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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 36


Page 36 of 41

Soft multi-functional robots get really small...and spider-shaped

Researchers developed an integrated fabrication process to design soft robots on the millimeter scale with micrometer-scale features, enabling changes in structure, motion, and color. The new technology paves the way for a new generation of flexible microrobots for medical and environmental tasks.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Venture capitalists' reputations take a hit when publicly listed companies they once endorsed fail

New research from Singapore Management University suggests that venture capitalists' reputations can be damaged when their endorsed companies fail to meet expectations. The study found that VCs create high expectations for their portfolio companies, which can have long-lasting consequences for their own reputations.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateAug 6, 2018

Climate change and decline of Mojave Desert birds

A study reveals evidence of community collapse in Mojave birds, with 43% loss of previously documented bird species over the past century. Climate change, particularly decreased precipitation, is associated with the decline in Mojave birds, while surface water presence is linked to increased species richness.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Male birds sing less to females on antidepressants

A new study by the University of York found that dilute concentrations of Prozac make female starlings less attractive to males during courtship. The researchers discovered increased male aggression towards females receiving the medication, leading to a higher risk of mate failure and population decline.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalChemosphere·DateAug 6, 2018

Climate-induced streamflow changes in watersheds

A study found similar trends in streamflow in natural and human-modified watersheds, indicating climate-induced changes. Streamflow decreased in the southern US and increased in northeastern states and Canadian prairies.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Earth's potential climate trajectories

Researchers investigate intrinsic biogeophysical feedbacks that may lead to 'Hothouse Earth' conditions despite reduced human emissions. The study highlights the risk of exceeding global average temperatures in interglacial periods of the past 1.2 million years.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

The value of pride

Research finds that pride serves an evolved function in human nature, helping individuals weigh self-interest against social approval. The study reveals a close link between pride and the values of those around us, suggesting it's a win-win rather than a sin.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

A targeted approach to treating glioma

Researchers develop targeted approach to treat glioma, using microparticles to deliver drug directly to brain. The treatment targets a specific mutation found in 20-25% of gliomas and has shown promise in extending patient survival.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Injectable trace minerals improve mineral status in beef heifers

Researchers found that injectable trace mineral Multimin90 improved conception rates in some herds, but not others. In one study, selenium and copper status improved compared to saline injections. The value of injectables lies in ensuring every animal receives the supplement at a chosen timing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateAug 6, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Enzyme helps build motor that drives neuron death

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a key enzyme that drives neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS. The enzyme histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) modifies a molecular motor that triggers signaling agents to travel down the axon, killing the neuron.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateAug 6, 2018

Differences in immune responses due to age, sex, and genetics

Research reveals that genetic factors and age are the strongest predictors of humoral immune responses to common pathogens and vaccines. The study also found that older individuals and women exhibit stronger antibody responses against most antigens.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalGenome Medicine·DateAug 6, 2018

Created line of spinal cord neural stem cells shows diverse promise

Scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have successfully created a line of spinal cord neural stem cells that can be used to model diseases and potentially provide a scalable source of replacement cells for spinal cord injuries. The diverse cells, derived from human pluripotent stem cells, show promise in a...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

If you're a woman having a heart attack, insist on a female physician

A new study found that female patients treated by male physicians had lower survival rates compared to those treated by female physicians. Increasing the presence of female physicians in emergency departments may improve outcomes for these patients.

SourceHarvard Business School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Inner Solar System's elemental evolution

Meteorite chondrules reveal that oxygen and volatile elements increased in the inner Solar System until around 4.567 billion years ago. Volatile element delivery continued to increase after this point, supporting a model of Mars' early formation under oxidizing conditions and Earth's accretion under reducing conditions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

More sensitive blood test diagnoses heart attacks faster

A new high-sensitivity blood test for cardiac troponin has been found safe and effective in diagnosing heart attacks faster than traditional methods. The test ruled out heart attack in 30-83.8% of patients within three hours, compared to 80.4% with conventional testing.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 6, 2018

Is too much screen time harming children's vision?

A new study suggests that excessive screen time is contributing to an increase in nearsightedness among children, with symptoms including dry eye and blurred vision. Parents can take steps to mitigate this by encouraging outdoor activities, using good posture, and taking regular breaks from screens.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Scientists create atomic glue gun to build better nucleic acid therapeutics

Researchers at Scripps Research and Bristol-Myers Squibb developed a new tool, called phosphorus-sulfur incorporation (PSI), to precisely control the 3D architecture of thiophosphate linkages in nucleic acid therapeutics. This technology enables the creation of single isomers with hundreds of thousands of stereoisomers.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 6, 2018

Women survive heart attacks better with women doctors: Study

A 19-year review of nearly 582,000 heart attack cases reveals that female patients have a significantly higher survival rate when treated by women doctors. The study's findings also suggest that male doctors with more female colleagues in the ER can improve survival rates for female patients.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Researchers at the University of New Mexico uncover remnants of early solar system

Researchers have uncovered the remnants of the early solar system with the discovery of an ancient igneous meteorite containing silica-rich crustal rocks. The oldest recorded igneous meteorite, dating back 4.565 billion years, provides valuable insights into planet formation and volcanic rock compositions in the early solar system.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2018

Patient-physician gender concordance

A study of over 500,000 observations found that female heart attack patients treated by male physicians had lower survival rates. Survival rates improved when there were more female physicians in the emergency department or when male physicians were exposed to more female patients.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Methane uptake in forest soils

Researchers report significant declines in forest soils' methane uptake, attributed to increased precipitation and hydrological flux. A literature analysis reveals a 77% global average decrease in methane uptake from 1988 to 2015.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Medicaid expansion leads to greater access to diabetes medications

Researchers found that states expanding Medicaid eligibility in 2014-2015 saw a significant increase in diabetes medication prescriptions, with a 30% rise per 1,000 people. This growth was particularly notable for newer, more advanced forms of insulin and other medications, suggesting improved treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateAug 6, 2018

Small birds fly at high altitudes towards Africa

Researchers at Lund University tracked the flight height of two small bird species migrating from Scandinavia to Africa, finding they flew as high as 3,950m. The study used a data logger to measure acceleration, air pressure, and temperature during flight, revealing the birds' altitude adjustments in response to changing wind conditions.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Stress makes people better at processing bad news

A UCL-led study found that stress enhances people's ability to process and internalize bad news, reversing the typical optimism bias. Under stressful conditions, individuals become more vigilant to bad news, even when unrelated to their anxiety source.

SourceUniversity College London·DateAug 6, 2018

Visa restrictions can lead to increase in illegal migration

Research finds that restricting student and high-skilled visas has little impact on overall migration, while limiting family and low-skilled visas reduces migration but diverts aspiring migrants to unauthorized channels. Enforcement of unauthorized migration is also inefficient.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Size matters: if you are a bubble of volcanic gas

Scientists discovered that gas bubbles rising to the surface can alter volcanic gas composition, which affects eruption forecasts. The findings also suggest a new pathway for chemical changes in gases during large-scale eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Vaping draws strong support -- from bots

A study found that more than 70% of tweets about e-cigarettes were posted by robots, while human users showed strong support for vaping. The team analyzed nearly 194,000 geocoded tweets and identified adolescent Twitter users as particularly enthusiastic about e-cigarettes.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateAug 6, 2018

Comprehensive pediatric CAR T guidelines developed by MD Anderson and PALISI

The guidelines outline lessons learned by experts in various fields to identify early signs and symptoms of treatment-related toxicity, detailing ways to manage it. Key recommendations include monitoring for cytokine release syndrome and addressing parent and/or caregiver concerns.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Reviews Clinical Oncology·DateAug 6, 2018

Probiotic use is a link between brain fogginess, severe bloating

Researchers found a significant connection between probiotic use, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, high levels of D-lactic acid, and brain fogginess. The study suggests that excessive probiotic use can lead to severe bloating and disorienting brain fog.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalClinical and Translational Gastroenterology·DateAug 6, 2018

Researchers solved mystery of clownfish coloration

The researchers discovered a connection between the colouration of clownfish and the toxicity of sea anemone species they live with. The more venomous anemones have less white stripes on their hosts, suggesting the bright colouration has a protective function.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Earth at risk of heading towards 'hothouse Earth' state

A new study warns that reducing greenhouse gas emissions may not be enough to avoid a 'Hothouse Earth' state, where temperatures could rise by 4-5°C and sea levels increase by 10-60m. The authors call for accelerated transition towards an emission-free world economy.

SourceStockholm Resilience Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Hitler: Election campaigner with limited influence?

Research by Peter Selb and Simon Munzert found Hitler's 455 public appearances had surprisingly small effect on electoral outcomes. His personal involvement only positively impacted the 1932 presidential election, but overall campaign effects were minor.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateAug 6, 2018

Modeling policy impacts on legal and illegal immigration

A computational model simulated potential migrants' decisions and found that restrictive policies, such as limiting visas, reduce immigration by up to 32%. However, these restrictions also increase unauthorized immigration, which may be difficult to offset with increased enforcement.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Chinese astronomers discover most lithium-rich giant in galaxy with LAMOST

A team of Chinese astronomers has discovered the most lithium-rich giant known to date using the LAMOST telescope. The star's lithium abundance is approximately 3,000 times higher than that of typical giants, providing valuable insights into the universe's evolution and Big Bang theory.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Ancient virus defends koalas against new viral attacks

Scientists found that an ancient and unrelated endogenous retroviral element is inserting itself into the new retrovirus via recombination, deactivating it. This process may be a molecular defense mechanism of hosts against new retroviral attacks.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A system to synthesize realistic sounds for computer animation

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a system that automatically renders accurate sounds for complex animated content, such as splashing water or colliding objects. The system takes into account the vibrations of each object and how they excite sound waves, resulting in highly detailed and realistic sounds.

SourceStanford University·DateAug 6, 2018

People process bad news better under stress

A laboratory and natural experiment demonstrate how threat dissolves human optimism bias, allowing individuals to flexibly shift between optimistic and pessimistic patterns. The study suggests that stress can improve the processing of bad news, enabling people to adapt their optimistic outlook to changing environmental conditions.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateAug 6, 2018

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants by providing broader coverage and higher resolution than traditional methods. The technique has demonstrated great potential in accelerating pharmaceutical R&D, particularly for natural products like albiflorin, a promising multi-target drug candidate.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateAug 6, 2018

Stem cell transplants to be used in treating Crohn's disease

A clinical trial using stem cell transplants aims to grow a new immune system for people with untreated Crohn's disease. This innovative approach may help reduce gut inflammation and improve quality of life for patients suffering from the condition.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateAug 5, 2018
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.

Genetic screening before embryo transfer fails to improve the chance of a baby

The largest randomized trial on genetic screening before embryo transfer found no difference in live birth rates between groups with and without the procedure. However, there was a lower miscarriage rate and fewer embryo transfers in the group that received genetic screening.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateAug 5, 2018

The rules of attraction: Scientists find elusive molecule that helps sperm find egg

Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory have identified a key molecule driving chemoattraction between sperm and egg cells in marine invertebrates. This molecule allows sodium ions to flow into the sperm cell, transporting protons out of the cell and increasing the pH, enabling the Ca2+ pulses needed for fertilization.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 3, 2018

A deeper look at severe asthma yields NET results

A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers models allergic lung inflammation in mice, revealing the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in triggering and amplifying an allergen-initiated immune response. The findings have implications for designing more precise clinical trials for severe asthma treatment.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Immunology·DateAug 3, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.