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Science News Archive May 2018


Page 10 of 44

Using Facebook to help young adults quit smoking

A Facebook-based treatment program found that smokers are 2.5 times more likely to quit after three months compared to an online quit-smoking program. Young adults, who are often reluctant to seek help, showed high engagement and short-term abstinence rates.

Health labels may deter people from buying sugary drinks

Participants were 36% less likely to purchase sugary drinks with graphic warnings, while those with Health Star Ratings were 20% less likely. Healthier options were also chosen more frequently when Health Star Ratings were displayed.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Crafting a human niche

Fuentes asserts that humans are distinctive, yet share similarities with apes. He proposes that human ability to alter ecosystems is our most distinguishing feature, enabling creative cooperation, technological innovations, and artistic expression.

Bug-borne disease monitoring project finds deer ticks on the rise in Midwest

A new environmental monitoring project has found increased numbers of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease in Southern Indiana. The IU Environmental Resilience Institute and Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge launched a project to analyze ticks and mosquitoes for diseases that are dangerous to people.

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.

EOVSA reveals new insights into solar flares' explosive energy releases

Scientists at New Jersey Institute of Technology's Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA) captured potent solar flares in multiple radio frequencies for the first time. The new data reveals that high-energy particles are promptly transported throughout the explosive magnetic field, shedding light on the acceleration process.

The secret to honing kids' language and literacy

A study by Michigan State University found that children who can self-regulate earlier develop higher language and learning skills through second grade. Self-regulation enables children to keep information in their working memories, pay attention to tasks, and inhibit behaviors.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

ULB archaeologists discover a 1,000-year-old mummy in Peru

Archaeologists from Université libre de Bruxelles uncover an exceptionally well-preserved mummy dating back to 1000-1200 AD at the Pachacamac site, offering insights into Pre-Colombian burial practices. The discovery provides valuable information on the local ancestors' worship and fertility symbols found in the area.

Hot cars can hit life-threatening levels in approximately one hour

Researchers found that car interiors can heat up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit and dashboards to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in approximately one hour, leading to potential fatal injuries for young children. The study highlights the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid such tragedies.

400-million-year-old evolutionary arms race helps researchers understand HIV

Researchers have discovered a 400-million-year-old anti-viral protein that can potentlly block HIV, revealing an evolutionary arms race between the virus and the immune system. This ancient gene, HERC5, has been involved in a centuries-long battle for survival with viruses, resulting in sophisticated shields to block them.

Programming synthetic molecular codes to turn genes 'on'

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a synthetic molecular code that can script gene activation, targeting histones and emulating the natural histone acetylation process. The code, called Bi-PIP, successfully activated a specific gene associated with central nervous system disorders in living cells.

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.

Tumor cells evade death through in extremis DNA repair

Researchers at IRB Barcelona identify p38 as a protective mechanism for tumor cells against excessive DNA accumulation, which would cause cell death. Combining p38 inhibitors with chemotherapy shows promise in shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells.

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.

What your choice of clothing says about your weight

A new study found that darker and multicolour clothes are preferred by women with higher BMIs, while men with larger BMIs opt for black or white garments. Clothing size is also closely related to BMI and waist circumference.

UTIA plant geneticist named Fulbright scholar

Hadziabdic Guerry is a plant geneticist working on the frafra potato project, which aims to transform the species into an alternative food source. The research focuses on assessing the genetic diversity and spatial structure of existing populations to improve production and nutritional value.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Bold lizards of all sizes have higher mating success

Researchers found that boldness in male and female yellow-spotted monitor lizards was associated with higher mating success. However, this boldness came with a cost: exposed individuals were at a higher risk of being eaten by predators during the wet season.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How greener grids can stay lit

A new index helps utilities balance electricity distribution with lower consumer costs by accounting for the variability of decentralized energy sources like solar and wind. The index suggests deployment of flexible loads according to market conditions, potentially leading to lower costs and grid stability.

Ultrasound-firewall for mobile phones

Researchers at St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences developed an ultrasound-firewall app that detects and blocks acoustic cookies, allowing users to control their device's audio data transmission. The project aims to provide a new standard for secure ultrasonic communication and protect user privacy.

Polymer crystals hold key to record-breaking energy transport

Researchers from University of Bristol and Cambridge created polymeric semiconductor nanostructures that absorb light and transport its energy further than previously observed. Lightweight semiconducting plastics can now be used to convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently.

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.

Bursts of brain activity linked to memory reactivation

Researchers found that sleep spindles, brief bursts of brain activity, are linked to memory reactivation and improve retention. The rhythmic pattern of spindles may help segregate memories, preventing interference between them.

Study shows in-home therapy effective for stroke rehabilitation

A US clinical trial found that in-home telerehabilitation was as effective as traditional in-clinic therapy in improving arm motor status in stroke survivors. The study, conducted at 11 sites, showed significant improvements in patients who received the home-based program, with a total of 97.9% patient compliance.

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.

Geriatrician leads £2.1 million trial into Parkinson's disease

A new three-year trial, led by a geriatrician, aims to determine whether a commonly prescribed dementia drug can prevent falls in people with Parkinson's. The trial, funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme, will test a cholinesterase inhibitor treatment on 600 patients across UK hospitals.

BMC to test childhood anxiety therapy treatment with $13.5 million funding

Boston Medical Center is conducting a study to test the efficacy of two different methods of delivering cognitive behavioral therapy - face-to-face or online - to children with anxiety. The study aims to determine which format is more effective for patients, particularly those in lower-income and minority families.

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.

When the dinosaurs died, so did forests -- and tree-dwelling birds

A new study reveals that the asteroid impact that wiped out dinosaurs also caused a mass extinction of forests, leading to the demise of tree-dwelling birds. The research team analyzed fossil records and pollen evidence to conclude that the temporary loss of forests after the impact made it impossible for arboreal birds to survive.

Cell damage caused by the pesticide DDT is palliated

Researchers at the University of Córdoba have discovered that a selenium-enriched diet can partially repair cell damage caused by the pesticide DDT in mice. The study found that selenium stimulates antioxidant defenses in cells, preventing oxidative stress and damage similar to cancer cells.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Tiny particles could help fight brain cancer

Researchers developed nanoparticles carrying temozolomide and a bromodomain inhibitor to target glioblastoma tumors. The particles, coated with transferrin, successfully delivered large doses of chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor site, reducing side effects.

Prehistoric people also likely disrupted by environmental change

Researchers found that construction of the Grand Caillou mound began around 800 years ago and was abandoned 600 years later, likely due to changes in the river channel. The site's architecture suggests a high level of environmental and engineering expertise among its builders.

Introducing the 2018 class of AGA Research Foundation awardees

The 2018 class of AGA Research Foundation awardees will continue to push gastroenterology and hepatology research forward with protected time for fundamental research. The awards program has launched the careers of investigators doing important work that translates to new patient care tools and better outcomes for patients.

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.

Past use of disinfectants and PPE for Ebola could inform future outbreaks

Researchers analyzed WASH and IPC data from two Ebola treatment centers in Sierra Leone, finding strong correlations between patient population size, disinfectant usage, and personal protective equipment use. The study's findings can aid planning and management of facilities for future Ebola outbreaks.

Is lower-fat diet associated with breast cancer overall survival?

A lower-fat diet was linked to increased breast cancer overall survival among postmenopausal women, although the increase may be partly due to better survival from other causes. The study found modest increases in vegetable, fruit, and grain intake in the lower-fat group.

Wood to supercapacitors

Researchers have discovered a way to produce highly conductive electrode materials for supercapacitors sustainably using nanocellulose derived from wood pulp. The new method yields mechanically stable and porous three-dimensional networks with high electrical conductivity.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

People with dementia more likely to go missing

A new study published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that people with dementia are more likely to wander and become lost, resulting in potentially life-threatening outcomes. The researchers recommend implementing a 'Silver Alert' system, similar to Amber Alerts for missing children, to minimize this risk.