orbiting the black hole. The material is connected to the galaxy via outflows and inflows of gas, regulating star formation.

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.

Study examines legacies of rainforest burning in British Columbia

Researchers found that indigenous groups intentionally used fire to manage plant-life in temperate rain forests, leaving trees alive and keeping the forest open. The study suggests that this practice has been ongoing for centuries, contradicting traditional views of these forests as 'pristine' and 'untouched'.

Escaping wildfires

Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.