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Science News Archive January 2018


Page 26 of 37

Cuttlefish hear bow wave of looming danger

Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can detect low-frequency vibrations from approaching predators, allowing them to avoid capture by swimming in the same direction as the water flow. In a controlled experiment, cuttlefish were found to be aware of the disturbance and changed their skin patterns in response.

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.

NASA team first to demonstrate X-ray navigation in space

A NASA team has demonstrated fully autonomous X-ray navigation in space, utilizing millisecond pulsars to precisely determine the location of an object moving at thousands of miles per hour. This technology offers a new option for deep-space navigation that could work in concert with existing spacecraft-based radio and optical systems.

New technology will create brain wiring diagrams

Researchers at Caltech developed TRACT, a method to visualize neural connections in real-time within living flies, enabling the creation of brain wiring diagrams. This technique could help scientists understand neurological and psychiatric conditions by monitoring neuronal connections in the brains of hundreds of flies daily.

The nanoscopic structure that locks up our genes

New research reveals heterochromatin is less dense than previously thought and features a velcro-like protein called HP1 that allows genes to be locked down. The study's findings have implications for understanding higher-order structures like nucleosome strings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Super-adsorbent MOF captures twice its weight in water

Researchers have developed a superporous solid that can absorb up to 200% of its own weight in atmospheric moisture, overcoming challenges of existing porous solids. The material, Cr- soc -MOF-1, maintains its structural integrity and performance over multiple water vapor adsorption-desorption cycles.

Tropical Cyclone Joyce soaking northwestern Australia coast

NASA's JPSS-1 satellite captured visible images of Tropical Cyclone Joyce as it moved south along the northwestern Australian coast on January 11. The cyclone had maximum sustained winds near 45 knots and was forecast to make landfall near Wallal Downs mid-day local time on January 12.

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.

Are women really under-represented in clinical trials?

A recent review of US Food and Drug Administration registration data reveals that the proportion of women participating in clinical trials gradually increases from phase 1 to phase 2/3 trials. The analysis of 38 drugs with over 185,000 trial participants shows no systemic significant under-representation of women.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Clothes make the woman: Less empathy towards women showing more skin

Researchers found that altering the clothing worn by actresses affected empathic responses, with reduced feelings towards objectified women and reduced brain activity in empathy-related areas. The study suggests a link between objectification and diminished emotional understanding.

Researchers engineer ultra-sensitive temperature sensor

Developed in Brazil, the device measures temperatures in a wide band between 80-750 kelvin using spectroscopy and has applications in manufacturing and biological processes. It can be used in electronic equipment identification and detection of viral or bacterial infections.

Hormone therapy may reduce eating disorder symptoms in transgender people

A study found that hormone therapy can alleviate eating disorder symptoms in transgender individuals, particularly those who identify as female. The research, which analyzed over 560 patients, suggests that hormone treatment improves body satisfaction and reduces perfectionism, anxiety, and depression.

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.

Developing a secure, un-hackable net

A new method of securely communicating between multiple quantum devices has been developed, enabling a large-scale, un-hackable quantum network. The approach uses quantum laws to ensure security and can work for any device, regardless of manufacturer, bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation.

All in the family: Focused genomic comparisons

A team of researchers sequenced and annotated the genomes of six Aspergillus species, identifying biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites of interest. The study highlights a new analysis method that pinpointed candidate genes for diverse compounds, providing potential tools for improving biofuel production.

Nurse staffing levels linked to patient satisfaction

Hospital patients believe inadequate nursing staff negatively impact their care experience. The study highlights the importance of sufficient nurse-to-patient ratios in improving patient satisfaction and overall hospital quality.

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.

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.

How the malarial parasite is evading our arsenal of drugs

Researchers identify hundreds of genetic changes that enable malaria parasite resistance to multiple drugs. The study provides insights into the development of drug-resistant strains, highlighting potential targets for novel treatment options.

Cell biology: Positioning the cleavage furrow

Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified a signaling pathway that restricts cleavage furrow formation to the mid-plane of the cell. This pathway involves the enzyme Aurora A, which is activated on astral microtubules and diffuses to the cell membrane at the poles to suppress contractile ring formation.

Evolution acceptance in children linked to aptitude, not belief

UK schoolchildren's evolution acceptance is linked to their scientific aptitude, not psychological conflicts with belief systems. The study found that lower-aptitude students struggled to understand science concepts and responded poorly to teaching on both evolution and genetics.

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.

James N. Moum selected as Fellow of The Oceanography Society

Dr. James N. Moum selected as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society for his outstanding contributions to widely used observational techniques and understanding of ocean mixing over a broad range of processes and scales. His work has elucidated the impact of turbulence on various spatial and temporal scales.

Cycling does not damage men's sexual or urinary functions

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that cycling does not negatively impact men's sexual and urinary health. Contrary to previous studies, recreational and intense cycling were shown to have no detrimental effects on erectile function or prostate health.

Re-programming innate immune cells to fight tuberculosis

A team of Canadian researchers has discovered a way to re-program innate immune cells to kill tuberculosis. The innovative work aims to make vaccines more effective against TB and other infectious diseases like the flu. By targeting stem cells in the bone marrow, scientists were able to boost the killing efficiency of macrophages.

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.

Experts raise concerns over raw meat diets for cats and dogs

A study published in Veterinary Record found that commercial raw meat diets (RMDs) are contaminated with zoonotic bacteria and parasites, which can be transmitted to humans. The research highlights the need for pet owners to be aware of these risks and take proper hygiene measures to minimize exposure.

Older adult-friendly emergency department staff help reduce hospital admissions

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults who received transitional care nurse (TCN) services at emergency departments had lower rates of hospital admissions compared to those who did not receive such services. The GEDI WISE program, which includes TCNs, helps patients transition to the...

UCLA scientists make cells that enable the sense of touch

Researchers have successfully coaxed human stem cells into becoming sensory interneurons, responsible for relaying information from throughout the body to the central nervous system. This breakthrough could lead to a cell-based treatment that restores sensation in paralyzed people without immune suppression.

Do less harm: E-cigarettes a safer option than smoking

A new study suggests that e-cigarettes can reduce premature deaths and life years lost compared to smoking, making them a promising alternative for smoking cessation. The authors argue that harm minimization is essential and that nicotine replacement therapies like gum or patches are more appealing but less effective.

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.

Biofilm buster treats drug-resistant infections

A team of scientists has developed SAAP-148, a compound that effectively targets and eliminates drug-resistant bacteria in biofilms. The peptide-based treatment shows promise in treating MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii infections, with plans for a clinical trial in 2018.

Research outlines the interconnected benefits of urban agriculture

Researchers have quantified the ecosystem benefits of urban agriculture at a global scale, estimating annual values of $33 billion in four ecosystem services. The study projects an annual food production of 100-180 million tons and energy savings of 14-15 billion kilowatt hours.

Fast radio burst source linked to 'extreme' environment

Astrophysicists have discovered that the only known repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source is in an extreme environment, with measurements suggesting it may be caused by a black hole or other extreme astrophysical circumstances. The new findings raise questions about whether FRBs are a product of their environment.

Factors affecting the success of grizzly bear translocations

The Journal of Wildlife Management study highlights the importance of timing and location in grizzly bear translocations. Researchers found that early spring releases in low-mortality-risk areas near rivers led to higher success rates, emphasizing the need for further scientific data collection and publication of translocation results.

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.

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.

Worldwide importance of honey bees for natural habitats captured in new report

A new report synthesizes global data to identify honey bees as the world's most important single species of pollinator in natural ecosystems. They are recorded in 89% of pollination networks in their native range and 61% in introduced regions, contributing to 1 out of 8 interactions between non-agricultural plants and pollinators.

Unexpected undulations in biological membranes

A new study reveals that biological membranes display dynamic properties and exhibit unexpected undulations when embedded in polymer networks. The authors propose a theory elucidating the dynamics of such membranes and identify a new intermediate wavelength regime of membrane undulations.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

The atomic dynamics of rare everlasting electric fields

Researchers at Duke University confirm theoretical model by blasting yttrium manganite sample with neutrons at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The study reveals the atomic mechanisms behind the material's rare electromagnetic properties, which could lead to breakthroughs in computing and sensor technology.

Earthquakes as a driver for the deep-ocean carbon cycle

Researchers used new dating methods to study dynamic sediment remobilisation processes triggered by seismic activity in the Japan Trench. The methods enabled precise analysis of organic matter in individual sediment layers, revealing key findings about the history of earthquakes and the carbon cycle in the deep ocean.

The LEC -- now an efficient and bright device

Researchers have developed LECs that emit bright light with a high brightness of 2,000 cd/m2 and an electron-to-photon efficiency of 27.5 percent, surpassing existing technologies like fluorescent tubes and LEDs. This breakthrough enables efficient and practical operation of LEC components in various fields.

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.