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Science News Archive April 2018


Page 7 of 42

An ionic black box

Researchers at UCSB are developing a chip that uses ionic memristor technology to create a physically unclonable device, rendering it vulnerable to cyber attacks. The technology aims to prevent cloning and hijacking of devices in networks, making them ideal for securing IoT devices.

SCAI releases consensus guidelines for PVD device selection

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has released new guidelines for selecting specific categories of devices in endovascular therapy. The guidelines provide device-focused recommendations based on a review of comparative effectiveness data, including safety and efficacy of femoral-popliteal devices.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Weather associated with sentiments expressed on social media

Researchers found temperature, precipitation, humidity, and cloud cover associated with positive or negative expressed sentiments. Positive expressions increased up to 20 degrees Celsius before declining over 30 degrees Celsius, while high humidity and cloud cover were linked to negative expressions.

Implantable islet cells come with their own oxygen supply

A new implantable device could help insulin-producing cells live longer after transplant and improve treatment of type 1 diabetes. The device, developed by MIT researchers, supplies oxygen to transplanted islet cells, allowing them to remain viable for several months and maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Purdue archaeologists on ancient horse find in Nile River Valley

A well-preserved horse burial at Tombos has provided new insights into the social significance of equids in the Nile Valley during the Third Intermediate Period. The discovery suggests that horses represented symbols of a larger social, political and economic movement in ancient Nubian culture.

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.

Maternal binge drinking linked to mood problems and alcohol abuse in offspring

A recent study found that maternal binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation can impair the mental health of their offspring, leading to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse as adolescents. The research suggests that even occasional heavy drinking can have a depressive effect on the mother and pass on chan...

Researchers 3-D print electronics and cells directly on skin

A new 3D printing technique allows for the direct printing of electronics on human skin, with potential applications in military technology and medical treatments for skin disorders. The printer uses computer vision to adjust to small movements of the body during printing and can be used to print temporary sensors or solar cells.

Brain cell's Achilles' heel may prompt hydrocephalus

Researchers discovered that mature ependymal cells require continuous Foxj1 production to maintain shape and function, but viruses can shut down this process, leading to hydrocephalus. This study may lead to alternative treatments for the condition.

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.

What happens to stolen guns?

According to Philip Cook's analysis, gun thefts represent only about one percent of all gun transactions in the US. In Chicago, only a tiny proportion of crime guns were ever reported stolen to the Police Department.

New natural gas catalyst would boost clean transportation

A new natural gas catalyst aims to reduce methane emissions from vehicle exhaust, a potent greenhouse gas. The US Department of Energy-funded project will develop and optimize a lower-cost, more efficient catalyst to eliminate unreacted methane, making natural gas a cleaner-burning fuel option.

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.

Drinking baking soda could be an inexpensive, safe way to combat autoimmune disease

Medical College of Georgia scientists found that drinking baking soda encourages the spleen to promote an anti-inflammatory environment, reducing destructive inflammation in autoimmune diseases. This shift was observed in rats and healthy people, with a reduction in pro-inflammatory cells and an increase in anti-inflammatory macrophages.

Want new medicines? You need fundamental research

Eight out of ten transformative medicines in the US between 1985 and 2009 originated from fundamental discoveries, with an average time to approval of 30 years. Curiosity-driven science is essential for discovering new medicines.

World's smallest optical implantable biodevice

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed the world's smallest wireless optical biodevice, measuring just 1 mm³ and 2.3 mg in volume and weight. The device converts infrared light into blue light to control neural activity, offering a promising solution for optogenetics applications.

Human impact on sea urchin abundance

Researchers found that changing water temperature and algal blooms affected sea urchin populations, leading to abnormal development of their larvae. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of long-term monitoring for detecting ecological changes and understanding their causes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Napping can help tired teens' performance in school

Researchers found that regular mid-day naps improve neurocognitive function and daytime attention in adolescents. The ideal nap duration is between 30-60 minutes, and routine napping is associated with better nighttime sleep quality.

Balancing nuclear and renewable energy

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory found that nuclear power plants can adjust to changing demand for power, enabling the use of more renewable energy. This flexibility can lower electricity costs for consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Study examines denigration when people call a place a 's---hole'

Researchers traced Twitter tweets using the word 'shithole' to identify who engages in stigmatizing discourse and how places are stereotyped. The study found that men and women experience living in a place differently, with 38% of tweets maligning their own hometown.

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.

Ultrahigh-pressure laser experiments shed light on super-Earth cores

Researchers simulated conditions inside a planet three times larger than Earth using high-powered laser beams. The study revealed that the crystal structure of iron-silicon alloys changes with higher silicon content under extreme pressures, providing new insights into the nature of super-Earths and their cores.

New breath and urine tests detect early breast cancer more accurately

Researchers developed a new method for early and accurate breast cancer screening using electronic nose gas sensors and GC-MS analysis, achieving 95% average accuracy in detecting breast cancer biomarkers from breath samples. Urine samples also yielded 85% average accuracy with this technology.

Belief in fake causes of cancer is rife

A survey found that over 40% of people in England believe stress, food additives, and electromagnetic frequencies cause cancer despite a lack of scientific evidence. Those with better knowledge of proven cancer causes were more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.

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.

Mediterranean diet boosts beneficial bacteria

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that a Mediterranean-type diet enhances the good bacteria living in the gut, increasing diversity by up to 7% compared to a Western diet. The study used an animal model and analyzed fecal samples to confirm these findings.

SCAI updates consensus on length of stay for percutaneous coronary intervention

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions has updated its consensus guidelines to allow for flexibility in length of stay after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), prioritizing patient-centered care. The new guidelines assess readiness for discharge along three lines: procedural, patient, and programmatic factors.

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.

A Yellowstone guide to life on Mars

A University of Cincinnati geology student, Andrew Gangidine, is developing a marker for ancient bacterial life on Mars to aid NASA's search. He's studying microbial life in silica hot springs at Yellowstone National Park to create a useful indicator of life on the red planet.

Retirement transition increases sitting during free time

A study by University of Turku researchers found that retirement transition leads to a significant increase in sitting during free time, averaging six hours per day. This increase was especially noted among women and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

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.

Influence of aquatic plants on long chain n-alkanes in lake sediments

Research found that aquatic plants contribute significantly to long-chain n-alkanes in lake sediments, particularly in closed lakes. The study used hydrogen isotope composition to distinguish between terrestrial and aquatic sources, providing new insights into reconstructing ancient lake dynamics.

World's oldest insect inspires a new generation of aerogels

A team of international scientists has created a new form of highly-efficient, low-cost insulation based on the wings of a dragonfly. The material is ultralight and porous, with a piece weighing less than a kilogram, and can be replicated at an affordable cost.

Sunlight works against oil clean-up efforts

Researchers found that sunlight has a significant impact on oil clean-up efforts, decreasing dispersant effectiveness by four-fold. The study's findings suggest that photochemical oxidation, triggered by sunlight, is a dominant weathering process that should be considered in future field manuals and oil spill response guides.

Switch controls light on a nanoscale for faster information processing

Purdue researchers design a compact switch that enables reliable confinement of light to small computer chip components, bypassing unwanted absorption of photons using surface plasmons. The development paves the way for hybrid photonic and electronic nanocircuitry, potentially leading to faster information processing in supercomputers.

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.

Turning graphene into light nanosensors

Researchers embedded graphene in a photonic crystal to enhance its light-absorbing capabilities. By varying the external temperature, they can tune the material's optical characteristics, leading to potential applications in light sensors and ultra-fast lasers.

NIH study: No chronic wasting disease transmissibility in macaques

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study has found no evidence of transmissibility of chronic wasting disease in cynomolgus macaque monkeys. The research, published in the Journal of Virology, involved exposing 14 macaques to brain matter from CWD-infected deer and elk over a period of up to 13 years.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Rabies trick could help treat Parkinson's disease

Researchers use rabies virus machinery to deliver deferoxamine, a metal-grabbing compound, directly to brain cells, reducing iron buildup and reversing disease symptoms. The therapeutic agent is composed of nanoparticles stuffed with deferoxamine and is already approved for use in the clinic.

Novel ecosystems provide use for some native birds

A study published in Ecosphere found that native birds can successfully nest in non-native plants in altered ecosystems, challenging traditional views on habitat restoration. The research suggests that controlling non-native plants may not yield benefits for all nesting bird species.

Back in black for singletons trying to find love

A new study based on the TV series First Dates found that singles wear more black than red on first dates. Black was associated with increased attractiveness and perceived fashion sense, while red was linked to increased sexual receptivity.

Cheaper and easier way found to make plastic semiconductors

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a method to produce conjugated polymers using a dehydration reaction, resulting in cheap and environmentally friendly plastics. This breakthrough aims to streamline production and bring affordable electronics to market.

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.

Geologists assist in solving the mystery of a gold treasure

Researchers used laser ablation and plasma mass spectrometry to analyze ancient gold items from the Carambolo treasure, discovering a local gold deposit within 2 km of the site. This breakthrough provides new insights into the origin of the metal and its possible connections to ancient trade routes.

NIST team shows tiny frequency combs are reliable measurement tools

Scientists at NIST and partners developed a miniaturized device that generates precise frequencies of light, tracing back to an international measurement standard. The breakthrough reduces the size of optical frequency synthesizers from tabletop instruments to three silicon chips.

Consuming protein supplements with meals may work better for weight control

A systematic review found that consuming protein supplements with meals was associated with greater reductions in fat mass and improvements in lean to fat mass ratio compared to consuming them between meals. This strategy may be beneficial for adults looking to improve their health status through resistance training.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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