Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2018


Page 204 of 473

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.

Night-time lighting changes how species interact

New research reveals that night-time lighting from streetlights and other sources can change the way different species interact. Low levels of artificial lighting enhance the hunting advantage of parasitoid wasps, leading to a reduction in aphid populations.

Making thread in Bronze Age Britain

Researchers identified splicing as the earliest plant fibre technology for making thread in Early Bronze Age Britain and across Europe. This technology is fundamentally different from draft spinning and was previously unknown in Britain.

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.

Previously overlooked 'coral ticks' weaken degraded reefs

Snail attacks reduce Porites cylindrica coral growth by up to 43% in less than a month, threatening the survival of degraded Pacific reefs. The snails selectively prey on the last remaining coral species, exacerbating the downward spiral of reef decline.

Plant defense mechanisms

Researchers have identified multiple enzymes and channel proteins involved in plant defense mechanisms, including a reserve system that acts as backup for immune responses. The findings have practical utility for agriculture, such as cultivating crops that can resist different stresses more effectively.

Lectins help social amoeba establish their own microbiome

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that sugar-binding proteins called lectins are essential for social amoebas and bacteria living together. Lectins protect bacteria from being killed by amoebas and mediate the establishment of a microbiome, allowing bacteria to transfer genetic material to the amoeba.

Imaging technology could bring more targeted Earth observation

A new imaging technology is being developed to enable more targeted Earth observation, allowing for the monitoring of climate change and ocean activity. The technology, which could be mounted on many nanosatellites, would enable continuous global coverage and more efficient data collection.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Europe may thrive on renewable energy despite unpredictable weather

A new study reveals that Europe's power system can comfortably generate at least 35% of its electricity using renewable energy alone without major impacts on prices or system stability. The research, which analyzed 30 years of meteorological data, found that Europe could use renewables for more than two-thirds of its electricity by 2030.

Previously undiagnosed neurological disorder linked to gene IRF2BPL

A new genetic link has been found between the gene IRF2BPL and a previously undiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by progressive neurodevelopmental regression. Mutations in IRF2BPL were identified in seven individuals, including five with severe symptoms and two with milder characteristics.

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.

New hope for rare disorder

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating hereditary angioedema with the new drug BCX7353. The medication has been shown to significantly reduce attack frequency and improve quality of life by up to 75% compared to placebo, offering a convenient oral administration without severe side effects.

Researchers develop a new method to detect nucleation

Researchers developed a new method to detect nucleation in microdroplets by measuring contrast between droplets and their surroundings. The technique provides the most accurate and efficient way to detect crystal nucleation, overcoming previous resolution challenges.

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.

Researchers design a nano-carrier to release drugs into damaged cells

Senescent cells, also known as 'zombie cells,' interfere with tissue function and contribute to aging diseases. Researchers have designed a nano-carrier that selectively targets these cells, releasing drugs to kill them and improving therapeutic outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis and cancer models.

Breakthrough in industrial CO2 usage

Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed an enzymatic process to produce methionine from gaseous CO2, replacing the current petrochemical-based method. The new process requires just two enzymes and has a yield of 40 percent, compared to photosynthesis which uses 14 enzymes with only a 20 percent yield.

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.

Mysteries of Okinawan habu venom decoded

Researchers mapped Okinawan habu genome to identify venom production genes, potentially leading to novel therapies for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The venom's hemotoxic properties destroy blood cells and tissues, causing severe pain and permanent damage.

Researchers discover chemical reaction that uses a surprising molecule

UCLA researchers have discovered a chemical reaction that uses non-classical carbocations to convert alkanes from petroleum waste into more chemically useful compounds. The finding introduces new ways to break apart strong bonds in alkanes and has practical potential for processing unwanted waste products.

The ultimate combination: A 3D-printed optical deep learning network

A new 3D-printed optical deep learning network called Diffractive Deep Neural Network (D2NN) has been developed by Xing Lin and colleagues. This system processes information through layers of optically diffractive surfaces that work together to recognize handwritten digits with high accuracy.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Changes to small RNA in sperm may help fertilization

Studies by UMass Medical School Professor Oliver J. Rando and colleagues found that small RNAs in sperm play a crucial role in normal pre-implantation development, with subtle differences between sperm from the epididymis impacting offspring health.

Black holes really just ever-growing balls of string, researchers say

Researchers at Ohio State University have calculated that the probability of an electron burning up in a black hole is negligible. The study challenges the firewall argument, which suggested a ring of fire around black holes, and instead supports the fuzzball theory, which describes black holes as giant balls of yarn.

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.

Exploring the microbial dark matter of the human mouth

A recent study has identified novel bacteria in the human mouth using metagenomic analysis, which were not detectable by traditional methods. The research team successfully cultivated these 'microbial dark matter' organisms, known as Saccharibacteria, and found them to be abundant in human saliva samples.

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.

Researchers discover thin gap on stellar family portrait

Astronomers at Georgia State University have discovered a thin gap on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, indicating where stars transition from being larger and mostly convective to smaller and fully convective. This finding reveals information about the interior structures of low-mass stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Engineers track neural activity, muscle movement in ageless aquatic creatures

Engineers at Rice University have developed methods to study the neural patterns driving muscle movements in freshwater hydrae, a species that appears ageless and can regenerate its body parts. By analyzing neural activity and muscle responses, the team hopes to uncover similarities with other animals and gain insights into their nervo...

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.

Lynchings of the past affect health today

A new study by researchers from the University of South Carolina shows that US counties with a history of lynching events have higher contemporary mortality rates for both white and black populations. The study found significant associations between past lynchings and increased mortality rates, especially among African American females.

Osteoporosis, fracture risk predicted with Stanford-developed genetic screen

A new genetic screen developed at Stanford University School of Medicine can predict a person's future risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. The screen identified 899 regions in the human genome associated with low bone-mineral density, with those deemed high-risk being nearly 17 times more likely to develop osteoporosis.

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.

Ability to identify genuine laughter transcends culture, UCLA-led study finds

A new study by UCLA communication researcher Greg Bryant found that people across cultures and continents can tell the difference between a fake laugh and a real one. The study, published in Psychological Science, used recordings of laughs from English-speaking friends and women who laughed on command to test participants' ability to i...

Rewriting our understanding of gastric tumors

Researchers at McGill University have made a groundbreaking discovery linking stomach tumours in patients with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome to immune system inflammation. The study suggests targeting inflammatory pathways may lead to potential new treatments for this rare genetic disorder.

Public views of gene editing for babies depend on how it would be used

A majority of Americans support using gene editing to treat serious diseases in babies, but are less accepting of its use to boost intelligence or develop gene editing technology. The survey also found that people with high science knowledge and lower religious commitment tend to view gene editing more positively.

Cannabidiol: Hope or hype?

Research on cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising results in treating rare seizure disorders, with clinical trials halving the number of seizures in 40% of children and young adults. However, more studies are needed to determine its efficacy for other ailments, as some patients experienced side effects.

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.

Demon in the details of quantum thermodynamics

Researchers have discovered that using information to extract work on a quantum scale is possible, but it comes with a catch: some information may be lost in the process. Quantum backaction allows researchers to measure particles without fully collapsing their superposition states, resulting in negative information.

Blood plasma during emergency air transport saves lives

A national clinical trial found that prehospital plasma transfusion can reduce mortality in traumatically injured patients with severe bleeding. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a 9.8% increase in survival rates among patients who received two units of plasma during air medical transport.

Huge reservoir of liquid water detected under the surface of Mars

A 20-kilometer-wide lake of liquid water has been detected beneath Mars' southern ice cap using the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument. The presence of dissolved salts could lower the melting point, allowing the lake to remain liquid