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Science News Archive 2018


Page 88 of 473

Schadenfreude sheds light on darker side of humanity

Researchers at Emory University have proposed a novel framework to explain schadenfreude, finding that it comprises three subforms: aggression, rivalry, and justice. These subforms are interrelated and rooted in concerns of self-evaluation, social identity, and justice.

Study provides new insight into why galaxies stop forming stars

A team of UC Riverside-led scientists have made the best measurement yet of why star formation stops in galaxy clusters in the early universe. They found that it takes a galaxy longer to stop forming stars as the universe gets older, with quenching timescales varying across 70 percent of the universe's history.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Himalayan gold' on the brink

The Himalayan gold fungus, valued at $11 billion, is facing extinction due to intensive harvesting and climate change. The fungus's decline may have severe consequences for communities that rely on it for their livelihood.

Ferroelectricity -- an 80-year-old mystery solved

Researchers at Linköping University discover that hypothetical particles called 'hysterons' exist in organic ferroelectric materials, explaining their unique behavior and properties. The study reveals that the material's nanostructure plays a crucial role in its switching process.

Bullying and harassment in the NHS could be costing billions

A new study estimates that bullying and harassment in the NHS in England may be costing over £2 billion per year. Productivity loss due to presenteeism is estimated to cost £604.4 million annually. The authors hope their research will provide a financial incentive for policymakers to tackle the issue.

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.

Neurons reliably respond to straight lines

A study published in Scientific Reports found that 80% of tracked neurons were reliably activated by the same oriented lines throughout a two-week period. The researchers used two-photon microscopy to visualize hundreds of neurons and tested an extensive range of stimuli, including varying line thickness.

New combination treatment flips the switch on melanoma cells

Researchers developed a new combination treatment that flips the switch on melanoma cells by targeting Bcl-2, MCL-1, and DRP-1 proteins. The approach killed melanoma cells and cancer stem cells in laboratory tests, offering an alternative option for patients who don't respond to current treatments.

Earlier puberty linked to mother's smoking during pregnancy

A major study from Aarhus University found that children of mothers who smoked more than ten cigarettes a day during pregnancy entered puberty three to six months earlier. Early puberty is associated with an increased risk of diseases such as obesity and certain types of cancer.

Painkillers during pregnancy can bring forward puberty in girls

Girls taking painkillers like paracetamol during pregnancy enter puberty on average one-and-a-half to three months earlier than expected. A large Danish cohort study suggests a 'dose-response' correlation between prolonged paracetamol use and early puberty in girls.

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.

Actin cytoskeleton remodeling protects tumor cells against immune attack

Research discovered that actin cytoskeleton remodeling in breast cancer cells protects them from immune cell attack by limiting the transfer of cytotoxic proteins. The 'actin response' is associated with increased levels of immune-inhibitory ligands, rendering cancer cells resistant to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

NASA eyes powerful Hurricane Willa affecting western Mexico

Hurricane Willa is a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, expected to make landfall in western Mexico. The storm is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, wind, and rainfall to portions of west-central and southwestern Mexico.

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.

NASA Goddard selects Michael Krainak as the IRAD Innovator of the Year

Michael Krainak, leader of NASA's Laser and Electro-Optics Branch, is recognized for his innovative approach to applying emerging technologies to agency-priority spaceflight needs. His work on optical communications, photonic integrated chips, and laser-based technologies has significant potential for breakthrough capabilities.

ERC Synergy grant with HZB participation

An interdisciplinary team will create a novel X-ray microscope to analyze bone microstructure in living individuals, enabling the study of osteoporosis and its progression. The '4D+ nanoSCOPE' will make it possible to monitor bones over time and assess the effects of aging and other factors on bone health.

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.

Rewilding landscapes can help to solve more than one problem

Researchers have found that rewilding can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the Arctic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming, and enhance wetland plant diversity. The approach involves reintroducing native carnivores to suppress invasive herbivores and restore ecosystem balance.

Brain training app helps reduce OCD symptoms, study finds

Researchers developed a smartphone app to help people with OCD manage their symptoms, reducing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. After just one week of using the app, participants showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility and reductions in OCD symptoms.

The good book: Bible helps researchers perfect translation algorithms

Researchers at Dartmouth College used the Bible to develop an algorithm that can convert written works into different styles for different audiences. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, trained on over 1.5 million unique pairings of source and target verses from various versions of the sacred texts.

Biomarker blood test confirms remission in patients with HPV+ oral cancer

A highly sensitive liquid biopsy test detects minute traces of cancer-specific DNA, accurately determining whether HPV+ oral cancer patients are free from cancer following radiation therapy. The test reduces the need for costly radiological studies and provides a more precise count of tumor DNA in the blood.

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.

Flavored capsule cigarettes pose a threat to smokefree goals

Research from the University of Otago suggests that flavored capsule cigarettes make smoked tobacco products more appealing to non-smoking young people. Susceptible non-smokers prefer flavoured capsules over unflavoured cigarettes, viewing them as smoother and more fun to smoke.

How to reverse memory loss in old mice

Researchers found that osteocalcin, a bone hormone, reverses memory loss in the aging brain by interacting with key proteins like RbAp48. Exercise may also positively affect the brain through osteocalcin release, suggesting a potential way to stave off age-related memory loss.

Climate change, rising sea levels a threat to farmers in Bangladesh

A new study estimates that climate change will force about 200,000 coastal farmers in Bangladesh to migrate inland due to rising sea levels and salty soil. The study found that farmers who convert from rice to seafood farming can expect a significant increase in crop revenue, but many cannot afford the conversion on a large scale.

Changes in snow coverage threatens biodiversity of Arctic nature

Research suggests that reduced Arctic snow cover due to climate change poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity. Many plant species rely on snow cover for survival and are already endangered, making conservation efforts crucial. The study highlights the importance of addressing climate change to preserve northern nature.

Research brief: Predicting how native plants return to abandoned farm fields

A study published in Ecology tracked seed movement using electrical engineering and mathematical models, predicting colonization and establishment patterns for 50 prairie plant species. The researchers found their estimates accurately predicted the likelihood of colonization and spatial establishment patterns across abandoned fields.

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.

How chloroplasts maintain energy efficiency

Researchers found that mature plant chloroplasts isolate ATP production, while young leaves allow for temporary import of ATP to support development. This strategy optimizes energy efficiency in plants.

Football players' concussions linked to dyslexia gene

A new study found that athletes with a specific gene variant associated with dyslexia were less likely to suffer concussion injuries. The study suggests that the more diffuse wiring of the dyslexic brain may provide neuroprotection against impact injuries.

Yes, your pet can tell time

A new study found 'timing cells' in the brain that turn on when an animal waits, allowing it to measure a time interval. The research could lead to early-detection tests for Alzheimer's disease by asking people to judge how much time has elapsed.

Sockeye carcasses tossed on shore over two decades spur tree growth

A long-term study by University of Washington researchers found that sockeye salmon carcasses fertilized White spruce trees on one side of Hansen Creek, leading to faster tree growth. The study, which spanned 20 years, used tree core samples to measure growth rates and found a significant increase in growth on the side with carcasses.

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.

Bonobo: great ape with a tiny voice

Researchers discovered that bonobos have shorter vocal folds compared to chimpanzees, resulting in lower-pitched voices. This unexpected finding suggests that bonobos use their voice pitch to signal tolerance and non-aggressive interactions with other bonobos.

6.4 million Euros for research into the birth of agriculture in Europe

A new EU-funded project, EXPLO, aims to uncover the dynamics and causes of prehistoric land use change in the cradle of European farming. By integrating underwater archeology with ecological and climate science methods, researchers hope to understand how early farmers adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Measuring immigrant integration

Researchers developed a pragmatic survey tool to measure immigrant integration across six dimensions: psychological, economic, political, social, linguistic, and navigational. The tool's validity was tested with empirical tests, showing it can differentiate between levels of integration and track with commonly used predictors.

Optimizing winglets for minimum drag, more efficient flight

University of Illinois researchers develop an integrated optimization framework to explore the space of possible winglet designs, finding optimal configurations for minimum drag. The Hyper Elliptic Cambered Span (HECS) wing design approach considers both inviscid and viscous drag sources, leading to more efficient flight.

Texas A&M, Harvard team up on $30 million NASA-funded atmospheric research

Researchers from Texas A&M and Harvard will investigate the impact of strong summertime convective storms on the stratosphere, collecting data from a high-altitude NASA aircraft. The study aims to understand how these storms can change the chemistry of the lower stratosphere, potentially affecting ozone levels.

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.

Biodiversity for the birds

A recent study by University of Delaware researchers found that residential yards dominated by non-native plants have fewer arthropods, leading to a decline in bird populations. The research suggests that prioritizing native plant species can support biodiversity and sustain wildlife.

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.

Genetic flaw causes problems for many with hypothyroidism

A genetic polymorphism in the D2 enzyme affects thyroid hormone conversion, leading to hypothyroidism-like symptoms in mice and potentially affecting human patients. The study aims to develop a new treatment agent to address this issue.

NASA's Dellingr team awarded IRAD Team Award

The Dellingr team developed a more capable and resilient CubeSat platform, advancing the state-of-the-art in this mission class. The team's innovative approach to resilience and problem-solving enabled them to recover from system failures and gather high-quality data about Earth's upper atmosphere.

Professional, not personal, familiarity works for virtual teams

A recent study found that knowing a colleague's specialized degree and skills enhances work partnerships in virtual teams. In contrast, personal information, such as hobbies or interests, has little impact on productivity. Managers can build strong relationships with team members by fostering professional familiarity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Zambezi Valley may soon be too hot for tsetse flies

A study based on 27 years of data from Mana Pools National Park suggests that temperature increases have caused significant declines in local tsetse fly populations. This could lead to reduced transmission of trypanosome pathogens causing sleeping sickness, but may also make other areas more suitable for the flies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

ASU team unravels key mysteries of spider silk

A team of scientists at ASU has explained the fundamental mystery of spider silk's mechanical strength and elasticity. By studying hierarchical micellar nanoparticle structures, they developed a molecular level model of spider silk protein fiber formation.

CU researchers: Home care for knee replacement patients aids in recovery

A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that home care with physical therapy significantly improves recovery rates for knee replacement surgery patients. The study analyzed Medicare claims data and found that patients receiving six to nine home-care visits by a physical therapist had better outcomes.

Breakthrough test screens for all known bacterial infections

The BacCapSeq platform detects signs of antibiotic resistance and virulence in 4.2 million genetic probes, outperforming traditional methods in sensitivity and speed. It has the potential to reduce mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs by providing accurate, early differential diagnosis of infectious diseases.

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.

Vaccine shows promise against widespread chicken disease

Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy that offers partial protection against the highly contagious infectious bronchitis virus. The recombinant virus vaccine approach has potential to be more cost-effective and respond to emerging new virus strains, but further research is needed to develop a more robust vaccine.