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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 34 of 41

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.

Two new species of stone centipedes found hiding in larch forests in China

Scientists have discovered two new species of stone centipedes in China's larch forests, including Lithobius (Ezembius) tetraspinus and Hessebius luculentus. The newly found species exhibit unique characteristics, such as color patterns and body size, and inhabit relatively moist habitats at high altitudes.

New prostate cancer risk model could better guide treatment

A new genomic classifier score predicts aggressive prostate cancer, potentially changing treatment guidelines. The model integrates gene expression biomarker risk scores into existing risk groups, increasing accuracy and confidence in treatment recommendations.

Imaging agent helps predict success of lung cancer therapy

A new PET scan-compatible imaging agent can detect specific mutations in lung cancer tumors, predicting treatment success. Over 80% of patients with detected mutations showed positive response to targeted drug, while those without signals saw limited benefits.

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.

Birth of new neurons in the human hippocampus ends in childhood

New research from University of California - San Francisco scientists shows that the human hippocampus no longer produces new neurons after childhood. This finding presents a challenge to previous studies suggesting neurogenesis could help treat brain diseases.

The brain's internal clock continually takes its temperature

Researchers found that a specific part of the fly brain's circadian clock, DN1p, increases activity when cooled and decreases activity when heated, suggesting a key role in regulating sleep patterns. The study has implications for understanding how temperature affects human sleep behavior.

Diverse tropical forests grow fast despite widespread phosphorus limitation

Researchers found that individual tree species are limited by phosphorus but entire forest communities are not. Forests with low phosphorus soils actually show faster growth rates compared to those with high phosphorus levels. This discovery has significant implications for understanding forest growth and change in tropical regions.

Nervous system discovery could inform stroke, pain therapies

Researchers at OHSU have discovered the atomic structure of acid-sensing ion channels, which play a role in pain sensation and psychiatric disorders. The study's findings could inform the development of new therapeutic agents targeting these channels for stroke and pain treatments.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

New butterfly species named for Field Museum's Emily Graslie

Scientists have named a new butterfly species, Wahydra graslieae, after the Field Museum's chief curiosity correspondent Emily Graslie. The dark rust-colored skipper with silver scales is found in the Ecuadorian Andes and expands our understanding of the genus Wahydra diversity.

Why people experience seasonal skin changes

A new study reveals that seasonal skin changes are caused by climatic and humidity fluctuations, which affect the skin's barrier function. The research suggests that individuals should protect their skin with emollients in winter and sunscreen in summer to manage skin disorders such as eczema.

Living in a sunnier climate as a child and young adult may reduce risk of MS

Research suggests that living in areas with more sunlight, particularly UV-B rays, can lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Exposure in childhood and young adulthood is also linked to reduced risk. The study found a 45% reduced risk of MS in those living in sunnier climates compared to those with low UV-B ray exposure.

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.

With a TENG, solar cells could work come rain or shine

Researchers have created hybrid solar cells that can harness energy from both sunlight and falling raindrops. The innovative design uses textured polymers to increase the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) in rainy conditions.

Study suggests why food assistance for homeless young adults is inadequate

A new study by University at Buffalo social work researcher Elizabeth Bowen found that food assistance programs often fail to provide reliable access to nutritious food for homeless young adults. The research highlights the need for policy changes, such as revising SNAP eligibility guidelines and providing more flexible support structu...

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.

Slow-release hydrogel aids immunotherapy for cancer

A new slow-release hydrogel has been developed to aid immunotherapy for cancer, providing a continuous dose of immunotherapy drugs to activate the immune system. The hydrogel, called STINGel, was tested in lab cultures and in vivo trials, showing promise in killing cancer cells and preventing further implantation of cancer cells.

Estimates overstated for Mongolian rangelands damaged by livestock

A new study led by Colorado State University found less irreversible damage from livestock in Mongolia's rangelands, with most areas only slightly or moderately degraded. However, key areas may be reaching a tipping point of irreversible damage due to persistently high levels of forage use.

MIPT physicists tune a spin diode

Researchers at MIPT created a spin diode by placing ferromagnetic layers between two antiferromagnetic materials, allowing for tunable resistance and resonant frequency. This design triples the frequency range of conventional spin diodes while maintaining sensitivity comparable to semiconductor analogs.

Direct observation of topology hidden inside materials

A joint research group has successfully observed topology hidden inside materials using soft X-rays. This achievement enables the direct determination of material topology without relying on surface appearance, which is expected to lead to the discovery of more diverse topological electronic phases.

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.

Adult chimpanzees play more than adult lowland gorillas in captivity

A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult chimpanzees exhibit more frequent and longer play sessions compared to adult lowland gorillas in captivity. This suggests a difference in their level of social cohesion, with chimpanzees living in highly cohesive groups and gorillas having lower levels of social affiliation.

Scientists' warning to humanity 'most talked about paper'

The World scientists' warning to humanity has prompted global responses and endorsements, with the latest translation including Polish. The paper highlights two key areas for action: incorporating externalised environmental limits into economics and implementing higher carbon prices globally.

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.

Diamond discovery under pressure

Researchers have discovered a diamond containing the fourth most abundant mineral in Earth, calcuim silicate perovskite, at the surface. This finding suggests that oceanic crust is recycled into the lower mantle, with potential implications for our understanding of Earth's core.

US cancer treatment guidelines 'often based on weak evidence'

A recent study published in The BMJ questioned the underlying evidence for current US cancer treatment guidelines. Researchers found that these guidelines often rely on low-quality or no evidence at all. The study highlights concerns about the justification of costly and toxic cancer drugs based on weak evidence.

Experts issue recommendations to manage unwanted hair growth in women

The Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline examines causes and treatments for hirsutism, a condition where women experience unwanted hair growth. The guideline recommends testing for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other underlying health problems in all women with unwanted dark or coarse hair.

Chronic ill-health and the chances of surviving a heart attack

Patients with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to die after a heart attack due to the lack of specific guidelines. The study found that clustering of chronic conditions affects mortality rates, with those in high multimorbidity groups having poorer outcomes.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Portland State receives $1 million grant to aid STEM transfer students

The university aims to improve STEM transfer student success by providing academically promising, low-income community college students with opportunities for relationships with faculty, advisors, and fellow students. PSU will offer substantial course-based research experiences and individual internships or independent research projects.

Moving toward a future free of drug-induced hearing loss

A new special publication compiled by leading hearing experts highlights the latest research on drug-induced hearing loss. The study reveals that ototoxicity affects millions of people worldwide, particularly those age 75 or older, and emphasizes the need for better monitoring and detection of hearing loss over time.

Overlooked cell key player in preventing age-related vision loss

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that Müller glia play a crucial role in preserving retinal synapses and preventing vision loss in macular degeneration. The research suggests that Müller glia are an important therapeutic target for treating degenerative eye diseases.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists seek unfiltered truth about 'light' cigarettes

Researchers from Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and other institutions study the effects of ventilated filter cigarettes on smoking behavior, addiction potential, and lung cancer risk. They aim to inform FDA decisions on regulating cigarette design changes, ultimately moving toward safer products.

Comet Chury formed by a catastrophic collision

A team of researchers proposes a new scenario for the formation of Comet Chury, suggesting it formed through a gentle encounter between two comets, preserving its primordial composition. This process allows for the survival of small bodies like Chury, which would otherwise be destroyed by collisions in the regions where they orbit.

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.

Many small differences contribute to a large variation

Researchers found that multiple small differences, rather than a single factor, explain the large variation in how people respond to drugs. The study used systems biology and metabolomics techniques to analyze protein and metabolite concentrations in cell culture experiments.

UGA researchers develop new method to improve crops

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new technique called epimutagenesis that allows them to selectively activate silenced genes in plants, resulting in increased resistance to drought and disease. This method has the potential to create crop varieties with improved yield and adaptability.

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.

University of Guelph researchers reveal new way to potentially fight Ebola

Researchers at the University of Guelph have made a breakthrough in combating Ebola with an innovative antibody delivery method. The approach delivers monoclonal antibodies through a viral vector, bypassing the need for a natural immune response, offering 100-per-cent protection against Ebola infection in mice.

Logo recognition associated with kids' choice of international junk foods

A new study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that kids who easily identified international food logos preferred them over local options. The research team gathered data from 2422 children in six countries, showing a strong association between logo recognition and junk food preferences.

Frequent 'I-Talk' may signal proneness to emotional distress

Researchers found that frequent use of first-person singular pronouns may indicate a tendency towards negative emotionality, rather than depression alone. High levels of 'I-talk' were linked to anxiety and other negative emotions, suggesting it could be a broader risk factor for mental health concerns.

Strict eating schedule can lower Huntington disease protein in mice

Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that restricting food access to a six-hour window per day stimulated autophagy and lowered mutant huntingtin protein levels in mice with Huntington disease. This suggests a potential new treatment approach for the disorder, which could be complementary to existing therapies.

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.

Salk scientists find power switch for muscles

Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified ERRγ as a key player in delivering benefits associated with endurance exercise. By increasing ERRγ, they found that skeletal muscle energy production and endurance were restored, making it a potential therapeutic target for conditions such as muscular dystrophy.

Bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotic, missed by standard tests

Researchers at Emory University have discovered heteroresistance to colistin in already carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, making it harder to monitor and treat. The findings pose a significant threat to public health, highlighting the need for novel diagnostics to rapidly detect colistin resistance.

Escape artist

Researchers from the University of Toronto discovered that Captorhinus, a small reptile from the Early Permian period, could detach its tail to escape predators. The reptiles had naturally occurring cracks in their vertebrae that allowed them to break away and escape relatively unharmed.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Engineering a new spin for disease diagnostics

A new liquid biopsy platform uses centrifugal microfluidics to isolate and enrich circulating disease biomarkers from patient blood, promising a less invasive diagnostic procedure. The technique, called μCENSE, separates vesicles containing biomarkers using centrifugal force, reducing extraction time from hours to minutes.