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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 8 of 41

Post-epidemic seroprevalence of Zika virus in Nicaragua

Researchers studied blood samples from 3,740 children and 1,074 adults in Managua, Nicaragua, after the 2016 Zika epidemic. The study found a high post-epidemic seroprevalence of 36% in children and 56% in adults, with immunity rates higher in females and increasing nonlinearly with age.

Scientists find corals in deeper waters under stress too

A new study reveals that even deep coral reefs in Palau are exposed to thermal stress at intervals different than those near the surface. By combining sea level and temperature data sets, researchers developed a forecast tool for predicting temperature stress on corals up to 150 meters below the surface.

Study reveals when and why people die after noncardiac surgery

A study of over 40,000 patients found that myocardial injury, major bleeding, and sepsis contributed to nearly three-quarters of all deaths after noncardiac surgery. Most deaths were linked to cardiovascular causes, with cardiologists playing a crucial role in preventing further complications.

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.

Stress gene influences chronic pain after car crash

A study of over 1,000 motor vehicle accident survivors found a common genetic variant in the stress response gene FKBP5 linked to increased chronic pain. The researchers discovered that addressing this interaction between the genetic variant and post-traumatic stress may represent a supplemental or alternative treatment option.

Paternal diet and offspring health

A new study suggests that paternal diet influences offspring health by affecting sperm DNA methylation tags and seminal plasma immunological responses. Mice fed a low-protein diet had overweight offspring with dysfunctional metabolism, highlighting the importance of a healthy father's nutrition for child well-being.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Even toddlers care what others think

By 24 months old, children demonstrate awareness that their behavior can be positively or negatively evaluated by others. The study found that even young toddlers are attuned to the judgments of others and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Analysis: Commonly used drugs are rarely studied in primary care patients

Researchers found that only 8% of studies included some primary care patients, and none were conducted solely in primary care settings. Primary care physicians should be represented in advisory boards, considered for study grants, and primary care patients need to be included in trials of drugs used in primary care.

Preemptive overfishing and marine reserves

Researchers found that fishing in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area doubled before its implementation, leading to excess fishing equivalent to what was prevented by the reserve for 1.5 years. This suggests that anticipating marine reserves can trigger overfishing, undermining conservation efforts.

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.

How the cholera bacterium survives water predators

The Vibrio cholerae bacterium has evolved skills to survive in aquatic environments by 'hitchhiking' on predatory amoebas and establishing a replication niche within their osmoregulatory organelle. This adaptation may have contributed to the emergence of V. cholerae as a major human pathogen.

As CO2 levels climb, millions at risk of nutritional deficiencies

A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health warns that high CO2 levels could lead to widespread nutritional deficiencies, affecting 1.9% of the global population by 2050. The research estimates that 175 million people will become zinc deficient and 122 million will become protein deficient due to lower crop yields.

Air pollution and cognitive decline

A study found that air pollution exposure was associated with decreased cognitive test scores, particularly in verbal abilities. Reducing fine particulate matter concentrations could lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance, equivalent to a shift from median to 63rd percentile scores.

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.

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.

Marijuana found in breast milk up to six days after use

A study by University of California - San Diego found that 63% of breast milk samples from mothers using marijuana contained THC, the primary psychoactive component. The study suggests that while the amount of THC in breast milk is relatively low, more research is needed to understand its potential effects on nursing babies.

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.

Wildfire risk doesn't douse housing demand

A new UNLV study reveals that real estate prices for homes in wildfire-prone areas fall initially after a blaze, but rebound within one to two years. The phenomenon may pose a curse, as homebuyers prioritize environmental amenities over fire risk.

Algae a threat to walleye vision, study finds

A new study led by Ohio State University found that algae poses a greater threat to freshwater fish vision than sediment, causing a 40% decrease in their ability to see in cloudy water. This could jeopardize the future of walleye and other fish populations if harmful algal blooms persist.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Epigenetic analysis of aggressive brain tumors

Researchers identified epigenetic changes that accompany glioblastoma progression and predict patient survival. DNA methylation sequencing can be used to predict clinically relevant tumor properties.

Providing care for transgender patients

The article highlights the importance of providing care for transgender patients by incorporating patient-centered approaches and creating more inclusive healthcare environments. Key strategies include using preferred names, pronouns, and gender-affirming language, as well as training staff on trans-specific health issues.

Sensitivity to how others evaluate you emerges by 24 months

A new study finds that toddlers are attuned to how others may be judging them and modify their behavior accordingly. Children between 14 and 24 months show inhibition when being watched with a neutral or negative expression, but press the buttons associated with positive responses more often.

Ant-y social: Successful ant colonies hint at how societies evolve

Researchers found that ant colonies with as few as six individuals experienced significant benefits from group living, including better-surviving babies and faster growth. The study suggests that increases in group size alone can create benefits for small colonies, challenging the idea that strong groups require strong leaders.

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.

Can 'microswimmers' swim through jelly?

Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University studied how microswimmers navigate gels with contrasting results based on swimmer features and size relative to the gel's mesh. They discovered two mechanisms for achieving motion, one through breaking time-reversal symmetry and the other by modulating arm amplitudes

Cedars-Sinai investigators develop more accurate measure of body fat

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a simpler and more accurate method to estimate body fat percentage than the widely used BMI. The new relative fat mass index (RFM) formula uses only height and waist circumference measurements, providing a better measure of body fatness without requiring expensive equipment.

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.

Improving physicians' judgment with video games

Researchers designed video games to enhance heuristic judgment in emergency medicine physicians. The intervention improved accuracy in trauma triage decisions, with participants who used the games showing a 17-18 point lower under-triage rate compared to those receiving no intervention.

Beluga whales and narwhals go through menopause

Researchers discovered that beluga whales and narwhals undergo menopause, mirroring killer whales' behavior. This reproductive strategy may have evolved due to increased relatedness among family members and the need for older females to contribute to group survival through knowledge sharing.

Scientists alter membrane proteins to make them easier to study

MIT researchers create a new technique to alter membrane proteins, making them more accessible for structural studies. The QTY code allows for the substitution of hydrophobic amino acids with hydrophilic ones, enabling water-soluble proteins that can be analyzed using X-ray crystallography or NMR.

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.

Refugee naturalization in the United States

Female refugees are more likely to become naturalized US citizens than male counterparts, according to a recent study. The study found that higher levels of education and longer US residency also contribute to increased naturalization rates among refugees.

Drug could aid recovery after a heart attack

Researchers discovered a protein called HIF helps heart cells survive after a heart attack, but its effect is blocked by fats accumulating within the heart muscle in people with diabetes. Repurposed drugs that activate HIF may help prevent lasting heart muscle damage and improve recovery in Type 2 diabetics.

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.

Particles collected by Hayabusa give absolute age of asteroid Itokawa

Japanese researchers from Osaka University analyzed Hayabusa particles to determine the age of asteroid Itokawa, finding it formed 4.6 billion years ago and was destroyed 1.5 billion years later. The study used precise isotope analyses to clarify the chronology of the asteroid's evolution.

Huntington disease and histone deacetylase inhibition

Studies with rodent models show reduced anxiety and improved brain function with early treatment using the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589. This approach may offer a new therapeutic strategy for Huntington disease.

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.

Researchers unearth secret tunnels between the skull and the brain

Researchers discovered tiny tunnels in the skull that connect bone marrow to the lining of the brain, enabling immune cells to quickly reach injured tissue. The study found that these channels play a crucial role in inflammation and may be important in various brain disorders.

UTSA enters Guinness World Records with smallest medical robot

The University of Texas at San Antonio has developed the world's smallest medical robot, made up of nanocomposite particles that can be remotely controlled by an electromagnetic field. These robots have the potential to target cancerous cells for treatment and potentially treat Alzheimer's disease.

Ebola species found in bats ahead of any potential outbreak

The discovery of the Bombali virus in Sierra Leone's bats marks a significant breakthrough for the PREDICT project, which aims to find viruses before they spillover into humans. The finding suggests that bats are likely hosts of ebolaviruses and underscores the importance of understanding their role in preventing Ebola outbreaks.

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.

UBC study raises the standard for measuring nerve cell death

Researchers developed a new method to measure degeneration of sensory neurons grown in a lab, improving the screening of experimental therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The automated test uses software-assisted analysis to accurately assess nerve cell densities and shapes.

Jupiter had growth disorders

Researchers have proposed a new model for Jupiter's birth, revealing three distinct phases of growth. The first phase was characterized by rapid accretion of small pebbles and core building, followed by slower accretion of larger planetesimals that brought energy to the growing planet.