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Science News Archive 2018


Page 206 of 473

Switching sides: The betrayal of an anti-cancer gene

A study by Weizmann Institute researchers found that a gene normally protecting against cancer, p53, can switch allegiance in the tumor microenvironment, supporting cancer growth. Eliminating this protein from cancer-associated fibroblasts reduced their ability to promote tumor growth and metastasis.

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.

Chemicals that keep drinking water flowing may also cause fouling

A new study by University of Illinois engineers shows that chemicals used to prevent mineral buildup in drinking water pipes can actually make biofilms thicker and softer, allowing bacteria to reproduce more easily. This can lead to increased risk of pathogen release and waterborne illness.

Homing pigeons use local natural odors to find their way

Researchers confirm that pigeons rely on familiar smells to find their way home, not artificial odors. A study published in Journal of Comparative Physiology A found that pigeons exposed to natural environmental odorants performed significantly better at homing.

Harvey samples saddled with antibiotic-resistant genes

Rice University researchers found widespread contamination by E. coli and high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in water and sediment samples collected after Hurricane Harvey. These findings highlight the need for caution when handling stagnant floodwaters, especially for immunocompromised individuals or those with open wounds.

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.

A new milestone in laboratory grown human brain tissue

Researchers have successfully generated brain tissue with all major cell types using organoid technology, providing a more accurate representation of human brain development. This breakthrough enables the study of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease in laboratory-dish models.

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.

Artificial enzymes perform reactions on living cells

Researchers created an artificial enzyme that catalyzes a Diels-Alder reaction on the surfaces of living human cells, achieving up to a 50% yield. This breakthrough could lead to the development of therapeutic drugs targeted to specific organs and cells, reducing side effects.

Among golden-crowned sparrows, a false crown only fools strangers

Golden-crowned sparrows have different ways to assess dominance status depending on whether the interaction is with a familiar bird or a stranger. With familiar birds, social recognition governs dominance relationships, while with strangers, crown plumage takes center stage.

University researchers discover new species of venomous snake

Researchers at Swansea University have identified a new species of venomous snake found only in Australia. The Weipa bandy-bandy, a small black and white banded snake, poses no risk to humans but its venom may hold potential for future drug developments.

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.

An elastic puff of air

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new class of highly elastic aerogels with adjustable network density, allowing for tailored porosity. These materials exhibit excellent thermal insulation, surpassing conventional materials like polyurethane foam, and can be bent, rolled, twisted, and cut into desired shapes.

Soil bugs munch on plastics

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that soil microorganisms degrade films composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable polymer. This discovery demonstrates the true biodegradation of a plastic material in soils, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution.

Neural link between depression and bad sleep identified

A study by University of Warwick and Fudan University found strong connection between brain regions associated with short-term memory, self, and negative emotions in depression sufferers. This connection leads to increased rumination thoughts impairing sleep quality.

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.

Better clinical trials must address 'critically low' dementia research shortfall

New research highlights the importance of targeted clinical trials to address the shortage, with 142 active trials worldwide and only 29 disease-modifying therapies in phase 2 or 3 development. The study suggests that considering biomarkers and risk factors can increase the power per patient screened to detect potential treatments.

New method adds missing functionality to brain organoids

Researchers have developed a new procedure to generate human brain 'organoids' capable of myelination, modeling the brain's structure and function more closely than ever. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding and treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Amphibians face many challenges in Brazilian rain forest

A new study provides a roadmap for conservation efforts in human-modified landscapes, helping prioritize protection of fragile ecosystems. The research highlights the importance of forest cover and waterways in determining amphibian distributions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain discovery could block aging's terrible toll on the mind

Researchers have found that improving lymphatic vessel function can enhance cognitive ability in aged mice and reduce the accumulation of harmful amyloid plaques. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Fish body shape holds key to make fishery management cheaper, easier

Researchers developed a simple body-shape analysis method to identify the geographic origins of yellowtail snapper, outperforming more costly techniques. The method detected subtle differences in fish shape between locations, allowing accurate identification of 80% of the test sample.

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.

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.

Study show PD-1 role in maintaining stem cell function

A recent study found that Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) is crucial for the self-renewal and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. Removal of PD-1 from these cells led to reduced proliferation rates, highlighting its importance in maintaining stem cell function.

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.

Something fishy on the high seas

New studies track transshipment of fish catch worldwide, revealing key findings on vessel types, fisheries involved and seafood supply chains. The research provides a complete, global view of transshipment and demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to address critical challenges.

Light device is effective ulcer treatment

A new light device has been developed by the University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Trust, showing an average 83% improvement rate in treating finger ulcers caused by systemic sclerosis. The therapy combines infrared, red, and ultraviolet light and can be administered at home, offering a potential game-changer for ulcer treatment.

Thinking about quitting Facebook? There's a demographic analysis for that

A new research study by Lehigh University's Eric P.S. Baumer found that current Facebook users are more likely to be middle-aged, female, not seeking employment, and from higher-income households. Respondents who had looked for work in the past four weeks were more likely to have deactivated their accounts. The study also reveals socio...

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.

Are boys more cliquey than girls?

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that boys tend to form tighter-knit groups than girls in secondary school, with factors like location and schedule influencing their social networks. The research surveyed over 1,200 year 7 pupils across four UK schools, finding that popular children remain popular over time.

Experts strongly recommend catheter based closure for 'hole in the heart' patients

A catheter-based procedure to close a type of 'hole in the heart' is strongly recommended for patients under 60 with a history of stroke, reducing the risk of future stroke more than antiplatelet therapy. The guideline also suggests anticoagulation over antiplatelet therapy for patients who value preventing strokes over risk of bleeding.

Sounds of the sun

Scientists can now study the Sun's complex motions using sound waves captured by NASA and ESA. This sonification technique provides a unique probe into the star's inner workings, revealing huge rivers of solar material flowing around its core.

Vibrations at an exceptional point

A team of international researchers has developed a lasing system that produces phonons, the energy products of oscillation, or vibration. By tuning the system to create resonance, they can trigger mechanical movement that generates an acoustic wave. This breakthrough could lead to new medical and materials science applications.

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.

The dark side of antibiotic ciprofloxacin

A study found that ciprofloxacin exposure accelerates the progression of aortic diseases in mouse models. The antibiotic disrupts the extracellular matrix, leading to cell death and tissue damage.

New film reveals experiences of LGBTQ young people in care

A new film premiering this weekend sheds light on the experiences of LGBTQ young people in care, highlighting vulnerability, risk, and resilience. The study found that support is limited by a lack of knowledge and confidence among professionals.

Traffic jams in the brain

Disrupted transportation routes in nerve cells cause Parkinson's disease by destroying synapses and leading to cell death. Researchers identified alpha-synuclein protein as the trigger for these traffic jams.

Women and older people under-represented in drug trials for heart disease

A study found that women and older people are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials for heart disease, with women making up only 29% of participants. This lack of representation could have adverse consequences on care for these patient groups, as their bodies respond differently to treatments.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Team shatters theoretical limit on bio-hydrogen production

A team of scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has developed a method to increase the yield of clean, renewable energy source bio-hydrogen. By temporarily inactivating a gene that slows hydrogen production, they created a new strain of bacteria that produces 46% more hydrogen than naturally occurring forms.

Manure slipping through (soil) cracks

Researchers found that liquid hog manure increases water infiltration depth into cracking clay soils, but not beyond 39 inches. This discovery suggests not all clay-rich soils behave the same, and knowledge gaps remain about soil water flow in vertisols, especially with organic additions.

New study offers hope of recovery from spinal cord injury

A new Tel Aviv University study suggests that an intravenous injection of a potent enzyme can reduce inflammation and scarring that prevent neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury. The treatment aims to lower levels of glutamate, released in toxic quantities after trauma, to moderate the damage and enable neuronal cells to survive.

Brain activity cautions against buying stocks

A study by University of Bonn researchers found that the 'anterior insular' brain region is more active in risk-averse individuals and less active in experienced stock traders. Risk optimism and tolerance also play a significant role in stock purchase decisions.

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.

Unfolded protein response is associated with dentinogenesis imperfecta

Non-syndromic Dentinogenesis Imperfecta is characterized by discolored teeth with a blue-gray or yellow-brown color and translucent appearance. Chronic Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) may be associated with the disorder, caused by mutant dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene mutations.

Fires, floods and satellite views: Modeling the Boreal forest's future

A new NASA study reveals that megafires in Canada's Northwest Territories released half as much carbon back into the atmosphere as all the plants, shrubs and trees store in an entire year. The Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth, leading to more frequent and intense large fires.

The hidden hazards of antibiotic resistance genes in air

Research reveals airborne transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARGs) across the globe, with high levels detected in urban areas. ARGs resistant to multiple antibiotics, including vancomycin, were found in air samples from cities worldwide.

Space-age tech offers timely crop data relief

The EcoProMIS project aims to provide commercially viable solutions for sustainable agriculture in Colombia by combining space data with smart sensors and real-time information. Farmers will benefit from increased productivity and reduced environmental footprints, thanks to a public-private partnership supported by the UK Space Agency.

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.

Scientists identify biomarkers to detect and prevent stillbirth

Researchers have identified four biomarkers, including a new chemical called verruculotoxin, that may predict signs of first-trimester stillbirth. By analyzing maternal blood, scientists can develop tools to screen for preventable illnesses affecting both women and children.