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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 4 of 41

NASA examines intensifying Tropical Storm Norman

Tropical Storm Norman is rapidly intensifying, with maximum sustained winds reaching near 60 mph, and a high chance of becoming a hurricane by Thursday. The storm's infrared satellite signature indicates significant strengthening over the next couple of days.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Jang to receive GSA's 2018 Minority Mentorship Award

Yuri Jang, PhD, receives GSA's 2018 Minority Mentorship Award for her exceptional mentorship of minority researchers in the field of aging. She has mentored over 30 scholars during her 15-year tenure, inspiring them to pursue research and careers promoting the well-being of minority older adults.

Unlocking the secrets of cell division in cancer

Researchers found liver cells do not need ORC1 to replicate DNA, a key component of cell division. This process, called an endocycle, allows cells to copy their DNA multiple times without dividing, resulting in larger cells with more DNA. Understanding this mechanism could help explain how cancer arises and how it spreads.

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.

The hidden life of rock gnome lichen

A new genome-wide analysis of the rock gnome lichen reveals its genetic distinctiveness across different locations and informs conservation efforts. The research highlights the importance of preserving habitat and geography in maintaining biodiversity.

Attacking aftershocks

Using deep learning algorithms, researchers have developed a system that forecasts aftershocks significantly better than random assignment. By analyzing earthquake data and physics-based models, they identified the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor as an important factor in predicting aftershock locations.

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.

Genomic study of 412 anthrax strains provides new virulence clues

Researchers analyzed over 400 anthrax strains and found that human and animal samples tend to have more virulent plasmids than environmental sources. The study suggests a correlation between plasmid copy number and virulence, offering new insights into the severity of specific anthrax strains.

Drought increases CO2 concentration in the air

A new study uses satellite technology to measure the impact of droughts on photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. Researchers found that during dry years, natural ecosystems removed about 30% less carbon from the atmosphere, leading to faster CO2 concentration increases.

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.

New research: Ketamine activates opioid system to treat depression

A new study found that ketamine's antidepressant effect requires opioid system activation in humans, raising concerns about the risk of dependence. The study used naltrexone, an opioid blocker, to block ketamine's effects and found that it reduced antidepressant symptoms but not dissociative effects.

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.

Drought, groundwater loss sinks California land at alarming rate

A new Cornell University study reveals that the San Joaquin Valley in central California is sinking by up to a half-meter annually due to drought and ongoing groundwater extraction. Groundwater depletion has been estimated at 10 miles cubed between 2012 and 2016, posing significant engineering problems and threatening water quality.

New Texas supercomputer to push the frontiers of science

The University of Texas at Austin will build the nation's fastest academic supercomputer with a $60 million NSF grant, expected to enable major scientific discoveries in fields like astrophysics and zoology. The system, known as Frontera, will begin operations in 2019 and be twice as powerful as its predecessor.

New national training program aims to mainstream glycosciences

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute will award $20 million to four academic centers over five years, with UC San Diego receiving $5 million. The program aims to correct the lack of attention given to glycans in biomedical research and train 18 early-career glycoscientists.

Electronic device implanted in the brain could stop seizures

Researchers have successfully implanted a device in mice brains to detect, stop and prevent epileptic seizures. The device uses a neurotransmitter to signal to neurons to stop firing, effectively ending the seizure. Early results show promising potential for treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and brain tumors.

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.

Cannabis extract helps reset brain function in psychosis

Research from King's College London has found that cannabidiol can help reduce psychotic symptoms by resetting abnormal brain activity. The study provides the first evidence of how cannabidiol acts in the brain to alleviate psychosis and suggests it could be a safer alternative to current treatments.

Tight-knit teammates may conform to each other's behavior

A study found that athletes who feel more closely connected to their teammates are more likely to conform to their behaviors, including both positive and risky actions. The researchers suggest that teams should find ways to encourage bonding without pressuring members to engage in negative behavior.

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.

Better assessments for early AMD

The European MACUSTAR consortium is conducting a multi-country clinical study on early AMD, focusing on intermediate-stage disease progression. Novel tests will be developed to assess earlier stages of the disease, improving diagnosis and treatment methods.

Diehl to receive GSA's 2018 Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award

Dr. Manfred Diehl, a renowned gerontologist, has been awarded the GSA's Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award for his outstanding mentoring skills and impact on the field. He has successfully mentored numerous students through various fellowships and training programs, inspiring them to innovate and strive for excellence.

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.

Bifunctional compound tackles pain relief and opioid dependency

Researchers have developed a bifunctional compound that both relieves pain and suppresses opioid dependency in primates, providing 100-fold stronger pain relief than morphine. The compound lacks rewarding characteristics and motor impairment, indicating a safer alternative to traditional opioids.

DOE study targets safer storage of nuclear waste

A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.

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.

Biodegradable plastic blends offer new options for disposal

Researchers develop biodegradable plastics that break down under diverse conditions, offering new options for disposal. The study examines the degradation of individual bioplastics and blends under managed and unmanaged environments, finding improved characteristics in certain blends.

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.

Father's diet could affect the long-term health of his offspring

A study by the University of Nottingham discovered that a lack of protein in a father's diet can negatively impact his offspring's long-term health. The research found that low-protein diets affect sperm quality, leading to increased obesity, type 2 diabetes, and reduced metabolic gene expression in offspring.

Robotic herding of a flock of birds using drones

Researchers created a new algorithm to safely herd flocks of birds away from airports, reducing bird strikes and potential damages. The drone-based system successfully diverted entire flocks without fragmenting their formation.

Study finds multiple sclerosis drug slows brain shrinkage

A clinical trial of over 250 participants with progressive multiple sclerosis found that ibudilast slowed down brain shrinkage compared to a placebo. The study showed a difference of approximately 2.5 milliliters of brain tissue between the two groups, but it is unclear if this translates to improved symptoms or function.

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.

'Archived' heat has reached deep into the Arctic interior, researchers say

A new study has found that warmer water from hundreds of miles away is penetrating deep into the Arctic's interior, leading to a two-fold increase in heat content over the past 30 years. If this 'archived' heat reaches the surface, it could melt the entire sea-ice pack covering most of the region for most of the year.

Clearing a xenotransplantation hurdle: detecting infectious agents in pigs

A new study has developed highly sensitive and specific assays to detect infectious agents in pigs, a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of xenotransplantation. The assays were validated on over 300 pig specimens and showed promising results, suggesting they can identify potential pathogens in donor pigs.

Food activates brown fat

Researchers at TUM demonstrated that food increases thermogenesis in brown fat, contrary to the long-held assumption that it only responds to cold. This discovery could lead to new ways to prevent obesity and diabetes.

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.

Scientists take big step toward finding non-addictive painkiller

Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine discover a safe and non-addictive pain medication called AT-121, which suppressed addictive effects of opioids and produced morphine-like analgesic effects. The compound also blocks abuse potential of prescription opioids like buprenorphine, offering hope to treat pain and opioid abuse.

A new take on fighting multi-drug resistant bacteria

Researchers at UH University have won a $3.5M grant to develop technology suggesting the best combinations of antibiotics to kill certain resistant bacteria. The project aims to combat antibiotic resistance, a major public health threat.

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.

HKBU scholars in world-first breakthrough for difficult-to-treat breast cancer

Researchers at Hong Kong Baptist University have developed a metal compound that inhibits the enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A) in TNBC tumours with less toxicity in mice. This discovery holds great promise for the development of targeted drugs for TNBC therapy, offering a new approach to treating this difficult form of bre...

$3.8 million NIMH grant to diagnose suicidal thinking using brain imaging

A $3.8 million NIMH grant will support the development of a predictive model that uses machine learning techniques to identify neural signatures of suicidal ideation and behavior. This technology has the potential to improve clinicians' ability to detect and treat suicidal patients, reducing suicide risk among young adults in the US.