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Science News Archive May 2018


Page 22 of 44

How humans repress prejudices

Research by Dr Beate Krickel suggests that people can hold unconscious biases despite professing tolerant views. These biases can be detected using psychological tests, but may be masked by repression of negative emotions.

The mystery of lime-green lizard blood

Researchers have discovered four separate lineages of green-blooded lizards, each with unique evolutionary history. The study suggests that high levels of biliverdin in these lizards may have adaptive value, potentially leading to new approaches to treating human diseases such as malaria.

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.

Blocking two enzymes could make cancer cells mortal

Scientists have discovered two antioxidant enzymes that work together to prevent telomeric DNA oxidation, leading to telomere shortening and eventual cell death. Disrupting these enzymes in cancer cells has shown promising results in preventing the enzyme telomerase from extending telomeres.

New technique reveals details of forest fire recovery

A new technique using high-resolution satellite imagery and aerial measurements provides a more accurate picture of forest recovery from wildfires. By distinguishing between canopy and understory growth, scientists can better understand forest dynamics and carbon sequestration.

Intimacy in later life does not slow memory loss

A recent study published in Springer's Archives of Sexual Behavior suggests that older adults who engage in regular intimate activities and emotional closeness do not experience a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who are less active. However, this relationship is only observed on short-term memory tests, not over time.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

For older adults, a better diet may prevent brain shrinkage

A study published in Neurology found that people with a better diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, nuts, and fish, had larger brains. The study included over 4,200 participants and found that those who consumed a higher-quality diet had an average of two milliliters more total brain volume.

DFG to fund 15 new Research Training Groups

The DFG is establishing 15 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers. The groups cover a broad spectrum of topics and research questions. They will receive approximately €70 million in funding for four and a half years, with three international groups partnering with China and the USA.

Stroke prevention drug combo shows promise, study says

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that combining clopidogrel and aspirin reduces the risk of major stroke within 90 days after a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) by 25%. However, this combination also increases the risk of bleeding complications.

Our brains are obsessed with being social

A Dartmouth-led study found that the brain consolidates new social information during rest, demonstrating increased connectivity between medial prefrontal cortex and tempoparietal junction regions. The findings suggest that engaging these regions during rest may help learn about one's social environment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Most deprived are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia

Research from University College London reveals that older adults with fewer financial resources are more likely to develop dementia. The study analyzed data from over 6000 adults and found a significant link between socioeconomic factors and dementia incidence.

Researchers control the properties of graphene transistors using pressure

A Columbia University-led team developed a technique to manipulate graphene's electrical conductivity with compression, bringing it closer to being a viable semiconductor. By applying pressure, researchers increased the band gap in BN-graphene structures, effectively blocking electricity flow and creating a stronger switch.

An electronic rescue dog

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a device that combines multiple gas sensors to detect entrapped people. The device, the size of a small computer chip, can identify specific chemical compounds emitted by humans and distinguish them from other sources.

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.

Comprehensive care physician model improves care, lowers hospitalization

A clinical trial at the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a comprehensive care physician model reduced hospitalization rates by 15-22% and improved patient satisfaction. The model, which involves a single doctor providing care in both clinic and hospital settings, was preferred by patients and economically beneficial.

Plug-and-play diagnostic devices

The MIT researchers developed modular blocks that can be assembled to produce diagnostic devices for diseases such as cancer, Zika virus, and tuberculosis. These 'plug-and-play' devices are inexpensive, easy to use, and can perform multiple biochemical functions, potentially improving access to medical technology in developing countries.

Climate change to shift many fish species north, disrupting fisheries

A Rutgers University-led study reports that hundreds of ocean fish and invertebrate species will move northward due to climate change, disrupting fisheries in the US and Canada. The study projects that some species will shift as much as 900 miles north, leading to longer trips and higher fuel costs for commercial fishermen.

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.

Investigation seeks to create self-assembling materials

Researchers explore creating self-assembling microscopic particles to manufacture materials in space with tailored nanostructures. The ability to create self-assembling and potentially self-repairing materials could be key to surviving deep space destinations.

ALMA finds most-distant oxygen in the universe

Astronomers discover faint signal of oxygen in galaxy MACS1149-JD1, which is 13.28 billion light-years away and contains chemical maturity that suggests stars were forming as early as 250 million years after the Big Bang. This detection pushes back our understanding of cosmic dawn and the earliest phases of star formation.

PNNL successfully vitrifies three gallons of radioactive tank waste

Researchers at PNNL have successfully vitrified three gallons of low-activity Hanford tank waste, immobilizing radioactive and chemical materials within a durable glass waste form. The laboratory-scale demonstration is an important step toward treating millions of gallons of hazardous waste generated during past plutonium production.

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.

Fellowships offer reporters valuable insight as America ages

The program aims to educate journalists about aging issues and disseminate information on scientific findings, policy debates, and innovations. The 2018 cohort will participate in the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting and deliver stories from the conference.

Exploration of diverse bacteria signals big advance for gene function prediction

A new workflow has been developed to accelerate gene function assignments in bacteria, enabling large-scale assays of gene importance across many conditions. The study identified thousands of genes with previously unknown functions and provided an anchor for other researchers to make informed inference about protein function.

A laser from a space ant

Astronomers have detected a unique laser emission from the heart of the Ant Nebula, indicating the presence of a double star system. The phenomenon was discovered using European Space Agency's Herschel space observatory and is connected to the death of a star.

Re-assessing organ availability

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are re-assessing organ availability by considering previously deemed 'unfit' organs. The study aims to expand the donor pool and improve transplant outcomes, with the potential to save more lives.

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.

Space cloud discovery

Case Western Reserve University astronomers detected a massive cloud of ionized hydrogen gas spewed from a nearby galaxy and consumed by its central black hole. The discovery provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the behavior of a black hole and associated galaxy as it consumes and 'recycles' hydrogen gas.

Tailor-made synthesis of cyclic chemicals by means of enzymes

Bielefeld chemists create a biocatalytic method to selectively reduce sulfur-containing heterocycles, yielding highly enantioselective synthesis of target compounds. The discovery has potential applications in developing new active substances and sustainable pharmaceutical production.

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.

Cell type switch helps colon cancer evade treatment, study suggests

Researchers discovered colon cancers are composed of two different cell types that can replace each other when one is killed. Targeting both cell populations simultaneously showed strong repressive effects on tumor cell proliferation and increased cell death, resulting in slower tumor growth and prolonged survival times.

A quantum entanglement between two physically separated ultra-cold atomic clouds

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country and University of Hannover achieved quantum entanglement between two spatially separated Bose-Einstein condensates. This breakthrough could lead to significant improvements in fields like quantum computing, simulation, and metrology by creating large ensembles of entangled particles.

Remote camera network tracks Antarctic species at low cost

A new camera system is tracking Antarctic penguin breeding and population dynamics, providing a low-cost window into the health of the ecosystem. The network includes 51 cameras across Antarctica's Peninsula and Islands, monitoring three species of penguins with high accuracy.

International study suggests alternative treatment for mild asthma

Researchers have found a patient-centric treatment that works for people with mild asthma, using an as-needed combined-drug inhaler. The study, led by Paul O'Byrne, showed the inhaler was superior to conventional treatment strategies in reducing asthma attacks and improving symptom control.

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.

FutureNeuro and GreenLight Medicines partner to develop treatments for epilepsy

A new partnership aims to explore the use of cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive molecules from the cannabis plant to reduce seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsies. The research will also optimize the effectiveness of this approach to treat epilepsy, offering a potential new horizon for severe disabling seizures.

Processes in the atomic microcosmos are revealed

Researchers at FAU successfully generated controlled electron pulses in the attosecond range using optical travelling waves formed by laser pulses. This breakthrough enables ultrafast movements to be tracked, such as vibrations in atomic lattices and molecular bonds in chemical reactions.

How large can a tsunami be in the Caribbean?

Seismologists reexamine the risk of megathrust earthquakes in the Caribbean, considering tsunami scenarios for a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and its potential impact on emergency management planning.

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 regimens improve survival for children and young adults with T-cell cancers

Researchers have developed new treatment regimens that significantly boost survival rates for children and young adults with rare forms of leukemia and lymphoma, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) or T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL). The trial showed that 90% of patients lived at least four years after starting tre...

Stars formed only 250 million years after the Big Bang

A team of international astronomers has detected oxygen in a galaxy 13.28 billion light-years away, revealing that stars formed at an unexpectedly early stage in the universe's history. The discovery provides insight into the formation of galaxies and sheds light on the 'cosmic dawn' era.

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.

Climate change should help Midwest corn production through 2050

Researchers found that projected changes in temperature and humidity will not lead to greater water use in corn, allowing crop yields to thrive. This optimism is based on calculations of energy balance and evapotranspiration, which show a slight decrease in evaporation loss due to warmer temperatures.

Recent trends of marriage in Iran

Declining formal marriages in Iran may be attributed to economic factors and changing attitudes towards marriage, according to recent studies. Researchers have linked the trend to a lack of well-paid jobs and high housing costs, suggesting complementary explanations for the shift.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hydrogen peroxide assists sexual reproduction in spruce

Plant physiologists from Lomonosov Moscow State University discovered that hydrogen peroxide is essential for conifer pollen germination. The protein NADPH-oxidase regulates the process, which involves a gradient of hydrogen peroxide in the pollen tube to support growth and fertilization.

Previous findings on tropical forest restoration were biased

Recent studies on tropical forest restoration have been found to be biased, with natural regeneration being compared to active tree planting in different site conditions. This finding could change the approach to restoration, suggesting that both methods can be complementary and suitable for specific sites.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.