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Science News Archive January 2018


Page 10 of 37

Physicists have learned to change the wavelength of Tamm plasmons

Researchers from Siberian Federal University and L. V. Kirensky Institute of Physics predicted the structure to control Tamm plasmon wavelength using external fields or heating. They achieved a hybrid Tamm plasmon by incorporating a liquid crystal layer in a multilayer mirror, enabling color change through heating or electrification.

MMV malaria box phenotyped against plasmodium and toxoplasma

Researchers from Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) and CSIR-National Chemical Laboratories (NCL) completed phenotypic screening of the MMV Malaria Box against Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, identifying 24 molecules with nanomolar potency against both parasites.

Drug may help those with dementia with Lewy bodies

Researchers found that adding zonisamide to levodopa improved movement symptoms in people with dementia with Lewy bodies without worsening psychiatric symptoms. The study, published in Neurology, suggests a potential new treatment option for this debilitating condition.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Primordial oceans had oxygen 250 million years before the atmosphere

Oceans contained plentiful oxygen long before its accumulation in the atmosphere, providing energy-rich habitat for early life. Researchers used computer models to simulate chemical reactions in ancient ocean sediments and compared results with data from ancient rocks and seawater.

Cancer immunotherapy found safe in patients with rheumatologic diseases

A single-center study found that cancer immunotherapy is safe for patients with rheumatologic diseases, with only a minority experiencing adverse effects. The treatment was successfully administered to all six affected patients, paving the way for its use in select groups with pre-existing conditions.

Genetic ancestry test beats self-reports in predicting bleeding stroke risk

A genetic ancestry test more accurately identified patients at risk for bleeding stroke than traditional self-reports of race or ethnicity, according to a new study. The test was particularly effective in identifying four known risk factors for stroke, including diabetes and high blood pressure, in black and Hispanic populations.

People with tetraplegia gain rapid use of brain-computer interface

Researchers developed a one-step process to enable peak BCI performance within three minutes, allowing users to control computer cursors just by imagining movement. The new approach streamlines calibration and reduces expert intervention, bringing the system closer to clinical availability.

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.

Coyotes and red foxes may coexist within urban landscapes

Researchers found that coyotes preferred natural areas with high proportions of open space, while red foxes selected moderately developed areas. This spatial partitioning may promote coexistence between the two species in urban landscapes. The study's findings have implications for wildlife management in human-dominated environments.

Decoding the axolotl genome

Researchers have sequenced the axolotl genome, the largest genome ever to be decoded, to study molecular basis of regrowing limbs and other forms of regeneration. The analysis discovered several genes that are expressed in regenerating limb tissue and revealed key roles for PAX3 and PAX7 genes in muscle and neural development.

Ultrathin needle can deliver drugs directly to the brain

A team of MIT researchers has created a miniaturized system that can deliver tiny quantities of medicine to specific brain regions, allowing for more precise treatment of neurological disorders. The device consists of several tubes contained within a needle and can deliver targeted doses with precise control.

Tidal cycles could help predict volcanic eruptions, study suggests

Researchers found a correlation between seismic tremor and lunar cycles before a surprise eruption of Ruapehu volcano in 2007. The study suggests that tidal forces could provide advanced warning of certain types of volcanic eruptions, which are otherwise hard to predict.

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.

Discount distortions

A new study finds that the 340B Drug Pricing Program, aimed at boosting resources for hospitals treating low-income patients, has not delivered on its promise. Instead, participating hospitals have administered more lucrative drugs and treated more Medicare patients in certain specialties, but failed to invest profits in safety net cli...

Rare traces of a volatile gas

A new measurement technology has enabled scientists to determine nitrogen oxide concentrations in the ocean for the first time in 30 years. Low oxygen levels are linked to NO production, according to a recent study published in Deep-Sea Research Part II.

Wisdom at the end of life

Researchers studied hospice patients' perceptions of wisdom, finding it to be a continuous recalibration between accepting illness and wanting to grow and change. Participants emphasized the importance of acceptance, gratitude, and positivity in their final days.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers confirm link between flu and heart attack

Researchers at ICES and PHO found a significant association between acute respiratory infections, particularly influenza, and acute myocardial infarction. The risk is higher for older adults, patients with influenza B infections, and those experiencing their first heart attack.

Unexpected helpers in wound healing

Peripheral nerve cells change their identity and distribute factors that support wound closure, reconstitution of the dermis, and chronic wound healing. Researchers found reprogrammed nerve cells in human skin wounds, which may lead to an effective treatment for chronic wounds.

Infants recognize foreign languages as a form of communication

Infants can generalize beyond their native language to recognize that all languages can allow people to communicate. By 12 months, infants understand that non-native languages can transfer information to others, even if they don't understand the words themselves.

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.

NIH begins large HIV treatment study in pregnant women

The study aims to evaluate the current preferred first-line regimen for pregnant women recommended by WHO and two newer drug regimens containing dolutegravir. It will provide data on the use of these newer drugs during pregnancy, helping to ensure that women living with HIV and their infants receive the best available treatments.

Chasing dark matter with the oldest stars in the Milky Way

An international team of astrophysicists has provided the first clue to the speed of dark matter, finding that it matches the movement of the least heavy metal-rich stars. This breakthrough could help shed light on why direct detection experiments have failed to detect dark matter particles.

Predator control can have unintended consequences

Research found that dingo removal decreased abundance of small mammals, while fox removal increased ground-dwelling and arboreal mammal populations. The study also revealed interactions between predators and their effects on cat populations.

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.

How smelly is your rubbish?

Scientists at the University of Córdoba have devised a new system to analyse the smell generated during composting using NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. The method provides a fast and economical means of evaluating odour emission rates, potentially mitigating the odorous impact of composting.

How a computer program can prevent a terrorist attack

A newly funded project aims to create a data-driven tool to identify individuals headed toward violent extremism. The computational tool will monitor and screen for proven risk indicators of radicalization among large databases.

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.

Engineers create new architecture for vaporizable electronics

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new transient electronics architecture that can remotely vaporize itself, offering benefits for data protection and environmental monitoring. The technology uses radio waves to trigger a thermal reaction, releasing chemicals that decompose the electronics.

American Stroke Association honors 10 for outstanding stroke research

The American Stroke Association honored 10 scientists and researchers for their significant contributions to stroke research, including Joanna Wardlaw, Walter Koroshetz, Jun Chen, and others. The award recognizes their work in investigating and managing clinical stroke science, basic stroke research, and more.

Record jump in 2014-2016 global temperatures largest since 1900

The study found that extreme weather events worldwide coincided with the temperature spike, and natural variability in the climate system was not sufficient to explain it. Researchers projected that record-breaking temperature jumps and accompanying extreme weather events will become more frequent unless greenhouse gas emissions decline.

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.

Lyosomes and mitochondria chat each other up in cell

Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that mitochondria and lysosomes directly contact each other in cells to regulate their functions. This rare finding has important implications for understanding normal aging and diseases such as Parkinson's and cancer.

Fat cat? Here's how much to feed to lose weight

A new study from the University of Illinois explains what it takes to get a cat to slim down, targeting a safe level of weight loss and maintaining lean mass. The researchers found that reducing food intake by 20% compared to a maintenance diet was necessary to achieve this goal.

Many stroke survivors don't receive timely rehab

Researchers found that many stroke patients don't receive rehabilitation services after hospital discharge, with over half of those referred to home health not receiving it. Non-white patients were also less likely to receive outpatient therapy, highlighting a significant gap in care and disparities in treatment.

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.

Tracking wastewater's path to wells, groundwater

Researchers found that artificial sweeteners in wastewater can indicate contamination of groundwater with septic system pollutants. The study suggests regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems and well water testing are necessary to ensure safe drinking water.

A new ecosystem approach to fight antibiotic resistance

The DRIVE-AB consortium recommends a market entry reward of $1 billion per antibiotic globally to increase innovative antibiotic development and sustainable use. The report estimates up to 16-20 new antibiotics could be developed in the next 30 years, addressing priority pathogens identified by the WHO.

Social media use linked to lack of sleep in students

A study published in Acta Paediatrica found that Canadian students aged 11-20 who used social media for at least one hour per day were more likely to get too little sleep. The study suggests that prolonged screen time on electronic devices can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to sleep deprivation.

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.

Vitamin C in the body can be tracked by fluorescence

Researchers at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a new probe to track vitamin C levels in the body using fluorescence. This breakthrough allows for precise monitoring of ascorbic acid concentrations, which has potential applications in cancer treatment.

India-made rotavirus vaccine achieves World Health Organization prequalification

The World Health Organization has prequalified the India-made rotavirus vaccine ROTAVAC, which will be available for procurement by UN agencies and Gavi for use in low-resource countries. The vaccine is the result of a unique social innovation partnership between Indian and international researchers, public, and private sectors.

Is your sandwich bad for the environment?

Researchers at the University of Manchester found that sandwiches with pork, cheese, or prawns have the highest carbon emissions, while homemade sandwiches can reduce emissions by a half. The study suggests extending sell-by dates and reducing ingredients like cheese and meat to minimize waste.

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.

Link found between genes in mosquitos and the spread of diseases

Researchers discovered a connection between genetic tRNA fragments in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and their ability to spread dengue fever and other diseases. This finding could lead to targeted approaches to controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.

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.