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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 19 of 33

Why deep oceans gave life to the first big, complex organisms

A new study from Stanford University suggests that the deep ocean's stable temperatures enabled the emergence of complex life forms during the Ediacaran period. The research proposes that animals needed a haven from temperature fluctuations, which were less severe in the deep ocean, allowing them to thrive with limited oxygen supplies.

How bullying affects the brain

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that chronic peer victimization during adolescence can lead to structural changes in the brain, including decreased volume in areas related to anxiety and depression. The research suggests that early intervention may help mitigate these effects.

Calories in popular restaurant chain meals 'excessive' warn experts

A University of Liverpool study found that popular restaurant chain meals in the UK and internationally have excessive calorie content, with only a small minority meeting public health recommendations. The researchers call for the food industry to reduce calories in their products and mandatory labelling of all restaurant food.

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.

Obtaining polyester from plant oil

Researchers developed a method to obtain polyester from plant oil by functionalizing polymerization, preventing loss of Undecenol and disrupting molecular chain-building process. The concept has potential transfer applications for other renewable resources.

Insight into cause of rare disorder may aid quest for treatments

MeCP2 duplication syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting mainly boys, may benefit from new treatments by blocking key protein interactions. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a crucial part of the protein binding to NCoR as responsible for disease symptoms, paving the way for therapies that target this interaction.

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.

Researchers develop mathematical solver for analog computers

Researchers at University of Notre Dame have developed a new mathematical approach to solve NP-hard problems using analog computing. The 'solver' has the potential to find better and possibly faster solutions than digital computers for complex optimization problems.

Pesticide exposure raises risk for cardiovascular disease among Latino workers

A new study published in the journal Heart found that Latinos exposed to pesticides at work are twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease. The study, based on survey responses from 7,404 employed Latinos, also found increased risk of atrial fibrillation among those with occupational exposure to metals or pesticides.

The stiffest porous lightweight materials ever

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed porous lightweight materials that approach theoretical maximum stiffness, outperforming traditional truss-based structures. These novel plate-lattice materials are stiffer, stronger, and more efficient than their counterparts, opening up new possibilities for various applications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New sepsis treatment a step closer

A large clinical study in Australia and New Zealand aims to better understand sepsis treatment practices and evaluate the effectiveness of a reduced fluid approach. The study, funded by the Emergency Medicine Foundation, will investigate how intravenous fluids are used to treat sepsis patients.

Silica paradox

Researchers have synthesized and described metastable phases of high-pressure silica, coesite-IV and coesite-V, with crystal structures drastically different from earlier models. These new materials exist at extreme pressures and challenge Pauling's rules on bonding in inorganic materials.

Yale chemists find a new tool for understanding enzymes -- Google

Yale researchers used Google's algorithm to understand how information is transferred between enzyme sites, identifying crucial amino acids. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides, combining data science with molecular dynamics simulations and NMR spectroscopy.

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.

Color-changing fabric warns military about chemical agents

The US military seeks to protect its troops against chemical attacks with a new color-changing fabric developed by University of Cincinnati Professor Anastasios Angelopoulos. The fabric, made from the polymer Nafion, detects chemical agents in the air while preventing them from interacting with the skin.

The costs and trade-offs of reforming long-term care for older people

A £36k lifetime cap on care costs could cost £3.6 billion by 2035, while ensuring a minimum level of social care for all older people with high needs would also cost around £3.6 billion. The proposed reforms investigated include previous plans and suggestions for caps on care costs, free personal care, and easing the means test.

Smelling the forest -- not the trees

A new study by the University of Konstanz and the University of Sussex found that animals can detect complex odor mixtures more quickly and reliably than individual pure compounds. This suggests that our olfactory systems may be better suited to handle mixed smells, which are a common aspect of our environment.

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.

New guidance outlines recommendations for infection control in anesthesiology

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has issued a new expert guidance on how hospitals can reduce infections associated with anesthesiology procedures and equipment. The guidance recommends steps to improve infection prevention through increased hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, and continuous improvement plans.

Calibrating cosmic mile markers

New work from the Carnegie Supernova Project provides precise calibrations for using type Ia supernovae to measure cosmic distances. This improvement helps astronomers better understand how fast the universe is expanding and the potential impact of dark energy on this process.

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.

Digital mammography increases breast cancer detection

A recent study published in the journal Radiology found that digital mammography significantly increased breast cancer detection by 14 percent compared to screen film mammography. The technology improved detection of early-stage cancers, including ductal carcinoma in situ, without increasing recall rates.

McLean researchers lead ECT study for Alzheimer's patients with aggression

The five-year study will investigate the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat severe agitation and aggression in people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will compare ECT treatment plus standard therapies to standard therapies alone for individuals with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's dementia.

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.

Brain activity shows development of visual sensitivity in autism

Research on brain activity shows that sensory responses to visual patterns change between childhood and adulthood in people with autism, mirroring a genetic change associated with autism in fruit flies. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in autism, potentially leading to new treatments.

Alzheimer's drug may help battle antibiotic resistance

Researchers discovered that a drug initially developed for Alzheimer's disease has antibacterial properties, potentially breaking antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The findings suggest the drug could be repurposed to treat infectious diseases.

Maintaining the unlimited potential of stem cells

Scientists from the Salk Institute discovered a new protein complex that keeps embryonic stem cells at their fullest potential, allowing them to maintain their indefinite potential. This discovery could provide a future target for regenerative therapies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Inaccurate prescribing warnings in electronic medical record systems

A survey of psychiatrists found that a substantial proportion believe their electronic prescribing systems provide incorrect warnings, potentially leading to inadequate treatment. The study highlights the need for more research on the accuracy and usefulness of automated alerts.

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.

Human antibody discovery could save lives from fungal killer

Researchers have developed a new technique using antibodies cloned from patients who recovered from Candida infections, showing potential in treating and diagnosing these life-threatening fungal infections. The discovery could lead to the development of novel antifungal drugs through mycoBiologics, a spinout company.

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.

Drug repositioning strategy identifies potential anti-epilepsy drugs

Researchers at the University of Iowa used a multidisciplinary approach to identify 90 FDA-approved drugs that may have potential as anti-seizure treatments. Gene expression profiling and bioinformatics revealed that these drugs significantly reduced seizures in zebrafish models.

How skin cells protect themselves against stress

Cell biologists at University of Münster create mini-measuring device to analyze molecular forces in desmosomes. They find that desmosomes only experience stress when cells are pulled, and the degree of stress depends on force magnitude and orientation.

Number of dementia sufferers worldwide grew by 117 percent in 26 years

A recent study reveals a significant increase in worldwide dementia cases over the past 26 years, with the number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias rising to 43.8 million in 2016. This represents a 117% growth, attributed to both aging and global population growth.

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.

Citations show academic and non-academic researchers 'win' when they collaborate

A new analysis by University of Maryland professor Ben Shneiderman reveals that research papers with multiple coauthors receive significantly more citations. The study found that university-corporate collaborations produce breakthrough research with substantial impact. Researchers and universities recognize the power and benefits of pa...

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.

How does pregnancy inflammation affect immunity in newborns?

Researchers studying fetal exposure to inflammation aim to understand its impact on infant immune responses and potential prevention methods. High levels of Th17 cells in pregnancy-inflammation mothers and preterm babies have been linked to tissue damage, but their role in infection protection is unclear.

Medical training or a family? Residents, training programs seek balance

A new study finds striking inconsistency in parental leave policies at top residency programs, highlighting the need for balance between medical training and personal/family needs. The average maternity leave was 6.6 weeks, with paid leave policies averaging only 3.9 weeks for same-sex couples or adoptive parents.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Taking uncertainty out of cancer prognosis

A recent study published in eLife found a strong relationship between copy number changes in genes and cancer patient outcomes. The researchers identified specific biomarkers that can determine a patient's prognosis, providing new hope for personalized cancer treatment.