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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 15 of 41

Pointy eggs more likely to stay put in birds' cliffside nests, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that the conical shape of murre eggs makes them more stable on cliffside ledges. Increasing the egg's conicality reduced its tendency to roll off the surface, providing experimental support for natural selection shaping the unique form of murre eggs.

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.

Brazilian D'Or Institute and L'Oréal R&I develop functional human sensory neurons

Researchers from D'Or Institute and L'Oréal R&I successfully generated functional human sensory neurons that respond to painful stimuli. The breakthrough discovery has significant implications for the study of chronic pain, analgesic drugs, and the development of reconstructed human skin with enhanced neuro-inflammation predictivity.

Association for Molecular Pathology announces 2018 Award recipients

Drs. Jonathan Rothberg, Roger Klein and Kevin Halling are being recognized for their groundbreaking work and longstanding commitment to advancing patient care and the field of molecular diagnostics. Drs. Rothberg is receiving AMP's highest honor for his pioneering work in genomics and inventions like massively parallel DNA sequencing.

Kids connect with robot reading partners

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a robot named Minnie to serve as a reading buddy to middle school kids, resulting in increased excitement about books and attachment to the robot. The study showed that social learning through interaction with the robot improved comprehension and motivation for reading.

Murky lakes now surpass clear, blue lakes in US

Research reveals a significant shift from clear to murky lakes in the continental United States over the past five years. Murky lakes have increased by 12% while clear lakes declined by 18%, posing concerns for water quality and aquatic life.

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.

Two-thirds of alcohol sales are to heavy drinkers

A new study reveals that two-thirds of alcohol industry revenue in England comes from consumers drinking at risky levels. If all drinkers complied with the Chief Medical Officer's recommended guideline levels, alcohol sales would decline by £13 billion.

Sleep disorder linked with abnormal lipid levels

A study found strong associations between sleep apnoea severity and abnormal lipid levels, including higher cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol. Patients with sleep apnoea require careful management of cardiovascular risk factors.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Macaws may communicate visually with blushing, ruffled feathers

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that macaws use facial displays such as blushing and ruffling their head feathers to convey positive emotions during social interactions. The researchers observed that these behaviors were more common when the birds were interacting with humans, suggesting a form of visual communication.

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.

Unexplained illness in Tanzania puts pathogen discovery to the test

Scientists compared two genetic sequencing methods to identify viruses behind illnesses in Tanzania. VirCapSeq-VERT proved more efficient than unbiased high-throughput sequencing, detecting Dengue virus and other pathogens with similar accuracy. The study's findings support the use of VirCapSeq-VERT as a cost-effective method for monit...

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.

Shrimp heal injured fish

Researchers at James Cook University found that shrimp clean parasites from injured fish without aggravating their injuries. The interaction between cleaner shrimp and client fish also reduces stress levels, potentially increasing the fish's ability to heal.

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.

Breaking down band structures

A team of Harvard researchers has created a system to represent and classify band structures in materials, allowing for the prediction of their properties. This breakthrough can aid in designing new materials with specific electronic properties, such as topological insulators, which have potential applications in quantum computing.

Study: Cellular changes lead to chronic allergic inflammation in the sinus

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a novel mechanism for chronic rhinosinusitis, which involves distinct gene-expression patterns in epithelial cells. The study suggests that basal cells from patients with nasal polyps retain a memory of IL-4 and IL-13, immune response cytokines driving allergic inflammation.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

How brains of doers differ from those of procrastinators

Research found two brain areas associated with action control have varying volumes and connectivity in individuals with high versus low action control. Individuals with poor action control had a larger amygdala, while the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dorsal ACC) showed reduced functional connection to the amygdala.

New galaxy found?

Chris Carr, an Ohio undergraduate, discovered a new galaxy 37 million lightyears away using deep sky images from the Burrell Schmidt telescope. The detection is part of the Leo I galaxy group and is considered the lowest surface brightness object ever detected via integrated light.

The long-term financial toll of breast cancer

A study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers found that breast cancer survivors, particularly those with lymphedema, incur significant out-of-pocket costs. The average annual cost for those with lymphedema was $2,306 excluding productivity costs and $3,325 including productivity costs.

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.

Policy pivot: A new emphasis on restoration to protect Puget Sound

A study by University of Washington researchers found that policies in Puget Sound are shifting toward restoration projects that engage multiple social groups and offer various benefits. These projects, such as the Qwuloolt project, have been successful due to their inclusive planning processes and collaborative nature.

Cool indoor temperatures linked to high blood pressure

A new University College London study finds that lower indoor temperatures are associated with higher blood pressure, suggesting that keeping homes warmer could help manage hypertension. Researchers found that a decrease of 1°C in indoor temperature leads to rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

GPM sees Hurricane Lane threatening Hawaiian islands with heavy rainfall

The GPM core observatory satellite analyzed rainfall rates and cloud heights of Hurricane Lane on Aug. 22, revealing very heavy rain occurring within the storm's eye wall. The satellite showed moderate to heavy rainfall extending outward from the storm's center, posing a threat to the Hawaiian Islands with powerful storms.

Maternal depression may alter stress and immune markers in children

New research suggests that depression in women may impact their children's stress and physical well-being, leading to higher cortisol and s-IgA levels. Children of depressed mothers tend to exhibit psychiatric disorders and social withdrawal. Early interventions targeting maternal stress and parenting behavior are advocated.

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.

Reimagining MRI contrast: Iron outperforms gadolinium

Rice University scientists create iron-based TI contrast agent that outperforms gadolinium chelates, improving T1 MRI contrast performance by two-fold. The study demonstrates a method to load iron into nanoparticles, offering a safer and more effective alternative for radiologists.

Epic genetic: the hidden story of wheat

The study reveals geographical patterns in epigenetic changes between 100 landraces of wheat, suggesting that these changes have arisen due to environmental conditions. This discovery provides breeders with a new tool to improve how plants respond to local conditions, enabling farmers to grow the best possible crop for their environment.

Predicting work status in patients with schizophrenia

Researchers at Osaka University demonstrate a link between IQ decline and work outcome in patients with schizophrenia. The study provides a method for estimating probabilities of work outcome, promoting reintegration into society and treatment motivation.

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.

NASA sees a 50 mile wide eye in Typhoon Soulik

Typhoon Soulik's cloud top temperatures were observed by NASA's Aqua satellite, revealing a 50 nautical-mile wide eye with very strong thunderstorms surrounding it. The storm is tracking northwestward at 15 mph and is expected to slowly weaken before making landfall near Seoul, South Korea.

Research informs new national cervical cancer screening recommendation

A comprehensive analysis found high-risk HPV testing excellent for detecting pre-cancerous cells and cancer, with a higher detection rate compared to Pap smears. The research also showed that while high-risk HPV tests are effective, they can lead to more treatments with potential harms due to false positives.

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.

How do muscles know what time it is?

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a metabolic network controlled by muscle cell circadian clocks, regulating fat storage and glucose metabolism. The study found that without this internal clock, mice became leaner and had more muscle mass.

Cleveland Clinic researchers discover novel subtype of multiple sclerosis

Researchers have discovered a novel subtype of multiple sclerosis, called myelocortical MS (MCMS), which features neuronal loss but no demyelination in the brain's white matter. This new subtype is indistinguishable from traditional MS on MRI and has reduced neuronal density and cortical thickness.

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.

Irony is the new black

Researchers found that ironic consumption allows consumers to signal their identity or beliefs to groups they know, while hiding from those outside. This phenomenon can lead to a new brand identity and cultural rebirth for passé products like Pabst Blue Ribbon.

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.

Certain antibiotic-resistant infections on the rise, new research shows

A California emergency department study found nearly 6% of urinary tract infections were caused by drug-resistant bacteria, with no identifiable risk factor for infection in many cases. The researchers urge wider use of urine culture tests and improved follow-up systems to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

AMP addresses clinical relevance of DNA variants in chronic myeloid neoplasms

The Association for Molecular Pathology recommends a minimum of 34 critical genes for high-throughput pan-myeloid sequencing tests to standardize clinical practice and improve patient care. The report provides evidence-based guidelines for the management of chronic myeloid neoplasms, including diagnostic and prognostic information.