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Science News Archive February 2018


Page 18 of 36

NASA's Aqua satellite finds a wispy Tropical Depression Sanba

NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible-light image of Tropical Depression Sanba on Feb 15, revealing wispy clouds and low-level circulation center without rainfall. The depression was centered in the Sulu Sea, moving northwest towards the South China Sea with maximum sustained winds at 23 mph.

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.

Four NYU faculty win Sloan Foundation research fellowships

Four NYU faculty members have been awarded Sloan Research Fellowships for their outstanding contributions to science and engineering. Miranda Holmes-Cerfon develops mathematical tools to study mesoscale materials, while Tianning Diao works on sustainable synthetic methods for pharmaceutical products.

Don't blame hurricanes for most big storm surges in northeast

A Rutgers University study found that most large storm surges in the Northeast are caused by non-hurricane extratropical cyclones. These storms include nor'easters and other low-pressure systems that generate tighter pressure gradients and longer-lasting onshore winds.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Amyloid protein transmission through neurosurgery

Researchers found four cases of amyloid beta pathology in brain blood vessels after childhood neurosurgery, sparking concerns over potential transmission of protein pathology. The study's findings were supported by a review of medical literature and suggest that neurosurgical instruments may be responsible.

At last, butterflies get a bigger, better evolutionary tree

A comprehensive map of butterfly evolution has been created using a 35-fold increase in genetic data, revealing key relationships between species and classification units. The study confirms swallowtails are a sister group to all other butterflies, while blues are nested within hairstreaks.

Dramatic decline of Bornean orangutans

The study reveals that Bornean orangutan populations are declining faster than expected, with deforested areas and agricultural land showing the most significant rates of decline. However, some populations appear to be relatively stable, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to prevent further losses.

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.

Physicists create new form of light

Researchers observe groups of three photons interacting, forming a new kind of photonic matter. The bound photons acquire mass and travel slower than non-interacting photons.

Astrophysicist Keivan Stassun wins 2018 AAAS Mentor Award

Keivan Stassun, a renowned astrophysicist, has been awarded the 2018 AAAS Mentor Award for his dedication to mentoring underrepresented minority students. The award recognizes his innovative mentoring models that have led to the growth of numerous Ph.D. graduates in physics and astronomy.

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.

New guideline warns pain benefits of medical cannabis overstated

A new medical guideline from the University of Alberta suggests that the benefits of medical cannabis for pain treatment may be outweighed by its harms. The guideline recommends considering medical cannabinoids only in specific cases with adequate evidence and after standard therapies have been tried.

Efforts are needed to help pregnant women with diabetes

Research highlights shortcomings in pregnancy preparation and prenatal care for women with diabetes, calling for improved care coordination and technology use. A nationwide commitment is needed to deliver integrated reproductive and diabetes healthcare interventions to enhance pregnancy outcomes.

Asthma medication linked to infertility in women

Women with asthma who use short-acting asthma relievers take longer to become pregnant than those without asthma. In contrast, long-acting asthma preventers do not appear to reduce fertility, suggesting that improved asthma control could lead to faster conception rates.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Eating yogurt may reduce cardiovascular disease risk

A large cohort study found higher yogurt intake was associated with a 30% reduction in myocardial infarction risk among women and a 19% reduction in men. Yogurt consumption also showed significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk when combined with an overall heart-healthy diet.

Researchers challenge claims that sugar industry shifted blame to fat

Researchers challenge the notion that the sugar industry shifted blame to fat by examining historical archives and oral history. Despite alleged 'smoking gun' evidence, the authors found no conclusive proof of a sugar conspiracy, highlighting the complexity of scientific funding and policy-making in the 1960s.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Catching up to brain cancer

Researchers create a computer program that predicts glioblastoma tumor growth with high accuracy, focusing on the role of L1CAM in accelerating cell spread. The model offers new opportunities for researchers to simulate various scenarios and test potential treatments.

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.

Stem cell vaccine immunizes lab mice against multiple cancers

A stem cell vaccine created from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been shown to elicit strong immune responses in lab mice, effectively eliminating breast, lung, and skin cancers. The vaccine also prevented relapses in animals with removed tumors.

The neuroscience of cuttlefish camouflage

Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can maintain dynamic 3D skin shape for over an hour through a unique muscle tension mechanism. This physiology is thought to conserve energy while camouflaging from predators or waiting for prey.

New hole-punched crystal clears a path for quantum light

Researchers at the University of Maryland created a photonic chip that generates single photons and steers them around bends in the road. The device mitigates issues by rethinking crystal hole shapes and patterns, ensuring reliable transit for individual photons.

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.

Not being aware of memory problems predicts onset of Alzheimer's disease

A new study published in Neurology suggests that individuals who do not recognize their own memory problems are nearly threefold more likely to develop dementia within two years. This lack of awareness is associated with impaired brain metabolic function and higher rates of amyloid deposition, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Research compares mouse and human kidney development

Recent studies have compared human and mouse kidney development, revealing deep conservation of certain processes but also significant differences in gene expression and cell structures. The findings provide new insights into the processes directing cells to form functional kidney structures and may help guide emerging stem cell techno...

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.

Linda Sealy receives 2018 AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement

Linda Sealy has been selected to receive the 2018 Lifetime Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her work in recruiting and mentoring underrepresented minority students. She has mentored over 55 students through completion of their PhDs at Vanderbilt University.

Female hormones may be linked to asthma, study suggests

A major review of evidence highlights a link between fluctuations in female sex hormones and the development of allergies and asthma. Analysis of over 500,000 women found that starting periods before age 11 and irregular periods were associated with a higher rate of asthma.

Student research team accelerates snow melt with 'Melt Mat'

A Virginia Tech student research team has discovered the Melt Mat, a thermally absorptive blanket that increases melting rates by threefold without any effort or energy input. The product can be used on residential driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and athletic fields to save municipalities millions and homeowners from snow shovel duty.

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.

UMass Amherst physicists speed up droplet-wrapping process

Researchers developed a rapid and efficient way to wrap liquid droplets in ultrathin polymer sheets, reducing the time from minutes to seconds. The technique exploits the dynamics of droplet impact and demonstrates robust results for various shapes and fluid combinations.

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.

Hearing loss is common after infant heart surgery

A study of 348 preschoolers who survived cardiac surgery found hearing loss in 21.6% of children, associated with language and cognitive problems by age four. Researchers recommend early hearing evaluations between 24-30 months to increase timely medical intervention.

System draws power from daily temperature swings

A novel system, called a thermal resonator, converts daily temperature swings into electrical power. The device takes advantage of the ambient temperature fluctuations that occur during the day-night cycle, making it suitable for remote sensing systems without requiring batteries or other power sources.

Eye exams linked to kids' reading levels

A recent study from the University of Waterloo found that children with reading challenges may have lower than expected binocular vision test results, which could be compounding their academic difficulties. The study suggests that full eye examinations can be a valuable tool for identifying and addressing these issues.

Self-sampling identifies twice as many women at risk of cervical cancer

A new study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that self-sampling followed by HPV testing can identify twice as many women at risk of cervical cancer. This method also reaches women who have previously chosen not to participate, while reducing costs and increasing effectiveness.

Key to predicting climate change could be blowing in the wind, researchers find

A new study suggests that increased precipitation in the East Asian region led to erosion and the transport of dust into the North Pacific Ocean, which in turn fertilized the ocean surface waters, pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. This process may have contributed to a cooling of the Earth's climate 2.7 million years ago.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New stem-cell based stroke treatment repairs damaged brain tissue

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new stem-cell based treatment for stroke that reduces brain damage and accelerates the brain's natural healing tendencies. In preclinical studies, the treatment showed a 35% decrease in brain atrophy rates and a 50% reduction in brain tissue loss.

Hunting is changing forests, but not as expected

Researchers found that tree communities are reorganizing with saplings growing closer together, but long-term biodiversity and carbon storage implications unclear. The study challenges previous theories of devastating effects on plant communities and carbon storage.

Scientists unearth secrets of Sir Alexander Fleming's medical breakthroughs

Researchers at Newcastle University have identified how lysozyme and penicillin work together to cause recurrent infections, shedding light on why some patients become resistant to antibiotics. The study also reveals the formation of L-forms, bacteria that can grow in human tissue without cell walls, leading to recurring infections.

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.

Australian fire beetle avoids the heat

The Australian fire beetle uses its heat sensors to detect hot spots and avoid them when approaching a freshly burnt branch. The IR organs are relatively insensitive, and the beetles seem to rely on their sense of smell to detect forest fires.