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Science News Archive 2018


Page 179 of 473

NIH begins clinical trial of live, attenuated Zika vaccine

The Phase 1 clinical trial will analyze the immune response and assess the safety of the experimental vaccine, which has shown promise in earlier tests in rhesus macaques. The trial is designed to enroll 28 healthy adults and will last up to one year.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What holds materials together -- on the inside

The FRASCAL research training group at FAU is investigating fracture processes in materials across all scales, from nanometers to visible cracks. This interdisciplinary study aims to develop computer-aided simulation methods to predict and prevent undesired fractures.

First biomarker evidence of DDT-autism link

A Finnish national birth cohort study linked DDT metabolite exposure to increased autism risk in offspring. Maternal blood analyzed for DDE and PCBs found higher odds of autism with intellectual disability among offspring exposed to elevated DDE levels, persisting after adjusting for confounding factors.

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.

UMD researcher helps to crack the genetic code for wheat for the first time

The University of Maryland has contributed to the publication of two collaborative papers in Science that detail the full genome sequence of wheat. The research uses this genome sequence to examine gene expression related to heat, drought, and disease stressors, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable wheat varieties.

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.

Autism linked to egg cells' difficulty creating large proteins

A new study by Carnegie Institution researchers found that defects in the Fmr1 gene can lead to difficulties in creating large protein structures, potentially contributing to autism-related disorders like fragile X syndrome. The study used fruit fly eggs to demonstrate how Fmr1 helps produce essential large proteins.

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.

YouTube is source of misinformation on plastic surgery, Rutgers study finds

Most YouTube videos on facial plastic surgery are misleading marketing campaigns posted by non-qualified medical professionals, according to a Rutgers University study. The researchers found that 94 videos had no medical professional at all, while only 72 featured board-certified physicians with high-quality content.

ASRC at GC/CUNY Photonics Initiative wins $3.2 million DARPA grant

The Advanced Science Research Center at GC/CUNY Photonics Initiative has received a $3.2 million DARPA grant to support basic nanophotonics research. The team will develop concepts for modeling, analyzing, designing, and realizing leapfrog enhancements to electromagnetic-wave manipulation through the use of metamaterials.

Interactive software tool makes complex mold design simple

A new interactive design tool, CoreCavity, allows users to create durable injection molds for hollow, free-form objects. The software analyzes an object's 3D-scan and proposes a decomposition into pieces, which can be adjusted by the user, producing mold templates that can be 3D-printed.

Whole blood test for toxoplasmosis is sensitive, specific

A new low-cost whole blood test for toxoplasmosis has been developed with high sensitivity and specificity, making it suitable for diagnosing the infection during pregnancy. The test was found to be effective even in individuals with lower levels of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies.

The wheat code is finally cracked

The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium has published the reference genome of bread wheat, enabling breeders to identify genes and regulatory elements underlying complex traits. This achievement will boost wheat improvement, similar to maize and rice after their reference sequences were produced.

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.

Tibetan sheep highly susceptible to human plague, originates from marmots

Researchers found Tibetan sheep carry infectious Y. pestis bacteria, transmitted through fleas and rodent contact, posing health risks to humans. The study highlights the need for caution when handling under-cooked sheep meat and underscores the unique characteristics of this region's plague transmission route.

The cure for chaotic lasers? More chaos, of course

A Yale-led research team has developed a new approach to stabilize high-power lasers by introducing chaotic cavities, reducing laser instabilities and promoting stable beam profiles. The innovative method is scalable to increasing power levels and can be applied to various types of high-power lasers.

Novel sensors could enable smarter textiles

Researchers at the University of Delaware developed flexible carbon nanotube composite coatings on various fibers, enabling the measurement of a wide range of pressure. The technology has potential applications in smart garments, sports medicine, post-surgical recovery, and assessing movement disorders in pediatric populations.

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.

NASA finds intensifying Tropical Storm Lane

Tropical Storm Lane is strengthening, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms capable of heavy rain. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph, and it is forecast to become a hurricane by tomorrow and potentially a major hurricane over the weekend.

Smart fluorescent dyes

Scientists developed a unique organic fluorophore that changes its emission color in response to external stimuli. The dye exhibits two-color behavior, emitting green and orange light depending on its solid-state morphologies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Educational tracking creates artificial inequalities among students

Researchers found that evaluators consider lower tracks more suitable for low-SES pupils and higher tracks for high-SES pupils, even when achievement is identical. This suggests that tracking systems can perpetuate academic differences among students as a function of their socio-economic status.

Fellowships recognize tomorrow's supercomputing innovators

Linda Gesenhues and Markus Höhnerbach receive fellowships for their work on finite element simulation of turbidity currents and portable optimizations of complex molecular dynamics codes. Their research has potential applications in geological phenomena, such as underwater volcanoes and earthquakes.

Can population policy lessen future climate impacts?

A growing global population contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions, while nearly 85 million unintended pregnancies annually exacerbate the issue. Including population information in future IPCC assessments could facilitate more effective climate policies.

Math shows how human behavior spreads infectious diseases

A new mathematical model reveals how social interactions influence the emergence of infectious diseases, allowing for better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. The study suggests that understanding human behavior can aid in preventing the evolution of more virulent pathogen strains.

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.

Trailblazer in computational complexity theory to receive Knuth Priize

Johan Torkel Håstad of KTH Royal Institute of Technology is awarded the 2018 Donald E. Knuth Prize for his significant contributions to computer science, including optimization and cryptography. The prize recognizes his transformative techniques that have influenced subsequent work in these areas.

Astronomers identify some of the oldest galaxies in the universe

Scientists discover faintest satellite galaxies orbiting Milky Way are among the first galaxies to form, dating back over 13 billion years. The findings support the current model for the evolution of the universe, providing insight into the early stages of galaxy formation.

NTU scientists discover natural plant-based food preservative

Researchers at NTU Singapore have discovered a natural plant-based food preservative using flavonoids, showing strong anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. The organic preservative effectively kept meat and fruit juice samples fresh for two days without refrigeration.

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.

Twisted electronics open the door to tunable 2D materials

The research demonstrates a novel device structure that allows for unprecedented control over the angular orientation in twisted-layer devices. The team used graphene/boron-nitride heterostructures to show that the energy gap observed in graphene is tunable and can be turned on or off by changing the orientation between the layers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Social position determines pregnant women's exposure to air pollution

A study of 30,000 pregnant women across nine European cities found associations between socio-economic status and exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, noise, and lack of green spaces. The findings highlight the need for urban planners to address environmental inequalities to reduce health disparities in pregnancy.

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.

Scientists turn to the quantum realm to improve energy transportation

Researchers designed a computer simulation that added correlated noise to the path of energy transfer, significantly accelerating it. This finding challenges traditional views of noise as a hindrance in energy transport, opening up new possibilities for optimizing energy efficiency.

NASA water vapor data shows a 'patchy' Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto

Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto's rainfall and cloud heights were analyzed using NASA satellites, revealing a patchy pattern. The storm is expected to strengthen before weakening due to environmental factors, ultimately merging with a frontal zone near Ireland and the UK.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Rumbia off China's East Coast

Tropical Storm Rumbia was tracked by NASA's Aqua satellite on August 16, showing large storm areas in the northern and southern quadrants. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots and was forecast to make landfall near Shanghai, prompting a yellow warning from China's National Meteorological Center.

'K-Flex' makes a splash as a flexible endoscopic surgical robot

K-FLEX, a flexible endoscopic surgical robot, demonstrates precise control of 3.7 mm diameter robotic arms for minimally invasive procedures. The device successfully manipulated tissue during an in-vivo test on a porcine gallbladder, showcasing its potential for surgery on incipient cancer cells.

Researchers discover key mechanism of DNA replication

The team found that telomeres are regulated by proteins, including Taz1, which tether internal regions to the telomeres. This process ensures faithful duplication of genetic material. Better understanding of this mechanism may inform research into maintaining genetic information and preventing diseases.

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.

Study: Human wastewater valuable to global agriculture, economics

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a model to identify cities that can benefit from re-circulating human-waste-derived nutrients into farm fields. This approach could promote agricultural sustainability and economic independence in developing countries.

New CRISPR technique skips over portions of genes that can cause disease

Researchers have developed a new CRISPR technique that allows them to skip over specific parts of genes that can cause disease. This approach could potentially treat genetic diseases such as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease by eliminating mutated gene sequences and influencing their expression.

Discovery of a structurally 'inside-out' planetary nebula

A team of scientists has discovered a unique planetary nebula with an inverted ionization structure surrounding a central star undergoing a 'born-again' process, which is expected to occur in the Sun's future evolution. This finding provides valuable insights into the late-stage evolution of stars like our Sun.

How gene hunting changed the culture of science

Researchers report cross-disciplinary work as key factor in HGP's success, leading to more successful careers and impactful publications. The consortium model, which incorporated collaboration between biologists, computer scientists, and other disciplines, changed science's cultural norms.

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.

Bird communities dwindle on New Mexico's Pajarito Plateau

Research reveals a 73% decrease in bird abundance and 45% drop in species diversity at nine sites surveyed on the Pajarito Plateau. The decline may signal early effects of drought, hotter temperatures, and bark beetle outbreaks on piñon pine trees.