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Science News Archive April 2018 - Page 42


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.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

Finding order in disorder demonstrates a new state of matter

Physicists have identified a new state of matter in artificial spin ice that exhibits topological ordered phases, previously found only in quantum conditions. The material appears disordered but is actually ordered in a topological form.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 2, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScottish Journal of Geology·DateApr 2, 2018

Earth's stable temperature past suggests other planets could also sustain life

A new study from the University of Washington found that early Earth's temperature was moderate, not extremely hot or cold, allowing for a stable climate that enabled life to emerge. This discovery is significant for the search for life on other planets, as it suggests that habitable zones may retain stable climates.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 2, 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.

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 2, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Using water molecules to read electrical activity in lipid membranes

Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to track electrical activity in lipid membranes by analyzing the position of surrounding water molecules. This approach reveals unexpected charge fluctuations and complex chemical behavior previously unknown.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 2, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUtah State University·JournalSoft Matter·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateApr 1, 2018
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.