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Science News Archive May 2018


Page 15 of 44

Embryonic gene regulation through mechanical forces

Researchers found that mechanical cues contribute to the regulation of gene expression during early development. External pressure can activate or restore the expression of a crucial developmental regulator gene, brachyury. This mechanism is conserved across species, including zebrafish and fruitflies.

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.

How wheat can root out the take-all fungus

A team of scientists from Rothamsted Research has found that certain commercial cereal varieties can support beneficial fungi that suppress the take-all fungus, a devastating disease in wheat crops worldwide. This could provide a potential biological management strategy to control the disease.

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.

Young toddlers may learn more from interactive than noninteractive media

Research suggests that younger toddlers benefit more from interactive digital media than traditional TV and videos. Interactive features help children connect screen experiences to real-world interactions. However, not all types of interactivity are beneficial, and individual differences play a significant role in learning outcomes.

New network is installed to investigate space weather over South America

A new magnetometer network has been installed across South America to study magnetic field disturbances and their potential impact on electronic appliances and power grids. The project aims to improve the understanding of space weather effects on the continent, which could help mitigate damage caused by solar eruptions.

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.

Research reveals how order first appears in liquid crystals

Chemists at Brown University have developed a method to detect the intermediate state in liquid crystals, where order starts to form in discrete patches. This breakthrough could provide insights into slow molecular motion in various natural phenomena, such as Alzheimer's disease and protein tangles.

MIT study helps driverless cars change lanes more like humans do

A new lane-change algorithm developed by MIT allows autonomous vehicles to model an entire range of driving styles, from conservative to aggressive, with safety guarantees. The system computes buffer zones on the fly and ensures collision avoidance within a given time frame.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Digging into new ethical issues around stem cells

A special section in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine examines the newest and most complex issues surrounding stem cells. The issue includes essays on the potential impacts of using a person's own stem cells on patients, health-care systems, and the public trust in science and medicine.

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.

In brain stimulation therapy less might be more

Researchers have found that faster brain stimulation can lead to neuronal response failures, suggesting a 'less is more' approach for optimal therapy. This discovery challenges traditional intuition and highlights the importance of optimizing stimulation scheduling.

More patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis receiving liver transplants

Liver transplant centers are increasingly accepting transplants for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, showing positive outcomes and high one-year survival rates of over 90%. Centers use selective criteria to evaluate candidates, assessing medical history, social support, and psychiatric disorders.

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.

Malaria-causing parasite manipulates liver cells to survive

A new study reveals that a malaria parasite manipulates liver cells to survive and reproduce, building strength before invading red blood cells. Disrupting this process by targeting the aquaporin-3 protein may lead to new treatments for malaria before symptoms appear.

Tunable diamond string may hold key to quantum memory

Harvard researchers engineered diamond strings that can quiet a qubit's environment and improve memory from tens to several hundred nanoseconds, enough time for many operations on a quantum chip. This breakthrough could serve as the backbone of a future quantum internet.

Worst form of black lung disease appears resurgent among coal miners

A recent study found that progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) cases among former US coal miners increased by 50% since 2000, with the highest rates in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The researchers attribute this trend to inadequate dust control measures, longer working hours, and higher silica exposure levels.

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.

Tianjin University makes breakthrough in synthetic genome rearrangement

Researchers at Tianjin University develop precise control of SCRaMbLE, a system for generating genotype diversity, allowing for increased production of bio-based chemicals and improved genome evolution. The team reports significant breakthroughs in using SCRaMbLE to drive phenotype evolution in heterozygous and interspecies hybrid stra...

From a model of fluids to the birth of a new field in computational physics

Computational statistical mechanics was born from numerical models of fluids developed in the 1950s, initially as a pet project by physicists. These Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations were later confirmed through clever applications of importance sampling, proving reliable evidence for describing matter.

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.

Posttraumatic stress affects academics

A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.

Designer cells: Artificial enzyme can activate a gene switch

Researchers developed an artificial metalloenzyme that can penetrate a mammalian cell and accelerate hormone release, activating a gene switch to create a fluorescent protein. This breakthrough enables the modification of cell functions on a genetic level or the creation of drugs from harmless precursors.

Power to the people

The University of Utah's Masood Parvania is developing microgrid controllers that can distribute electrical power more efficiently and securely in case of a power outage. His team will test these technologies on a new laboratory setup, also aiming to educate the next generation of power engineers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

As harmful as dehydration?

A study by McGill University Health Centre researchers has uncovered the mechanisms of overhydration leading to hyponatremia, a common condition in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The study reveals that glial cells detect overhydration and trigger the release of taurine, which inhibits hydration sensing neurons.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New brain development disorder identified by scientists

Researchers have identified a new inherited neurodevelopmental disease caused by a recessive mutation in the CAMK2A gene, leading to slow growth, seizures, and learning difficulties. The disorder is also linked to other neurological conditions such as epilepsy and autism.

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.

Lead exposure found to affect fertility rates

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that exposure to lead in the air and topsoil is associated with lower fertility rates among US women and men. The study analyzed data from the 1970s to 2000s and found that reduced airborne lead levels boosted fertility, while higher levels of lead in soil decreased it.

How coyotes conquered the continent

Researchers mapped coyote range expansion from ancient fossils to modern museum specimens, correcting misconceptions of their original range. Their findings indicate coyotes had a broader geographic distribution than previously thought, with significant expansions into taiga forests, deciduous forests, and tropical rainforests.

Early physical therapy benefits low-back pain patients

A study of 150,000 insurance claims found that patients who saw a physical therapist first had significantly lower rates of opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging services, and emergency department visits. They also had lower out-of-pocket costs and a higher probability of hospitalization in some cases.

NASA measures heavy US rainfall from space

NASA analyzed satellite data to measure heavy US rainfall, finding record amounts in the Mid-Atlantic region. The extreme precipitation led to severe flooding along several rivers, including Washington D.C.'s Potomac River.

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.

'Virtual safe space' to help bumblebees

The Bumble-BEEHAVE model predicts individual and interacting effects of stressors on bumblebee survival and informs management recommendations. The tool aids in designing field experiments, risk assessments, and assigning bespoke management advice.

Link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease discovered

Researchers have discovered a potential link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that drugs designed to treat Parkinson's may also work for TB. The study found that LRRK2 protein prevents immune cells from clearing bacteria, leading to build-up of protein in neurons that disrupts their function.

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 hidden world of communication, chemical warfare, beneath the soil

Researchers have discovered that soil microbes use chemical signals to defend against each other and devastating crop diseases. The study found that certain bacteria can induce fungi to produce protective compounds, while the fungus's own defense mechanisms are triggered by the bacterial invasion.

Amazonian 'lookout' birds help other species live in dangerous neighborhoods

A new study by San Francisco State University researchers finds that alarm-calling bird species promote the ability of other species to use risky parts of the forest, bringing together species that normally flock on their own. By creating a safe zone from predators, these birds maintain biodiversity in the rainforest.