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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 21 of 41

The truth behind St. Patrick's Day: Celebrations did not originate in Boston

Historian J. Michael Francis discovered a 1601 gunpowder expenditure list from St. Augustine that confirms the city's residents held a St. Patrick's Day procession in honor of San Patricio, the Spanish name for St. Patrick. The records also reveal that St. Patrick was identified as the patron saint of the city's maize fields.

Democratizing single-cell analysis

Scientists at Allen Institute and University of Washington developed scalable SPLiT-seq method to characterize RNA in individual cells, enabling identification of various cell types in the brain. The technique significantly lowers the cost barrier for labs that want to perform single-cell profiling.

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.

Large-scale climatic warming could increase persistent haze in Beijing

A recent study links Beijing's persistent haze events to large-scale climatic warming and changes in the East Asian winter monsoon system. The research found a significant positive trend of haze events in Beijing from 1980 to 2016, correlating with weakened regional atmospheric circulation.

The complex journey of red bloods cells through microvascular networks

A team of researchers used a state-of-the-art simulation code to study the behavior of red blood cells flowing through physiologically realistic microvascular networks. They observed that red blood cells frequently jam for brief periods before proceeding downstream, causing temporary increases in vascular resistance. The findings have ...

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.

Students who are old for their grade more likely to enroll in college

A study of over 10,000 Australian students found that those who were older for their grade had higher academic self-confidence and were more likely to enroll in college. The study suggests that strict regulations on school starting ages may have unintended consequences for younger students.

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.

Metal-organic frameworks cut energy consumption of petrochemicals

Researchers developed a straightforward method to synthesize high-quality, ultrathin metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for efficient propylene-propane separation. The new MOF membranes showed one of the best separation performances recorded to date, reducing energy consumption in petrochemical industries.

Startup promises minimally invasive heart repair

A newly launched startup has acquired exclusive rights to develop a minimally invasive surgical device that can repair holes in the heart without complications. The technology uses deployable soft structures and offers a non-invasive approach to tissue repair, facilitating clinicians' access to difficult-to-reach organs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The Protein Society announces 2018 award recipients

The Protein Society has awarded three researchers with prestigious prizes: Jane and Dave Richardson, Yifan Cheng, and Susan Marqusee. The winners have made groundbreaking contributions in protein structure determination, cryo-EM, and protein folding. Their work has significantly advanced our understanding of biology.

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.

How maximizing fish stocks in the long-term will reduce bycatch

Researchers found that sustainably managing fisheries can halt declines of seven to 13 bycatch populations, but not eliminate bycatch completely due to other factors. Maximizing fish stocks can increase global fishing yields by up to 15% and associated profits by as much as 80%.

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.

Measuring electrical conductance across a single molecule

Researchers developed a stable mechanical setup to measure electrical current across individual molecules on a noble metal surface. The study provides fresh ideas for electronic devices and opens opportunities for new studies on nanocontacts, dynamics, and transport of molecules at room temperature.

Improved capture of cancer cells could aid in disease tracking

Researchers have developed a method to capture circulating tumor cells, which could provide an additional way to track treatment progress or screen for disease. The technology shows promise in reducing the number of circulating tumor cells during successful radiation therapy, suggesting potential as a predictive biomarker.

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.

Joint supplement speeds melanoma cell growth

A dietary supplement commonly used to strengthen joints can also speed the growth of a type of melanoma, according to preclinical research. Chondroitin sulfate boosts growth in melanoma cells carrying the V600E mutation, but not other types, and may pose risks for people with elevated melanoma risk.

Scientific misconduct harms prior collaborators

A study by Prof. Katrin Hussinger and Dr Maikel Pellens found an average drop in citations of 8-9% for previous colleagues of fraudulent scientists, impacting their career success and funding opportunities.

Scientists illuminate mechanism at play in learning

Researchers modelled molecular basis of learning in cerebellum, a brain region coordinating voluntary movements. The study reveals communication must occur in both directions across synapses to control learning, with an automatic off-switch allowing the system to return to its resting state.

Women choose more effective contraception when cost not an issue

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that women are choosing more effective, long-term methods of contraception when cost is not an issue. Since the Affordable Care Act mandate required private health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive methods without cost-sharing, privately insured women have been using ...

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.

The Protein Society's Best Paper Award

The Protein Society has awarded Minfei Su and Chang-Ting Lin the 'Best Paper' award for their research on autophagy, a critical process in eukaryotic cells. The winners' work investigates the structural and thermodynamic details of protein interactions, shedding light on cellular homeostasis and evolution.

The coffee cannabis connection

A Northwestern University study found that coffee consumption decreased endocannabinoid system metabolites, which regulate stress response, cognition, and appetite. The study also suggests coffee may facilitate the excretion of steroids, potentially affecting diseases such as cancers.

Attacks on 4G LTE networks could send fake emergency alerts

Researchers from Purdue University have identified several new vulnerabilities in 4G LTE networks that could be exploited by hackers to forge the location of a mobile device and fabricate messages. The attacks, including authentication relay and denial of service attacks, were validated through experimentation on a real testbed.

Powerful new device for studying puzzling process

The Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiment (FLARE) has successfully produced the first plasma, marking a significant milestone in research into magnetic reconnection. This process is crucial for understanding Northern Lights, solar eruptions, and geomagnetic storms.

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.

Epigenetic analysis: Giving the right name to a tumor

Researchers developed a new molecular classification method using DNA methylation patterns to differentiate 82 types of CNS tumors. The method improved diagnostic accuracy in some cases, with over 12% of cases corrected after analysis.

Little creek, big impact

A study found that restoring Putah Creek in California increased the bird population by twice as much, with more common riparian birds visiting in increasing numbers. The restoration also improved the ecosystem's function and had benefits beyond the water's edge.

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.

Thermally driven spin current in DNA

Researchers have discovered a way to control the spin current in double-stranded DNA molecules using temperature gradients. They found that the inherent chirality feature in dsDNA enables spin selection and can act as a filter for spin transport.

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.

Viral hideout

The study found that the CTCF protein helps herpes simplex virus regulate its own sleep-wake cycle, enabling it to establish latent infections in sensory neurons. By preventing CTCF from binding to viral DNA, the virus's ability to reactivated was weakened.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New heart attack test better informs of underlying condition

A new blood test developed by University of Alberta physician Peter Hwang promises to eliminate the guesswork in diagnosing apparent heart attacks. By analyzing fragmented troponin levels, clinicians can better determine the extent of cardiac damage and make informed decisions about treatment options.

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.

How royal jelly helps honeybee larvae defy gravity and become queens

Research reveals that royal jelly's acidity changes its consistency, enabling it to cling to the ceiling of queen cells and support the growth of future queens. This property is essential for the survival of honeybees, as larvae destined to become queens need a stable environment to develop.

Modern humans interbred with Denisovans twice in history

Researchers discovered two distinct episodes of Denisovan genetic intermixing between modern humans and Denisovans. The genomes of modern Papuan individuals contain approximately 5% Denisovan ancestry, while East Asians have a second set of Denisovan ancestry not found in South Asians and Papuans.

Reconsidering damage production and radiation mixing in materials

Researchers have developed two new equations to correct the Kinchin-Pease equation's limitations, providing accurate predictions of radiation damage in materials. The new equations consider athermal recombination and replacements-per-atom, improving the usable lifetime of materials in nuclear reactors and other environments.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

CRISPR genetic editing takes another big step forward, targeting RNA

Salk Institute scientists have developed a CRISPR-based tool called CasRx that targets RNA to correct protein imbalances in cells from dementia patients. The tool showed 80% effectiveness in rebalancing tau protein levels, opening up new avenues for treating RNA and protein-related diseases.