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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 32 of 33

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.

Acute flaccid myelitis: Five things to know

Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare but serious condition in children that can progress rapidly and result in persistent health deficits. The disease is usually caused by enteroviruses and requires urgent testing and medical attention.

Study finds toxic flame retardants in children's car seats

A new study by Indiana University scientists found toxic flame retardants in newly manufactured children's car seats, posing risks to children's health. The researchers detected high levels of emerging flame retardant chemicals, including cyclic phosphonate esters and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Patients report skimping on insulin because of cost

A small survey of patients with diabetes found that 1 in 4 reported underusing insulin due to cost concerns. Poor glycemic control was a common result of this underuse. The study emphasizes the importance of making insulin more affordable.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Magnetic evidence of oxygen in a paleolake

Scientists have found magnetic evidence of oxygenation in a paleolake, suggesting that most water column and history contained oxygen. The study analyzed drill cores from the Nonesuch Formation, revealing a gradient of oxygenation according to water depth.

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.

Clark University researchers: Development threatens tropical forests

A recent study by Clark University researchers reveals that tropical forests are under threat from massive infrastructure projects and resource extraction. The study highlights the urgent need for policy-making that protects forests and communities from corruption and human rights abuses.

Primordial RNA and origins of life

Scientists have created a version of RNA that could have served as an early genetic polymer, with inosine replacing guanine to improve accuracy. The results suggest that inosine could have played a crucial role in the origins of life.

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.

A new approach to studying the flu

Researchers have developed a new method to study the flu virus, allowing them to visualize individual proteins and understand how they contribute to the virus's success. The study suggests that variations in protein composition may be beneficial for the virus, enabling it to spread infection more effectively.

Macroscopic phenomena governed by microscopic physics

A research group at Osaka University has observed magnetic reconnection driven by electron dynamics for the first time in a laboratory setting. The study uses high-power lasers to create plasma conditions similar to those found in space, allowing researchers to investigate electron-scale phenomena alongside macroscopic structures.

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.

Stentrode (TM) developed for brain treatments without major surgery

Researchers have developed a tiny device that electrically stimulates the brain, paving the way for minimally invasive treatments for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. The Stentrode can deliver targeted stimulation without open-brain surgery, opening up new possibilities for treating neurological disorders.

Running a marathon can increase cardiac strain in amateur runners

A new study published in Circulation found that running a full marathon significantly raises concentrations of biomarkers indicating heart strain in amateur runners. The study suggests that shorter endurance races may reduce the strain on the heart muscle during competition.

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.

Diagnostic imaging for bladder cancer

Researchers developed a noninvasive diagnostic imaging method for bladder cancer using machine learning analysis of nanoresolution images from urine samples. The method achieved 94% accuracy in diagnosing bladder cancer compared to cystoscopy, the clinical standard.

Life has a new ingredient

Researchers at Harvard University suggest that inosine could have served as a surrogate for guanosine in the early emergence of life. Inosine enabled RNA to replicate with high speed and few errors, supporting its potential role as a backbone of the first cells.

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.

LIGO and Virgo announce four new gravitational-wave detections

The LIGO and Virgo collaborations have detected 10 stellar-mass binary black hole mergers and one neutron star merger, with six of the black hole events previously reported. The new detections include GW170729, GW170809, GW170818, and GW170823, which are included in a new catalog of gravitational-wave events.

Science proves vaccines are helpful, not harmful, to society

Vaccines have been proven to be safe and beneficial for society, but misconceptions persist. The World Health Organization requires vaccination checks during medical encounters, but many cases are missed. Digital tools like VaccApp and ViVI Score aim to improve vaccine communication.

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.

Artificial intelligence for studying the ancient human populations of Patagonia

Archaeologists used machine learning techniques to classify and predict the technological elements of ancient hunter-gatherer groups in Patagonia. The study identified two distinct 'landscapes' of technology, one for pedestrian groups and another for nautical societies, shedding light on their mobility patterns and interactions.

As married couples age, humor replaces bickering

A study by UC Berkeley found that married couples who aged show more humor and tenderness towards each other, leading to lower rates of defensiveness and criticism. The researchers tracked the emotional interactions over a period of 13 years, revealing an increase in positive behaviors like affection and enthusiasm.

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.

Requests for emergency contraception could be an important sign of abuse

A new UK study found that women experiencing domestic violence and abuse are more than twice as likely to request emergency contraception, highlighting a possible indicator of abuse. The research suggests that healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in identifying and referring these women to specialist support services.

Study finds bad bosses could turn you into a great boss

A University of Central Florida study suggests that workplace abuse by managers may not lead to abusive behavior by lower-level leaders. In fact, prior victims of abuse are more likely to treat their own subordinates better after learning from their boss's bad behavior.

The secret contamination of polar bears

Scientists discover hundreds of unrecognized halogenated contaminants in polar bear serum, including polychlorinated biphenyls and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. The study reveals increasing levels of these pollutants over the past two decades, posing potential health risks to the Arctic ecosystem.

Physicists shed X-ray light on melting polymers

Researchers from MIPT and Lomonosov Moscow State University developed an experimental setup combining thermal and X-ray analysis to study semicrystalline polymers. They found that a critical heating rate can prevent structural changes, revealing complex thermodynamic behavior behind the material's melting points.

Plant cells inherit knowledge of where's up and where's down from mother cell

Researchers at IST Austria found that plant cells inherit knowledge of where is up and down from their mother cell. The directional transport of hormone auxin sets up polarization, but this depends on polar distribution of PIN auxin transporters. Endocytosis and phosphorylation of PIN transporters are crucial for re-establishing polarity.

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.

Prenatal environment can tune genomic imprinting

A study found that prenatal environmental factors, including maternal age and nutrition, influence genomic imprinting in humans. The researchers analyzed DNA methylation data from Gambian children and found varying levels of imprinting depending on the season of conception.

New dataset expands understanding of Arctic Spring Bloom

A new study published in Biogeosciences reveals that declining silicon concentrations in the European Arctic Ocean reduce diatom production, impacting the food chain and organic matter sinking to the seafloor. The research team confirms this effect in 95% of samples collected during a research expedition.

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.

Utility customers overestimate cost savings with energy-conservation plans

A new study by Ohio State University found that utility customers rely on perception of cost savings rather than actual savings when deciding to participate in energy-conservation programs. The study involved 8,702 customers and showed that consumers who thought they were saving more were more likely to renew their programs.

High childhood BMI linked to obesity at age 24 in women

Researchers found that girls who gained weight rapidly between ages 5 and 15 were more likely to be obese at 24. A follow-up study of 182 participants found a 93% rate of overweight or obesity in those with accelerated weight gain, compared to 20-37% in other groups.

Resource extraction, forest loss, and community rights

A study finds that resource extraction and infrastructure development lead to significant forest loss and marginalize indigenous communities. The authors suggest novel approaches balancing conservation and agroindustry goals through rigorous land use zoning and community-led resource management.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Barts Charity funds £6.5 million to grow Queen Mary University of London campus

Queen Mary University of London has received £6.5 million in funding from Barts Charity to develop a new teaching lab, Cell Culture Labs, Tissue Bank Lab, Mass Spec Lab, Microscopy Lab, and office spaces at its Charterhouse Square campus. The investment will enhance the school's capacity to host up to 100 new appointments over four years.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Coping with threats from hurricanes, wildfires and rising sea levels

Recent studies highlight the need for updated adaptation plans to address severe weather events, with hard-adaptive measures like seawalls increasing long-term vulnerability. Increasing hazard awareness through education can reduce vulnerability, while effective communication strategies can mitigate flood damages.

Dana-Farber to present research on myeloma progression from precursor conditions

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made significant advances in understanding the progression of multiple myeloma from precursor conditions, suggesting potential new treatments. The study found that immune system cells in patients with precursor conditions undergo changes that affect disease progression, and a novel combi...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Protective effects of coffee in Parkinson's disease models

Research reveals that coffee compounds eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide and caffeine work together to maintain enzyme PP2A activity, dephosphorylating pathogenic α-synuclein proteins. This synergy prevents neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease models.