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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 30 of 41

Researchers call for comprehensive transformation of food systems

A group of international researchers calls for a comprehensive transformation of food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate. The proposed four-pillar strategy prioritizes nutritious food access, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and rural renaissance.

Neuroscientists get at the roots of pessimism

Researchers at MIT found that stimulating the caudate nucleus, a brain region linked to emotional decision-making, induces animals to make more negative decisions. The study suggests that this type of pessimistic thinking could influence approach-avoidance decision-making and may be related to depression and anxiety.

Dietary carbohydrates could lead to osteoarthritis, new study finds

Researchers found that a high-carb diet, particularly with high sugar and low fiber content, increased signs of joint inflammation and altered cartilage genes in laboratory mice. The study suggests that dietary carbohydrates may be a contributing factor to osteoarthritis risk, even in the absence of obesity.

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.

Why do some microbes live in your gut while others don't?

A new computational approach has identified genes that may enable microbes to colonize the human gut and survive in its harsh environment. The researchers found thousands of genes across different species that are prevalent in the gut, including those specific to this environment.

Men are still more likely than women to be perceived as leaders, study finds

A new study by researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Management found that men are still more likely than women to emerge as leaders, despite a narrowing of the gender gap in recent decades. The study attributed this persistence to societal pressures and unconscious biases against communal traits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Need a job? Get a tattoo

A new study from the University of Miami Business School and the University of Western Australia found that discriminating against workers with tattoos puts hiring managers at a disadvantage. The study surveyed over 2,000 subjects and found that visible tattoos are not linked to individual employment, wages, or earnings discrimination.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Elderly patients on dialysis have a high risk of dementia

A study of over 350,000 patients found elderly kidney disease patients on dialysis have a substantially higher risk of dementia than healthy community-dwelling older adults. The study calls for more monitoring and prevention measures to address this pressing issue.

Study: Brain proteins, patterns reveal clues to understanding epilepsy

A study published in Nature Communications provides new insight into the regulation of brain cell signaling, which may lead to better treatments for epilepsy and related disorders. By quantifying the interaction between two key proteins, researchers have identified a specific pattern that can be influenced to control brain activity.

The physician's white coat: Iconic and comforting or likely covered in germs?

A new study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that wearing a physician's white coat does not affect patient satisfaction or communication. Researchers discovered that patients were often unable to remember if their physicians were wearing white coats, with 40% reporting they couldn't recall.

Young drinkers beware: Binge drinking may cause stroke, heart risks

Research by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that frequent binge drinkers had higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at a younger age. Young men who binge drink have higher systolic blood pressure, while young women have higher blood sugar levels compared to non-binge drinkers.

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.

Nanoparticle therapy could deliver double blow to cancer

A new cancer therapy using nanoparticles could deliver a double blow to cancer by making breast and prostate tumours more sensitive to chemotherapy, reducing toxicity risks. The therapy combines two approved drugs, docetaxel and fingolimod, targeting cancer cells with reduced side effects.

Can psychedelic drugs heal?

Research suggests that psychedelic drugs can help treat disorders such as social anxiety, depression, and PTSD when used in combination with psychotherapy. Studies have shown promising results for MDMA, psilocybin, and ayahuasca in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating.

New study shows that most teens do have, and use, behavioral brakes

A new study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that most teenagers do have behavioral brakes, contradicting the long-held idea that adolescence is a time of impulsive behavior. The research suggests that only children with weak cognitive control are at risk for trouble in adulthood.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ph.D. student develops spinning heat shield for future spacecraft

A University of Manchester PhD student has developed a flexible heat shield that utilizes centrifugal forces to stiffen lightweight materials, reducing the need for heavy machinery and enabling low-cost scientific research and recovery of rocket parts. The prototype's design uses aerodynamic drag to slow down during atmospheric entry, ...

Synapses of the reward system at stake in autistic disorders

Researchers discover that autistic disorders are caused by poor maturation of synapses in the reward system, leading to impaired social communication. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating autism spectrum disorders.

Are pet owners abusing animals to get opioids?

A recent survey conducted by the Center for Health, Work & Environment found that 13% of veterinarians in Colorado had seen a client intentionally injure or abuse an animal to obtain prescription painkillers. The study's results highlight the need for better training and surveillance to address opioid misuse among pet owners.

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.

Cellular self-destruction at 30 micrometers per minute

Researchers found that cells undergo self-destruction via trigger waves that travel at a constant speed of nearly 30 micrometers per minute. This process enables large distances to be covered without losing strength or speed, challenging previous assumptions about cell death propagation.

Lichen is losing to wildfire, years after flames are gone

Researchers found that lichen communities in severely burned areas showed significantly lower abundance and diversity, even 16 years after the fire. The loss of tree canopy and hot, dry microclimate left in the forest post-fire hindered lichen growth, suggesting that recolonization may not occur until mature trees regrow.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NASA's Terra Satellite finds Shanshan's strength sapped

Tropical Storm Shanshan was observed in infrared light by NASA's Terra satellite, revealing cold cloud top temperatures and limited precipitation in the northern and eastern quadrants. The storm is forecast to weaken rapidly due to increasing vertical wind shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures.

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.

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.

Kidney cancer's developmental source revealed

Researchers identified specific gene activity in each cell, revealing that Wilms' tumour cells have the same characteristics as normal developing kidney cells. Adult renal carcinoma cells were found to be a version of rare healthy adult kidney cells called PT1.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Roles of emotional support animals examined

A recent study surveyed university counseling centers about student requests for letters to allow emotional support animals, finding that most schools struggle with handling such requests. The research also explores the role of courthouse dogs in providing emotional support to witnesses, but raises concerns about their impact on trials.

A conversation between plants' daily and aging clocks

Researchers found that plant's daily oscillatory clock interacts with the aging linear clock during their lifetime, influencing leaf yellowing timing. The study identified key genes, such as PRR9, involved in this interaction.

Scientists design material that can store energy like an eagle's grip

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University of Cambridge developed auxetic materials with smooth curves, enabling repeated deformations without damage. These materials can be used in energy-efficient gripping tools, re-configurable shape-on-demand materials, and lattices with unique thermal expansion behaviour.

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.

Training the next-gen workforce in standards development with $30 million grant

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded Binghamton University a five-year $30 million grant to develop standards for regenerative medicine and biomaterial manufacturing. The grant will enable students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty to collaborate with NIST and other universities to advance the field.

Why house sparrows lay both big and small eggs

Research found that bigger eggs are advantageous in rainy weather, while smaller eggs are better suited for hot temperatures. House sparrows compensate for variable egg sizes by laying varying egg sizes within the same clutch.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A diverse diet may not be the healthiest one

A diverse diet may actually lead to consuming more calories and increasing the risk of weight gain. Instead, experts recommend prioritizing a balanced eating pattern that emphasizes whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Recording every cell's history in real-time with evolving genetic barcodes

Researchers develop a method to continuously record cells' development using genetic barcodes, allowing them to trace the full developmental lineage of every mature cell. This breakthrough resolves longstanding questions about brain patterning and promises to exponentially increase understanding of cellular growth and disease emergence.

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.

Back to the future of climate change

Researchers at Syracuse University use nitrogen isotopic composition of sediments to understand changes in marine conditions during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a brief period of rapid global warming approximately 56 million years ago. The study provides a benchmark for present and future climate and ocean models.

Quantum chains in graphene nanoribbons

A material called graphene nano-ribbons has different electronic properties depending on its shape and width, allowing for the creation of tailor-made semiconductors, metals or insulators. The ribbons form a chain of interlinked quantum states with adjustable electronic structure.

You're only as old as you think and do

Increasing control and physical activity may be the secret to staying young for older adults. Research suggests that a younger subjective age is associated with better memory performance, health, and longevity. A study found that participants who reported feeling more in control on days with higher step counts felt younger.

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.

Palliative care may reduce suicide risk in veterans with lung cancer

A large-scale patient population study reveals that palliative care is associated with a significantly reduced risk of suicide in veterans diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. The findings show that patients who received at least one palliative care visit had an 81% lower rate of suicidal death.

Discovery could lead to better treatment for leukemia

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago discovered that a mutation in the NPM1 gene helps improve sensitivity to chemotherapy in patients. The study found that patients with this mutation tend to respond better to chemotherapy and have higher rates of remission.