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Science News Archive June 2018


Page 37 of 40

Researchers find new way to estimate magma beneath Yellowstone supervolcano

Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new way to estimate the rate of magma recharge beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano. The team used deuterium in hot springs to calculate the amount of heat and water flowing out, revealing that previous studies underestimated these flows by significant amounts. This study has ...

Gap in substance abuse data could have long-term implications, study finds

A study by The Dartmouth Institute found that a federal regulation change from 2013-2017 led to gaps in substance abuse data, affecting prevalence estimates of chronic conditions like hepatitis C and depression. This can result in underestimated rates of co-morbidity, particularly among younger populations.

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.

How binging creates alcohol tolerance in flies

Repeated exposure to large quantities of alcohol in fruit flies reduces the activity of a protein regulating communication between neurons. This study provides new insight into the neurobiology of alcohol tolerance, revealing that ethanol interferes with neurotransmitter release and Unc13 protein function.

Asthma and flu: a double whammy

A new study suggests that vaccinating asthmatic children against the flu could significantly reduce their risk of needing hospitalization for an asthma attack. The study found that kids with influenza or parainfluenza had a 37-per-cent or more chance of not responding to treatment, compared to 13 per cent for children without a virus.

Alien apocalypse: Can any civilization make it through climate change?

A new study suggests that no civilization can sustainably survive climate change, with four possible scenarios emerging: die-off, sustainability, collapse without resource change, or collapse with resource change. Researchers used mathematical models to analyze the co-evolution of civilizations and planets.

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.

Unlocking the genome

A team led by Prof. Stein Aerts uncovers how access to relevant DNA regions is orchestrated in epithelial cells, shedding light on biological mechanisms of gene regulation and potential new avenues for cellular reprogramming. Grainyhead, a pioneer factor, acts as a key that can be used to access specific DNA regions.

Wayne State professor receives NSF CAREER award for vaccine adjuvant research

Haipeng Liu, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Wayne State University, received a $539,422 NSF CAREER grant to develop molecular adjuvants that can enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and overcome tumor-related immune suppression. His research aims to bridge the gap between synthetic chemistry and immunology.

Role of hippocampus in toddlers' memories

A study of 22 toddlers found that hippocampal activation was higher when they heard a previously learned song, regardless of playback direction. Correctly remembered locations associated with the song also showed stronger hippocampal responses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The health effect of air pollution from traffic

A new study by Lund University suggests that removing exhaust fumes from a smaller European city could prevent 55-93 premature deaths and reduce cases of childhood asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. The study found that even below EU air pollution levels, negative health effects exist.

The search for the origin of mast cells

Researchers from CNRS and INSERM identify 'primitive mast cells' generated in yolk sac during embryonic development. These cells play a crucial role in shaping the body's immune response, contradicting previous theories on mast cell origin.

Does negative political advertising actually work?

A new study by Yanwen Wang, Michael Lewis, and David A. Schweidel found that negative political advertising is effective in influencing voter preferences and turnout, particularly when created by candidates or their campaigns. In contrast, positive advertising is less effective, while PAC-sponsored ads are significantly less impactful.

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.

Timing is everything to build kidneys from scratch

USC researchers have discovered that the precise arrival of progenitor cells determines their form and function in the kidney. The study advances understanding of how to assemble building blocks to fashion kidney tissue, which can lead to breakthroughs in drug development and organ transplantation.

Bright warning colors on poison dart frogs also act as camouflage

New research led by scientists at the University of Bristol has found that bright warning colors on poison dart frogs not only signal danger but also function as camouflage. The frog's pattern allows it to blend in from a distance while still displaying its warning signal when close, providing a clear advantage.

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.

Functional MRI reveals memory in sleeping toddlers

Scientists have discovered how brain regions activate during memory recall in two-year-olds using functional MRI. The hippocampus plays a key role in forming and recalling memories, especially episodic memory, which involves remembering events and contexts.

Globular clusters 4 billion years younger than previously thought

New research led by the University of Warwick has found that globular clusters may be only around 9 billion years old, revised from their previous age of 13 billion. The discovery brings into question current theories on how galaxies, including the Milky Way, were formed.

On the search for new approaches to cure lung cancer

Scientists are exploring ways to develop innovative therapies for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by understanding the role of deregulated protein kinases, or MAPKs. Elevated levels of these enzymes in NSCLC tissue have been linked to tumor progression and immune evasion.

Polarized cells give the heart its fully developed form

Researchers have discovered how polarized cells coordinate heart tube remodelling through tissue-scale polarisation of actomyosin activity. A disrupted PCP signalling pathway alters cytoskeleton structure, leading to impaired heart formation and most congenital heart diseases.

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.

New study points to a potential 'Achilles heel' in brain cancer

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have discovered a mechanism that protects glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) stem cells from programmed cell death. The study found that protective autophagy is regulated by the gene MDA-9/Syntenin, and inhibiting this process can lead to cancer cell death.

Storm's coming: New technique for simulation of extreme weather events

Japanese researcher develops simple method for generating large data required for ensemble modeling, providing high computational stability and versatility in simulating various weather events. The new approach demonstrates effectiveness in initial conditions for typhoon and global warming simulations.

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.

Two-step process underpins upkeep of key protein in cell division

Researchers have identified a critical aspect of healthy cell division and revealed how a vital protein called CENP-A is incorporated into chromosomes. A two-step process was found to be essential for replenishing the protein, involving targeting and transcription-induced remodelling of chromatin.

Light exposure during sleep may increase insulin resistance

A new study suggests that nighttime light exposure during sleep can disrupt metabolic function, leading to increased insulin resistance. The researchers found that just one night of light exposure acutely impacts measures of insulin resistance, which is a diminished ability of cells to respond to insulin.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Protein pair quickly makes memories of new places

Researchers found that neurogranin and FMRP proteins quickly form a complex to enable memory encoding within minutes of encountering a novel context. This process is crucial for understanding how abnormalities in these proteins contribute to human neuropsychiatric disorders.

Phosphite fertilization and weed suppression

Transgenic cotton plants expressing the bacterial gene ptxD can convert phosphite into phosphate, outcompeting weeds that lack the gene. This selective fertilization approach facilitates weed control without herbicides.

New algorithm enhances ptychographic image reconstruction

Researchers developed a new algorithm, GDP-ADMM, to further enhance the capabilities of SHARP in reconstructing high-resolution images from ptychographic datasets. The new framework takes advantage of state-of-the-art mathematical aspects to improve data acquisition and image resolution.

Study: Exercise mitigates genetic effects of obesity later in life

A new study suggests that regular exercise can reduce the influence of genes on obesity for women over age 70. The research found that physical activity weakened the genetic associations with body mass index, providing hope for older adults to overcome their weight destiny through healthy habits.

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.

Capturing light in a waveguide array

A team of physicists has demonstrated a way to confine light in a waveguide array, making it insensitive to defects. This innovation could lead to cheaper and more efficient photonic devices, such as lasers and solar cells, by reducing material imperfections.

'Miracle treatment' long-term success for babies with diabetes

A decade-long study has shown that sulphonylurea tablets are a safe and effective treatment option for babies with neonatal diabetes, providing excellent blood sugar control over the long-term. The treatment has been hailed as a 'miracle cure' by patients and their families, offering improved quality of life.

Engineered cotton uses weed-suppression chemical as nutrient

Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife have developed a fertilizer system that applies phosphite to engineered cotton crops, allowing them to utilize the nutrient while suppressing weeds. This technology has shown promise in inhibiting growth of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth and other herbicide-resistant weeds.

Does stabilizing female hormones help lower suicide risk?

Researchers aim to determine if stabilizing estradiol and progesterone can protect females at risk for suicide from increased depression and suicidal thoughts around menses. The study will compare symptoms of suicidality among participants in three experimental conditions: placebo, estradiol stabilization, and progesterone stabilization.

Speed-accuracy tradeoff turns up gain in the brain

A recent study published in eNeuro resolves a long-standing issue in decision-making by showing how the brain optimizes speed and accuracy. Researchers found that the brain adjusts signal-to-noise ratio to balance speed and accuracy, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying this crucial aspect of human behavior.

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.

Brain structure may predict diet success

A study found that individuals with greater volume in the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex tend to exhibit improved dietary self-control. This suggests that brain anatomy plays a crucial role in making healthier food choices.

HIV vaccine elicits antibodies in animals that neutralize dozens of HIV strains

A new experimental vaccine regimen has been developed using a vulnerable site on HIV to induce antibodies that can neutralize multiple strains of the virus. In tests with mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys, the vaccine elicited antibodies that neutralized up to 31% of viruses from a globally representative panel of 208 HIV strains.

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.

Stanford study casts doubt on the predictive value of earthquake foreshocks

A new Stanford study has re-examined the relationship between seismic data and earthquake prediction, concluding that foreshocks are unlikely to provide accurate warnings of impending earthquakes. Researchers found no evidence supporting the idea that slow slip or cascade models can be used for predictive purposes.

Direct coupling of the Higgs boson to the top quark observed

The CMS collaboration has observed the direct coupling of the Higgs boson to the top quark-antiquark pair, a production mechanism considered impossible by the Standard Model. Sophisticated techniques developed by the University of Zurich's Prof. Florencia Canelli enabled this milestone.

New algorithm determines ideal caffeine dosage and timing for alertness

A newly developed algorithm determines ideal caffeine dosage and timing for optimal alertness. The algorithm improves neurobehavioral performance by up to 64% using the same total amount of caffeine, or reduces caffeine consumption by up to 65% while maintaining equivalent improvements in alertness.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study links short and long sleep durations with excess heart age

A new study found that adults who slept seven hours per night had the lowest excess heart age, while those sleeping less than or more than seven hours were associated with increased risk. The research demonstrates a quantitative method for including sleep duration in cardiovascular risk assessment.