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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 20 of 41

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SOMMa Spanish research institutions to safeguard scientific competitiveness

The SOMMa alliance aims to increase national and international visibility, promote collaboration and networking, and have a voice in scientific policy. The position paper highlights three administrative issues that require urgent attention, including VAT deduction, personnel hiring regulations, and public-tenders law.

Study of nearly 300,000 people challenges the 'obesity paradox'

A study of nearly 300,000 people found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease, with a BMI above 22-23 kg/m2 and increased waist circumference also linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help minimize this risk.

Cell-sized mold makes gelatin gels (jelly) 10 times stiffer

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a cell-sized mold to create gelatin gels that are 10 times stiffer than regular gels. The findings reveal that the increase in β sheet structure from interaction with lipid membranes is the key factor behind this increased stiffness.

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.

Large racial and ethnic disparity in world's most common STI

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a significant racial and ethnic disparity in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection rates in the US population. TV infection disproportionately affects black individuals, with higher prevalence rates among black males and females, particularly those living below poverty level.

The view from inside supersonic combustion

Researchers used numerical modeling to study the dynamics of supersonic flow, revealing two induced combustion modes and a local quasi detonation mode due to incident shock waves. The simulations provide valuable insights for scramjet engine design, enabling the optimization of mixing and combustion processes.

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.

A small protein with many applications

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a llama-antibody, or nanobody, that can prevent the cleavage of the C3 protein, which plays a crucial role in the innate immune system. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for kidney diseases and conditions where the immune system is overactive.

Faulty cellular membrane 'mix' linked to Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered a link between a genetic mutation in the GBA1 gene and the formation of fatty plaques in the brain that contribute to Parkinson's disease. The study found that changes in the mixture of fatty molecules cause protein pieces to stick together, forming 'dead zones' in the brain.

Scientists map the portal to the cell's nucleus

Researchers at Rockefeller University have mapped the architecture of the nuclear pore complex in yeast cells, revealing a massive cylindrical configuration with flexible components. The study provides insights into cell transport and may aid efforts to understand and treat diseases linked to defects in the pore complex.