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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 7 of 41

Treating inflammatory bowel disorder by delivering microRNAs

Osaka University researchers successfully delivered microRNAs to immune response cells in inflamed intestinal tracts using a super carbonate apatite (sCA), reducing inflammatory cytokines. The study showed that sCA could be used to treat a wide range of immunity and allergic disorders caused by immune responses.

Researchers uncover the science behind blowing bubbles

New York University researchers discovered two ways to blow bubbles: pushing a steady wind on a soap film through a circular wand and gently driving an already-inflated film. This study has potential applications in consumer products with bubbles or droplets, such as sprays and foams.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers find elusive source of most abundant immune cell

A team of researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology has identified a previously unknown progenitor population with neutrophil characteristics, which promotes tumor growth. The discovery could serve as an early warning sign for cancer and drive new therapeutic approaches for treating neutropenia, chronic inflammation, and cancer.

Dr. Dyson-Hudson receives American Paraplegia Society's Excellence Award

Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD, of Kessler Foundation, is honored for his outstanding contributions to improving the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury. He has made significant contributions to user guidelines for wheelchair maintenance and training, helping people remain active and confident.

Clinical trials needed to study cannabinoid use in Canadian children

A national approach is needed for trialing cannabinoids in children due to the lack of high-quality evidence and unregulated use of products. Collaboration among academics, industry, and provincial governments is required to conduct multiple-site clinical trials with long-term follow-up.

Immune system prioritizes distinct immune responses in infants with flu

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that unconventional T cells play a crucial role in protecting infants from severe flu complications by promoting lung cell repair. This immune response differs from adults and may provide a new target for therapies to ease flu symptoms in infants.

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.

Novel gene mutation found in lymphatic disorder

Researchers identified a gene mutation causing abnormal lymphatic circulation and restored normal vessel architecture using signal inhibitors. The study may lead to a new therapy for patients with central conducting lymphatic anomaly, a complex condition affecting immune function and fat transport.

Three previously unknown ancient primates identified

Biological anthropologists from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered three previously unknown ancient primates in San Diego County. The fossils date back 42 million to 46 million years, with estimated weights ranging from 113 to 796 grams.

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.

Parasites discovered in fossil fly pupae

Researchers discovered fossil parasites inside their hosts, describing four extinct wasp species that were unknown until now. The study provides major information on the evolution of parasitism and its impact on ecosystems.

Protein modifications pointing to cancer

Scientists have developed a method to investigate all proteins in tissue samples that are modified by ADP-ribosylation, a stress response pathway. This allows for conclusions to be drawn about activated signaling pathways and potentially leads to new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for cancer and other diseases.

The math of malaria

A mathematical model for malaria shows that competition between parasite strains within a human host reduces the odds of drug resistance developing in high-transmission settings. The model reveals how once a drug-resistant strain becomes established, it will spread faster in high-transmission areas than in low-transmission areas.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

CU researchers identify potential target for treating pain during surgery

A research team at the University of Colorado School of Medicine has identified a potential target for treating pain during surgery, aiming to reduce the use of narcotics. By understanding how nociceptors work, researchers hope to develop new therapies and decrease post-surgical pain duration and intensity.

All that is gold is not biochemically stable

A study by environmental engineers at Duke University found that gold nanoparticles can be dismantled by microorganisms on aquatic plants, complicating laboratory experiments. This discovery highlights the importance of considering complex ecosystems in research design to ensure accurate results.

Wilder wildfires ahead?

Researchers at UCSB and NCAR find that climate change is affecting the connection between El Niño and wildfires, leading to more extreme and frequent fires. As the Earth warms, El Niño events are expected to have a larger impact on fire risk in California and other fire-prone regions.

Leaf molecules as markers for mycorrhizal associations

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have found substances that accumulate in plant leaves when mycorrhizal fungi successfully colonize roots, providing a new tool for studying fungal associations and breeding programs. The discovery has significant implications for global phosphate resources and food production.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New phase proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps

A new phase has been proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps, revealing a sixth developmental cycle where insects other than wasps can insert their eggs into figs. This finding highlights the complex mutualism between figs and wasps, which have evolved over 65 million years.

New cancer treatment uses enzymes to boost immune system and fight back

Researchers at UT Austin have developed a new approach to treating cancer using enzyme therapy, which boosts the immune system by degrading kynurenine, a metabolite that suppresses the immune system. The treatment could prove effective in treating various types of cancers and is expected to initiate clinical trials soon.

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.

Purdue researchers developing novel biomedical imaging system

Purdue University researchers are developing a photoacoustic tomography system that provides real-time compositional information of body tissue without contrast agents. The technology has the potential to detect or monitor diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Getting to the roots of our ancient cousin's diet

Researchers found that Australopithecus africanus had wider, splayed roots than Paranthropus robustus and Paranthropus boisei, indicating increased lateral chewing loads. The study suggests that the orientation of tooth roots provides valuable insights into the dietary ecology of ancient humans and their extinct relatives.

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.

Writing a 'thank you' note is more powerful than we realize, study shows

A study found that people's likelihood of expressing gratitude is driven by predictions of recipient reactions, highlighting the importance of overcoming fear to write sincere thank-you notes. The research suggests that writing gratitude letters can improve well-being for both writers and recipients at little cost.

Carbon in color: First-ever colored thin films of nanotubes created

Researchers at Aalto University developed a method to control the fabrication of carbon nanotube thin films, producing colored thin films for various applications. The breakthrough uses aerosols of metal and carbon, with small doses of carbon dioxide tuning the growth of nanotubes.

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.

Mapping out cancer's movements

Researchers have developed a new method using TOF-SIMS to map the flow of biomolecules in and around solid tumors. This technique reveals how tumors signal to their microenvironment and sap local tissue resources.

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.

Novel brain network linked to chronic pain in Parkinson's disease

A novel brain network has been discovered that links chronic pain in Parkinson's disease to a specific region of the brain, including the subthalamic nucleus. This research provides new insights into pain processing and suggests a potential target for pain relief in PD and other neurological diseases.

Components of heart healthy diet may differ from what was previously thought

A new study suggests that a heart-healthy diet may consist of foods previously thought to be detrimental, such as dairy products and meat. The research, which analyzed data from over 218,000 people across five continents, found that consuming these foods was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and death.

Tackling the great paradox of biodiversity with game theory

Scientists developed a new mathematical model using game theory to explain the biodiversity paradox, which predicts that hundreds of plankton species can coexist in open sea water despite limited resources. The model shows that biodiversity increases exponentially with the number of resources, leading to a large number of potential spe...

NASA looks at fluctuating strength of Tropical Storm Lane

Tropical Storm Lane underwent significant changes in its strength after being analyzed by NASA's Aqua satellite on August 27. The storm showed powerful thunderstorms east of its center but weakened due to wind shear, only to regain tropical storm status later that day.

Current advice to limit dairy intake should be reconsidered

Research suggests that dairy products can protect against total mortality and cerebrovascular causes, but milk consumption increases the risk of CHD. Public health officials should revise guidelines on dairy consumption, recommending fat-free or low-fat milk.

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.

Disentangling the relationships between cultural traits and other variables

A team of researchers identified three sources of non-independence in cultural variables: phylogenetic non-independence, spatial autocorrelation, and covariation. By controlling for these factors, they found that parasites have no more explanatory power for cultural traits than other environmental factors like biodiversity and climate.

Higgs particle's favorite 'daughter' comes home

Researchers at Princeton University have detected the Higgs boson's decay into two bottom quarks, a pathway that confirms theories about matter's nature. The detection gives scientists a new way to study the physical laws governing the universe.

Teenagers have a hard time reading one another's tones of voice

Researchers found that teenagers have difficulty reading the emotions expressed in their peers' voices, particularly when it comes to tones of voice conveying anger, meanness, or happiness. However, they can accurately interpret adult tone of voices. This challenges the social interactions and relationships among teens.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NASA finds little improvement in Miriam's structure

NASA's Aqua satellite detected slight improvement in Tropical Storm Miriam's cloud pattern and convective organization on Aug. 27. The storm still exhibited wind shear effects, with coldest cloud top temperatures reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ironing out the difficulties of moving fluids in space

Researchers on the International Space Station are studying ferrofluids with magnetic fields to create pump systems without mechanical moving parts. This could extend system lifetimes and improve performance in next-generation space vehicles.

An ocean apart, carnivorous pitcher plants create similar communities

Research reveals that pitcher plant communities converge in terms of microbial life and small animal populations, even across different continents. The study found that Asian and North American pitchers house similar species, such as bacteria and insects, and can even mimic each other's ecosystems.

How eggplants became Asian -- genomes and elephants tell the story

Researchers sequenced eggplant and wild relative plastomes, finding a single event led to two lineages: one in Africa and the other in Asia. This dispersal resulted in the current wide distribution of eggplant relatives across Africa, linked to African elephant and impala seed dispersal.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

First randomised trial tests criteria used to diagnose heart attack

A new randomized trial tested a revised set of criteria for diagnosing heart attacks, but found that using these criteria did not reduce the rate of recurrent heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths. The study suggested that the revised criteria could lead to more diagnoses and treatment, but with no adverse effects on patient outcomes.

New compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images

A new compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images with high speed and accuracy, benefiting applications such as optical-based sorting and personal medical monitoring. The system uses structured light to create detailed digital archives of historically valuable artifacts.

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.