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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 39 of 41

How the brain makes predictions

Research by Professor Yee Lee Shing investigates how brain predicts environment, using EU-funded grant to explore internal models and cognitive processes. Long-term goal is to better understand clinical conditions like autism and schizophrenia.

Enrichment program boosts STEM for black students but leaves Latinos behind

A study by Cornell sociologists found that MESA, a widely-established enrichment program, improved black students' high school STEM engagement but had little impact on Latino students' aspiration to major in a STEM field in college. The researchers suggest tying enrichment programs with social connections to amplify positive effects.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

St. Michael's Hospital cardiology team reports a world first

The Pascal system uses a spacer to fill the gap between leaflets and clamp them onto the spacer, tailored for patients with complex anatomy. The procedure has shown improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations for patients with tricuspid regurgitation, affecting about 5% of people over age 75.

Bubbles of life from the past

Researchers discovered 1.6 billion-year-old fossilized oxygen bubbles trapped in microbial mats, providing a signature for life. These ancient bubbles were created by cyanobacteria through photosynthesis and suggest a larger role for these microbes in shaping the Earth's ecosystem.

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.

Antibiotics may impact cancer treatment efficacy

Researchers found that antibiotics can hinder the efficacy of some cancer treatments, particularly adoptive T-cell therapy, by impacting the gut microbiota. However, CAR T-cell therapy appears to be less affected by antibiotic use.

Mapping nanoscale chemical reactions inside batteries in 3-D

Scientists at University of Illinois Chicago and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a technique to pinpoint chemical reactions inside lithium-ion batteries. This allows them to understand how batteries operate and identify ways to optimize performance.

Virus-like particle could lead to new cancer vaccine

Researchers at Michigan State University are developing a new cancer vaccine using the virus-like particle Qβ, which generates anti-cancer immune responses. The vaccine aims to protect animals against cancerous cells and could translate to human use for spontaneously occurring cancers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mining hardware helps scientists gain insight into silicon nanoparticles

Researchers created a 3D dynamic model of light-nanoparticle interactions using mining hardware, showing particles lose symmetry and optical properties become heterogeneous when exposed to short intense laser pulses. This finding could enable control of light on a nanoscale for ultrafast information processing devices.

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.

Deeper look at biopsy exposes mutation ready to ambush drug combination

Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered a rare pre-existing mutation in PIK3CA that causes rapid drug resistance in melanoma patients. The study found that this mutation was present in the tumor before treatment and rapidly expanded after treatment, leading to swift disease progression.

Vertical measurements of air pollutants in urban Beijing

Researchers used a container to measure light extinction coefficients, gaseous NO2, and black carbon from ground surface to 260m during daytime and nighttime. The study found temperature inversion and local emissions as major factors affecting vertical profiles of air pollutants.

Thawing permafrost causing the 'browning' of northern lakes

Researchers found that thawing permafrost is increasing the concentration of organic matter in Arctic and subarctic ponds. This leads to oxygen depletion and cooler water at the bottom of the ponds, impacting microbial activity and greenhouse gas production.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Previously unknown 'supercolony' of Adélie penguins discovered in Antarctica

A new study led by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has discovered a supercolony of over 1.5 million Adélie penguins in the Danger Islands, off the Antarctic Peninsula's northern tip. The population appears to be resilient to climate change, providing valuable insights for future monitoring and conservation eff...

Backyard chickens need more regulation

A recent UC Davis study suggests that local ordinances for backyard poultry are inadequate, with laws not keeping pace with those for commercial growers. The study recommends stronger regulations on vaccinations, manure management, and general animal welfare in urban settings.

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.

New UTSA lab addresses pediatric feeding disorders

The UTSA lab conducts behavioral assessments and studies food preferences, finding that children with autism commonly reject vegetables and fruits while preferring high-carbohydrate foods. Researchers develop evidence-based practices to help health providers and parents address feeding challenges and promote healthier diets.

Study shows improving pediatric asthma care is possible

A new study published in Hospital Pediatrics shows that improved pediatric asthma care can be achieved through the use of personalized inpatient assessments and streamlined patient care decision tools. The study found that clinicians who used these tools had a significant improvement in the accuracy of prescribed medication, with an in...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Unprecedentedly wide and sharp dark matter map

A team of researchers has created a comprehensive dark matter map, indicating inconsistent halos with the standard cosmological model. The findings could hold new clues to understanding the accelerating expansion of the Universe.

Fossilized plant leaf wax provides new tool for understanding ancient climates

Researchers have developed a new method to estimate ancient atmospheric water content based on fossil plant leaf waxes, which can help predict future climate changes. By studying the chemistry of these compounds in soils and sediments, scientists can reconstruct past climates and test their understanding of global warming.

Capturing the balance of nature

A study spanning twelve years reveals that natural ecological communities are dynamic and influenced by species diversity and interactions. The researchers developed a method to calculate the fluctuating stability of a natural ecological community in Maizuru Bay, providing new methodologies for ecological and population research.

Sedative may prevent delirium in the ICU

Researchers found that a low dose of dexmedetomidine at night significantly reduced the incidence of delirium and prolonged free periods without delirium in ICU patients. Additionally, patients receiving dexmedetomidine were less likely to experience severe pain if they were in pain, but sleep quality showed no significant improvement.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Scientists use satellites and drones to discover Antarctic penguin 'super-colonies'

A recent expedition using satellite imagery and quadcopter-based aerial photography revealed the Danger Islands have over 751,527 pairs of Adélie penguins, making them the third and fourth largest colonies worldwide. The discovery sheds light on how climate change affects this species, with potential implications for conservation efforts.

Two-year study of gun policy research finds gaps, proposes fixes

A two-year study by RAND Corporation found persuasive evidence for child access prevention laws and moderate evidence for background checks and mental illness-related prohibitions. The study identified gaps in evidence for most gun laws, but suggests areas for compromise and increased funding for gun research.

3-D-written model to provide better understanding of cancer spread

Researchers at Purdue University have created a lifelike cancer environment using polymer to better understand how drugs can stop its course. The 3D jet writer device produces polymer microtissues with pore sizes large enough for cells to enter, enabling the simulation of metastasis in mice.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

New study confirms Cambodia's last leopards on brink of extinction

A new study has confirmed that Cambodia's last breeding population of leopards is at immediate risk of extinction due to increased poaching and habitat loss. The population has declined by 72% over the past five years, with only 20-30 reproductive individuals remaining in eastern Cambodia.

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.

Inflammatory bowel disease increases likelihood of a heart attack

A study analyzing medical records from over 17.5 million patients found that people with inflammatory bowel disease are at elevated risk for a heart attack, regardless of traditional risk factors. Younger patients, especially those under 40 years old and females, face the highest risks.

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.

Crowdlending: Anatomy of a successful strategy

A crowdlending pioneer developed a successful strategy by creating a niche market and collaborating with regulatory bodies. He achieved this through a 'coopetition' approach, combining competition and cooperation to bypass the banking monopoly and establish new regulations.

Heart attacks often follow dramatic changes in outdoor temperature

A study found that large day-to-day swings in outdoor temperature are associated with a significantly increased risk of heart attacks. The researchers calculated the temperature fluctuation preceding each heart attack and found that a five-degree jump in temperature differential was linked to a 5% increase in heart attack rates.

Caught on camera: Amazonian crop raiders

A new study reveals that collared peccaries, red brocket deer, paca, and agoutis are the most damaging crop-raiding animals in the Amazon. Crop raiding damages farmers' livelihoods by reducing crop yields and requiring costly protection.

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.

They grin, you bear it -- research reveals physical impact of a smile

A study published in Scientific Reports found that smiles meant to convey dominance are associated with a spike in stress hormones, while reward smiles appear to physically buffer recipients against stress. This suggests that subtle differences in facial expressions can fundamentally change our experience and physiological response.

A bird in the bush equals money in the hand

A new ecotourism strategy has been tested in Lao PDR, reducing illegal hunting and increasing wildlife sightings. The direct payment approach incentivizes local communities to conserve wildlife, resulting in a three-fold increase in non-tourism sector hunting signs and an overall increase in wildlife sightings.