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Science News Archive January 2018


Page 27 of 37

Giant extinct burrowing bat discovered in New Zealand

A team of scientists has discovered a new species of giant extinct burrowing bat in New Zealand, dating back to the Miocene era. The fossilized remains of Vulcanops jennyworthyae were found near St Bathans, with estimates suggesting it was three times the size of an average bat today.

Bridging tumor moats with potent drug delivery particles

Scientists create nanoparticles that can penetrate extracellular matrix surrounding tumors, delivering chemotherapies specifically to cancer cells. The 'protocell' nanoparticle overcomes previous limitations by carving through the matrix and releasing drugs in acidic cell interiors, showing promise for treating solid tumors.

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.

The origin of flower-making genes

Research reveals that MADS-box genes in moss control sperm motility and cell division, critical for fertilization. The findings suggest that these genes may have been reused by flowering plants to evolve new functions.

Extremely bright and fast light emission

Researchers discovered that caesium lead halide nanocrystals emit light at room temperature after just one nanosecond, making them faster and brighter than other quantum dots. This is due to their unique excited energy state, which allows for immediate light emission, unlike traditional quantum dots that rely on a dark state.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Large-scale study to pinpoint genes linked to obesity

A large-scale study published in Nature Genetics identified 13 genes associated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity. The study found that genetic variations in these genes can affect the function of the genes and their proteins, leading to weight gain or loss. The researchers hope that this discovery will lead to personalized treatm...

New discovery may explain winter weight gain

A breakthrough study by University of Alberta researchers found that fat cells near the skin shrink when exposed to blue light from the sun, reducing fat storage. This discovery may contribute to a new understanding of how our bodies regulate fat production and metabolism.

Could melatonin be the key to healthy aging?

Research suggests that melatonin treatments can improve sleep quality, physical health, and mental well-being in older adults. Melatonin deficiency is associated with decreased circadian system robustness and increased risks of age-related diseases.

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 future of grocery shopping: Faster, cheaper, smaller

A study by Case Western Reserve University reveals Aldi's success lies in limiting product choice and targeting price-conscious consumers with a single supplier for most products, resulting in higher sales growth (15%) compared to Walmart (2%)

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.

Webb Telescope's Houston highlights

The James Webb Space Telescope underwent critical cryogenic testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ensuring it will safely reach its orbit and perform its science mission. The telescope was subjected to a range of tests, including alignment checks and simulations of starlight detection.

Making the Internet of Things possible with a new breed of 'memristors'

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new breed of 'memristors' that can store data for more than 10 years without power and work with low voltages. These ferroelectric tunnel junctions have the potential to revolutionize neuromorphic computing and enable efficient IoT processing.

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.

Intoxicatingly light sensitive

Scientists at ETH Zurich have synthesised four variants of THC that can be altered with light, offering a potential tool for controlling and influencing CB1 receptors. These light-sensitive THC derivatives were tested in living cell cultures and found to activate and deactivate the receptors using specific wavelengths of light.

New research improves our understanding of cancer cell regulation

A team of cancer researchers has made a significant contribution to our understanding of cancer cell regulation, which could lead to improved cancer treatments. The study focuses on kinases, proteins that influence cancer cell growth and development, and identifies new strategies for killing cancer cells.

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.

ASU astronomers to build space telescope to explore nearby stars

The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) mission aims to monitor the flares and sunspots of small, cool stars, known as M dwarfs, to assess their habitability for planets. The spacecraft will use ultraviolet-sensitive detectors to study how stellar activity affects planetary environments.

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.

Cancer patients given fluids live longer

A recent study has found that cancer patients given fluids at the end-of-life stage live significantly longer than those who don't receive such treatment. This results in an average of one-and-a-half more days of life, as well as better symptom control and minimal side effects.

Two simple tests could help to pinpoint cause of stroke

Researchers developed a new approach to detecting the cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the deadliest form of stroke. Combining a blood test with a brain scan can accurately spot cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a condition linked to ICH and increased risk of further strokes and dementia.

New app motivates type 2 diabetes patients to be more active

A new app developed by researchers at University of Utah Health aims to motivate type 2 diabetes patients to increase physical activity. The interactive simulation tool helps patients understand the impact of exercise on blood sugar levels, leading to increased motivation and plans for more exercise.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

'Sniffing' out counterfeit liquors

A portable device can identify liquors and determine if they've been altered, offering a strategy for liquor quality assurance. The device uses an advanced sensor array that can detect various scotch whiskies, bourbon, rye, brandy and vodka with greater than 99 percent accuracy.

NASA's newly renamed Swift Mission spies a comet slowdown

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has detected a comet's rotation period slow by more than 10 times in just 60 days, revealing light variations associated with material recently ejected into the coma. The comet's small size and high water production suggest that more than half of its surface area contains sunlight-activated jets.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New depth limit for deep-sea marine burrows

Scientists discovered fossil evidence of deep-sea marine life burrowing up to eight meters below the seabed, which is four times deeper than previously thought. The findings suggest that deep-sea burrowing marine life may be more abundant than previously considered.

New HSS study finds hope in understanding and better treating scleroderma

A new study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers suggests that plasmacytoid dendritic cells play a key role in causing fibrosis and inflammation in scleroderma patients. The study's findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, also identify a potential target for treatment: the TLR8 receptor on the surface of these cells.

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.

The ecological costs of war: Conflict a consistent killer of African megafauna

A recent study found that conflict in Africa's protected areas has led to a consistent decline in large mammal populations. Despite severe impacts, these populations rarely collapse and can recover with the right policies and resources. The research suggests that avoiding even low-level conflicts is crucial for conservation efforts.

Lifestyle biomarkers investigated in prostate cancer survivors

A clinical trial investigates whether dietary and exercise interventions can decrease AGEs, which have been linked to cancer, in prostate cancer survivors. Preliminary data suggest that AGEs may be a better biomarker for lifestyle changes than previously used markers.

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.

Higher-ranked colleges don't necessarily provide a better educational experience

A recent study published in The Review of Higher Education reveals that institutional rankings have little to no relationship with student engagement, a key indicator of collegiate quality. Despite their high ranks, students at higher-profile institutions reported fewer interactions with faculty and lower levels of engagement.

Stigma continues to hamper response to opioid epidemic

The American health care system must address the stigma associated with opioid use disorder to effectively treat the nation's opioid epidemic. Opioid prevention and treatment efforts remain hindered by federal restrictions, addiction stigma, and chronic pain management limitations.