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Science News Archive April 2018


Page 23 of 42

What's in a niche? Time to rethink microbial ecology, say researchers

Researchers are rethinking microbial ecology, arguing that niche is more important than names. Microbes have many ways to get energy, and co-exist in redundant systems. The study's findings have major implications for interpreting changes in microbial communities, predicting health, and understanding environmental perturbations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bike paths for everyone -- except children

A Montreal bike path network expansion has left children without equal access despite increased growth between 1991 and 2016. Researchers warn that targeting cycling infrastructure for children is crucial for understanding the benefits of bicycling once they become adults.

From insulator to conductor in a flash

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly transition strongly correlated materials from insulators to conductors using tailored laser pulses. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of next-generation electronics that are faster and more energy efficient.

Post-surgical opioids can, paradoxically, lead to chronic pain

A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that post-surgical opioids can lead to chronic pain in rats for more than three weeks. The researchers discovered that opioids stimulate specialized immune cells in the spinal cord, making them more reactive to pain, and that gradual tapering has no effect on the prolonged pain.

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.

Can FraudBuster help insurers use big data to combat fraud?

The FraudBuster approach uses proactive risk prediction at the underwriting stage to identify unprofitable drivers who are likely fraudulent risks. This novel method can help insurers reduce fraud in high-risk markets, such as the automobile insurance market.

Run faster, learn better

A new study found that faster mice run, the faster they learn. Researchers used mutant mice with reduced running speed to demonstrate the causal link between running speed and enhanced learning. They also showed that once learned, performance still depended on running speed.

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.

Study identifies more than a hundred new genes that determine hair color

A team of scientists discovered 124 genes involved in determining human hair color variation, explaining a substantial fraction of hair color variation and heritability. The new findings have implications for conditions linked to pigmentation, such as skin, testicular, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

Logging in tropical forests jeopardizing drinking water

Researchers found that logging in Solomon Islands' tropical forests can lead to unsustainable soil erosion and significant impacts on downstream water quality. The study highlights the need for tighter regulations and local buy-in for forest management to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Antimicrobial therapy can prevent sepsis in pneumonia patients

Researchers at the University of Leicester have found that antimicrobial therapy can prevent sepsis and life-threatening disease in people suffering from pneumonia. By targeting specific immune cells, this treatment can abort the phase of intracellular replication that protects bacteria from antibiotics.

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.

Photovoltaics, thermal stability, and power conversion

Researchers developed ultraflexible OPVs with increased PCE and thermal stability, achieving 80% of initial PCE at over 500 hours of continuous thermal stress. The devices exhibit improved thermal stability compared to current OPVs, enabling optimal performance for wearable sensors and electronic devices.

Reversing brain injury in newborns and adults

Researchers discovered a new molecule that blocks brain repair after injury, halting myelination and causing dramatic disruption to brain function. The molecule prevents the development of brain cells needed for repair, but FoxO3 may serve as a biomarker for its effects.

Three-fold higher risk of cancer after acute thrombosis in the leg

A study published in Circulation found that patients with acute thrombosis in the leg are at a three-fold higher risk of developing cancer during the first six months after the blood clot. The risk is highest for smoking-related forms of cancer, such as lung and pancreatic cancer.

Malaria infection and human attractiveness to mosquitoes

A study reveals that malaria infection increases human attractiveness to mosquitoes, particularly due to skin chemistry changes such as elevated levels of heptanal and nonanal. This finding could illuminate aspects of malaria transmission and lead to the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers.

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.

Climate and peatland initiation

Peatland initiation coincided with warming and increased precipitation, forming globally important carbon sinks. The study's findings have implications for future changes in peatland distribution.

Study shows fast-acting benefits of ketamine for depression and suicidality

A new study found that a nasal spray formulation of ketamine significantly improves depression scores and decreases suicidal ideation within four hours. However, the effects were not sustained at 25 days. The researchers call for additional research on the potential for abuse and the need for effective controls.

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.

Drowsy driving in the ridesharing industry is a public safety risk

Ridesharing companies' limits on driving time are considered insufficient by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, as drivers often work multiple jobs or drive late at night. The organization is calling for a collaborative effort to address fatigue and sleepiness in the industry.

Oregon scientists decipher the magma bodies under Yellowstone

Using computer modeling, University of Oregon scientists have unveiled a thick crustal transition zone that may control the movement of magma emerging from the Earth's mantle. This discovery provides a new explanation for the geology underlying recent seismic imaging of magma bodies below Yellowstone National Park.

Once upon a time, an exoplanet was discovered

The discovery of 51 Pegasi b marked a significant milestone in the search for exoplanets, with Michel Mayor and his colleague Queloz credited with the groundbreaking find. The development of better telescopes enabled this achievement, contributing to a new community of researchers exploring this field.

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.

Lack of sleep leads to obesity in children and adolescents

Research at the University of Warwick has found that children and adolescents who regularly sleep less than others of the same age gain more weight when they grow older and are more likely to become overweight or obese. The study suggests that getting enough sleep is equally important as healthy eating and exercise in preventing obesity.

First an alga, then a squid, enigmatic fossil is actually a fish

A 1.5-foot-long fossil slab, misidentified twice, has been reinterpreted as a large cartilaginous fish with characteristics similar to sharks and rays. The study suggests the fish lived between 70-85 million years ago and expands the diversity of the Niobrara fauna.

We think we're the first advanced earthlings -- but how do we really know?

Researchers Adam Frank and Gavin Schmidt propose a new definition of civilization based on its energy use, exploring the potential for detection in the geological record. They discuss various signs left behind by industrial activities, such as fossil fuel emissions and global warming, to determine if human beings existed.

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.

Depression study pinpoints genes that may trigger the condition

A recent study has pinpointed nearly 80 genes that may contribute to depression, providing new insights into the causes of mental ill-health. The research, published in Nature Communications, analyzed genetic data from over half a million people and found links to synapse function.

Engineering a plastic-eating enzyme

Scientists at the University of Portsmouth and NREL have engineered an enzyme that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, a major contributor to ocean pollution. The discovery could lead to a recycling solution for millions of tons of plastic waste.

Two robots are better than one for NIST's 5G antenna measurement research

The Large Antenna Positioning System (LAPS) has been developed by NIST to measure transmissions to and from antennas on fast-moving mobile devices, requiring coordination between communication signals and robot motion. The system will help foster the development of 5G wireless and spectrum-sharing systems.

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.

When nuclei catch up with electrons

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that ionization delays in molecules can significantly depend on the kinetic energy of both the photoelectron and the nuclei. This study extends the concept of ionization delays introduced for atomic systems, showing that variations can be as large as those with electronic kinetic energy.

How does one prepare for adverse weather events? Depends on your past experiences

A new study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal reveals that individuals' past tornado experiences significantly impact their perception of future tornado risks. The research found that memorable past experiences shape people's fear, dread, worry, and depression, while multiple experiences influence their belief that t...

Music intensifies effects of anti-hypertensive medication

A study found that listening to music after taking anti-hypertensive medication improves heart rate variability and reduces blood pressure. The effects were observed for about an hour after medication administration, with classical music shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

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.

Warming planet led to peatland formation

Researchers found that higher local summer temperatures drove peatland formation in formerly glaciated regions, not increased rainfall. Peatlands store vast quantities of carbon and are sensitive to climate change.

UH researcher to produce next generation of Hispanic obesity educators

Norma Olvera, a UH health education professor, has received $297,385 from the USDA to train the next generation of Hispanic obesity educators. The three-year project will recruit 36 students from three Hispanic-serving institutions and provide them with career development training in community nutrition and public health.

How our senses connect with the stress system

Early life stress may affect mental health through epigenetic changes in both stress-related and sensory networks. This new hypothesis proposes that glucocorticoids prime the epigenetic machinery while neural activation coordinates programming mechanisms.

Altered immune cells clear childhood brain tumor in mice

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a CAR-T therapy that eradicates diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumors in mice, leaving few residual cancer cells. The treatment targets the GD2 sugar molecule on DIPG tumors and has shown promising results, but side effects such as brain swelling must be carefully managed.

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.

Screenings miss half of diabetic, prediabetic patients

A new Northwestern Medicine study shows that screenings for diabetes and prediabetes could be improved by expanding the screening criteria to include additional risk factors. This would lead to the identification of most cases of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, with only 23% of patients being missed.

Surviving climate change, then and now

Researchers analyzed ancient tools, ornaments, and human remains to find that early Homo sapiens adapted to climate change by staying interconnected. The study found that a vast social network helped these ancestors survive a volcanic eruption 40,000 years ago and potentially inform our response to modern global warming.

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.

Warming climate could speed forest regrowth in eastern US

A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.

Freeing electrons to better trap them

Researchers at UNIGE and MBI successfully place an electron in a dual state, neither free nor bound, and regulate its electronic structure. They also discover that high-intensity lasers can amplify light, enabling new possibilities for intense laser propagation in gases.

UTSA Open Cloud Institute supports cloud research & launches certificate program

The UTSA Open Cloud Institute is supporting collaborative R&D partnerships and creating educational opportunities through a $200,000 grant program. The institute is also launching a graduate-level certificate program in cloud computing to incorporate cloud expertise into engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity degrees.

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.