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Science News Archive September 2017 - Page 25


Page 25 of 39

Multifunctional nano-sized drug carriers based on reactive polypept(o)ides

Researchers have developed multifunctional nano-sized drug carriers based on reactive polypept(o)ides, which can be manipulated to control their morphology and function. These carriers exhibit stable circulation behavior and show promise for immunotherapy of malignant melanoma.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 13, 2017

Wax on, melt off

Drexel University researchers develop a method to create roads that can deice themselves during winter storms by adding phase change materials like paraffin wax to the concrete mix. The technology has shown promise in melting snow and ice, reducing the need for chemicals and salt.

SourceDrexel University·JournalCement and Concrete Composites·DateSep 13, 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.

Earth's oldest trees in climate-induced race up the tree line

Climate change is causing bristlecone pine trees to lose ground to limber pine as they race up the tree line in the Great Basin. The study found that limber pine is successfully 'leapfrogging' over bristlecone pines, taking valuable space for them to germinate.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 13, 2017

How well electron transport works in furfural biogas

Researchers studied electron beam interactions with furfural gas to establish benchmark evaluation of low-energy electron scattering cross-sections and energy loss estimates. The analysis provided valuable insights into the energy characteristics of furfural biogas, a promising candidate for alternative biofuels.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateSep 13, 2017

Marijuana may produce psychotic-like effects in high-risk individuals

A preliminary study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that marijuana use can cause temporary paranoia and psychosis-related effects in individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder. This population includes those with family history of psychosis or other risk factors.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateSep 13, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research on probiotics in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer

A new study found that administering a histamine-producing probiotic reduced inflammation and suppressed colon tumors in mice. The probiotic increased expression of the enzyme histidine decarboxylase, which converts histidine to histamine, resulting in decreased glucose uptake and tumor formation.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateSep 13, 2017

Imaging how magnetism goes surfing

Scientists have developed a method to control magnetic properties of materials using surface acoustic waves, which can induce rapid changes in strain and magnetization. This technique has the potential to enable low-power magnetic devices, which is key to developing memory, computing, and communication devices at the nanoscale.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 2017

Study of transplanted hearts reveals risk gene for cardiovascular disease

Researchers analyzed RNA from transplanted hearts to discover new risk factors for dilated cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions. The study identified 228 genes that are expressed differently in DCM patients and healthy subjects, including 60 new genes linked to the disease.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 13, 2017

Studies help explain link between autism, severe infection during pregnancy

Two new studies from MIT and UMass Medical School shed light on the link between maternal infection during pregnancy and autism. Researchers found that bacterial populations in the mother's digestive tract can influence offspring behavior and discovered specific brain changes associated with autistic-like behaviors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2017
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.

'The dark side' of quantum computers

Quantum computers threaten to destroy current internet security methods as they can break RSA and ECC systems in days or hours. Researchers like Tanja Lange are working on alternative systems, including a $3.9 million EU-funded research consortium.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2017

Better, cheaper bio-ink may be used to create artificial organs

Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus have created a new bio-ink made from cold-soluble gelatin, which shows promise for creating artificial organs. The hydrogel is thermally stable at room temperature, making it suitable for use in 3D bio-printing.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalBiofabrication·DateSep 13, 2017

The evolution of 'true frogs' defies long-held expectations of science

New research reveals that true frogs' rapid global dispersal was not associated with an increase in net-diversification, contradicting long-held scientific expectations. The study found that the origin of these frogs was Indochina, and their diversification occurred over millions of years through a steady accumulation of species.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 13, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New software turns mobile-phone accessory into breathing monitor

A new software algorithm turns low-cost thermal cameras into portable, low-cost breathing monitors for elderly people, sleep apnea sufferers, and babies at risk for SIDS. The system can detect breathing problems in real-world movement and temperature changes.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 13, 2017

Vitamin D levels in blood may help predict risk of MS

A new study suggests that correcting vitamin D deficiency in young and middle-age women can reduce their future risk of multiple sclerosis. Deficient levels of vitamin D were found to be associated with a higher risk of developing MS, with a 39% decrease in risk for each 50 nmol/L increase.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 13, 2017

Climate change challenges the survival of fish across the world

A new study found that climate change will impact fish survival globally, with sensitivity varying between ocean-dwelling and freshwater fish. The analysis predicts breaking-point temperatures for over 3,000 species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation strategies to support fish adaptation and migration.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 13, 2017

Researchers create first global map of water in moon's soil

Scientists from Brown University have created a quantitative map of water and its chemical building blocks trapped in the uppermost portion of the Moon's soil. The study found that the signature of water is present nearly everywhere on the lunar surface, with concentrations reaching up to 500-750 parts per million at higher latitudes.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 13, 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.

'Peel-and-go' printable structures fold themselves

Researchers at MIT's CSAIL developed a printer-ink material that expands after solidification, allowing the creation of self-folding devices. The technique enables the custom manufacture of sensors, displays, or antennas with three-dimensional shapes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 13, 2017

A new method provides better insights into real-world network evolution

Chinese scientists develop a new algorithm that leverages network structure characteristics to improve link prediction accuracy and robustness. Their experimental testing in various real-world networks yields better results than existing methods, leading to the creation of a novel method for predicting missing links.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 13, 2017

Magnetic fields to alleviate anxiety

Researchers at University of Würzburg found that transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve anxiety treatment outcomes, particularly for fear of heights. The study used virtual reality to induce fear and showed that stimulated brain regions lead to accelerated therapy responses.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateSep 13, 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.

New method for identifying carbon compounds derived from fossil fuels

Scientists at NIST have developed a laboratory instrument that can measure the source of carbon in materials, enabling new applications in biofuels and bioplastics industries. The instrument uses cavity ringdown spectroscopy to detect subtle differences in CO2 wavelengths, allowing for accurate measurement of heavy CO2 concentrations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 13, 2017
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.

Locally administered compound offers prolonged relief from airway constriction

Scientists identified a compound, FR, that provides long-lasting airway relaxation and prevents hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma. The locally administered compound also blocks aspects of airway remodeling without causing cardiovascular side effects.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 13, 2017

Study advances efforts to screen all children for Type 1 diabetes

Researchers developed a novel antibody detection technology that increases the sensitivity of Type 1 Diabetes tests, enabling screening for more autoimmune antibodies implicated in the disease. The technology holds promise for making populationwide screening practical and catching the disease earlier.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2017
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.

3-D protein structure offers insight into rapid communication by brain cells

Researchers have visualized the intricate three-dimensional structure of three neural proteins and discovered their surprising cooperation in releasing chemical messages. The study suggests that the complex interaction locks down the SNARE proteins, requiring synchronization of neurotransmitter release.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2017

Tectonic plates 'weaker than previously thought,' say scientists

Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that tectonic plates are weaker than previously believed, thanks to laboratory experiments. The study sheds light on how plates break and form new boundaries, with implications for understanding earthquake-generating faults.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 13, 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.

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.

Automated feedback: The new science of grading STEM papers

Researchers at Wake Forest University are testing the effectiveness of SAWHET, an automated lab report feedback system, to improve scientific writing in STEM students. The study aims to enhance explanation of research to the public and receive a $280k NSF grant.

SourceWake Forest University·DateSep 13, 2017

A hair-trigger for cells fighting infection

A new study reveals how the immune system avoids becoming cancerous by using a hair-trigger protein called Tia1. This protein controls the production of proteins needed to fix damaged DNA, allowing B cells to produce effective antibodies while preventing lasting harm.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 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.

New gravity map suggests Mars has a porous crust

Researchers found a lower density in Mars' crust, indicating possible porosity, which could impact the planet's formation and evolution. The new gravity map reveals variations in crust thickness beneath volcanoes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 13, 2017

H1N1 swine flu may play a role in triggering type 1 diabetes

A nationwide Norwegian study found that H1N1 infected individuals, especially children under 15, were twice as likely to develop type 1 diabetes than the general population. Infection with H1N1 influenza virus was linked to a doubled risk of T1D in Norwegians aged 30 or younger.

SourceDiabetologia·DateSep 13, 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.

How should we handle boys who can't read?

A Norwegian University study found that girls outperform boys in reading by six years old due to better letter recognition and sounds knowledge. The study suggests a multifaceted approach to address the disparity, including early identification and targeted training, to prevent students from dropping out of school.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 12, 2017

Physicists propose new way to stabilize next-generation fusion plasmas

Researchers have proposed a new approach to stabilizing next-generation fusion plasmas by understanding the impact of multiple Alfvén waves on high-energy particles. The study reveals that over 10 unstable waves can be excited, leading to up to 40% loss of energetic particles.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateSep 12, 2017

Ancient tree reveals cause of spike in Arctic temperature

Researchers discovered a new mechanism that may explain how temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere spiked several degrees centigrade during the last global ice age. The study suggests Antarctica plays a role too, and linked melting ice there to rapid atmospheric warming in the North Atlantic.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 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.

Historic legacies affect climate change survival in Caribbean

Historic legacies of empire have increased Caribbean states' vulnerability to climate change, with unequal power relationships and limited resources hindering their ability to address the issue. Dr Leon Sealey-Huggins argues that addressing historical inequalities is crucial for a just and lasting approach to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThird World Quarterly·DateSep 12, 2017

Predicting atypical development in infants at high risk for autism?

A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center identified a potential biomarker that predicts atypical development in 1- to 2-month-old infants at high familial risk for developing autism spectrum disorders. Infants at high risk have elevated 'noise' and increased randomness in their spontaneous head movements during sleep.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateSep 12, 2017

AI -- Engineering: merging, morphing, mobile robots

Self-reconfiguring modular robots can adapt their bodies by splitting and merging to become new entities with autonomous task or environment choices. The system enables robots to self-heal by removing or replacing malfunctioning parts, including a brain unit.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2017

Astronauts don't develop anemia during spaceflight, NASA study suggests

A NASA study found that astronaut blood parameters, such as red blood cells and oxygen-carrying proteins, remained higher than pre-flight levels even after adapting to microgravity. The study collected whole blood samples from 31 astronauts over up to six months on the International Space Station.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Hematology·DateSep 12, 2017

Household environment -- not genetics -- shapes salivary microbes

A study published in mBio finds that household environment plays a major role in shaping the salivary microbiome, with similar bacteria found in individuals living together. The research team sequenced DNA and saliva from an extended Ashkenazi Jewish family to determine how environmental influences affect the microbiome.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateSep 12, 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.

Tomatoes' crystal ball reveals evolutionary secrets

Researchers at Michigan State University studied the unique molecule acylsugars found in tomato trichomes, revealing their diverse structures and potential as natural pesticides. This discovery opens an evolutionary window into plant defense metabolism and could lead to innovative solutions for pest resistance and human medicine.

SourceMichigan State University·DateSep 12, 2017

Letting the data speak for itself

Researchers developed a flexible geostatistical model that captures both types of asymptotic dependence and accurately estimates extremal dependence type. The new model outperforms other typical models in terms of fit to the data and spatial prediction of extreme wind speeds.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalSpatial Statistics·DateSep 12, 2017