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Science News Archive March 2018 - Page 5


Page 5 of 41

Research shows why we struggle to get good night's sleep as we get older

Researchers discovered that aging reduces sensitivity to light in the brain's circadian rhythm control center, affecting the SCN's ability to set a stable circadian rhythm. This structural change in the glutamate receptor impairs its function, contributing to age-related disruptions in sleep patterns and overall wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateMar 27, 2018

Preclinical testing suggests some antioxidants may be effective in treating mitochondrial disease

Researchers found two compounds effective in prolonging lifespan and protecting against brain damage in animal models of mitochondrial disease. These findings suggest that N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E may be viable leads for clinical trials to treat mitochondrial disease, which has no proven effective treatments.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalMolecular Genetics and Metabolism·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

New device uses biochemistry techniques to detect rare radioactive decays

Researchers have developed a new device that uses fluorescence to detect ions and identify the product of a rare radioactive decay called neutrinoless double-beta decay. The discovery could provide insight into the nature of the neutrino, which may offer an explanation for the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 27, 2018

New research shows how submarine groundwater affects coral reef growth

A recent study found that high levels of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can harm coral reefs by causing stress and accelerating bioerosion. However, when SGD is at low levels, corals can actually thrive on the reef, suggesting a potential solution to mitigate reef degradation in urban areas like Maunalua Bay.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateMar 27, 2018

New study shows what interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua can teach us

A new study by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center team has calculated how 'Oumuamua fits into our understanding of planetary system development. The object, a fresh perspective on planetary formation, was likely ejected from a distant star system and is helping scientists constrain planet formation models.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

What else can molecular perovskite do?

Researchers have designed molecular perovskite-based energetic materials with improved explosive performances, including high detonation heat, velocity, and pressure. The new materials also exhibit increased thermal stability and low impact sensitivity, making them suitable for military devices and civil industry.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateMar 27, 2018

Newfound 'organ' had been missed by standard method for visualizing anatomy

A team of researchers has identified a previously unknown feature of human anatomy, revealing layers of the body as interconnected, fluid-filled compartments. This discovery has significant implications for understanding organ function, disease progression, and the development of new diagnostic tools.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 27, 2018

Unresolved puzzles in exotic nuclei

Unstable atomic nuclei like Helium-8 and Lithium-8 can be investigated through beta decay and detection of decay products. The author discusses available experimental data and models applied to 'exotic' nuclei, revealing unresolved puzzles in the connection between microscopic structure and observable quantities.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal A·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

Johns Hopkins investigators unravel biological roots of pulmonary hypertension

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the underlying biology behind pulmonary hypertension. By studying endothelial cells, they discovered that KLF15 protects these cells from damage caused by low oxygen levels, which can lead to blood vessel damage and progression of the disease.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateMar 27, 2018

How to deal with embarrassing situations

Researchers discovered that people who are self-conscious in public may feel more embarrassed when watching ads with embarrassing content. However, adopting an observer's perspective can reduce feelings of embarrassment and increase willingness to take action. The study suggests devising strategies to overcome embarrassment avoidance i...

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateMar 27, 2018

A football coach's overconfidence has a positive impact on the team's result

Researchers found that a football coach's extreme overconfidence has a positive influence on the team's result. The study analyzed the behavior of coaches in the Russian Football Premier League and concluded that high levels of charisma associated with overconfidence can motivate players, leading to better team performance.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Science & Coaching·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

Teaching machines to spot the essential

Researchers developed a machine-learning algorithm that identifies relevant degrees of freedom in physical systems, revolutionizing the field. The approach provides fundamental physical insight and raises the prospect of combining human creativity with machine learning.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 27, 2018

Despite reductions in infectious disease mortality in US, diarrheal disease deaths on the rise

A new study reveals that diarrheal diseases are becoming a major public health concern in the US, with rates increasing substantially between 1980 and 2014. Diarrheal disease deaths were ranked as the second-leading cause of all infectious disease mortality, behind lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalJAMA·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

Salvage logging is often a pretext for harvesting wood

Researchers found that economic profit is the main motivation behind salvage logging in protected areas, despite warnings about its harm to biodiversity and regeneration capacity. Salvage logging should be banned from protected areas unless necessary for safety reasons, according to ecologists.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalConservation Letters·DateMar 27, 2018

Some e-cigarette ingredients are more toxic than others

A new study found that e-liquid ingredients can vary widely in toxicity, with some being more toxic than nicotine alone and propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. The researchers developed a system to rapidly evaluate e-liquid toxicity using plastic plates with tiny wells containing human cells exposed to different e-liquids.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

Researchers charge ahead to develop better batteries

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a high-powered, environmentally safe lithium-sulfur substitute that could drastically lengthen battery life. The new technology improves stability and power density, making lithium-sulfur batteries more commercially viable.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 27, 2018

NASA finds Tropical Cyclone Iris sheared

Tropical Cyclone Iris is being torn apart by strong wind shear, resulting in fragmented areas of thunderstorms and potential for heavy rainfall. The storm is weakening rapidly due to cooler waters and stronger vertical wind shear, expected to dissipate in the next day or two.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 27, 2018

Hepatitis C virus screening rates remain low among baby boomers

A recent study found that less than 13% of individuals born between 1945 and 1965 have undergone HCV screening. The researchers also noted a significant disparity in HCV screening rates among different ethnic groups, with Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks receiving lower rates of screening.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateMar 27, 2018

Honeybees may unlock the secrets of how the human brain works

A study by University of Sheffield researchers found that honeybee colonies follow the same laws as the human brain when making collective decisions, including Pieron's Law, Hick's Law, and Weber's Law. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of human behavior and cognition.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 27, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

3-DIY: Printing your own bioprinter

A low-cost, open-source 3D bioprinter has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers, allowing users to print large-scale artificial human tissue with high resolution. The bioprinter, which costs under $500, is a significant cost reduction compared to existing commercial machines.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalHardwareX·DateMar 27, 2018

Mental health issues linked to risky driving in newly licensed teens

A study found that symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and conduct disorder are associated with increased errors in a driving simulator and self-reported risky driving behaviors in adolescents. Researchers suggest that understanding mental health factors can help reduce risky driving behaviors among novice teen drivers.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalNursing Research·DateMar 27, 2018
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.

A combination of cancer immunotherapies could save more lives

A new pre-clinical study suggests that combining PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies with CD27 antibodies may lead to improved immune responses against cancer cells. The combination treatment showed up to 60% protection from cancer, compared to 10% with single treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 27, 2018

Study reveals lack of self-awareness among doctors when prescribing opioids

A study found that 65% of emergency department physicians underestimated their opioid prescription rates, but rates decreased after they saw their actual data. The researchers believe this change was due to the shock of seeing the reality of their actions versus their perceptions, priming them to make a change.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMar 27, 2018

Some e-cigarette ingredients are surprisingly more toxic than others

Researchers developed a new screening technique to evaluate e-liquid toxicity, finding that some ingredients are more toxic than others. The study suggests that even small doses of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can significantly reduce cell growth rates, highlighting the need for further regulation of e-liquid ingredients.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 27, 2018

NREL discovers enzyme domains that dramatically improve performance

Researchers from NREL have pinpointed regions on enzymes that can be targeted via genetic engineering to break down cellulose faster. The team has gained a better understanding of the structure-activity relationships of these enzymes, which are crucial for industrial processes such as cellulosic ethanol production.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 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.

NASA measures Tropical Cyclone Nora's flooding rains in Queensland

NASA analyzed satellite data to calculate Tropical Cyclone Nora's heavy rainfall in Queensland, revealing over 433 mm of rain in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The analysis also indicated significant precipitation along Nora's track into northwestern Queensland, causing flooding and landslides.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 27, 2018

Childhood friendships may have some health benefits in adulthood

A multi-decade study found that boys who spent more time with friends as children tended to have lower blood pressure and body mass index as men in their early 30s. The association held even after accounting for other potential influences, suggesting an early protective influence of childhood friendships on physical health.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 27, 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.

Study highlights need for better treatment of heart failure patients

Researchers developed a new healthcare model to address both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities in heart failure patients. The study found that non-cardiovascular conditions had a greater burden on patients' quality of life, highlighting the need for an individualized treatment approach.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 27, 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.

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.

Humans risked limb ischemia in exchange for bipedal walking

Researchers compared mouse and human blood vessels using three-dimensional imaging, revealing that mice have a more robust vascular structure against lower limb ischemia. The inferior gluteal artery in mice extends further than in humans, allowing for better bypassing of obstructions.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 27, 2018

Mass extinction with prior warning

Researchers from FAU found warning signs of mass extinction existed 700,000 years before the event, including fossil records of dying species. They also note that current global warming, ocean acidification, and oxygen lack are evident in today's biodiversity crisis.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalGeology·DateMar 27, 2018

Tattoo electrodes from an ink-jet printer

Researchers at TU Graz have developed a novel method for creating printed tattoo electrodes that can transmit electrical impulses from human to machine. The electrodes are thin, flexible, and conformable, allowing for accurate measurements over extended periods without restricting patient mobility or comfort.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMar 27, 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.

Gene therapy may help brain heal from stroke, other injuries

A new study in mice shows that turning on a gene called LZK can stimulate the healing process after spinal cord injuries, resulting in smaller scars. This trigger has implications for treating brain conditions through gene therapy targeting astrocytes.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 27, 2018

Parts of the Amazon thought uninhabited were actually home to up to a million people

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of hundreds of villages in unexplored regions of the Amazon, home to diverse communities and agricultural practices. The research provides a wealth of information on the history of the Amazon, revealing that ancient populations had an impact on the environment, challenging previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 2018

'Green' thruster technology flight-tested in space

A USU student-built experiment rocketed into space to test a new 'green' thruster technology developed by Stephen A. Whitmore. The mission aimed to determine if the thrusters' exhaust plumes contaminate spacecraft surfaces, and initial results suggest a clean burn.

SourceUtah State University·DateMar 27, 2018

The future of photonics using quantum dots

Researchers have developed III-V quantum-dot lasers that can be integrated with silicon, offering significant energy savings and improved performance. The lasers can operate at higher temperatures and scale down to smaller sizes, making them promising for photonic circuits.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateMar 27, 2018
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.