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Science News Archive 2018


Page 70 of 473

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Happy childhood memories linked to better health later in life

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people with positive childhood memories tend to have better health, less depression, and fewer chronic illnesses as older adults. Good memories from childhood relationships with both mothers and fathers can reduce stress and promote healthy choices.

New device improves balance in veterans with Gulf War Illness

Researchers at Rutgers University developed a device that improved balance in 100% of veterans with Gulf War Illness by stimulating the vestibular system. The findings suggest correcting the vestibular system may treat other conditions associated with the illness.

Breakthrough for treatment of fibrotic diseases

Scientists have found a drug combination that can halt the progression of fibrosis, a condition responsible for almost half of all deaths. The study, published in European Urology, tested a combination of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators on cells and animals.

A hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and daily exercise maintain weight loss

A study of over 600 patients with overweight or obesity found that a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet combined with daily exercise maintained clinically significant weight loss after one year. Patients showed improvements in glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers, while those with diabetes saw particularly high benefits.

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.

Contrary to government report, orangutans continue to decline

A recent study published in Current Biology found that orangutans are critically endangered and their numbers have not increased as reported by the Indonesian government. The research highlights the need for a new conservation approach given the ongoing decline of orangutan populations.

Identifying a piranha by its bark

Scientists have discovered that different piranha species can be identified by the pattern of their barks, which could lead to more efficient conservation efforts. The study's findings suggest that passive acoustic monitoring may be a useful tool for studying piranha behavior in the wild.

Researchers solve mystery surrounding a form of Batten disease

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a new mechanism for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8, a form of Batten disease. The study found that the CLN8 protein plays a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of lysosomal enzymes from the endoplasmic reticulum to the lysosome.

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.

Genetics of cichlid fish bower building

Researchers found thousands of genetic variants linked to both pit and castle building behaviors, suggesting complex patterns of genetic variation and regulation. The study provides evolutionary insights into the development of these natural behaviors in cichlid fishes.

Evolution of limb patterning in tetrapods

Researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of the ancient fish Rhizodus hibberti, featuring a novel skeletal pattern in its pelvic fins. The findings suggest that developmental mechanisms were more flexible in early tetrapods, allowing for varied skeletal patterns before the familiar one-to-two limb structure emerged.

WEIRD science

Researchers found that traditional personality traits, like the Big Five, may not be universal across cultures. To improve psychological science, experts recommend considering socioecological theory and diversifying study samples from non-Western populations.

Does having muscle weakness and obesity lead to falls for older women?

Researchers found that postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina women had the highest risk of falls related to sarcopenic obesity. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 were also at a higher risk for falls connected to sarcopenic obesity, highlighting the need for targeted solutions to address this growing health concern.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Black infants may have higher cardiac arrest rates

A multi-year review of all pediatric emergency response records in Houston found that Black infants comprised a significantly larger proportion of cardiac arrests than expected. The study suggests that genetic differences in risk based on race, environmental or socioeconomic factors, or a combination of factors may contribute to the di...

Wealthier people do less in the struggle against climate change

A collective-risk dilemma experiment revealed that participants with fewer resources contributed significantly more to fighting climate change than wealthier people. The poorest groups were classified into 'generous clusters', while the richest were in 'greedy clusters'. This highlights the need for policies to prioritize climate justi...

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.

Dana-Farber scientists find new drug targets in aggressive cancers

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a previously unknown molecular vulnerability in two rare, aggressive cancer types, synovial sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumors. The study identifies the ncBAF complex as a key player in these cancers' proliferation and growth.

More than intelligence needed for success in life

Non-cognitive skills such as attention, self-regulation, and perseverance play a significant role in determining academic achievement, cognitive ability, and language outcomes. However, the existing evidence base in this field is limited due to publication bias and methodological flaws, underscoring the need for further research.

Prejudice against women in power is greater than we think

A new study by Adrian Hoffmann and Jochen Musch found that people are significantly more prejudiced against women (37%) than initially thought (23%), as indirect questioning methods reveal honest responses. The study suggests that women are more reluctant to express prejudice, possibly due to societal expectations.

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.

Borexino sheds light on solar neutrinos

The Borexino experiment has provided insights into how the Sun generates energy by analyzing its solar neutrino spectrum. The study revealed details about the Sun's core and fusion processes, confirming current understanding of these phenomena.

Patient safety in hospitals still a concern

A new study published in Health Affairs highlights the importance of improving nurse work environments and adequate staffing in reducing patient harm. Hospitals that implemented these changes saw significant improvements in patient safety indicators, while those that didn't experienced worsening care environments.

Study: There's real skill in fantasy sports

A new MIT study suggests that most fantasy sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, are contests that reward skill over chance. The researchers analyzed thousands of fantasy players' win/loss records over multiple seasons, finding a clear signal for skill in the data.

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.

Peak performance: new stellarator experiments show promising results

The Wendelstein 7-X superconducting stellarator successfully completes its first operational phase, demonstrating stable and high-density plasma conditions. The experiment's goal is to achieve temperatures of over 10 million degrees in plasmas using microwaves, a crucial step towards realizing fusion power.

Team studying rare disorder discovers novel way to target melanoma

A team of researchers from the University of North Texas Health Science Center discovered a new approach to combating melanoma by targeting the NGLY1 protein. The study found that when normal cells are inhibited, they survive, but cancer cells with low or no NGLY1 activity die quickly.

Timely care key to improving survival rates and racial disparities

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients who receive timely care have better survival rates compared to those with delayed care. MUSC researchers found that African American patients are disproportionately affected by delays in treatment, highlighting the need for coordinated action to address this issue.

Stroke survivors and those at risk urged to focus on yoga and tai chi

A new study suggests that mindfulness-based interventions like yoga and tai chi can lower blood pressure, improve diabetics' health, and boost antioxidants. These practices may help reduce stroke risk by mitigating key factors such as hypertension, fatty acids, and blood sugar levels.

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.

Hospital admissions for AFib rise with daylight saving time transition

Researchers found a significant increase in AFib hospital admissions following the springtime transition, suggesting that daylight saving time transitions have negative health consequences. The study analyzed nearly 6,300 records of patients admitted to Montefiore Medical Center for AFib between 2009 and 2016.

Coping with errors in the quantum age

ETH Zurich researchers have demonstrated a novel quantum error correction technique that can monitor and correct errors in real-time. The technique, which uses trapped ions to encode quantum information, has been successfully tested with repeated measurements on the same system, exceeding previous experimental limits.

Caterpillar, fungus in cahoots to threaten fruit, nut crops, study finds

Scientists have discovered that a fungus and a caterpillar are in a symbiotic relationship, allowing the caterpillar to thrive in orchards while also helping the fungus spread. The navel orangeworm caterpillar can metabolize aflatoxins produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus, making it immune to its toxic effects.

Peers, student attitudes, and student deviance in Japan and the United States

This study examines the relationship between peer reactions, peer behavior, student attitudes, and student deviance in Japan and the US. It finds that peer reactions more strongly predict student attitudes toward deviance in both countries, while peer deviance predicts student deviance in the US more strongly than in Japan.

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.

BU: Twitter users spreading sexual violence prevention strategies

A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that Twitter users proposed many effective strategies to prevent sexual violence, but also perpetuated misinformation and myths. The researchers analyzed over 1,400 tweets using the #HowIWillChange hashtag and identified gaps in prevention strategies.

The reasons for hemispheric dominance in the brain

Biopsychologists demonstrate that subtle timing differences in the right hemisphere allow it to control specific functions, while the left hemisphere delays its activity. The study reveals a sophisticated mechanism underlying hemispheric dominance.

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.

Recreating the sound of the Islamic past of the Mosque of Cordoba

A study by University of Seville researchers uses acoustic simulation to analyze the variation of sound perception areas within the Mosque of Cordoba. The findings reveal differences in acoustics due to successive expansions, with notable degradation in areas furthest from the qibla wall.

Teachers and Trump

A new study from Michigan State University found that teachers felt immense pressure to respond in a certain way to the 2016 presidential election. Researchers argue that neutrality in the classroom is not an effective teaching tactic and can marginalize certain groups.

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.

New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs

Perovskite LEDs have achieved close to 100% internal luminescence efficiency, opening up applications in displays, lighting, and communications. The devices outperform conventional OLEDs in terms of light-emission efficiency due to a composite layer of perovskites with an insulating polymer.

William Muñoz receives Nemko Prize in Cellular or Molecular Neuroscience

William Muñoz has been awarded the Nemko Prize for his innovative method of recording cortical neurons, which allows scientists to examine the functional architecture of the cortex in awake, behaving mice. His work reveals a new mechanism by which the cerebral cortex processes and integrates information.

Modeling dam removal tradeoffs

Researchers developed a multiscale model analyzing economic, social, and ecological tradeoffs of dam removal. The model found that large numbers of dams optimize tradeoffs among ecosystem services, river safety, and economic costs, assisting future damming decisions by considering scale and location.

Is foraging behavior regulated the same way in humans and worms?

A neuronal circuit in nematode worms modulates locomotion by dopamine and neuropeptide signaling, findings that may provide insights into food-motivated behavior in humans. The study suggests that similar inhibitory balancing mechanisms may be present in mammals.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Lead, mercury exposure raises cholesterol levels

Researchers found that higher lead and mercury levels in the blood were associated with increased levels of bad cholesterol and total cholesterol. The study suggests a potential link between heavy metal exposure and cardiovascular disease.

A faster, cheaper path to fusion energy

Scientists are working on a new, powerful magnet design using high-temperature superconductors to build the world's first energy-producing fusion experiment. The goal is to achieve a net energy gain by 2025 and make fusion a viable source of clean energy.

Alcohol industry health campaigns miss the mark by a longshot

A new study by the University of Connecticut found that almost all alcohol industry social responsibility schemes lack scientific support, while benefiting the company's brand exposure. The findings suggest minimal public health benefits and potential harm from some campaigns.

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.

Chemical synthesis could produce more potent antibiotics

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel chemical synthesis method that can modify antibiotics, making them more effective against drug-resistant infections. The technique uses an amino acid called selenocysteine as a 'handle' to link peptides and small-molecule drugs.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.