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Science News for March 16, 2018


Coral reefs suffering in Philippines despite outlawing damaging fishing practices

A new study found that despite the Philippine government's ban on destructive fishing methods in 1932 and 1998, many fishers continue to use explosives and poison, causing significant damage to coral reefs. The research suggests that ensuring young fishers engage with sustainable fishing methods is crucial to reducing this harm.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 16, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers join forces to improve life for children with genetic disorder

A team of researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute improved the developmental skills of three girls with microcephaly, a genetic disorder affecting brain and body development. The girls made significant gains in skills and abilities after receiving intensive therapy for four hours a day for 10 days.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBMC Research Notes·DateMar 16, 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.

Smart software can diagnose prostate cancer as well as a pathologist

A Chinese AI system can diagnose prostate cancer with accuracy comparable to human pathologists, offering potential benefits for streamlining cancer diagnosis and overcoming pathologist shortages. The system was developed using a learning algorithm and showed promise in accurately classifying malignancy levels and Gleason Grades.

SourceEuropean Association of Urology·DateMar 16, 2018

Reefs help protect vulnerable Caribbean fish from climate change

New research reveals that larger coral reefs can moderate the impact of ocean warming on Caribbean fish populations, leading to a reduction in fish population decline. The study found that doubling reef area can reduce changes in fish composition by 30-80%, highlighting the potential effectiveness of reef conservation and restoration.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateMar 16, 2018

Fish the primary source of nutrition in medieval Northern Ostrobothnia

Research at the Ii Hamina cemetery found that the diet of medieval residents consisted mainly of fish, with 70% of protein consumption attributed to fish-based food. This suggests a strong reliance on waterways and an underemphasis on farming and dairying in the region.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalEnvironmental Archaeology·DateMar 16, 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.

Elusive venomous mammal joins the genome club

The Hispaniolan solenodon's genome sequence reveals it survived the dinosaurs and provides crucial insights for conservation. The data supports subspecies split within the population, requiring independent breeding strategies to ensure their survival.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateMar 16, 2018

Obesity and health problems: New research on a safeguard mechanism

A recent study published in Science Immunology highlights a crucial immune cell type involved in healthy weight gain, removing excess fat and regulating blood sugar levels. The discovery offers new insights into the complications of obesity and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate its effects.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 16, 2018

Experience trumps youth among jumping fish

A study by University of Exeter researchers found that older mangrove rivulus fish can jump significantly further than younger ones. The study revealed that age itself was the most closely linked factor to jumping distance, contradicting previous findings.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateMar 16, 2018
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.

Development of an enzymatic cycling method using pyruvate kinase

Researchers developed an enzymatic cycling method using pyruvate kinase to quantify pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate. The method uses the reversibility of the reaction in the presence of ATP and IDP, with a limit of detection estimated at 12 nM PEP.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Biotechnology·DateMar 16, 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.

Wandering greenhouse gas

Researchers found that methane in sea ice is transported thousands of kilometers across the Arctic Ocean and released months later, influencing climate change. The phenomenon has not been reflected in current climate models.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 16, 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.

Study casts doubt on ketamine nasal sprays for depression

A new study casts doubt on the use of ketamine nasal sprays for treating severe depression. The pilot trial found that the dosage of ketamine through an intranasal device can vary greatly between individuals and within a day, leading to unpredictable side effects such as high blood pressure and psychotic-like symptoms.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateMar 16, 2018

Chirping is welcome in birds but not in fusion devices

Scientists have modeled plasma conditions that lead to chirping in fusion devices, revealing a connection between turbulence levels and Alfvén wave chirping. Lower turbulence reduces the fast ion wind's ability to cause chirping, which can slow fusion reactions.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMar 16, 2018
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.

Mice change their appearance as a result of frequent exposure to humans

Research reveals that wild mice living near humans in a Swiss barn underwent changes in behavior and physical appearance, including the development of white fur patches and shorter snouts. The study, led by Anna Lindholm, found that these changes occurred without human selection or breeding, highlighting the process of self-domestication.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 16, 2018

Scientists mimic neural tissue in Army-funded research

Researchers at Brandeis University have engineered soft materials with embedded chemical networks that mimic the behavior of neural tissue, paving the way for autonomous soft robotics and dual sensors. The breakthrough material may also lead to artificial skins and exoskeletons.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalLab on a Chip·DateMar 16, 2018

Plasmons triggered in nanotube quantum wells

Scientists at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a novel way to manipulate light at the quantum scale by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as plasmonic quantum confinement fields. The discovery could lead to the development of unique lasers and other optoelectronic devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2018

Unexpected effect could lead to lower-power memory, computing devices

Researchers at NIST and Johns Hopkins University discovered a zero-field switching effect that enables stable, non-volatile memory devices without magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to smaller, lower-power computing devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 16, 2018

Colorado cannabis workers are happy, but need better safety training

A study by Colorado State University researchers found that cannabis industry workers in Colorado are generally job-secure and valued safety, but lack formal training and face hazards such as ergonomic concerns and slips, trips, and falls. The industry needs to establish best practices and guidelines to improve worker health and safety.

SourceColorado State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·DateMar 16, 2018
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.

Soil fungi may help determine the resilience of forests to environmental change

A recent study found that soil fungi can impact the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios increase with ECM dominance and are more associated with low soil nitrogen levels. This suggests that mycorrhizal guilds may be emerging functional traits that define species in terms of their ecological roles.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateMar 16, 2018

BU: Brazil yellow fever outbreak necessitates vaccines

A yellow fever outbreak in Brazil highlights the need for tourists to get vaccinated before visiting affected areas, with the risk of severe illness and death being up to 60% among those who contract the disease. The Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine is currently unavailable in the US due to manufacturing difficulties.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateMar 16, 2018

Signaling pathways to the nucleus

The University of Freiburg team found that auxin-mimicking molecules accumulate primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum before entering the nucleus, regulating gene expression. This signaling pathway helps control various plant processes, including development and responses to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 16, 2018
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.

Americans slow down the clock of age

A new study by USC and Yale researchers suggests that at least part of the gains in life expectancy over recent decades may be due to a change in the rate of biological aging. Biological age decreased across all age groups, with older adults experiencing the greatest declines.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalDemography·DateMar 16, 2018

Genetic variant discovery to help asthma sufferers

A genetic variant in the PDGFD gene has been identified as a key factor in adrenal suppression caused by corticosteroids. This discovery offers potential for personalized approaches to therapy, including screening patients at high risk of side effects or developing tailored monitoring plans.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateMar 16, 2018

Blood vessels also affected by Alzheimer's disease

Researchers discover vascular alterations in small blood vessels of mice with advanced Alzheimer's disease, affecting female mice more severely. The study finds correlations between vascular structure and function, anxiety levels, and cognitive functions.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·DateMar 16, 2018

Which skills will help patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Patients with OCD suffer from a severe reduction in quality of life due to the maladaptive strategies they use. The study suggests that teaching children skills such as coping with bullying and emotional turmoil through cognitive training may help improve their daily lives and prevent mental health disorders.

SourceSpringer·JournalCognitive Therapy and Research·DateMar 16, 2018

Mobile application detecting atrial fibrillation reduces the risk of stroke

A new mobile application developed at the University of Turku can detect atrial fibrillation with 96% accuracy, significantly reducing the risk of stroke. The app uses smartphone accelerometers to identify patients with atrial fibrillation, and its results have been validated in a study involving 300 patients.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalCirculation·DateMar 16, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Bees: How royal jelly prevents royal offspring from falling out of their cells

Researchers discovered that the proteins in royal jelly, particularly MRJP1 and apisimin, create a fibre-like structure that makes it viscous enough to keep queen larvae in their cells. This property ensures the survival of bee colonies by preventing larvae from falling out and developing into queens.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 16, 2018

Piezomagnetic material changes magnetic properties when stretched

Researchers at UC Davis discovered a piezomagnetic material that alters its magnetic properties when subjected to mechanical stress. This finding has potential applications in detecting strain within materials, such as aircraft components, and could lead to new ways of investigating superconducting properties.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Assaults spiked on Trump rally days during 2016 election

A study published in Epidemiology found that assaults spiked in cities hosting Donald Trump's presidential campaign rallies during the 2016 US election. The researchers suggested two possible explanations for their findings: increased violence at rally venues and social contagion through news reports and digital media.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalEpidemiology·DateMar 16, 2018

Long-term monitoring is essential to effective environmental policy

The US has seen significant improvements in air and water quality since the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts were enacted in the 1970s. Long-term monitoring programs have tracked declines in pollutants like sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and lead, leading to benefits for human health, economies, and environments.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·DateMar 16, 2018