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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 29 of 41

Genes play a role in empathy

A new study published in Translational Psychiatry found that genetic variations contribute to individual differences in empathy, with women generally showing higher levels of empathy than men. The research also linked genetic variants associated with lower empathy to a higher risk for autism.

Inhaled therapy ineffective in difficult-to-treat heart failure

A new inhaled medication for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction failed to improve exercise capacity, daily activity levels, or quality of life. The study's findings suggest that adherence issues and short treatment duration may have contributed to the treatment's ineffectiveness.

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.

Study: Two drugs prevent heart problems in breast cancer patients

A multi-arm, placebo-controlled study showed that ACE inhibitors and beta blockers can significantly offset the risk of heart problems for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. The data demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiotoxicity for patients on these medications who received doxorubicin before Herceptin.

Citizen science birding data passes scientific muster

A recent study published in Biological Conservation shows that eBird citizen science data accurately tracks trends in government bird surveys, filling data gaps in developing nations. The analysis, led by University of Utah researcher Joshua Horns, reveals significant declines for 48% of North American bird species over the past 20 years.

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.

Reduced device clotting, decreased strokes seen with novel heart pump

Patients with advanced heart failure who received a novel heart pump experienced no malfunctions requiring replacement, and their risk of stroke was halved compared to those who received the established version. The new device uses fully magnetic levitation technology to push blood through the device and into the aorta.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New cardiac pump device improves long-term outcomes for heart failure patients

The MOMENTUM 3 clinical trial found that advanced heart-failure patients who received a centrifugal-flow circulatory pump had significantly lower rates of pump-related blood clots and stroke compared to those receiving an axial flow pump. Patients who received the centrifugal-flow pump also had fewer re-operations due to device malfunc...

Ticagrelor has comparable safety to clopidogrel after heart attack

In a trial of over 3,800 patients treated for STEMI at more than 180 centers, researchers found that ticagrelor is safe to use in combination with clot busters in patients younger than 75. The study met its primary endpoint indicating no difference in major bleeding rates between ticagrelor and clopidogrel.

Statins may bring benefits at time of treatment for heart attack, angina

A large trial found that statins significantly reduced major adverse cardiac events among patients undergoing PCI, but not in the broader population. Patients who received a loading dose of statin before PCI were 28% less likely to experience a major adverse cardiac event and 32% less likely to have a heart attack.

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.

3-D mapping babies' brains

Researchers have developed a new method to precisely map brain folds in premature infants, which could lead to early detection of developmental disorders. The technique uses 3-D imaging and computer algorithms to identify subtle patterns of growth and folding, providing a unique fingerprint for each infant's brain development.

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.

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.

Unique diamond impurities indicate water deep in Earth's mantle

Researchers found unique diamond impurities containing Ice-VII, a naturally occurring aqueous fluid from the deep mantle. This discovery provides evidence of water-rich regions deep below the Earth's crust and has significant implications for understanding the planet's inner workings.

ZMapp antibody delivered by viral vector protects against Ebola infection

A new study using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) delivery vectors found that ZMapp antibodies administered to mice resulted in 100% protection against Ebola infection. The study also compared different doses and routes of administration, with the best results achieved using a single rAAV-delivered antibody.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Intravenous arginine benefits children after acute metabolic strokes

A retrospective study found that intravenous arginine treatment led to clinical improvements and no adverse effects in children with mitochondrial disease after acute metabolic strokes. The treatment resulted in partial or complete reversal of symptoms such as seizures, paralysis, and low muscle tone in 47% of patients.

Defect in cells' antenna linked to deformed organs in zebrafish

Researchers discover protein CEP128 regulates critical cellular processes, including heart development, and its inactivity causes severe malformations in zebrafish. Human cells also show similar effect, providing potential insights into treatments for birth defects and diseases.

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.

ANU research reveals genetic timeline of early Pacific settlers

Researchers from ANU have created a comprehensive study on the origins of people in Vanuatu, using DNA analyses and archaeological evidence. The results confirm that Vanuatu's first people arrived 3,000 years ago from South East Asia, with Papuan arrivals following shortly after.

Tokyo Tech's six-legged robots get closer to nature

The study proposes a biologically-inspired controller that uses non-linear oscillators to generate diverse gaits and postures. The system can adapt to different walking speeds and is controlled by high-level parameters, enabling real-time adjustments using brain-computer interfaces.

Can't sleep? Could be down to genetics

A large-scale genome-wide association study found that insomnia has a partially heritable basis and a strong genetic link to type 2 diabetes. The study also identified specific gene variants on chromosomes 7 and 9 associated with insomnia.

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.

Meal times may be key to managing malaria, parasite study shows

A new study suggests that managing eating habits, particularly meal times, could help control malaria infections. Researchers found that malaria parasites in infected mice timed their daily multiplication and invasion of red blood cells to match the animal's feeding schedule.

Flat gallium joins roster of new 2-D materials

Researchers successfully exfoliated gallenene onto various substrates, demonstrating its potential as an efficient metal contact in two-dimensional electronic devices. The method used to create the flat gallium could be explored for other metals and compounds with low melting points.

Trauma and dementia patients given hope by 'flashbulb memory' breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Sussex have identified a specific molecule that plays a key role in forming long-term memories. By controlling this molecule, a drug could be developed to relieve the block on new memories in dementia patients and help repress painful memories in post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers.

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.

New method increases life span of donated brain tissue

Researchers at Lund University have developed a new method that extends the viability of donated brain tissue from people with epilepsy to 48 hours. This allows them to study gene therapy treatment and acquire more data from a small number of patients, bringing treatments closer to the patient without direct testing.

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.

Mastering metastable matter

Researchers created metastable states in an artificial quantum many-body system, observing the switching dynamics between two states. They found that thousands of atoms move through quantum tunnelling during the process.

New blood pressure app and hardware rivals arm cuff accuracy

A new app and hardware for smartphones measures blood pressure with accuracy rivaling arm-cuff devices, according to Michigan State University scientists. The technology uses a fingertip measurement point and includes a discovery of a more convenient measurement location.

A model for autoignition in turbulent jets

Researchers present a mathematical model for autoignition in free round turbulent jets, enabling more efficient supercritical water oxidation technology. The model simplifies complex dynamics into one differential equation, allowing for sharp characterization of autoignition events.

Locked in a forest

A new study finds that reforested areas in the US can absorb significant amounts of carbon, with existing forests capable of sequestering an additional 1-2 billion tons of carbon over 100 years. Researchers analyzed soil profile observations and remote sensing data to determine the rate at which soils absorb carbon.

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.

A highly sensitive and multi-analytical system for hereditary kidney disease

Researchers from Kumamoto University have established a highly sensitive system to assess Col4 functionality, enabling the screening of therapeutic drug candidates. The detection system reduces labor and time costs compared to conventional methods, making it possible to analyze multiple compounds simultaneously.

Study: Absence of key protein, TTP, rapidly turns young bones old

A University at Buffalo study found that the absence of protein tristetraprolin (TTP) leads to rapid bone loss in mice, with oral bone loss increasing by nearly 20% over nine months. Overexpressing TTP reduced bone turnover by 13%. The research has implications for managing bone health in the elderly.

2016 Brexit/Trump election results driven by fear and loathing

A world-first study reveals that regions with psychological hardship responded to populist campaigns based on fear, contributing to the UK's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election. The research found that neurotic personality traits, including anxiety and depression, played a significant role in shaping voting behaviour.