Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive April 2018


Page 1 of 42

Axon guidance gene influences reward system

A study found that individuals with a DCC gene mutation had reduced connectivity between brain regions involved in reward processing, leading to less impulsive behavior and lower cigarette smoking. The researchers also observed decreased volume in the striatum, a brain region critical for motivation and pleasure.

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.

Portland State receives NSF grant to battle cyber-security threats

Portland State University has been awarded a $275,000 NSF grant to explore the cryptography-breaking power of quantum computers and develop new computer science courses. The project aims to broaden participation in computer science among high school students and teachers.

Saving aging nerves from 'big eater' immune cells

Aging nerves are damaged by immune cells that drive degeneration, but a new treatment blocks these cells, restoring nerve structure and muscle strength. Treatment with a cytokine receptor inhibitor reduced macrophage numbers and improved grip force in aging mice.

An AI for deciphering what animals do all day

A new study from Columbia University uses an AI algorithm to analyze the full range of behaviors exhibited by the tiny pond-dwelling creature Hydra. By comparing its movements to neural firing patterns, researchers hope to gain insights into how its nervous system works.

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.

US gains in air quality are slowing down

A new study reveals that US improvements in air quality are slowing down, making it challenging to meet ozone pollution goals. The slowdown is attributed to slower-than-expected reductions in emissions from industrial and commercial sources.

New materials for sustainable, low-cost batteries

ETH Zurich scientists have discovered two new materials that could advance the development of aluminum batteries: a corrosion-resistant titanium nitride material and a flexible polypyrene material for the positive electrode. These advancements aim to improve the energy storage capacity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of sustainabl...

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.

Habitat degradation and coral reef fish behavior

Coral reef fish rely on acoustic cues for habitat selection and settlement. Research found that degraded reefs have reduced acoustic complexity, richness, and sound-pressure levels, making them less attractive to fish larvae and juvenile fish. This may limit future fish settlement and reduce reef resilience.

Vapers and non-smokers have the same flourishing gut flora

A study by Newcastle University found that vaping has the same beneficial gut bacteria as non-smokers, whereas smoking is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer and colitis. The research also discovered a decrease in beneficial Bacteroides bacteria in smokers.

Double-bridged peptides bind any disease target

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new peptide format called double-bridged peptides that can bind to any disease target with high affinity and stability. By creating an enormous diversity of peptide architectures, they were able to isolate high-affinity binders to important protein targets, including kallikrein and interleukin-17.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Psychiatric diagnoses and medication use in children insured by Medicaid

A study of 35,244 children in a mid-Atlantic state found that those with psychiatric diagnoses were more likely to receive psychotropic medications from birth through age 7. The study highlights the need for further research on the safety and outcomes of early psychotropic medication use in young populations.

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.

Workplace flexibility bias not just a mother's problem

A new study reveals that workplace flexibility bias, which assumes employees with family responsibilities are less devoted to their jobs, negatively impacts all workers, including men without children. Employees who feel penalized for taking time off experience lower work satisfaction and are more likely to leave their jobs.

DNA adds twist to ancient story of a Native American group

The study found that the Tsimshian population's genetic diversity recovered after a collapse, with intermarriage increasing genetic diversity in some individuals. This contradicts previous notions of Native American populations expanding until European colonization.

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.

Farming fish saves land

A recent study found that farming fish can help feed the future global population while substantially reducing land use impacts of meat production. Replacing terrestrial livestock production with aquaculture could spare up to 747 million land hectares globally, an area twice the size of India.

Five healthy habits may add more than a decade to life

A study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal found that following five healthy habits can significantly improve longevity for both men and women. The research analyzed data from thousands of adults and estimated that maintaining these habits could add over a decade to life expectancy, with women seeing an i...

Research casts doubt on theories of star formation

A study using ALMA found a surprising distribution of star-forming cores, with fewer massive stars and more solar-mass stars than expected. This discovery may require reevaluation of the relationship between core mass and star mass.

Daily photography improves wellbeing

Taking a daily photo has complex benefits, including improved wellbeing through self-care, community interaction, and the potential for reminiscence. The practice also led to more exercise, a sense of purpose, and managing loneliness and grief.

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.

Following bats to predict Ebola

Researchers have created a modeling framework that considers ecological dimensions driving bat migration patterns to forecast Ebola outbreaks. The tool analyzes spatially distributed random fluctuations of environmental parameters to understand how they impact bat migrations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study identifies ways smaller hospitals can effectively reduce antibiotic overuse

A study found that using a centralized infectious disease support program decreased overall antibiotic use and the overuse of broad-spectrum drugs in smaller hospitals. Program 3, which included a pharmacy-based initiative and expert consultation via hotline, saw a significant reduction in antibiotic use compared to baseline data.

Topological insulator 'flips' for superconductivity

Researchers at University of Illinois & Tokyo developed innovative 'flip-chip' technique to create layered TI/SC samples. Measurements revealed proximity effect induces superconductivity in both bulk and surface states, with surprising dependence on film thickness and temperature.

High wildfire severity risk seen in young plantation forests

A new analysis of the 2013 Douglas Complex fire reveals that young plantation forests experienced higher severity fires than nearby public forests. Daily weather was the most significant driver, but ownership, forest age, and topography also played critical roles.

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.

Reef fish inherit tolerance to warming oceans

Researchers found that reef fish inherit epigenetic changes from their parents, enabling them to cope with warmer ocean temperatures. This adaptation may provide a buffer against the impacts of climate change and allow for genetic adaptation over time.

Not enough women included in some heart disease clinical trials

A study by the American College of Cardiology found that women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials, with proportions ranging from 22-81% compared to disease populations. Researchers emphasize the need for better representation to determine potential gender differences in treatment responses.

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.

Geometry is key to T-cell triggering

Researchers created a biomimetic surface that simulates antigen-presenting cell features and found that precise ligand spacing is crucial for T-cell triggering. The study sheds light on the role of CD45 exclusion in receptor activation, offering new insights into T-cell stimulation.

BU: Smoking, alcohol consumption increase lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation

A new study found that smoking and alcohol consumption significantly increase the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation, with risk factors at age 55 rising to 38%. An optimal risk factor profile was associated with a reduced lifetime risk of 23%, highlighting the importance of modifiable borderline and elevated risk factors in prevention.

Water-repellent surfaces can efficiently boil water, keep electronics cool

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that superhydrophobic materials can boil water efficiently when air and vapor are removed from the system. This breakthrough enables highly effective boiling, allowing for improved cooling of high-power electronics and enhancing thermal management technologies.

How to make solar hydrogen year round

A new dynamic model proposes a seasonal control strategy with ceria particles to buffer the effect of solar radiation variation, enabling continuous hydrogen production. The system can store and release heat as needed, maximizing solar energy utilization and potentially increasing efficiency.

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.

STSI $34 million NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award

The Scripps Translational Science Institute has received a renewed $34 million funding from the National Institutes of Health to advance individualized medicine through genomic and digital technologies. The institute will form partnerships with other institutions to improve translational research and train future leaders in biomedicine.

Impact of low-efficacy influenza vaccines

At 43% vaccine coverage, a low-efficacy vaccine (20% effective) could avert over 20 million infections, 61,000 deaths, and 2.2 million lost DALYs in the US. The optimal strategy involves targeting elderly populations as efficacy decreases.

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.

A new formula for creating chemical reactions -- with carbs

A team of Yale University scientists has developed a new approach to glycosylation that is remarkably simple and works in water at room temperature. This process can be generalized to create large numbers of different compounds, making it easier to find the best biochemical probes and therapeutics.

Effects of munitions in the seas only partially known

A new review paper highlights the global scope of the underwater munitions problem, with over a million tons of intact and corroding munitions littering the Baltic and North Seas. The chemicals released from these munitions pose significant risks to marine ecosystems, including carcinogenic and cyto- and genotoxic effects.

UCLA and University of Bern neuroscientists receive Sanberg Awards from ASNTR

Dr. S. Thomas Carmichael, a UCLA neuroscientist, received the 2018 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair from ASNTR for his career-long work in stroke recovery mechanisms. His research has shown that the adult brain can form new connections after stroke and may be critical for plasticity in the recovering brain.

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.