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Science News for March 30, 2018


Bioinspired slick method improves water harvesting

Scientists at UT Dallas created a surface that can capture and direct water droplets from fog and air vapor, rapidly directing them into reservoirs via lubricated microgrooves. The 'hydrophilic directional slippery rough surfaces' (SRS) use hydroxy functional groups to efficiently capture water droplets.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018

Linking teen driving behaviors to ADHD, other mental health factors

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researcher Catherine McDonald links teenage driving behaviors to mental health factors like ADHD and depression. The research team found that teens with inattention symptoms made more mistakes on a driving simulator, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to address these issues.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNursing Research·DateMar 30, 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.

Computer searches telescope data for evidence of distant planets

A team of MIT researchers has developed a machine-learning system that can automatically search for debris disks around stars, indicating the presence of exoplanets. The system achieved a 97% accuracy rate and identified 367 previously unexamined celestial objects as promising candidates for further study.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAstronomy and Computing·DateMar 30, 2018

Proposed border wall will harm Texas plants and animals, scientists say

A proposed Texas border wall would threaten endangered species, cause habitat destruction, and disrupt the region's growing ecotourism industry. The construction of the wall and associated roads could also damage valuable riparian forest ecosystems and harm pollinators.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateMar 30, 2018

Basking sharks gather in large groups off northeast US coast

Researchers analyzed basking shark aggregations off the northeastern US coast to learn more about their behavior. They found that these events occurred during summer and fall, when sea surface temperatures were between 55-75 degrees F, and are likely related to foraging and socializing.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalJournal of Fish Biology·DateMar 30, 2018

Researchers find ways to impede progress of neurodegenerative diseases

A new paper reveals water-soluble polyol-methanofullerenes can decrease mitochondrial transmembrane potential, making them promising for targeted mitochondrial medications. This mechanism may be effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, characterized by hyperpolarized mitochondria.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalBioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters·DateMar 30, 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.

Stanford researchers probe the complex nature of concussion

Researchers found that concussions occur when a deep area of the brain shakes rapidly and intensely, straining surrounding tissues. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between head impacts and brain motion, highlighting the need for further research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of concussions.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2018

Study: To prevent collapse of tropical forests, protect their shape

A new study finds that maintaining a forest's natural shape is crucial in preventing its collapse. The research uses high-resolution satellite data to show that the shape of forests follows a predictable mathematical relationship between perimeter and area, which can help predict stability.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 30, 2018

Adult-onset neurodegeneration has roots in early development

A study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation found that adult-onset progressive degenerative diseases have their roots in early developmental defects. Researchers used a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and discovered altered neural circuitry in the cerebellum, which sets the stage for later disease vulnerability.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 30, 2018

Monash discovery uncovers clue to disarm gonorrhea superbug

Gonorrhoea superbugs have developed resistance to all known antibiotics, targeting human immune cells called macrophages. Monash researchers discovered the mechanism of evasion, which could lead to new strategies for combating gonorrhea infection.

SourceMonash University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 30, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Did highest known sea levels create the iconic shape of Mount Etna?

New research suggests that high sea levels in the Mediterranean Sea may have triggered the formation of Mount Etna's distinctive cone structure. This theory proposes that changes in the volcano's magma behavior coincide with periods of rising sea levels, which could also explain similar changes at other volcanic sites worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEpisodes·DateMar 30, 2018

Calculating the impacts of natural events on wildlife

Researchers developed a new approach to measure the impact of natural disasters on wildlife populations, finding that frequent intense events exert strong selection pressures on species. The study suggests that the 2011 tsunami had a relatively small impact on organisms living in Japan's intertidal zone, comparable to a Pacific storm.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 30, 2018

Study finds children with autism and ADHD at higher risk for anxiety

A new study published in Pediatrics found that children with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at a higher risk of developing anxiety and mood disorders. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,300 children, revealed that these psychiatric conditions were more prevalent in ol...

SourceGolinHarris DC·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 30, 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.

Using chosen names reduces odds of depression and suicide in transgender youths

Researchers found that allowing transgender youths to use their chosen name in various settings significantly reduced symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, and attempts. The study revealed a 71% decrease in severe depression, 34% decrease in suicidal thoughts, and 65% decrease in suicidal attempts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 30, 2018

Strings of electron-carrying proteins may hold the secret to 'electric bacteria'

Researchers found that Shewanella oneidensis bacteria use 'nanowires' to transfer electrons outside their cells, enabling them to survive and thrive in environments with limited oxygen. This discovery could lead to the development of new machines that combine living cells with electronic components.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2018

Researchers identify how hit to the head leads to concussion

A study by Mehmet Kurt from Stevens Institute of Technology found that concussions occur when deep white matter regions of the brain, particularly the corpus callosum, shake more rapidly and intensely than surrounding areas. This understanding could lead to better helmet designs and real-time diagnostic tools for athletes.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2018

Microengineered slippery rough surface for water harvesting from air

Researchers at Penn State developed a microengineered slippery rough surface that surpasses current technology in water harvesting applications. The new surface combines the properties of pitcher plants and rice leaves, allowing it to collect tiny water droplets from air at a faster rate.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 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.

Cracking eggshell nanostructure

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a unique nanostructure in chicken eggshells that contributes to their strength and fragility. The findings, published in Science Advances, could lead to improved food safety by enabling the selection of genetic traits in laying hens that produce consistently stronger eggs.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018

A novel test bed for non-equilibrium many-body physics

A novel test bed for non-equilibrium many-body physics has been created using a one-dimensional quantum wire containing a mesoscopic lattice. Researchers were able to control the interactions between electrons and observe the emergence of a band-insulating phase with weak interactions.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 30, 2018

A synthetic chameleon has been developed

Researchers created a synthetic material that mimics the active camouflage of a chameleon's skin, changing its color and stiffness in response to mechanical stimuli. The material has potential applications in medicine, particularly in the manufacture of biological implants.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScience·DateMar 30, 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.

Optimistic Latinos have healthier hearts, study finds

A new study found that optimistic Latinos are more likely to meet the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health, with each unit increase in optimism associated with a 3% higher odds. Optimism levels differed by ancestry, with Latinos of Cuban and Central American heritage being the most optimistic.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBMJ Open·DateMar 30, 2018

Butterflies of the soul

Researchers have detailed for the first time how interneurons emerge and diversify in the brain, tracing their lineage from earliest precursor states to mature forms in mice. The study identified key genetic programs that determine the fate of developing interneurons, shedding light on their functions and potential treatment strategies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2018
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.

£2.2 million boost for pioneering research into mental health conditions

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh will pool anonymised health records, genetics, and psychological studies to better understand mental health conditions like depression. The £2.2 million initiative could lead to new treatments and improved resilience for one in four people in the UK who experience a mental health issue annually.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateMar 30, 2018

Engineers turn plastic insulator into heat conductor

A team of MIT engineers has developed a polymer thermal conductor that can dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional insulators. The new material is lightweight and flexible, conducting 10 times as much heat as most commercially used polymers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018

NASA satellite gets an eye-opening look at Super Typhoon Jelawat

Super Typhoon Jelawat has developed an eye as it strengthens into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph. The NASA satellite captured a stunning image of the storm on March 30, revealing its 6-mile-wide eye surrounded by strong convective storms.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 30, 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.

Is there life adrift in the clouds of Venus?

Researchers propose that Venus' cloudy atmosphere could be a niche for extraterrestrial microbial life due to its highly acidic conditions and presence of sulfuric acid. The atmosphere's unique properties, such as the dark patches composed of concentrated sulfuric acid, have sparked interest in exploring this possibility.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAstrobiology·DateMar 30, 2018