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Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 7


Page 7 of 33

Powder could help cut CO2 emissions

Scientists at the University of Waterloo have created a powder that can capture CO2 from factories and power plants, offering a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The powder is twice as efficient as conventional methods and has potential applications in water filtration and energy storage.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCarbon·DateDec 19, 2018

Targeted treatment slows progression of rare connective tissue tumor

A phase three clinical trial found that sorafenib stopped progression of desmoid tumors for two years in 80 percent of patients who completed treatment. This is a significant increase in progression-free survival compared to placebo, with researchers describing it as 'a truly remarkable outcome'.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 19, 2018

Stick insects: Egg-laying techniques reveal new evolutionary map

New analysis reveals stick insects first dropped eggs while hiding in foliage, and geographically isolated populations are more likely to be related than those with similar features. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of these enigmatic creatures.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateDec 19, 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.

Loss of intertidal ecosystem exposes coastal communities

Researchers used AI and satellite imagery to map the world's intertidal zones for the first time, revealing a significant loss of crucial ecosystems. The study exposed coastal communities to increased risk from storms and sea level rises, with over 1.4 billion people expected to live in coastal areas by 2060.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2018

How to spot every solar panel in the United States

A new tool, DeepSolar, scans high-resolution images of the US for solar panels, registering their locations and sizes. Researchers found 1.47 million individual installations nationwide, correlating them with factors like income, education, and incoming solar radiation.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateDec 19, 2018

Hepatitis: Liver failure attributable to compromised blood supply

Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered that immune cells attacking liver sinusoidal endothelial cells disrupts the organ's blood and nutrient supply, leading to overwhelming damage. A new perforin inhibitor agent has been identified to prevent this lethal process.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 19, 2018

Study offers new view of how cartels work

Economists offer a new view of how cartels work, finding that firms don't need extensive information-sharing to collude. In fact, reduced transparency can help firms undercut cartels and gain market share, according to the study published in the Journal of Political Economy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateDec 19, 2018

Sac with spiral surface patterns facilitate substance delivery

Researchers have found that spiral surface patterns on liquid crystal sacs facilitate the delivery of molecules to specific locations within the body. The unique structure of these sacs, with its faceted tetrahedron shape and defects at four vertices, allows for controlled release of substances, enabling potential biomedical applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 19, 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.

Lower oxygen levels to impact the oceanic food chain

A new study reveals that even small changes in oxygen levels can have devastating effects on marine life, particularly tiny fish and zooplankton. These species are already pushed to their physiological limits in Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) and may be forced into shallower waters with increased risk of predators.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 19, 2018

Drugs of abuse: Identifying the addiction circuit

Researchers at UNIGE have pinpointed the brain circuit responsible for addictive behavior in rodents. The study found that a stronger connection between decision-making and reward systems led to compulsive behavior, which could be regulated by artificially increasing or decreasing the activity of this circuit.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2018

Computer hardware designed for 3D games could hold the key to replicating human brain

A team of researchers at the University of Sussex has developed a fast and energy-efficient simulation of part of a rat brain using off-the-shelf computer hardware. By leveraging Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), they achieved processing speeds up to 10% faster than current supercomputers, while reducing energy consumption by 10 times.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateDec 19, 2018

Study finds gaba cells help fight alcoholism

Researchers found that alcohol helps synchronize GABA cells, increasing dopamine release and dependency. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of addiction and could lead to targeted pharmacological treatments.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateDec 19, 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.

Study finds dinosaurs battled overheating with nasal air-conditioning

Researchers used 3D modeling to simulate heat exchange in dinosaurs and discovered they had an intricate cooling system in their snouts. The study suggests that the length of their noses played a crucial role in warming and cooling respired air, keeping their brains cool.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2018

What are you looking at? How attention affects decision-making

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people's gaze influences their choices when faced with two visible options. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to show that attention amplifies a person's desire for chosen items, particularly those already liked.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 19, 2018

Performance enhancer: Sports compression stockings a winning advantage

A study by James Cook University found that sports compression stockings positively influenced agility and lower limb muscular endurance in female soccer players. The findings confirmed a protective effect with compression stockings, which may be crucial for performance in soccer matches.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalResearch in Sports Medicine·DateDec 19, 2018
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.

Major international project aims to identify causes of dementia

A European research project aims to uncover the physiological pathways underlying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Down syndrome, which are linked by evolving dementia. The HEROES project seeks to develop biomarkers for dementia progression and explore new therapeutic approaches.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·DateDec 19, 2018

NASA finds extreme rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Kenanga

Tropical Cyclone Kenanga generated powerful thunderstorms reaching high into the troposphere, resulting in extreme rainfall as confirmed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The heaviest rainfall was found in the storm's southeastern quadrant, with rates exceeding 161 mm per hour.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 19, 2018

Rabbit gene helps houseplant detoxify indoor air

Researchers have created a genetically modified houseplant that can efficiently remove at least two toxins, formaldehyde and benzene, from the air. The plant's detoxifying potential was boosted by introducing a mammalian gene called CYP2E1 into its genome.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 19, 2018

Satellite study proves global quantum communication will be possible

Researchers have demonstrated feasible global quantum communication between high-orbiting satellites and a ground station, exchanging single photons over 20,000km. This milestone experiment proves secure quantum communications on a global scale using the Global Navigation Satellite System.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·DateDec 19, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Disordered crystals are promising for future battery technology

Researchers at University College London and the University of Illinois at Chicago have developed a new method for making magnesium chromium oxide materials that can reversibly store magnesium ions, a crucial feature for magnesium battery technology. This discovery could lead to more efficient and safer batteries with increased capacity.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNanoscale·DateDec 19, 2018

Mind-body exercises may improve cognitive function as adults age

A meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials found that mind-body exercises enhance cognitive flexibility, working memory, and verbal fluency in older adults. The study suggests that these exercises can improve learning and overall mental health, offering a promising approach to supporting cognitive function as we age.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 19, 2018

From a plant sugar to toxic hydrogen sulfide

Researchers discovered a novel bacterial degradation pathway for sulfoquinovose, which produces hydrogen sulfide in the absence of oxygen. The study's findings suggest that organosulfonate substrates from vegetarian diets can also be degraded to hydrogen sulfide.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateDec 19, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How does your garden grow in space?

Astronauts may have access to fresh salads in space, but the microgravity environment affects plant growth. Researchers compared two transcriptomic approaches to understand how plants adapt, finding that RNA-Seq and microarray chips have relative advantages.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateDec 19, 2018

IASLC successfully pilots early lung imaging confederation project

The IASLC has launched a pilot project to develop an innovative technique for improving early lung cancer detection through shared computed tomography images. The project aims to create a globally-accessible environment for analyzing large collections of quality-controlled CT lung cancer images and associated biomedical data.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·DateDec 19, 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.

Can pyruvate improve cardiac function following surgery?

A study funded by the American Heart Association aims to investigate whether pyruvate can enhance cardiac output in pediatric patients with low cardiac output syndrome following heart surgery. The researchers hope that this could lead to better recovery times, reduced hospital stays and improved quality of life for these children.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateDec 19, 2018

Process makes stem-cell-derived heart cells light up

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze cardiac muscle cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells, using a non-invasive fluorescence technique that enables faster and more accurate analysis. This breakthrough method uses CRISPR-Cas9 to generate a calcium-indicating reporter stem cell line, which allows for the examinati...

SourcePenn State·JournaliScience·DateDec 19, 2018
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

NASA analyzes newly formed Tropical Cyclone Cilidaa

NASA analyzed cloud top temperatures of Tropical Cyclone Cilida using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument. The results show strong storms with coldest temperatures as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating heavy rain capabilities.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 19, 2018

The secret life of cloud droplets

Researchers use airborne digital holography to confirm that water droplets cluster inside clouds, which can affect precipitation and cloud lifetime. The study's findings improve the general knowledge of clouds and their effects on the planet.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 19, 2018

UNH research finds recreationists support offshore wind energy development

A study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research found that water-based outdoor recreationists on Lake Erie overwhelmingly support offshore wind energy development. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between OWD support and positive perceptions of tourism opportunities and enhanced recreation experiences.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateDec 19, 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.

New memory study first to use intracranial recordings

Researchers used electrocorticographic data from surgically implanted electrodes to investigate memory development in a cohort of 17 children and adolescents. The study found that earlier activity predicts greater memory accuracy, and sub-second deviations in activity flow between frontal subregions predict memory formation.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 19, 2018

Prisoners who are sanctioned more are more likely to re-offend

A new longitudinal study found that prisoners with greater exposure to formal sanctions were more likely to re-offend within three years of release. This is because formal sanctions reduce social freedoms and access to prosocial opportunities, leading to an increased likelihood of reincarceration.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateDec 19, 2018

Scientists synthesize molecule capable of eliminating hepatitis C virus

Researchers at São Paulo State University synthesized a compound called GA-Hecate that effectively inhibits the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in multiple stages. The compound also displays activity against bacteria, fungi, and cancer cells, and is being tested against Zika and yellow fever viruses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 19, 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.

Flu is serious for pregnant women and others at high risk

The IDSA guidelines emphasize testing and treatment for pregnant women and those at high risk of complications, such as the extremely obese. These individuals should be provided with antiviral treatment as soon as possible if they are sick enough to be hospitalized or have severe symptoms.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2018

Returning indigenous remains to their ancestral lands, thanks to ancient DNA

A new study uses ancient nuclear genomes to determine the geographic origins of Aboriginal Australian remains, enabling their return to ancestral lands. The analysis shows that for most all of the ancient nuclear genomes, the most closely related contemporary genome was from people living today in the same geographic region.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 19, 2018

Research sheds new light on what drove last, long-term global climate shift

A team of researchers found that the closure of the Bering Strait due to glaciation caused stratification in the North Pacific, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and leading to global cooling. This discovery provides new insights into the driving factors behind the Mid-Pleistocene Transition.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 19, 2018

Cover crops may increase winter temperatures in North America

A new study suggests that cover crops grown in fields during winter can increase temperatures in the northern US and southern Canada by up to 3 degrees Celsius. This occurs due to reduced snow reflectivity, allowing crop stems and leaves to absorb solar heat and warm the surrounding atmosphere.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 19, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The role of calcium handling mechanisms in reperfusion injury

The article discusses how reperfusion injury amplifies cell damage after tissue perfusion. Calcium handling mechanisms, including Ca2+ ion elevation, predispose patients to mitochondrial failure, hyper-contracture, and proteolysis.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 19, 2018
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.

First steps

Researchers are conducting a comprehensive study of the walking cavefish to better understand the 'fin-to-limb' transition that enabled the first vertebrates to walk on land. The project aims to identify the genomic, morphological and mechanical qualities that enable fish to walk on land.

SourceLouisiana State University·DateDec 19, 2018

Nightlights for stream dwellers? No, thanks

A new study from Ohio State University finds that artificial light at night is detrimental to ecosystems, affecting species composition and food chain length. The research explores the impact of existing artificial light on streams and wetlands, revealing changes in energy flow and nutrient cycles.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcological Applications·DateDec 19, 2018

When 'alien' insects attack Antartica

A non-biting midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, is found to release large volumes of nutrients into the soil on Signy Island, affecting peat decomposition and biodiversity. The single introduced species can lead to a three- to four-fold increase in nitrogen relative to areas without its presence.

SourceBritish Ecological Society·DateDec 19, 2018

New study reveals 'startling' risk of stroke

A global study estimates that one in four people over age 25 are at risk for stroke during their lifetime. The study reveals large geographic variations in stroke risk, with the highest risks found in East Asia and Central Europe.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 19, 2018
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.

Loss of forest intactness increases extinction risk in birds

A new study reveals a strong positive relationship between global extinction risk and the loss of forest intactness in bird distributions. Most global hotspots of restricted ranges now fall in degraded forests, highlighting the importance of restoring intactness to reduce extinction risk.

SourceWiley·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateDec 19, 2018

Researchers zero in on potential therapeutic target for diabetes, associated diseases

A Texas A&M-led study reveals that transcription factor Foxo1 plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels and may serve as a key therapeutic target for preventing Type 2 diabetes. By understanding the molecular mechanism of Foxo1, researchers aim to develop novel interventions for controlling blood glucose homeostasis.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalDiabetes·DateDec 19, 2018