Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2018 - Page 8


Page 8 of 36

Study: Police use of force is rare, as are significant injuries to suspects

A multi-site study found that police use of force is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all calls and arrests. Most significant injuries were associated with firearms and dogs, while conducted electrical weapons like Tasers were rarely used in force incidents.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·DateFeb 23, 2018
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.

Scientists take step toward safer batteries by trimming lithium branches

Scientists at Shinshu University have discovered a way to curb the dangers of lithium ion batteries by adding magnesium salt, which prevents dendritic branching and improves electrochemical stability. The goal is to create high-capacity batteries with improved reversibility for widespread use in electric vehicles.

SourceShinshu University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateFeb 23, 2018

New link between gut bacteria and obesity

Researchers at Lund University found that certain amino acids in blood are connected to obesity and gut microbiome composition. The study analyzed 674 participants and identified metabolites linked to BMI, including glutamate and BCAA, which interact with intestinal bacteria.

SourceLund University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 23, 2018

US hospitals testing experimental therapies to prevent two common bacterial infections

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is supporting clinical trials testing monoclonal antibodies as preventive therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections. The trials aim to prevent pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, two bacteria posing a significant threat to human health.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 23, 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.

SwRI scientist helps characterize water on lunar surface

A Southwest Research Institute scientist contributed to a study indicating water and/or hydroxyl may be more prevalent on the Moon's surface than previously thought. The research used multiple instruments and investigations to better characterize the inferred measurements of water, suggesting it is present under wider ranging conditions.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 23, 2018

How does GEOS-5-based planetary boundary layer height and humidity vary across China?

Research found that GEOS-5-assimilated planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and relative humidity (RH) vary significantly across China's four regions, with Tibetan Plateau having the highest PBLH values and South China the lowest RH. Seasonal variations also played a crucial role in shaping these patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2018

Crop-saving soil tests now at farmers' fingertips

Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new method for soil pathogen analysis that is portable, fast and inexpensive. This breakthrough technology allows farmers to detect disease-causing pathogens in their soil quickly and make informed decisions about treatments or management changes before planting.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateFeb 23, 2018
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.

Proxima Centauri's no good, very bad day

A team of astronomers discovered a massive stellar flare from Proxima Centauri, which raises questions about the habitability of its exoplanetary neighbor, Proxima b. The flare, detected by ALMA, was 10 times brighter than our Sun's largest flares and could have sterilized the surface of Proxima b.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 23, 2018

Study tracks evolutionary transition to destructive cancer

A new study examines the evolutionary dynamics of cancer development in Barrett's Esophagus patients, revealing influences that lead some cells to remain stable while others become cancerous. The research provides insights into the genetic and chromosomal variations that predict progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 23, 2018

Looking for an off switch for celiac disease

Researchers at Stanford have discovered how a disease-associated protein gets inactivated, potentially paving the way for new treatments for celiac disease. The discovery of ERp57, an enzyme that re-forms a disulfide bond to turn off TG2, raises questions about its functions in healthy people and could lead to targeted therapies.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 23, 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.

The 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds

A team of researchers from NYU Shanghai and NYU found that the 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds. This is because imagery and perception activate the same auditory brain areas, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to actual loudness perception.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 23, 2018

Short-term use of IV devices is common -- and risky -- study shows

A new study reveals that nearly one in four PICC placements are made for less than five days, resulting in complications such as blocked lines, infections, blood clots, and serious kidney problems. This raises concerns about the risks associated with short-term IV device use.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2018

Combating sulphuric acid corrosion at wastewater plants

Researchers from Graz University of Technology have developed a holistic solution using geopolymer concrete to resist microbial induced concrete corrosion (MICC), a common issue in wastewater treatment facilities. This approach has shown promising results in reducing the lifespan of damaged systems and extending their service life.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalWater Research·DateFeb 23, 2018

Kids from low-income areas fare worse after heart surgery, finds study

A national study of over 86,000 kids with congenital heart disease found that children from low-income neighborhoods had a higher mortality rate and higher hospital costs after heart surgery compared to those from higher-income neighborhoods. The disparity persisted even after accounting for race, insurance, and disease severity.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 23, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA's SDO reveals how magnetic cage on the Sun stopped solar eruption

Scientists used NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to study a massive sunspot group and found that a magnetic cage prevented a coronal mass ejection (CME) from erupting. The model showed that the conflict between the magnetic rope and cage led to a powerful X-class flare instead.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateFeb 23, 2018

A specific new ELISA method for analyzing cetuximab

A highly sensitive and selective ELISA for cetuximab determination in human plasma samples has been developed. The assay limit of detection was 0.0015 μg/mL and the effective working dynamic range was 0.005-6.25 μg/mL.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Analysis·DateFeb 23, 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.

NIH launches international study of AMD progression

The NIH-led AMD Ryan Initiative Study (ARIS) will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers aim to identify biomarkers of disease progression and develop therapies to halt its progression.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·DateFeb 23, 2018

Model based on hydrothermal sources evaluate possibility of life Jupiter's icy moon

Researchers compared the conditions on Europa with those of a terrestrial environment, finding similarities with a deep subterranean mine where bacteria survive without sunlight. They propose that radioactivity in Europa's crust could lead to chemical imbalances and potentially support life.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 23, 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.

Developing reliable quantum computers

A team of researchers has developed a statistical approach to identify characteristic signatures across unmeasurable probability distributions in quantum computers. This breakthrough could help predict the behavior of photons in optical arrangements and differentiate between various particle types, bringing us closer to solving the cer...

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2018

The battle for spinach

Washington State University researchers are working on developing resistant spinach varieties against Fusarium wilt, a devastating disease that has been crippling farmers' crops in the Pacific Northwest. The team is testing over 600 varieties of spinach and studying their DNA to find genetic markers that reveal natural resistance.

SourceWashington State University·DateFeb 22, 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.

New symmetry-breaking method opens way for bioactive compounds

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new desymmetrization strategy to access chiral building blocks containing urea sub-structures. The method uses a non-chiral cyclopropane precursor and an engineered copper catalyst to selectively form the desired enantiomer.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 22, 2018

Extinct lakes of the American desert west

Research reveals two distinct periods of lake existence in the region, with increased precipitation driving formation during warmer periods. The study's findings suggest a potential analogue for future climate change and highlight the importance of understanding El Niño-driven precipitation patterns in arid regions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Basque researchers turn light upside down

Researchers created a hyperbolic metasurface using boron nitride that produces concave wavefronts with infrared light, revolutionizing the miniaturization of sensing and signal processing devices. The team overcame fabrication challenges to achieve precision structuring on the nanometer scale.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018
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.

Stiffness matters

Research by Prof. Dr. Prasad Shastri at the University of Freiburg found that cancer cell membrane stiffness affects nanoparticle internalization; increasing stiffness enhances polymer nanoparticle entry through pathways rich in cholesterol.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalSmall·DateFeb 22, 2018

Loops, loops, and more loops: This is how your DNA gets organized

Researchers from Delft University and EMBL Heidelberg witness the formation of DNA loops by a single protein complex called condensin, resolving a heated debate. The process involves condensin reeling in DNA to form loops, which are then extruded to compact the genome.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

UCLA scientists use color-coded tags to discover how heart cells develop

Researchers discovered that most new cardiomyocytes come from cardiac progenitor cells during early embryonic development, but this ability fades as mice mature. The study's findings could lead to methods for regenerating heart tissue after a heart attack.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018
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.

Decoding the structure of huntingtin

Scientists have decoded the three-dimensional molecular structure of the healthy human huntingtin protein, enabling its functional analysis. This breakthrough could contribute to the development of new treatments for Huntington's disease.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2018

Age and gender matter behind the wheel -- but not how you might expect

A UCLA study found that male teens outperform older men in driving skills, while sports participation improves driving abilities among both males and females. The researchers propose expanding safety training to all new drivers, regardless of age or gender, to reduce traffic accidents and save lives.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 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.

Causing inflammation to run out of fuel

A study published in Nature Communications found that an oxygen sensor in the body reduces inflammation by activating HIF-1α, which inhibits excessive immune responses. This molecular mechanism could lead to new approaches for treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018

CU scientists' discovery could speed clinical translation of stem cell therapies

Researchers at CU Anschutz have discovered a new approach to reprogramming adult skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new corrective stem cell-based therapies for currently incurable diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018

Neanderthals thought like we do

Researchers used Uranium-Thorium dating to determine the age of cave art in Spain, finding it was created by Neanderthals over 64,000 years ago, predating modern human arrival in Europe. This discovery suggests that Neanderthals shared symbolic thinking and cognitive abilities with early Homo sapiens.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 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.

Seasonal patterns in the Amazon explained

Researchers combined fieldwork and computational models with satellite images to shed light on seasonal patterns in the Amazon. They found that biological processes, such as leaf growth and shedding, are more complex than previously thought, influencing canopy greenness.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNew Phytologist·DateFeb 22, 2018

A look at the space between mouse brain cells

Researchers have developed a new imaging paradigm to study the extracellular space between brain cells, revealing its complex and dynamic nature. The technique, called SUSHI, provides high-quality 3D reconstructions of brain tissue and has the potential to improve drug delivery within the brain.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateFeb 22, 2018

UBC engineers advance the capability of wearable tech

Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus create ultra-stretchable sensor with high sensitivity and durability, suitable for monitoring muscle movement, heart rate, and other bio-signals. The device is capable of sensing and understanding complex human motion, including infinitesimal movements like a heartbeat or finger twitch.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateFeb 22, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New mutant coral symbiont alga able to switch symbiosis off

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a new mutant coral symbiont alga that enables the control of symbiotic relationships with its host. The discovery provides a powerful tool for studying coral-algal endosymbiosis and sheds light on mechanisms for maintaining stable symbiosis.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 22, 2018

Promising treatment for Ebola to be tested at Texas Biomed

Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are set to test the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp, which showed a 91% probability of preventing mortality in a previous study. The trial is part of a $2 million contract with Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. and aims to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·DateFeb 22, 2018