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Science News Archive June 2018


Page 22 of 40

When emotional memories intrude, focusing on context could help, study finds

A study by psychologists at the University of Illinois found that focusing on contextual details of emotional memories can improve cognitive performance and reduce negative effects. By shifting focus away from emotion and toward context, individuals can redirect brain resources to tasks and process memories more deeply.

Mammals going nocturnal to avoid humans

A new study finds that human disturbance is causing mammals to become more nocturnal, with animals increasing their nighttime activity by up to 68% in response. The shift is consistent across species and types of human disturbance, suggesting a widespread impact on wildlife behavior.

Undersea fiber optics: A new way to detect quakes

Researchers have developed a new approach to detect quakes by measuring optical phase changes in oceanic fiber optic cables triggered by seismic waves. This method can effectively detect quake activity and parameters, even in regions where seismic monitoring has been limited.

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.

Researchers pinpoint new subtype of prostate cancer

Researchers identified a new subtype of prostate cancer characterized by loss of the CDK12 gene, which was found to be more common in metastatic cases. Tumors with this alteration were responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy treatment.

Markers, erasers, and germs, oh my!

A study at Summit Health found that nearly all hospital room checklist surfaces passed testing for biological residues, but markers and erasers tested positive for ATP. The findings emphasize the need for accurate checklists to include frequently touched items like writing instruments.

Grant funding to be allocated to research of robot surgeons

Researchers at Kazan Federal University will develop autonomous controls for stitching in dynamic circumstances and with different types of tissues. The project aims to improve robotic surgical assistance, particularly in rural regions where skilled surgeons are scarce.

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.

Climate change has fish moving faster than regulations can keep up

A recent study found that climate change is causing fish species to migrate across national boundaries, leading to new conflicts over fisheries resources. The researchers suggest implementing flexible arrangements for trading fishing permits or quotas across international borders to avoid these disputes.

Researchers can count on improved proteomics method

Researchers at Princeton University have improved a proteomics method to accurately count proteins in cells under different circumstances. The new approach, TMTc+, uses a combination of cell sample preparation and computer algorithm changes to provide superior measurement accuracy and precision compared to existing methods.

Who is to blame for marine litter?

A Europe-wide study found that over 95% of people reported seeing litter when visiting the coast, leading to higher concern and willingness to change behavior. The primary causes of marine litter were attributed to plastic use, human behavior, and single-use plastics.

Proteins as a 'shuttle service' for targeted administration of medication

Researchers at FAU have successfully developed proteins that function like a shuttle to release medication directly in the body where it's needed. This breakthrough could enable targeted and tissue-specific administration of medication in future, potentially lowering doses and reducing side effects.

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.

Non-coding DNA changes the genitals you're born with

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered that a small region of non-coding DNA, enhancer 13, boosts SOX9 protein production to trigger testes development in male mice. This finding could help explain why some humans with XY chromosomes develop female sex organs due to missing genetic material.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Black + white = Not white

A new study by University of Utah professor Jacqueline M. Chen found that observers categorize black-white multiracial individuals as non-white, influenced by a powerful minority bias. This phenomenon has significant implications for multiracial individuals' social experiences and race relations in the US.

UTSW researchers find transport molecule has unexpected role

Researchers discovered that Kapβ2, a nuclear localization signal, plays a crucial role in transporting the FUS protein into the nucleus. The study found that when this system fails, FUS proteins aggregate and form toxic droplets, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like familial ALS.

Pre-delivery risk factors associated with C-section infections

A study of 90 C-section deliveries found that prior C-sections, smoking, illicit drug use, and higher BMI increased the likelihood of developing a C-section infection. The majority of infections were caused by common commensal organisms like Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli.

There's Waldo!

Neuroscientists from Caltech have discovered neurons in the human brain that respond when targets are spotted, revealing insights into how we perform visual searches. The study found two distinct populations of neurons in the medial temporal lobe, one recognizing objects based on appearance and another focusing on goal-directed relevance.

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.

Flavored electronic cigarettes linked to possible cardiovascular disease

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered that flavored electronic cigarettes contain additives that can decrease blood flow and increase inflammation in blood vessels, similar to combustible cigarettes. The study's findings suggest a potential link between flavored e-cigarette use and cardiovascular disease.

Five new species of snail-sucking snakes discovered

Researchers have uncovered five new species of snail-eating snakes with peculiar dining habits, which are considered endangered or vulnerable due to habitat destruction. The study presents a new evolutionary tree for the diverse group of snail eaters in Central and South America.

Plants open their pores and scientists strike gold

Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University have identified gold nanoparticles in two plant species, B. nivea and E. Canadensis, collected from their natural environments. The particles were found to be similar in characteristics to artificial ones, suggesting they may have been absorbed through plant pores directly.

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.

Parents see cancer prevention potential as best reason for HPV vaccination

A study found that parents of adolescents believe the potential to prevent certain types of cancer is the most persuasive reason for their children to receive the HPV vaccine. The researchers evaluated 11 reasons healthcare providers typically give for HPV vaccination and ranked them according to their persuasiveness.

Clinical advances in systemic lupus erythematosus

A phase II clinical study of baricitinib demonstrated significant clinical improvements in SLE patients, while a randomized controlled trial showed the live attenuated shingles vaccine was well-tolerated and effective in preventing infection in stable SLE patients.

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.

Few early parent education programs available to help dads

A University of Michigan study found that few perinatal parent educational programs cater to fathers, hindering their involvement in pregnancy and childbirth decisions. However, some father-inclusive programs showed positive effects on father involvement, co-parenting relationships, and mental health.

Antarctic ice sheet mass loss has increased

Mass losses in Antarctic Ice Sheet have increased globally sea levels by 7.6 mm since 1992, with West Antarctica experiencing largest change. The study, published in Nature, combined satellite surveys and gravitational data to produce the most complete picture of ice sheet change.

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.

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.

Is the energy-storing solar cell soon to be reality?

Scientists from FAU are investigating a novel approach to storing solar energy in a single molecule, enabling the creation of an 'energy-storing solar cell'. The research focuses on the use of norbornadiene-quadricyclane storage system and intramolecular reactions to store and release electrical energy efficiently.

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.

Synodos for NF2 Consortium publishes key results of its work

The Synodos for NF2 consortium published its first set of results, showing that drug combination therapies are effective in treating schwannomas and meningiomas. The team integrated innovative research approaches to analyze gene and protein expression, finding that different drugs are likely needed to treat these two tumor types.

Five new Pew-Stewart Scholars to pursue innovative cancer research

The 2018 class of Pew-Stewart scholars is revolutionizing cancer research with promising opportunities to advance treatment, including immunotherapies and responses to these therapies. Their work will open doors to new lines of attack against cancer, addressing unexplored leads in the scientific quest to beat the disease.

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.

FAU receives $2.8 million HRSA grant to enhance role of RNs in primary care

Florida Atlantic University has received a $2.8 million grant from HRSA to recruit and prepare nursing students and registered nurses to provide full-scope primary care services in community-based settings. The project aims to address health disparities and promote health equity in rural and underserved populations.

When the river runs high

A massive world-wide study of dry riverbeds has found they're contributing more carbon emissions than previously thought. The contribution of intermittent rivers and streams to the process of carbon cycling is largely ignored, but new data suggests this may be higher than initially estimated.

161 genetic factors for myopia identified

A large-scale genetic study has identified 161 genetic factors contributing to the development of myopia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The findings suggest that insufficient sunlight triggers myopia by altering the shape of the eye.

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.

Early birds less prone to depression

A large observational study found that middle-to-older aged women who are naturally early to bed and rise have a significantly lower risk of developing depression. After accounting for environmental factors, the study shows a modest link between chronotype and depression risk.

The neurons that rewrite traumatic memories

Researchers discovered that rewriting long-term traumatic memories involves the activity of specific neurons in the brain's dentate gyrus. This finding supports the use of exposure-based therapy as a effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.

Early-stage respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine trial begins

A clinical trial testing an experimental RSV vaccine is underway at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The study aims to examine the safety and immune response of the vaccine, with the goal of protecting vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and older adults from severe illness.

Gene therapy restores hand function after spinal cord injury in rats

A new gene therapy has been shown to restore hand function in rats with spinal cord injuries by breaking down scar tissue and allowing nerve cell regeneration. The therapy uses a 'stealth gene' switch that can be turned on and off, providing a safeguard and paving the way for human trials.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Quantum transfer at the push of a button

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to transmit quantum states deterministically over short distances, paving the way for more efficient and secure quantum computing and cryptography. The transmission rate reaches 80% fidelity, enabling entanglement creation between qubits up to 50,000 times per second.

Yellow fever: A new method for testing vaccine safety

Scientists from Institut Pasteur and partners have developed a cellular test to verify the safety of live vaccines like yellow fever vaccine. The 3D culture model, BBB-Minibrain, detects rare mutant particles with neuroinvasive properties, paving the way for reduced animal testing in quality control.