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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 3 of 41

Hockey victories may increase heart attack risk in Canadian men

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found a link between Montreal Canadiens victories and an increased risk of heart attacks in men under 55. Winning games produced more heart attacks than losses, with a 40% increase in hospital admissions after home victories.

Scientists penalized by motherhood

A study by Cornelia Lawson et al. reveals female scientists with young children receive less funding and citation rates compared to their male counterparts. The researchers highlight the need for support systems for women with childcare responsibilities.

Colon signaling pathway key to inflammatory bowel disease

A Tokyo Medical and Dental University-led study found that a protein signaling pathway enhances expression of genes encoding inflammatory mediators in macrophages, contributing to colonic inflammation. The research may lead to novel targets for IBD therapy.

Neurocognitive risk may begin before treatment for young leukemia patients

Research from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that leukemia itself may increase the risk of long-term neurocognitive problems, even before treatment starts. Elevated biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid indicate injury to brain cells, suggesting a complex interaction among genetics, treatment intensity, and other factors.

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.

Low birthweight in newborns linked to protein in placenta

Scientists have discovered higher levels of humanin in placentas of women who gave birth to underweight infants. This protein may play a role in protecting the fetus during placental failure. The study highlights the importance of understanding the causes of low birthweight and its potential impact on adult health.

A high-specificity test detects prior infection by Zika virus

A new serological test developed by Brazilian scientists detects antibodies against Zika virus in blood serum with high specificity, outperforming existing tests. The test aims to improve prevention policies for pregnant women and provide more accurate diagnoses.

Meditate regularly for an improved attention span in old age

Regular meditation practice has been shown to improve sustained attention and response inhibition in older adults, with benefits partially maintained over seven years. Despite plateauing, the cognitive gains observed suggest potential long-term benefits of continued meditation practice.

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.

Turtle shells help decode complex links between modern, fossil species

Researchers used geometric morphometrics to analyze shell shape in eastern box turtles, finding a gradient of variation that carries through to modern box turtles. The study suggests some fossils represent lost subspecies or extinct species, while others show a closer relationship to modern species.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Liverpool researchers to help transform treatment for children with arthritis

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Alder Hey will join a UK-wide effort to drive the development of new, targeted treatments for children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its associated eye-inflammation condition, uveitis. The CLUSTER Consortium aims to improve the lives of children living wit...

Simulations document self-assembly of proteins and DNA

Researchers developed an algorithm to simulate molecular dynamics of patchy particles, which are made up of a rigid body with only two charged patches. The findings provide new insights into what makes biological entities like protein/DNA combinations self-assemble.

New colon cancer finding could lead to earlier diagnosis -- and better outcomes

Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have made a groundbreaking discovery about colon cancer, revealing that certain hidden polyps may be responsible for up to 30-40% of cases. The study also found that these polyps are caused by a mutation in the BRAF gene and could potentially be detected through fecal samples.

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.

Decades-long trends, not flawed vaccine, explain resurgent whooping cough

A recent study concludes that natural population turnover, incomplete vaccination coverage, and waning protection from a highly effective yet imperfect vaccine explain the resurgence of whooping cough in the US. The disease's high contagiousness and potential for fatal complications make it essential to understand its causes.

Research uncovers a potential new strategy to fight ovarian cancer

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a key regulator of a cellular pathway that selectively targets mutant p53-R175H proteins, which promote ovarian cancer growth. The study suggests designing drugs directed at this regulator might lead to better ways to control cancer growth.

Kobe's smart city project begins underground

A 3-year initiative aims to develop an airflow control system based on AI sensors detecting human movement and air currents in the underground complex Santica. The goal is a 50% cut in energy and CO2 emissions.

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.

Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research

The Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research was the largest of its kind held in a non-Arctic country, attracting 344 participants from 18 nations. Researchers discussed global warming impacts, climate change effects, and new research projects such as MOSAiC.

Finding the Achilles heel of cancer

Researchers found that cancer cells have extra and longer centrioles, disrupting cell division, in aggressive breast and colon cancers. This discovery may aid in classifying tumors for prognosis and predicting treatment response.

Study: Parental conflict can do lasting damage to kids

New research shows that even low-level parental conflict can have lasting damage on children's emotional development. Shy children are particularly vulnerable, with shyness exacerbating the problem. Children from high-conflict homes struggle to accurately identify neutral interactions, leading to potential instability in adulthood.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Dark matter is a no show in ghostly galaxy

Researchers found a galaxy with almost no dark matter, challenging the long-held idea that galaxies start with dark matter halos. The team discovered 10 globular clusters in NGC1052-DF2, which could account for all the mass in the galaxy.

Mandatory nutrition policies may impact sugar consumption

A University of Waterloo study found that mandatory nutrition policies in Ontario reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 16% compared to Alberta. The study suggests that schools alone may not be enough to curb adolescents' intake of sugary drinks, highlighting the need for broader environmental changes.

USDA's NIFA invests in food safety outreach and educational programs

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $4.7 million to support food safety education for producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The funding will provide customized training to small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, and socially-disadvantaged farmers.

Automated electric taxis could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs

Researchers developed a model to test the cost and capabilities of a fleet of shared, automated electric vehicles in New York City. The study found that about 6,500 vehicles could be sustained on 1,500 medium-power electric vehicle chargers across Manhattan, resulting in a 33,000-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per year.

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.

NASA finds Tropical Storm Jelawat strengthening

Tropical Storm Jelawat is intensifying due to cold cloud top temperatures as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm's maximum sustained winds strengthened to 50 knots on March 28, forecasted to reach hurricane force within 24 hours.

By river, ocean, or wind, rocks round the same way

A team of scientists has discovered that rocks round up in the same way regardless of their origin, with a common process guiding their shape evolution. By combining mathematical models and laboratory experiments, the researchers found that collisions between particles favor the chipping off of small sediment fragments.

PSU researcher to examine volcanic ash to aid evacuations

Researchers from PSU, Stanford, and USGS will investigate volcanic ash behavior to inform emergency evacuations and air traffic decisions. Using high-resolution cameras and lasers, they aim to gain a better understanding of how far volcanic particles drift and cluster.

Latest nanowire experiment boosts confidence in Majorana sighting

Scientists have captured compelling evidence for Majorana quasiparticles, which are predicted to form the backbone of a type of quantum computer. The latest experiment uses ultra-thin semiconductor and superconducting aluminum to unlock the particles' presence, with results confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating robustness.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Plants, fungi and bacteria work together to clean polluted land

A study by McGill University researchers found that complex interactions among roots, fungi, and bacteria drive the degradation of hydrocarbons in polluted soil. This discovery suggests a new approach to phytoremediation, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research.

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.

It's a trap!

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the mechanism by which holes become trapped in zinc oxide nanoparticles, a material with potential for solar energy applications. The study uses X-ray techniques to visualize hole trapping in specific regions of the nanoparticle, revealing its impact on material performance.

Photosynthesis uses vibrations as 'traffic signals'

Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.

13,000-year-old human footprints found off Canada's Pacific coast

Researchers have discovered 29 human footprints in intertidal beach sediments off the coast of British Columbia, dated to around 13,000 years ago. The findings suggest that humans were present on the west coast of Canada about 13,000 years ago, as it emerged from the most recent ice age.

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 self-driving cars could shrink parking lots

Researchers at U of T Engineering found that optimizing for autonomous vehicles can increase parking lot capacity by 62%. A well-designed AV parking lot can accommodate more cars than a conventional one, with square-shaped lots capable of increasing capacity up to 87%.

High-precision control of valves and locks without the need for sensors

Researchers at Saarland University develop a sensor-free control methodology for electromagnetic valves and locks, achieving high-precision control without additional position sensors. The new technology allows devices to maintain intermediate positions and operate continuously variable systems.

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.

NASA set to launch rocket carrying Penn State-led experiment

The Water Recovery X-ray rocket, WRX, will test a newly-developed X-ray spectrograph and study the X-rays from a supernova remnant in the Milky Way galaxy. The mission will provide information about the conditions in the Vela supernova remnant, including temperature, density, chemical composition, and ionization state.

2018 HFSP Research Grants

The Human Frontier Science Program awarded over $34 million to 31 winning research teams in a global competition that started with 771 submissions from scientists in 50+ countries. The funding supports cutting-edge, interdisciplinary projects under the theme Complex mechanisms of living organisms.

Stand Up To Cancer grants encourage 'innovation in collaboration'

The SU2C Phillip A. Sharp Innovation in Collaboration Awards aim to strengthen collaboration among scientists conducting cancer research, with five teams receiving $1.25 million to work on new projects across institutional and national lines. The grants focus on synergies among researchers from different institutions and skill sets.

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.

Berkeley Lab scientists print all-liquid 3-D structures

Researchers create reconfigurable material using liquid tubes, which can be customized into reaction vessels for various uses. The material can conform to surroundings and repeatedly change shape, opening doors for new chemical synthesis and electronic applications.

Global cancer trial sets new standard for post-surgery chemotherapy

A global clinical trial collaboration published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that stage III colon cancer patients can cut their chemotherapy treatments in half after surgery, reducing costs and side effects. For low-risk patients with shallow tumors and few affected lymph nodes, a three-month course is shown to be safe ...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Can the causal order between events change in quantum mechanics?

Researchers develop new theoretical framework to describe quantum causal structures transformation. They found that continuous and reversible dynamics prevent definite causal structure from becoming indefinite, but specific circumstances can determine the causal order.