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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 8 of 41

Mitochondrial disease patients face difficult road to diagnosis

A new study reveals that mitochondrial disease patients often undergo more than eight physician visits and experience multiple misdiagnoses before being correctly diagnosed. The most common misdiagnosis was for psychiatric disorder, followed by fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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.

Smoking in patients with heart attack reduced with varenicline

A randomized controlled trial found that varenicline significantly reduced smoking in patients with heart attack over the following year. The study showed that about 40% of participants who received varenicline were not smoking at one year, compared to 29% in the placebo group.

Are antibiotic courses prescribed for sinus infection too long?

Most antibiotic courses for acute sinus infection in adults exceed five days, despite guidelines recommending a maximum of seven days. The study analyzed over 3.7 million visits by private practice physicians and found that nearly 70% of prescribed treatments lasted longer than 10 days.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ultrathin endoscope captures neurons firing deep in the brain

Scientists have created an ultra-thin fiber-based endoscope that can image neurons firing in living mice, offering new insights into brain function. The device is five times thinner than the smallest commercially available microendoscopes and allows for deeper brain imaging without damaging tissue.

Improving human-data interaction to speed nanomaterials innovation

A new application of data analysis and visualization techniques has been developed to improve the representation of multidimensional materials data. This approach enables scientists to extract useful relationships among properties, facilitating discovery and industrial use in nanomaterials research.

Boys, fathers and mentors work together for STEM engagement

A three-year NSF grant will support the St. Elmo Brady Academy program, which targets fourth- and fifth-grade African-American and Latino boys in Houston's schools. The project aims to encourage a positive perception of math and science among these students through hands-on engineering activities.

Who becomes a hero? It is more than just a personality trait

A study found that three key factors contributed to collective action in rescuing Tutsi during the genocide: biographical availability, socialization, and situational context. Many rescuers were older, had higher socioeconomic status, and came from families with a history of saving Tutsi.

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.

How infighting turns toxic for chimpanzees

A recent study analyzed the social networks of 19 male chimpanzees, revealing how power struggles and competition for mates led to the division of the chimp community. The findings suggest that internal conflicts can have far-reaching consequences in primate societies.

Understanding charge transfers in molecular electronics

A research team has found a way to understand and manipulate charge transfers in molecular junctions, enabling the creation of predictable molecular diodes. This breakthrough has significant implications for the field of chemistry and could lead to novel electronics applications.

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.

Insect toxin detected in the world's longest animal

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered a peptide toxin in the bootlace worm that can paralyze and kill crustaceans and cockroaches, with potential applications in agricultural insecticides. The toxin affects sodium channels, causing electric signalling in nerves and muscles, leading to paralysis.

Seawater lithium and Permian-Triassic mass extinction

Researchers analyzed sedimentary rocks and found light lithium isotopes in South China's seawater, potentially linking terrestrial and marine ecological crises. The findings suggest a connection between the Siberian Traps' eruptions and the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event.

Carbohydrate biomarker improves screening for breast cancer patients

Researchers have identified a specific sugar found on aggressive breast cancer cells that can be used as a biomarker to detect high-risk patients. This discovery aims to improve screening for early-stage breast cancer patients, reducing unnecessary treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.

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.

Looking deeper into brain function

Researchers propose a new concept to uncover connections between brain regions and cognitive functions, using a bottom-up approach. Recent advances in statistical methodology and brain imaging data provide the basis for this new method, which could help reveal the core functions of brain areas.

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.

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.

Trends in US surface water body area

Researchers report lower surface water bodies in western US, while eastern half experiences greater variability and increased areas in the Southeast US and Great Plains.

Keeping the genetic code

Researchers at Wyss Institute developed a CRISPR/Cas9 genome surveillance tool to prevent point mutations in human DNA. The approach enhances Cas9's specificity, allowing for the removal of deleterious genetic variants.

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.

Food waste: The biggest loss could be what you choose to put in your mouth

A new study suggests that adopting plant-based diets could increase global food production by 50-200 times, making it a game-changer for addressing hunger and food waste. By replacing animal-based foods with edible crops, researchers estimate that 350 million more people could be fed with the same land resources.

Animal migrations

Research estimates vulnerability and extinction risk of migratory species from different regions and ecosystems worldwide. Migratory animals face barriers such as roads, dams, and urban development, which can lead to population decline and increased extinction risk.

Drug reduces inflammation in stroke patients

Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that an anti-inflammatory drug, Kineret, significantly reduces levels of inflammation in patients with ischemic strokes. The study, funded by the Stroke Association, shows promise for fast and effective treatment of stroke, but further trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

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.

Is glass transition driven by thermodynamics?

The study reveals a clear correlation between structural order and dynamics in supercooled liquids, indicating that glass formation is thermodynamic. The researchers found that the link between slow alpha and fast beta modes has a common structural origin, resolving two issues at once.

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.

Stress signaling in ancestors of land plants

Gene expression studies reveal genes involved in stress response signaling in streptophyte algae, the ancient ancestors of land plants. These findings provide insight into the evolution of land plant stress response mechanisms.

Why does sleep become disrupted in old age?

Research suggests that age-related disruptions in sleep are not due to changes in individual neurons' activity. The study found similar effects of sleep deprivation on local sleep oscillations across different age groups.

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.

Competition and conflict in Formula One racing

Researchers analyzed 732 Formula One races to find that drivers of similar status, age, or competing in safe conditions are more likely to experience collisions. The study suggests that targeting these factors could aid in preventing conflicts among drivers.

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.

E-cigarettes hampered smoking cessation in study

A recent study found that e-cigarette users were less likely to abstain from tobacco at 6 months compared to non-users. However, this finding may not be representative of the general population, and more research is needed to determine the efficacy of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation.

Spiders and scorpions have co-opted leg genes to build their heads

Researchers Emily Setton and Prashant Sharma discovered that spiders and scorpions co-opted leg genes to build their heads. This genetic adaptation allows scientists to trace the evolutionary history of these animals, revealing a complex web of genetic mechanisms underlying their diversity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Are fire ants worse this spring because of Hurricane Harvey?

Researchers assess whether extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey impact invasive pests, pollinators and other species. The team evaluates changes in ant communities to determine if floods accelerated the invasion process by invasive fire ants and tawny crazy ants.