Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2018


Page 137 of 473

Small molecule plays big role in weaker bones as we age

Scientists discover that as we age, a small molecule called microRNA-141-3p increases and silences key signaling molecules like SDF-1 in stem cells, leading to weaker bone formation. Restoring a youthful balance could be a novel approach to reducing age-related problems like osteoporosis.

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.

Nuclear pasta, the hardest known substance in the universe

Researchers ran largest computer simulations of neutron star crusts to understand the possible sources of gravitational waves. They found that the material deep inside the neutron star is incredibly stiff, with 'nuclear pasta' shapes causing it to assemble into unique structures.

Anxiety surrounding mass shootings briefly closes ideological divides

A study by University of Kansas professors found that mass shootings create a brief window of opportunity for policymakers to pass gun law reforms, with anxious people supporting changes in ideology and politics. However, this effect is short-lived as the public's emotional response to anxiety changes how they think about politics.

Cosmetically smoothing over visible facial scars

A novel cosmetic product has shown promise in covering facial scars, with patients reporting improved satisfaction with their appearance. The treatment's effectiveness varies depending on the location and degree of scarring, but the results suggest a potential long-term solution for those affected.

Study uncovers new hurdle for developing immunotherapies

Researchers at University of Notre Dame discover that T-cell receptors can be more cross-reactive than previously thought, increasing the challenge of developing effective immunotherapies. This finding highlights the need to reassess predictions for building models for therapy and recognizing targets.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why the brain struggles to get off the sofa

Researchers at UNIGE found that the brain struggles to counter its natural inclination towards minimizing effort when faced with physical activity. The study, published in Neuropsychologia, suggests that our ancestors' need to conserve resources for survival has become obsolete in modern societies.

Silver nanoparticles are toxic for aquatic organisms

Research found that silver nanoparticles and soluble silver cause inflammation in zebrafish gills, with nanoparticles leading to longer-term effects. After exposure, fish recovered from the metal, but continued to exhibit altered gene expression levels.

Mathematicians calculate the safest way home

Cardiff University researchers calculate a novel system for scoring an area's safety, successfully predicting road casualties. The system uses factors like crossings, street type, and speed limits, with Liverpool deemed the most unsafe and Bath the safest.

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.

Searching for errors in the quantum world

A thought experiment by Renato Renner and Daniela Frauchiger reveals a paradoxical situation where indirect observation of a quantum mechanical object yields the opposite result of direct observation. The calculation shows that precisely this is not the case, creating a conundrum. While colleagues have proposed various solutions, none ...

Making happiness last longer

Researchers found that people with general goals reported more happiness over time, especially six weeks after the initial experience. This approach may be beneficial for experiences like material purchases or vacations, leading to a longer-lasting positive emotional imprint.

$1.7 million SBIR grant fast-tracks bone fracture healing

Researchers at Purdue University have developed an injectable-targeted drug that demonstrates accelerated and improved bone fracture healing. The grant will support human trials for this novel treatment, which could also be used for other conditions such as dental implants and spinal fractures.

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.

Better chemo drug adsorption onto targeted delivery capsules

Scientists have demonstrated that adding aluminium atoms to active carbon delivery capsules increases the adsorption of chemotherapy drugs, like 5-Fluorouracil, onto targeted delivery devices. This could lead to more effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects by encapsulating chemo drugs into active carbon.

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.

Colon cancer is caused by bacteria and cell stress

A study found that bacteria in the intestines fuel tumor growth in the colon, with chronic inflammation having no effect on cancer development. Microbial therapy is considered a promising approach when more about bacterial flora composition is known.

Greater than the sum of its parts

Scientists have developed a comprehensive model of electrochemistry that combines existing theories to predict previously unexplained behavior. The Unified Electrochemical Band-Diagram Framework enables the prediction of material properties and behavior in any electrode, including batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis.

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.

Cash, carbon, crude: How to make oil fields bury emissions

A Stanford study suggests using government payments to incentivize the oil industry to capture more carbon dioxide from human-related sources. This could lead to a 9.5% reduction in climate emissions, even with increased oil extraction. The proposal involves a reverse Dutch auction system to pilot-test the concept.

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.

Medical schools lag behind in veterans' tuition aid

A Northwestern Medicine study found that medical schools have a median shortfall of nearly $27,500 per year, adding up to $110,000 for veterans, despite receiving the GI bill. This means that only 45% of medical school tuition is covered by aid compared to 85% for law and 100% for MBA programs.

Is email evil? Bosses are getting boxed in by their inbox

A study by Michigan State University found that managing email can hinder a manager's productivity and leadership abilities. Managers reported lower work progress and fewer effective leader behaviors when faced with high email demands, leading to decreased employee performance and increased stress.

Distance helps re-fuel the heart

Mitochondria use one-way doors called mitochondrial calcium uniporter channel complexes (MCUCs) to control access, but the exit door proteins are abundant only in areas far from the entrances. This separation allows mitochondria to operate at maximum efficiency even when stressed.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Drugs that stop mosquitoes catching malaria could help eradicate the disease

Researchers at Imperial College London have identified six compounds that can prevent malaria parasites from maturing inside mosquitoes, reducing disease transmission. These compounds, which target the parasite's sexual forms, could be used to develop new antimalarial drugs that not only cure individuals but also protect communities.

Air pollution may be linked to heightened dementia risk

A study found associations between air pollution and dementia diagnoses in London patients, with higher NO2 and PM2.5 levels linked to a 40% increased risk of dementia. The study's findings suggest that traffic-related air pollution may contribute to neurodegeneration, particularly for Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Productive interaction

Scientists at the University of Konstanz have gained detailed structural insights into DNA polymerases interacting with modified substrates. This knowledge can be used to advance genome sequencing and other areas of molecular biology-based diagnostics.

Thermal ablation effectively treats early-stage lung cancer

A study published in Radiology found that thermal ablation is a safe and effective treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, delivering comparable survival rates to stereotactic radiotherapy. The one-time treatment also offers direct access to the tumor, enabling biopsy samples and potentially lower costs.

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.

Biophysical Journal Outstanding Poster Award ainners announced

The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its Outstanding Poster Award, recognizing outstanding scientific achievements in biophysics. The student winners were selected for their research on HERG kinetics, while the postdoctoral winner was recognized for her work on cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Researchers investigate correlation between blood flow and body position

Scientists detected alterations in capillary blood flow around the face caused by body position change, revealing a response to hydrostatic pressure difference and external stimuli. The non-contact method provides valuable information on peripheral blood flow regulation, potentially leading to new investigations of body responses.

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.

Introducing the 'smart mirror'

Researchers from NIST developed a laser power sensor that can be built into manufacturing devices for real-time measurements. The 'smart mirror' uses radiation pressure to measure the force of light on a reflective surface, providing high accuracy and sensitivity for lasers of hundreds of watts.

Searching for clues on extreme climate change

Researchers reconstructed a drastic climate change event in southern France using tree-ring width measurements and chemical analyses. They found that the region experienced increased air mass transport from the North Atlantic and regional variability in precipitation, leading to extreme weather conditions.

UTMB adapts Zika vaccine to fight brain cancer

Researchers at UTMB successfully adapted a Zika virus vaccine to target and kill glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain tumor. The altered vaccine effectively destroyed cancerous brain cells in mice without harming healthy ones.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Understanding epilepsy in pediatric tumors

Researchers identified a neuronal BRAF somatic mutation causing intrinsic epileptogenicity in pediatric brain tumors, leading to a potential new therapeutic target. The mutation arose from neural stem cells and was found to alleviate seizures in animal models treated with the BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib.

Why do we love bees but hate wasps?

Researchers found that people's dislike of wasps is largely due to a lack of knowledge about their role in regulating pest populations and disease-carrying insects. The study suggests that changing public attitudes towards wasps could help protect the ecosystem's biodiversity.

Looking back in time to watch for a different kind of black hole

A simulation by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers suggests that direct collapse black holes (DCBH) would produce specific kinds of intense radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet emission. They also predict the formation of massive metal-free stars, a finding unexpected at first but making sense in hindsight.

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.

Zika vaccine shows promise for treating deadly brain cancer

Researchers have successfully deployed a Zika virus vaccine to target and kill human glioblastoma brain cancer stem cells in mice, offering a potential new treatment option. The vaccine demonstrated effectiveness in delaying tumor development and prolonging survival time in mouse models.

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.