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Science News Archive April 2018


Page 30 of 42

Research gives new understanding of 17th century Scottish natural history

A new study re-examines a 17th-century Scottish natural history book, revealing insights into the country's pre-industrial environmental change. The research, published in the Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, highlights Scotland's lost wildlife species and its ecosystem's preservation of ancient species.

NIH researchers crack mystery behind rare bone disorder

Researchers have identified the genetic basis of melorheostosis, a rare bone disorder characterized by excess bone formation resembling dripping candle wax. The study found that mutations in the MAP2K1 gene were responsible for the condition, offering potential treatment targets and insights into bone development.

Baby fish led astray by high CO2 in oceans

Researchers found that baby fish are deterred by natural sounds in their habitats due to ocean acidification, and instead attracted to 'white noise' from irrelevant habitats. This could lead to smaller population sizes and impacts on commercial fisheries.

Atlantic Ocean circulation at weakest point in more than 1,500 years

New research shows Atlantic Ocean circulation has weakened by 15-20% since the mid-1800s, posing a threat to weather patterns and sea levels. The weakening of the Global Ocean Conveyor Belt could disrupt climate regulation and lead to more rapid sea level rise on the US East Coast.

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.

Why do some children read more?

A study of over 11,000 twins found that children's reading level is highly heritable and determines their reading habits. The research highlights the importance of improving both reading skills and motivation to combat a cycle where children avoid reading due to difficulties.

Scientists discover first subglacial lakes in Canadian Arctic

Two newly discovered subglacial lakes beneath the Devon Ice Cap in the Canadian Arctic are thought to be the first isolated hypersaline lakes in the world. The lakes, containing water four to five times saltier than seawater, exist at temperatures below freezing and have the potential to support microbial life.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A cosmic gorilla effect could blind the detection of aliens

Scientists warn that human brains may be overlooking signs of extraterrestrial life due to cognitive biases. Researchers conducted an experiment where participants failed to detect artificial structures in images, mirroring the famous gorilla suit test.

Genetic screening tool identifies how the flu infiltrates cells

Researchers developed a genetic screening tool that identified two key genes, SLC35A1 and CIC, that enable the influenza virus to infect human lung cells. The study found that modifying these genes can make cells resistant to the flu, which could lead to new antiviral drug targets.

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.

Scientists discover a link between superconductivity and the periodic table

Researchers at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Skoltech have discovered a general principle for calculating the superconductivity of hydrides based on the periodic table. High-temperature superconductivity is achieved in substances containing metal atoms that come close to populating a new electronic subshell, resulting ...

Large-scale study links PCOS to mental health disorders

A large-scale study finds that women with PCOS are prone to mental health disorders and their children have a greater risk of developing ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. The study suggests that women with PCOS should be screened for mental health disorders to improve their quality of life.

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.

NASA's GPM sees Keni following Tropical Cyclone Josie's track

Tropical Cyclone Keni has formed in the South Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting heavy rainfall. The storm is tracking southeastward at 25 knots, expected to weaken and begin extratropical transition by April 11.

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.

Paralyzed patient feels sensation again

Researchers at Caltech have successfully induced natural sensations in a paralyzed man by stimulating his somatosensory cortex with tiny arrays of electrodes. The study could enable people with prosthetic limbs to feel physical feedback from sensors.

Nanoparticles for lung cancer pass next test

Researchers developed nanoparticles that deliver microRNA-29b to lung tumors, potentially improving treatment outcomes. The technology overcomes limitations of traditional delivery methods and demonstrates promising results in mouse models.

Life expectancy significantly worse in deprived areas

New research from Cass Business School finds life expectancy and health outcomes worsen with deprivation, with men more adversely impacted. The study also reveals a widening gap between rich and poor, with top five districts in Northern England being the most deprived.

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.

Biomarker panel can guide treatment of brain cancer

Researchers have identified seven biomarkers that can predict which glioma patients will progress to a more aggressive form of the disease. A biomarker panel could help physicians decide whether more aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent progression.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Does physical activity influence the health of future offspring?

Researchers found that physical and mental exercise improves learning ability and reduces disease risk in mice, with the effect being passed on to the next generation through epigenetic inheritance. The study identified two microRNA molecules, miRNA212 and miRNA132, as responsible for this inherited learning capacity.

US FDA sodium reformulation targets projected to save lives and costs

A modeling study estimates that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sodium reformulation targets will reduce cardiovascular disease cases, saving lives and costs. The study projects a gain of approximately 1.1 million discounted quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and $19 billion in societal costs.

Even short travel can spread colistin-resistant bacteria

Researchers at Osaka University found that short trips to developing countries significantly increase the appearance of colistin-resistant bacteria in Japanese travelers. The study tracked 19 participants who traveled for less than 2 weeks and discovered nearly 90% of travel events resulted in resistant strains.

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.

Springer launches Journal for STEM Education Research

The Journal for STEM Education Research is a subscription-based, open-access journal focusing on students' cognitive and non-cognitive development in STEM education. It explores learning environments and pedagogies to facilitate student learning and development.

When enemies come to help

Crab spiders aid buckler-mustard plants by eliminating plant-eating insects and their larvae. This unexpected alliance benefits the plant, as it increases the production of floral volatile that attracts beneficial spiders.

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.

Birds migrate away from diseases

Researchers at Lund University found that migratory birds have a less variable immune system than sedentary birds, possibly due to the reduced diversity of pathogens in their breeding grounds. This adaptation could provide a survival advantage, as dealing with multiple pathogens is often difficult for birds when they first encounter them.

Making computer animation more agile, acrobatic -- and realistic

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method using deep reinforcement learning to create realistic computer animations. The system, dubbed DeepMimic, can simulate various skills, including acrobatic feats like break dancing and martial arts, and respond naturally to changes in the environment.

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.

Bugs, microbes and death can inform the living

A study from Michigan State University reveals the postmortem microbiome provides crucial insights into public health, with consistent patterns regardless of factors like sex or ethnicity. The research also suggests that the microbiome can be used to assess health conditions, such as heart disease, in living populations.

Weight loss is an important predictor of cancer

Research analysis found unintended weight loss to be the second-highest risk factor for some forms of cancer. The study of 11.5 million patients revealed significant associations with colorectal, lung, pancreatic, and renal cancers, emphasizing the need for streamlined services to investigate non-specific symptoms like weight loss.

Researchers inaugurate a new era of precision antimatter studies

Researchers from Swansea University have conducted the most precise direct measurement of antimatter ever made, revealing the spectral structure of antihydrogen atoms in unprecedented detail. The result surpasses previous measurements by a factor of 100, bringing us closer to testing fundamental symmetries like CPT invariance.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Using 'smart' algorithm to save energy bills -- rain or shine

A new 'smart' algorithm is proposed to manage household energy usage, taking into account varying power sources like windmills and solar panels. The goal is to minimize costs while meeting energy demand, with the potential for future optimization through machine learning.

How intestinal bacteria can affect your blood sugar and lipid levels

Changes in intestinal bacteria have been linked to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. A study found that antibiotic-induced dysbiosis can decrease blood glucose and triglyceride levels, highlighting the potential for targeting intestinal bacteria to prevent or treat these conditions.

School-based yoga can help children better manage stress and anxiety

A new study published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management found that school-based yoga can help children better manage stress and anxiety. Third-graders who participated in small group yoga/mindfulness activities for eight weeks showed improved psychosocial and emotional quality of life scores compared to their peers who rec...

Tiny injectable sensor could provide unobtrusive, long-term alcohol monitoring

Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a miniature biosensor that can be implanted under the skin to track alcohol levels continuously. The chip consumes ultra-low power and is powered wirelessly by a wearable device, making it suitable for long-term monitoring in substance abuse treatment programs.

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.

Later school start times really do improve sleep time

A new study found that delaying school start times by 45 minutes results in students getting more sleep and feeling better. In Singapore, where students are driven to trade sleep for academic success, the study showed a significant increase in time-in-bed and improvement in mental health, prosocial behavior, and attentiveness.

NREL opens large database of inorganic thin-film materials

The High Throughput Experimental Materials (HTEM) Database contains detailed properties and synthesis conditions of inorganic materials, accelerating material science advancement globally. NREL's large-scale database makes it easier for researchers without expensive equipment to explore new materials.

Scientists record brain activity of free-flying bats

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a way to study the brain of a bat as it flies, recording brain activity for the first time in naturally behaving animals. The team observed bursts of activity in midbrain cells as the bat shifted attention, providing insights into how brains process information in real-world situations.

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.

Sex and race disparities in cardiovascular health could be reduced

A recent study found significant sex and racial gaps in cardiac rehabilitation referral at hospital discharge, with females and minority groups receiving lower rates. By increasing referrals, long-term mortality could be reduced by up to 40% for women and 25-38% for African-American, Hispanic, and Asian patients

Study identifies new molecular target for treating deadly lung disease IPF

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a new molecular target, FOXF1, that slows or stops idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in preclinical laboratory tests. The study found that FOXF1 inhibits IPF disease process by regulating genes involved in lung scarring and inflammation.