Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive April 2018


Page 42 of 42

In zebrafish, the cholera bacterium sets off a surprising flush

Researchers discovered that Vibrio cholerae causes a 200-percent increase in intestinal contractions, expelling native gut bacteria in zebrafish. This finding sheds new light on the bacterium's invasion mechanisms and potentially opens doors to therapies targeting its path.

Extinct monitor lizard had four eyes, fossil evidence shows

A fossilized monitor lizard from the Cretaceous period was found to have a fourth eye-like structure, consisting of both pineal and parapineal organs. This discovery confirms that the third eye in lizards evolved independently of other vertebrate groups.

Rare Scottish dinosaur prints give key insight into era lost in time

Researchers discovered dozens of giant footprints on Scotland's Isle of Skye, providing key insight into the evolution of dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period. The tracks were made by long-necked sauropods and sharp-toothed theropods, with some dating back to around 170 million years ago.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Water purification breakthrough uses sunlight and 'hydrogels'

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new technology using combined gel-polymer hybrid materials to produce clean drinking water from any source. The system uses ambient solar energy to power evaporation, reducing energy consumption and increasing water volume.

Scientists discover new method for measuring cellular age

Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute developed a computational method to measure cellular age, revealing progressive loss of specific chemical tags in normal cells. This discovery may lead to better screening and monitoring methods for cancer and other diseases.

Brewer's yeast engineered to produce potential cancer drug

Researchers have engineered brewer's yeast to produce noscapine, a potential cancer drug with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy. The engineered yeast strain produced 2.2 mg/L noscapine after optimization, paving the way for large-scale commercial production.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Is the Milky Way getting bigger?

A team of astronomers has found that galaxies like the Milky Way are slowly increasing in size due to star formation on their outskirts. The study, led by Cristina Martínez-Lombilla, reveals a growth rate of around 500 meters per second, which is fast enough to cover the distance from Liverpool to London in about twelve minutes.

Ocean acidification in seagrass habitats

Researchers studied ocean acidification's effect on an estuarine seagrass habitat in Puget Sound, finding that CO2 levels reduce the habitat's ability to withstand natural fluctuations. However, high CO2 levels projected by 2100 are locally mitigated by the seagrass habitat.

Even DNA that doesn't encode genes can drive cancer

Researchers identified nearly 200 mutations in non-coding DNA that play a functional role in cancer, providing potential molecularly targeted therapeutics. These mutations could represent new targets for cancer drugs and may help explain the diversity of genetic mutations in tumors.

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.

Modeling future earthquake and tsunami risk in southeast Japan

Researchers at UMass Amherst and Japanese scientists report developing new techniques for modeling tsunami risk in the Nankai Trough, a region predicted to generate a magnitude 8-9 earthquake within the next few decades. The team's GPS-based methods simulate tsunami inundation and validate previous findings.

First age-map of the heart of the Milky Way

A new age-map of the Milky Way's center shows that a period of star formation lasting around 4 billion years created the complex structure. The map, produced by an international team, combines data from millions of stars and spectroscopic surveys, revealing that the bar-shaped structure was formed about 7 billion years ago.

Researchers seek to improve quality control for nanomanufacturing

Researchers from the University of Houston are developing a new quality control tool that can detect imperfections in nanomanufacturing almost instantaneously. The goal is to provide continuous monitoring during production, enabling faster and more efficient manufacturing processes.

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.

Climate and ocean pH on early Earth

Researchers estimate early Earth's climate as temperate, with temperatures ranging from 0-50 °C. Ocean pH increased steadily from acidic to mildly basic over the past 4 billion years.

A Zika vaccine could virtually eliminate prenatal infections

A Zika vaccine has shown significant potential in eliminating prenatal infections, with a 75% effective vaccine covering 90% of females aged 9-49 years reducing incidence by at least 94%. The vaccine's effectiveness depends on demographic and fertility patterns, local Zika attack rates, and population susceptibility.

Ice-free Arctic summers could hinge on small climate warming range

New University of Colorado Boulder research suggests that limiting warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit would reduce the likelihood of an ice-free Arctic summer to 30 percent by 2100. In contrast, warming by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit would make at least one ice-free summer certain.

UMD researcher uncovers protein used to outsmart the human immune system

A University of Maryland researcher has discovered a protein produced by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, allowing it to evade the body's first immune response. This breakthrough understanding has significant implications for treating tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, which is increasingly chronic and prevalent.

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.

Hanging by a thread: Why bent fibers hold more water

A team of researchers from Utah State University and Belgium discovered the exact angle at which a bent fiber holds the most fluid, found to be 36 degrees. This discovery has multiple industrial applications, including drug manufacturing and fog-collection net development.

Origins of fluted-point technology in Arctic North America

Researchers examined over 200 fluted-point specimens from North America, revealing similarities among Clovis, Ice-Free Corridor, and Northern variants. The findings suggest that fluting technology originated in the ice-free corridor and was influenced by regional ecological settings.

Climate change could raise food insecurity risk

A new study suggests climate change could raise food insecurity risk in many countries due to weather extremes, with the worst impact expected in South and East Asia. At 2°C global warming, most developing countries will face increased vulnerability to food insecurity.