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Science News Archive July 2018 - Page 35


Page 35 of 38

A bright and vibrant future for seismology

Researchers at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have developed a new method using fiber-optic cables to detect earthquakes and other ground movements. The technique reveals structural features in the underground with unprecedented resolution, outperforming existing seismological networks worldwide.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 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.

Spearfishing makes fishes more timid

Researchers found that fish adjust their escape behavior and keep a safe distance outside the shooting range when a speargun is present. The level of timidity varies depending on the size of the fish, type of diver, and location within protected areas.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateJul 3, 2018

New clues to sepsis may speed diagnosis

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a potential link between microRNAs and sepsis, identifying two molecules that silence inflammatory gene expression. These biomarkers could help diagnose patients at risk of organ failure and death, allowing for faster treatment and potentially saving lives.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJul 3, 2018

Personality pressure

A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that natural selection can favor different personality types in lizards, affecting their behavior and survival. In the experiment, bold lizards were found to survive longer when predators were present, but their mortality increased when predators were absent.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2018

Testosterone causes men to desire luxury goods

Researchers discovered that men with higher levels of testosterone have a stronger preference for luxury brands, such as Calvin Klein jeans over Levi's. This is because testosterone promotes behaviors associated with status-seeking and status-protecting, similar to animal behaviors like aggression.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

Scientists identify mechanism that may explain why males are more at risk than females for neurodevelopmental disorders

Researchers have identified O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) as a key molecule responsible for the sex-specific patterns of gene expression. High levels of H3K27me3 in the female placenta produce resilience to stress, which may explain why females are less susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders than males.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 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.

New tools used to identify childhood cancer genes

A new computational strategy using Bayesian analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 screening technology has identified 29 genetic changes contributing to rhabdomyosarcoma, a common childhood cancer. The study suggests potential treatments for the disease and provides a general approach for identifying oncogenic drivers in other cancers.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 3, 2018

More than 8 million babies born from IVF since the world's first in 1978

Since the world's first test-tube baby was born in 1978, over 8 million babies have been conceived through IVF, with a record 157,449 babies born in Europe in 2015. European pregnancy rates for IVF and ICSI have stabilized at around 36%, while egg donation treatments have seen significant rises, with pregnancy rates now at about 50%.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 3, 2018

NASA's NuSTAR mission proves superstar Eta Carinae shoots cosmic rays

The study using data from NASA's NuSTAR space telescope reveals that Eta Carinae accelerates particles to high energies, some of which may reach Earth as cosmic rays. The team's analysis suggests that the accelerated electrons and other particles are ejected in violent shock waves along the boundary of the colliding stellar winds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 3, 2018

Study shows where brain transforms seeing into acting

A new study at MIT's Picower Institute found that the posterior parietal cortex plays a crucial role in converting vision into action. The research team identified specific neurons in this region that respond to visual patterns and motor actions, suggesting a key link between seeing and acting.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Smarter, safer bridges with Sandia sensors

Researchers equip a US bridge with sensors that can detect cracks and alert maintenance engineers, increasing supervision of critical areas and extending structure lifetimes. The system uses Comparative Vacuum Monitoring sensors that can detect tiny cracks smaller than the thickness of a dime.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJul 3, 2018

Consciousness is partly preserved during general anesthesia

Research study found that consciousness is not fully lost during general anesthesia, with brain processing words and sounds even when subjects do not recall them. The study used EEG and PET to monitor changes caused by anaesthetics.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalAnesthesiology·DateJul 3, 2018

Spraying efficiently: Breaking up is hard to do

By modeling the breakup of an oscillating stream of liquid, researchers have gleaned a better understanding of how sprays form. The study found that an oscillating stream breaks into a wider spray of finer droplets than a straight jet, improving fuel-air mixing efficiency.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJul 3, 2018

Can citizen science reverse the extinction of experience?

A study suggests that nature-based citizen science can reverse the 'extinction of experience' by fostering cognitive and emotional connections to nature. Citizen science programs increase participants' knowledge, skills, interest in and curiosity about nature, leading to positive behavioral changes.

SourceNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJul 3, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

When oil and water mix

A new paper by Daniel J. Soeder and Douglas B. Kent summarizes the environmental impacts of shale development, providing a balanced understanding of fracking's merits and demerits. The study addresses various potential impacts of fracking, offering insights for non-geoscientists and experts alike.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJul 3, 2018

Breakthrough synthesis strategy could mean wave of new medicinal compounds

Researchers at Florida State University develop novel, modular scheme for producing large quantities of 5-8-5 ring structure, opening door to new medicinal compounds. The simplified methodology could aid scientists in understanding potential medicinal properties of synthetic products.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalChemical Science·DateJul 3, 2018

Feeling young could mean your brain is aging more slowly

Researchers found that elderly people who feel younger than their age show fewer signs of brain aging and have increased gray matter volume in key brain regions. This suggests that caring for brain health may be important for those who feel older than their age.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

The impact of the sugar tax in Chile: A bittersweet success?

A new study reveals that Chile's sugar tax led to a significant decrease in the purchase volume of sugary soft drinks, particularly among high socioeconomic groups. However, the reduction was statistically insignificant for low-income groups, suggesting that further evaluations are needed to address socioeconomic inequalities.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Testosterone increases men's preference for status goods

A study published in Nature Communications found that testosterone increases men's preference for luxury products associated with high social status, rather than power or quality. The research team tested 243 male participants and found a causal link between testosterone levels and increased liking for status-enhancing goods.

SourceINSEAD·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

New insight into the maturation of miRNAs

A research team has used an integrated structural biological approach to elucidate the maturation of a cancer-causing microRNA in gene regulation. Understanding this process may help develop new therapies for cancer treatment.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

Infrared NASA image reveals Hurricane Fabio's power

Hurricane Fabio's cloud top temperatures reached as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storm capabilities. The storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane later in the forecast period.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

UTA urban researcher shows impact of urban sprawl on life expectancy, innovation hubs

A recent study by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Shima Hamidi finds a correlation between urban sprawl and decreased life expectancy in the US. The study suggests that changes in urban planning and building practices can help improve quality-of-life issues, including life expectancy and economic mobility.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 3, 2018

A promising new tool to measure antibodies against malaria

A new quantitative suspension array assay (qSAT) has been developed to measure antibodies against multiple Plasmodium falciparum proteins, simplifying sero-epidemiological studies and vaccine development. The assay is highly sensitive and specific, allowing for detailed analysis of natural and vaccine-induced antibody responses.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 3, 2018

What's in an egg? Oocyte factors that can reprogram adult cells

Researchers have identified oocyte-specific factors that can drive somatic cell reprogramming by modulating the epigenetic landscape. These factors include histones and their chaperones, histone deacetylases and acetyltransferases, and transcription factors.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 3, 2018

Self-healing seed pods

Researchers discovered a self-sealing mechanism in the seed pods of Banksia plants, where special waxes melt at 45-55°C to seal small cracks. This adaptation protects seeds from environmental challenges, such as moisture and pathogens, and may have potential applications for dimensionally stable wood.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

Creating room to breathe on the microscale

A new microfluidics technique has been developed to construct microchannels with efficient gas exchange, potentially delivering nearly a third of the oxygen needed by preterm newborns. The design uses both sides of the membrane for gas exchange and is more effective than previous single-sided counterparts.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJul 3, 2018

Chemical Science features stunning artwork from John Keith's lab

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new approach to model complex chemical reactions, enabling better understanding of fundamental reactions and their impact on chemical engineering. PhD student Yasemin Basdogan created an artistic depiction of the research for the journal cover.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalChemical Science·DateJul 3, 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.

Rising sea levels could cost the world $14 trillion a year by 2100

A new study warns that failure to meet the 2°C warming limit will lead to sea level rise and dire global economic consequences. The researchers found that upper-middle income countries like China will see the largest increase in flood costs, while high-income countries will suffer the least.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 3, 2018

When there is no one around

Researchers found that individuals with more mature personalities view solitude positively, using it for creative activities. In contrast, those with less developed egos tend to avoid solitude and feel lonely.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalCultural-Historical Psychology·DateJul 3, 2018

ICD placements not meeting medicare coverage decline after investigation

The study found a 16.1% decline in ICD placements not meeting Medicare coverage criteria at hospitals that settled with the DOJ, while non-Medicare patients also showed declines. Hospital-level variation remained, with top performers having less than 3.8% of ICDs not meeting criteria

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJAMA·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

Study: Fungi and bacteria grow on body implants

Researchers found over 70% of implants colonized by bacteria, fungi, or both, without causing infections. The discovery opens up a new field of understanding the interplay between the body and microbiomes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·DateJul 3, 2018

3D printing achieves more accurate and precise physical models from patient imaging data

Researchers developed a rapid method for creating highly detailed physical models directly from volumetric data stacks, overcoming current limitations in 3D data processing workflows. The new approach enables accurate anatomical details to be replicated in 3D-printed models, improving diagnostics and presurgical planning.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateJul 3, 2018

A perioral soft tissue evaluation after orthognathic surgery

This study evaluated perioral soft tissue changes after orthognathic surgery using 3D CT scans. Significant post-operative changes were observed in nasolabial and mentolabial angles, while lip width remained unchanged.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Dentistry Journal·DateJul 3, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

In a warming world, could air conditioning make things worse?

A new study forecasts up to 1,000 additional deaths annually in the Eastern US due to elevated air pollution from increased air conditioning use. The study suggests transitioning to clean energy sources like wind and solar power to mitigate these effects.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

AOSSM presents prestigious research awards and grants

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) presents annual research awards and grants to support innovative research initiatives. This year, more than $300,000 was awarded to support projects in osteoarthritis, sports medicine research, and education.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Ancestral people of Chaco Canyon likely grew their own food

Researchers found the sandy soils in Chaco Canyon were suitable for agriculture, suggesting the ancestral Puebloans were self-sufficient. The most significant challenge was irrigation, where they demonstrated adroit farming skills and land management.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 3, 2018

Efficient synthesis of multi-substituted anilines by domino rearrangement

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to synthesize multi-substituted anilines, enabling further developments in medical and materials science. The catalyst-based domino rearrangement reaction offers improved efficiency and selectivity over conventional methods.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 3, 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.

How good bacteria can help keep a gut healthy

Research reveals that good bacteria interact with epithelial cells and immune system cells to balance immune responses and protect the gut from inflammation. Manipulating the microbiota may offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalImmunity·DateJul 3, 2018

Sylvester researcher uses HPV vaccine to treat patient with skin cancer

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine used an HPV vaccine as an off-label treatment for a patient with advanced squamous cell carcinoma. The patient's tumors completely resolved after direct intratumoral injections, providing promising results in this innovative approach to skin cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateJul 3, 2018

UH Cancer Center renews NCI designation

The University of Hawai'i Cancer Center has been awarded a $6 million Cancer Center Support Grant to fund research at the Center. The renewal of its National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation recognizes the Center's unique contributions to cancer research and care in Hawaii, particularly for diverse ethnic populations.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii Cancer Center·DateJul 3, 2018
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.

Study finds new genomic regions associated to weight gain in Nelore cattle

A Brazilian research project has identified six genomic regions linked to weight gain in Nelore cattle, a breed adapted to tropical climates. The study, led by Diercles Cardoso, used DNA analysis to pinpoint genes associated with growth and weight gain, offering potential for improvement of the breed's food efficiency.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGenetics Selection Evolution·DateJul 3, 2018

A novel switch to control genome editing

Researchers at University of Bath and Cardiff University have developed a novel switch to control genome editing, enabling reliable protein expression on demand. The switch uses a cheap, non-toxic amino acid as the control mechanism, addressing concerns over antibiotic resistance and 'leakiness'.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2018

Neuroscientists uncover secret to intelligence in parrots

Researchers discovered a neural circuit in parrots that may underlie their intelligence, similar to the pontine nuclei found in primates. The medial spiriform nucleus, located in birds, is comparable in function to the pontine nuclei and plays a key role in higher-order processing and sophisticated behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2018