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Science News Archive February 2018


Page 9 of 36

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New insights on the neurobiology of dying

A new Annals of Neurology study investigated the mechanisms and timing of events in the brain and circulation during the dying process. The findings suggest that spreading depolarization marks the loss of stored energy in brain cells, leading to death, but also highlight its reversibility with restored circulation.

Metabolic modelling becomes three-dimensional

Researchers have developed the first three-dimensional computer model to represent human metabolic processes. This new tool, Recon3D, integrates structural data on over 4,000 metabolites and nearly 13,000 proteins, allowing for more accurate simulations of metabolic reactions and better understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's.

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.

Toenail fungus gives up sex to infect human hosts

Scientists found that Trichophyton rubrum nearly all belong to a single mating type and refuse to mate with others, even under various conditions. The fungus's high clonality may limit its ability to adapt, making it more susceptible to new antifungal medications.

Artificial intelligence can diagnose and triage retinal diseases

A new AI platform can diagnose two common retinal diseases and rate their severity with over 95% accuracy, as well as distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia. This technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes and increase access to care in remote areas.

Researchers develop new technology platform for cancer immunotherapy

The researchers developed a new class of bifunctional immunotherapeutic agents called Y-traps, which can target and disable multiple immune suppressive molecules. These Y-traps were found to be effective in inhibiting tumor growth and activating antitumor immunity, even against cancers that do not respond to existing immunotherapies.

When every fish counts

A study published in Conservation Genetics found that about a third of fish samples were misidentified as native delta smelt when using visual identification. Genetic analysis revealed 27% of the fish thought to be native delta smelt were actually non-native wakasagi.

Quantum recurrence: Everything goes back to the way it was

Researchers at TU Wien demonstrate Poincaré recurrence in a multi-particle quantum system, studying collective quantities such as coherence lengths and correlation functions. This breakthrough reveals the long-sought phenomenon of quantum recurrence, where systems return to their initial state over time.

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.

Women who suffer with SCAD may fare better with conservative care

A new scientific statement by a Mayo Clinic led team suggests that conservative treatment may be more effective for women with SCAD. The average age of women with SCAD ranges from 45 to 53 years, and it is the No. 1 cause of heart attack during pregnancy and in the period right after giving birth.

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.

Newly designed molecule binds nitrogen

A newly designed borylene molecule has been found to bind nitrogen at room temperature and normal air pressure, surpassing the capabilities of traditional catalysts like iron and molybdenum. This breakthrough may pave the way for a more energy-efficient method to convert nitrogen into ammonia.

Horse domestication revisited: Botai horses did not sire today's steeds

A genomic study of ancient and modern horses reveals that the Botai horses, who lived on Central Asian steppes 5,500 years ago, did not contribute to the modern domesticated horse population. However, seven Przewalski's horses, an endangered feral group, show a connection to the original Botai group.

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.

Moths in mud can uncover prehistoric secrets

Researchers have developed a new technique to study lake sediments, using moth scales to identify past and future insect outbreaks. This discovery can help improve knowledge of insect impact on forests, predictability, and links to climate change.

Scottish hospitals see slower decline in deaths

Researchers found that Scottish hospitals experienced a slower reduction in inpatient deaths, with 0.3% of patients dying in elective admissions and 6% in emergency admissions, compared to 0.1% and 4% in England. The study's authors call for further investigation into the reasons behind these differences.

Tracking dormant malaria

MIT researchers successfully grow dormant malaria parasites in engineered human liver tissue, allowing them to study the parasite's biology and vulnerabilities. The team also sequenced the parasite's RNA transcriptome, paving the way for new antimalarial drugs.

Gene expression study may help guide Arthritis care

Researchers identified distinct patterns in gene expression in synovial tissue samples, revealing differences in pain mechanisms among rheumatoid arthritis patients. These findings may help clinicians develop targeted treatment strategies for patients with minimal inflammation but high disease activity scores.

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.

The global footprint of fisheries

A team of scientists from UCSB and Global Fishing Watch analyzed satellite data to track the movements and activities of over 70,000 commercial fishing vessels worldwide. Their findings reveal that cultural patterns and politics play a significant role in shaping fishing practices, while natural cycles such as fish migrations are less ...

Adherence to sleep apnea treatment affects risk of hospital readmission

A study of patients with obstructive sleep apnea found that non-adherent patients were three times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for any cause. Non-adherence to CPAP therapy is a significant risk factor for hospital readmissions, particularly cardiovascular events.

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.

New insight into how magma feeds volcanic eruptions

Researchers created a scaled-down model of an active volcanic plumbing system to study magma flow through dykes. The novel experimental setup revealed the simultaneous measurement of fluid flow, sub-surface deformation during magma ascent, challenging existing thinking on magma flow.

How the 'I approve' tagline boosts nasty political ads

Researchers found that adding the tagline to policy-based attack ads makes them more believable and gives voters a more positive view of the candidate who endorses it. The effect is substantial, with partisanship having a comparable impact.

Less expensive, post-acute care options for seniors underutilized

A study by UT Southwestern researchers found that only half of older adults are transferred to long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities due to illness severity or complexity. Many others are sent based on hospital preferences and regional trends, potentially leaving them eligible for less expensive post-acute care settings.

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.

Gut microbes protect against sepsis: Mouse study

Researchers discovered that gut bacteria stimulate serum IgA responses that offer protection against bacterial sepsis. The study found mice with Proteobacteria-rich microbiota survived longer after sepsis, while those without IgA antibodies died quickly.

Neanderthals were artistic like modern humans, study indicates

Scientists have discovered the first major evidence that Neanderthals created the world's oldest known cave paintings, dating back over 64,000 years. The findings suggest that Neanderthals had an artistic sense similar to that of modern humans and were capable of symbolic thinking.

Infants are able to learn abstract rules visually

Researchers at Northwestern University found that infants as young as 3 months old can detect and generalize visual patterns, solving a puzzle about their cognitive abilities. The study demonstrates that infants are capable of learning abstract rules visually, indicating an early origin in infancy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Kids with chronic kidney disease have lower IQs and poorer educational outcomes

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience deficits in academic skills, visual and verbal memory, and executive function, according to a new study. The analysis of 34 studies found that CKD patients have an average IQ 10 points lower than healthy children, with those on dialysis showing an even greater decline.

Fertility breakthrough: New research could extend egg health with age

Researchers at Princeton University have identified a drug that can extend egg viability in worms, which could theoretically increase women's reproductive lifespan. The study suggests that the drug could help slow age-related decline in egg quality and potentially extend fertility by three to six years.

How spacecraft testing enabled bone marrow research

The development of freezing techniques for bone marrow, pioneered by NASA engineer Tom Williams, has revolutionized transplant medicine. The technique allows donor marrow to be transported over long distances without cell death.

Rare first moment of stellar explosion captured by amateur astronomer

A team of researchers validated theoretical predictions about the initial evolution of stellar explosions using data from a rare supernova captured by an amateur astronomer. The study found that the rapid brightening rate and low luminosity of SN 2016gkg supported models predicting shock emergence during the explosion.

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.

Low-calorie diet enhances intestinal regeneration after injury

A low-calorie diet has been shown to enhance intestinal regeneration after injury in mice, with reserve stem cells playing a key role. The study found that calorie restriction expanded reserve stem cells five-fold and improved their ability to regenerate tissue, implicating them as critical players in this process.

Finnish research group discovers a new immune system regulator

A new regulator of the immune system has been identified by a Finnish research group, with potential implications for treating both cancer and immune-mediated diseases. HIC1 protein controls the expression of genes contributing to T cell function and regulates immune response.

Tension-free vaginal tape found effective for treating urinary incontinence

A long-term study published in BJU International found that tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is a highly effective option for treating urinary incontinence. TVT surgery involves placing a mesh tape under the urethra to prevent accidental urine release, with high cure rates reported at 17 years after surgery.

Can surgery and anaesthesia affect memory?

A study of 312 participants who had surgery and 652 participants who did not found that surgery was associated with a decline in immediate memory by one point out of 30 possible test scores. Additionally, reduced working memory decline was linked to longer cumulative operations.

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.

Invasion of the body-snatching fungus

Researchers have documented a strange relationship between periodical cicadas and a fungus called Massospora cicadina that hijacks their behavior and causes them to spread the fungus' spores. The infected cicadas exhibit unusual behaviors, such as wing flicking and attempting to mate with uninfected females.

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.

Study in mice suggests personalized stem cell treatment may offer relief for MS

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have shown that skin cells re-programmed into brain stem cells can help reduce inflammation and repair damage caused by multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that using a patient's own skin cells could provide a personalized route to treating chronic inflammatory diseases like MS.

Imaging individual flexible DNA 'building blocks' in 3-D

Berkeley Lab researchers generate 3-D images of 129 DNA structures, revealing the dynamics and flexibility of DNA origami particles. The method used provides a new strategy for improving control over large DNA scaffolds by redesigning DNA sequences near joints to stiffen the structure.