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Science News Archive June 2018


Page 26 of 40

Urban violence can hurt test scores even for kids who don't experience it

A new study by Johns Hopkins University found that children attending school with peers from violent neighborhoods score as much as 10% lower on standardized math and reading tests. Exposure to neighborhood violence has a significant impact on an entire school's functioning, affecting not only students but also their classmates.

Finally, hope for a syphilis vaccine

Syphilis researchers have identified exterior proteins on the bacteria that could serve as vaccine targets, marking a breakthrough in the development of a potential vaccine. The discovery was made by UConn Health researchers using computer modeling and testing techniques.

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.

Smoking and diabetes linked to brain calcifications

A study published in Radiology found that people who smoke or have diabetes are at increased risk of calcifications in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory. The study suggests a link between smoking and diabetes and an increased risk of brain calcifications.

Nation's largest, most comprehensive indoor chemistry study now underway

The HOMEChem field experiment is analyzing chemical interactions in indoor environments, exploring sources of oxidants, organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen species. The month-long project uses advanced instruments to detect chemicals in real-time, providing insights into the complex chemistry of indoor environments.

Discovery shines light on the mystery of cell death in MS

Researchers have identified pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death associated with inflammation, as a key mechanism in multiple sclerosis. The discovery of the process and its link to brain cells has led to the development of a potential new treatment using an anti-inflammatory drug.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

More of the Chinese population will be exposed to heat waves

A recent study by Prof. Xuejie Gao and colleagues found that China's population will experience a six-fold increase in very hot days by the end of the 21st century, affecting over 0.2 billion people with no exposure to cooling. The region from Yangtze River valley to North China will see the largest increase in thermal stress.

Psychedelic drugs promote neural plasticity in rats and flies

A new study found psychedelics, such as DOI, DMT, and LSD, increase dendritic spines and synapses in neurons, promoting neural plasticity. This effect is similar across species, including humans, and may lead to the development of depression treatments.

Psychedelic drugs, ketamine change structure of neurons

A study by University of California - Davis researchers finds that psychedelic drugs increase dendritic branches and spines, promoting neural plasticity. This structural change mirrors the effects of ketamine, a treatment-resistant antidepressant.

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.

Bacterial enzymes: The biological role of europium

Researchers have identified a europium-containing enzyme in Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, which is essential for the bacterium's growth and catalyzes methanol conversion. The study reveals that the type of rare earth element bound affects enzyme activity.

Protective mechanism against atherosclerosis discovered

Researchers at CeMM Research Center discovered a protective mechanism against atherosclerosis when targeting the molecule BAFF. The study found that blocking BAFF receptors actually increased plaque size, revealing an unexpected role for BAFF in reducing atherosclerosis risk.

Childhood vaccination exemptions rise in parts of the US

Childhood vaccination exemptions are increasing in parts of the US, with higher rates linked to lower MMR vaccination coverage. The authors highlight a need for stricter legislative action to protect children from highly infectious diseases.

How stem cells move

Researchers from Newcastle University discovered that human embryonic stem cells travel back and forth in a line, revealing subtle patterns to their movement. This finding has important implications for the development of computer models to predict and control stem cell evolution.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

One-third of US adults may unknowingly use medications that can cause depression

A study found that over 200 commonly used prescription drugs have depression or suicide listed as potential side effects, with concurrent use increasing the risk of depressive symptoms. The researchers suggest updating drug safety software and evaluating medication use in depression screening tools to minimize the impact of depression.

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.

Boring down on boron

Researchers investigated how boron evaporates in seawater to produce higher-quality drinking and irrigation water. They found that both multi-stage flash and air-gap membrane distillation technologies were effective in reducing boron concentrations below the Saudi standard of 0.5mg/l.

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.

How can patients be protected from post-surgery opioid addiction?

A recent study found that up to seven percent of patients develop a persistent habit after being prescribed opioids following surgery. To address this issue, experts recommend enhanced care coordination between surgeons and primary care physicians to identify patients at risk of developing opioid addiction.

CREDO: You too can help unveil the deepest puzzles of the universe

The CREDO Detector app allows users to contribute to the largest particle detector in history, exploring fundamental physics questions like dark matter and spacetime nature. By registering and initiating particle detection, users can gain co-authorship and membership in the international collaboration.

Beyond the 'Reading Wars': How the science of reading can improve literacy

A new report synthesizes findings from over 300 research studies to emphasize the importance of teaching phonics in establishing fundamental reading skills in early childhood. The review provides concrete recommendations for drawing on this evidence base in the classroom to support more children becoming confident, skilled readers.

Troves from a search for new biomarkers: blood-borne RNA

Researchers at Rockefeller University have devised an improved method for isolating and identifying tiny fragments of RNA in human blood products, establishing extracellular RNA as a potentially reliable class of biomarkers. The new approach has been successfully tested on 312 blood samples from healthy subjects, confirming the stabili...

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.

Robots learn by checking in on team members

KAUST researchers create a distributed architecture allowing drones to coordinate based on local information and peer-to-peer communications. The algorithm enables rapid reaction times without excessive computation, making it effective in real-time applications.

Kessler Foundation awarded four grants by NJ Commission on Spinal Cord Research

The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury Research has awarded four grants to Kessler Foundation scientists to study learning deficits, cognitive assessments, neuropathic pain, and brain activity during exoskeleton-assisted walking. These $1.5 million grants aim to improve rehabilitative care for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Living with the stigma of diabetes

A study by McGill University Health Centre found that two-thirds of teenagers and young adults with type 1 diabetes experience stigma, which can lead to neglecting treatment and severe hypoglycemia. The study also highlights the need for social support and resiliency programs to help individuals manage their condition.

Structural biology: Until the last cut

Late-stage assembly intermediates of the human small ribosomal subunit have been structurally characterized, revealing detailed insights into their maturation principles. The findings suggest that the assembly sequence is controlled by biogenesis factors and involves several defined steps.

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.

Frequent use of the ER fell after the Affordable Care Act

A new study found that after the Affordable Care Act's expansion, Medicaid and uninsured patients had improved access to health services outside of emergency departments, leading to a decline in frequent ED use. Frequent ED users were responsible for 30.7% of visits before the legislation and 31.6% after coverage was expanded.

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.

Claiming credit for cyberattacks

The study finds that both state and non-state actors face similar decisions when it comes to claiming credit for cyberattacks, but their strategies diverge due to different optics. The researchers highlight the importance of understanding how attackers' motives and identity can be revealed through credit claims.

Getting to the heart of congenital cardiac defects

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how gene defects lead to congenital heart defects. The researchers found that the absence of the CHD4 protein allows for the production of abnormal, 'hybrid' muscle cells that cannot pump blood efficiently.

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.

Core electron topologies in chemical bonding

A new benchmark quantum chemical calculation reveals a qualitative difference in the topologies of core electron orbitals between organic molecules and their silicon analogues. This discovery suggests that core electrons play a more significant role than previously thought, particularly in unsaturated compounds.

Multilingual students have improved in academic achievement since 2003

A new study by New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development finds that multilingual students have made remarkable progress in reading and math scores since 2003. The research debunks the common myth that these students have made little academic progress in recent years.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Binging, purging and fasting more common in overweight, obese young adults

A new study from UCSF found that overweight and obese young adults are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors, such as bingeing and purging. The study also found associations between disordered eating and race and sexual orientation, with Asian/Pacific Islanders and homosexual individuals at increased risk.

New technology has bright prospects for understanding plant biodiversity

University of Alberta biologists developed a new imaging technology to study plant diversity and evolutionary history using light spectroscopy. The method allows for quick assessment of biodiversity changes over large landscapes, providing a practical tool for addressing ecosystem function and climate change.

AI senses people's pose through walls

A team from MIT's CSAIL has developed a system that uses artificial intelligence to analyze radio signals bouncing off people's bodies, allowing for dynamic stick figures to be created of their postures and movements. This technology could monitor diseases like Parkinson's and MS, as well as provide security for elderly people.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Composition of complex sugars in breast milk may prevent future food allergies

Researchers found that a specific composition of human oligosaccharides in breast milk was associated with lower rates of food sensitization in one-year-old infants. The study's findings highlight the potential health benefits of human milk oligosaccharides and underscore their role in preventing future allergic disease.

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.