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Science News Archive April 2018 - Page 10


Page 10 of 42
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Killer whale genetics raise inbreeding questions

A new genetic analysis reveals that two male whales fathered over half of the calves born since 1990, indicating inbreeding in the Southern Resident killer whale population. The limited breeding number reduces the population's resilience to change, potentially compromising individual animals' survival.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateApr 24, 2018

Genetic transcription 'pause' is focus of NASA grant

Researchers aim to determine when the pause in transcription first appeared in evolution by studying various organisms and plant life. They hope this investigation will help narrow down the origin of the pause, shedding light on how complicated life arose on Earth.

SourceCornell University·DateApr 24, 2018

Mining the data

The fifth Act 54 five-year report assesses the impact of long-wall, room-and-pillar, and retreat mining methods on surface structures and water resources. The study provides vital information for environmental remediation and restoration efforts in Pennsylvania.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Soaking in hot tub improves health markers in obese women

Researchers found improved measures of cardiovascular health, beneficial changes in fat tissue, and reduced risk of diabetes in obese women with PCOS who used a hot tub regularly. Heat therapy may reverse some of the inflammation in fat that causes metabolic health impairment.

SourceExperimental Biology·DateApr 24, 2018

Study identifies overdose risk factors in youth with substance use disorders

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that over a quarter of young people seeking treatment had a history of at least one overdose. Factors associated with increased overdose risk included alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamine use, as well as psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety disorders.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateApr 24, 2018

Winter wave heights and extreme storms on the rise in Western Europe

Average winter wave heights have increased by more than 10mm/year along Scotland and Ireland's coastlines, leading to higher wave heights during extreme weather conditions. The study's findings are crucial for predicting future wave heights and protecting coastal communities across Western Europe.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 24, 2018

Organoids reveal how a deadly brain cancer grows

Salk Institute researchers have generated aggressive glioblastoma multiforme tumors in human cerebral organoids using CRISPR-Cas9 tool. The new model could be used to study tumor progression, investigate new drugs or personalize treatments for patients.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 24, 2018

Flavins keep a handy helper in their pocket

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered how flavins work with oxygen to activate enzyme cofactors, shedding light on their role in metabolic processes and biotechnological applications.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Imagining a positive outcome biases subsequent memories

A study published in Psychological Science found that imagining a positive outcome for an upcoming event can color one's memory of the event, leading to a rosier reflection. Participants who imagined scenarios in a positive light also rated actual events more positively, suggesting that optimism can transfer to a more positive recall.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 24, 2018

The Matryoshka effect: USU researchers describe underwater phenomenon

Researchers at Utah State University studied the physics behind a unique underwater phenomenon resembling the Matryoshka doll. They developed a new dimensionless number, the Matryoshka number, which predicts the formation of nested cavities under certain conditions.

SourceUtah State University·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateApr 24, 2018

Gender inequality is 'drowning out' the voices of women scientists

Research by Dr Heather Ford and colleagues found that female scientists are at a disadvantage in presenting their research, particularly in early career stages, where men dominate senior roles. The study calls for increased opportunities for students and early-career researchers to present at conferences.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Getting electrons to move in a semiconductor

Researchers have created a wide-bandgap semiconductor called gallium oxide (Ga2O3) that can be engineered into nanometer-scale structures to facilitate high-speed electronics. The new material has demonstrated record mobilities and quantum transport properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 24, 2018

NASA teams study the agency's future in astrophysics

NASA is studying four potential flagship missions to explore the universe, including direct imaging of Earth-like planets and investigation of first black holes. The agency will use advanced tools to overcome technical challenges and achieve unprecedented picometer-level stability.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 24, 2018

More than 1 in 20 US children and teens have anxiety or depression

According to a nationwide analysis, approximately 2.6 million American children and adolescents had diagnosed anxiety and/or depression in 2011-12. This represents about 5.3% of the population, with current anxiety or depression affecting around 65,000 parents about their children aged six to 17 years.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateApr 24, 2018

Engineered Chinese shrub produces high levels of antimalarial compound

Researchers in China have engineered a Chinese shrub to produce high levels of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound. The study's findings provide new insights into the metabolic pathway involved in artemisinin biosynthesis and offer a potential solution to address global malaria-related deaths.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Plant·DateApr 24, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Healthcare costs for adults with autism more than double those for general population

Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAutism in Adulthood·DateApr 24, 2018

Availability of orphan medicines varies between European countries

The study found that five to nine orphan medicines were available in ten European countries, while all ten medicines were only accessible in three countries: the Netherlands, Malta, and Poland. The availability of these medicines varied significantly across different countries.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Uncovering the secret law of the evolution of galaxy clusters

An international team found a fundamental law regulating galaxy cluster growth using gravitational lensing data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Subaru Telescope. The law indicates that clusters are still growing by drawing surrounding substances with their strong gravity.

SourceOsaka University·DateApr 24, 2018

Future wearable device could tell how we power human movement

Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a new approach to noninvasively measure tendon tension while a person is engaging in activities like walking or running. The technology uses vibrational characteristics to assess tendon force, providing insights into motor control and mechanics of human movement.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2018

Burning tumors away

Researchers have developed a real-time thermal imaging method to guide minimally invasive brain tumor treatments. This technology enables doctors to precisely deliver the right dose to the right location, reducing risks and costs associated with follow-up imaging studies.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 24, 2018

Biophysics -- lighting up DNA-based nanostructures

Researchers use DNA-PAINT technique to visualize individual strands in DNA origami nanostructures, revealing the robustness of assembly and incorporation efficiency of staple strands. The results show that variations in structure formation speed have little influence on overall quality, but some sites remain unoccupied.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Milky Way's supermassive black hole may have 'unseen' siblings

A new study suggests that galaxies similar to the Milky Way should host multiple supermassive black holes, as predicted by a state-of-the-art cosmological simulation. The wanderings of these black holes are unlikely to affect our solar system due to their vast distances and low accretion rates.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 24, 2018

Brain activity linked to stress changes chemical codes

A new study implicates a role for light-induced electrical activity in controlling chemical codes in the brain, potentially leading to chemical imbalances underlying mental illness. The researchers found that manipulating brain electrical activity prevented neurotransmitter switching associated with anxious and depressed behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2018

New study explains antibiotic resistance in apple, pear disease

A new study published in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions reveals the mechanism by which antibiotics kasugamycin and blasticidin S kill fire blight bacteria in apple and pear trees. The researchers found that the antibiotics target a critical gene, ksgA, leading to bacterial death.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

New mechanism of radio emission in neutron stars revealed

Researchers from ITMO University have discovered a new mechanism for neutron star radio emission, based on the transitions of particles between gravitational states. This phenomenon is similar to laser amplification and was first observed in electrons on the surface of neutron stars, consistent with real experimental observations.

SourceITMO University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 24, 2018

Blinded by the light: Climate change, the sun, and Lake Superior

Research led by Dr. Soren Brothers found that Lake Superior absorbs atmospheric CO2 from May to October, but expels it during winter due to El Niño events and climate change. The study, published in Limnology and Oceanography, suggests a potential marine-atmospheric feedback loop with global warming.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateApr 24, 2018

Fungus senses gravity using gene borrowed from bacteria

The pin mold fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus uses a gene from bacteria to create large gravity-sensing crystals that help it grow upright. Genetic analysis reveals the role of horizontal gene transfer in acquiring this unique trait, providing insights into the evolution of adaptation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 24, 2018
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.

Artificial leaf as mini-factory for medicine

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed an artificial leaf that can produce chemicals using sunlight, increasing efficiency by 20%. The 'mini-factory' uses a clever feedback system costing less than 50 euros to automatically adjust production levels.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateApr 24, 2018

Radiotherapy offers new treatment option for liver cancer

A novel technique called radiation segmentectomy (RS) uses yttrium-90 to destroy tumors while sparing surrounding tissue. The procedure has shown positive response in 71% of patients and improved survival outcomes, with a median overall survival of 6.7 years.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateApr 24, 2018

Soccer heading -- not collisions -- cognitively impairs players

Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that frequent soccer ball heading is associated with poorer performance on psychomotor speed and attention tasks. Players who headed the ball more frequently showed subtle reductions in neuropsychological function, which may lead to microstructural changes in the brain.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateApr 24, 2018

UNC-Chapel Hill and partners awarded $58.1 million to accelerate research discoveries

The UNC-Chapel Hill-led Clinical and Translational Science Award Program will broaden its reach across North Carolina by continuing its alliance with RTI International and NC A&T State University and adding a formal partnership with North Carolina State University. The grant will support the advancement of clinical and translational re...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Office of Research Communication·DateApr 24, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

IBS patients obtain robust, enduring relief from home-based treatment program

A landmark study found that IBS patients who learned to control severe GI symptoms at home saw significant improvement, comparable to those treated with multiple clinic visits. The home-based behavioral treatment approach provided sustained relief for up to six months, overcoming a common barrier in rural healthcare.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 23, 2018

Fight against Zika, dengue get boost from reliable spread of bacteria

A Vanderbilt team has deciphered the key to infecting entire mosquito populations with virus-killing Wolbachia bacteria. By hijacking insect reproductive systems, Wolbachia spreads rapidly, reducing risk of dengue and Zika virus transmission.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018

Fear of losing status, not economic hardship, drove voters in 2016 presidential election

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that traditionally high-status Americans, particularly whites and Christians, voted for Donald Trump due to fears of losing their privileged status in America and the world. The researchers debunked the idea that voters were driven by economic grievances...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018
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.

City College-bred fruit flies, parasites, in space odyssey

A team of City College-bred fruit flies and parasitic wasps are part of an International Space Station experiment to understand how the human immune system reacts to spaceflight conditions. The goal is to inform astronauts on potential infections during long-duration missions.

SourceCity College of New York·DateApr 23, 2018

Climate change intensifies droughts in Europe

Drought regions in Europe could expand from 13% to 26% of total area with a 3-degree global warming, affecting up to 400 million people. A 1.5-degree warming limit would reduce expansion to 19%, while drought durations would increase three to four times.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 23, 2018

Sigmoidoscopy reduces colon cancer risk for men, but not women

A randomized trial in Norway found that sigmoidoscopy screening reduced CRC incidence and mortality in men, but had little or no effect in women. Current guidelines recommending flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for women may need to be reconsidered. The effectiveness of screening in reducing colon cancer risk for women remains uncertain.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 23, 2018

Suicide and homicide rates show large racial disparities across US states

A new study from McGill University found that southern US states with high gun ownership rates have the highest rates of white firearm suicide, while Midwestern states have the highest rates of black firearm homicide. The research suggests that different factors influence rates of firearm homicide for black and white men across states.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 23, 2018

Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence DNA from all complex life on Earth

The project seeks to understand the evolution and organization of life by sequencing and functionally annotating the genomes of 1.5 million eukaryotic species, including plants, animals, fungi, and single-cell organisms. This initiative aims to reveal unknown species and provide a freely available resource for scientific discovery.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018
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.

Genome documentation of life on Earth

The Earth BioGenome Project is a 10-year scientific grand challenge to document life on Earth. The project's challenges include international coordination and governance, economic benefits, and biodiversity conservation.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018

A neurobiological link between PTSD and addiction

Recalling traumatic memories enhances the rewarding effects of morphine in male rats, increasing freezing fear response and preference for morphine. Dopamine receptors D1R and D4R play a role in this effect, suggesting abnormal dopamine signals may underlie PTSD addiction.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateApr 23, 2018

Found: A new form of DNA in our cells

Researchers have discovered a new form of DNA, called the i-motif, which forms in the nuclei of human cells. The i-motif is a four-stranded 'knot' that plays a crucial role in gene expression and cell life cycle.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 23, 2018

UNC scientists create better laboratory tools to study cancer's spread

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center created tissue-engineered models of metastatic cancer that reflect the microenvironment around tumors. The models, which mimic liver and lung tissues, closely replicate human metastasis characteristics, including 'signet ring cells' linked to poor prognosis.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 23, 2018

Nanoparticle breakthrough could capture unseen light for solar energy conversion

Researchers have created nanoparticles that can convert near-infrared light into visible light, potentially increasing the efficiency of solar cells. The particles are coated with organic dyes that act as antennas to gather and reemit light, raising the possibility of capturing a broader spectrum of sunlight.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 23, 2018
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.

Audit finds biodiversity data aggregators 'lose and confuse' data

An independent analysis of aggregated occurrence records found that ALA and GBIF data processing leads to significant data loss and unjustified changes in scientific names. The audit revealed up to 1 in 5 records were altered due to aggregator errors, with major disagreements on names between aggregators also reported.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateApr 23, 2018

Genetic adaptation to high latitudes during Last Glacial Maximum

Researchers found genetic adaptation for low UV exposure in North and East Asian populations, linked to increased sweat gland density and mammary ductal branching. The EDAR V370A variant may have selected for improved vitamin D biosynthesis through breast milk, enhancing offspring nutrition.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018