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Science News Archive May 2018


Page 4 of 44

Surgical technique improves sensation, control of prosthetic limb

Researchers developed a new neural interface paradigm that preserves dynamic muscle relationships in amputated limbs, allowing for proprioceptive feedback and movement commands. The technique improved sensation and control of prosthetic limbs, enabling people with artificial limbs to move more efficiently and naturally.

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.

Building nanomaterials for next-generation computing

Researchers created a unified Time-Temperature-Architecture Diagram to guide the fabrication of heterostructures with favorable electronic properties. The blueprint enables the generation of numerous nanostructures with physical properties of interest, paving the way for advancements in computing power and transistors.

Cometh the cyborg: improved integration of living muscles into robots

Researchers at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a method to integrate living muscle into robots, overcoming previous issues with force and function. The resulting biohybrid robots achieved remarkable movement and continued muscle function for over a week.

Heat is driving off clouds that dampen California wildfires

A new study found that urbanization and climate change are driving off low-lying morning clouds in southern California, leading to increased wildfire risk. The decrease in cloud cover correlates with lower vegetation moisture and higher fire danger.

New tool improves fishing efficiency and sustainability

A new tool called EcoCast uses satellite data, maps, and observations to help fishers locate the most productive fishing spots while avoiding protected species. The study shows that this approach can be up to 10 times more efficient in protecting species than previous management styles.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sugarcane pest produces foam to protect itself from heat

Researchers discovered that the root spittlebug produces a thermal insulator-foam to maintain an optimal body temperature during development. The foam, composed of palmitic acid, stearic acid, proteins, and carbohydrates, protects nymphs from temperature fluctuations in the external environment.

Some blood stem cells are better than others

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells with a genetic mutation can be compensated by normal stem cells producing specific types of immune cells. Key findings suggest these highly productive stem cells proliferate dramatically and maintain a balanced immune system when transplanted into mice.

Societies may help promote female representation within academic science

A study found that smaller societies with female leadership have higher female representation, but still lag behind male representation, indicating a need for constitutional commitments to equality. Academic societies can promote gender equity through supporting female leadership and making an outward commitment of equality.

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.

Law firms do not encourage men to take parental leaves

A Finnish-Canadian study found that law firms' professional ethos discourages men from taking parental leave, perpetuating gender inequality. The study suggests organisational solutions and male law firm partners' encouragement are needed to promote a more family-friendly culture.

Iron-sulfur cluster research offers new avenues of investigating disease

Researchers have discovered that disruptions in iron-sulfur cluster formation can lead to the buildup of fat droplets in cells, a hallmark of conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The study provides clues about the biochemical causes of these diseases and may help researchers find new targets for treatment.

Radish cover crop traps nitrogen; mystery follows

Researchers found radish cover crops significantly reduced soil nitrate content, but decomposed nitrogen was not returned to the soil. The study suggests radish can trap nitrogen without providing a fertilizer benefit to subsequent crops.

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.

New guidance on treating diabetes in elderly and frail adults

The new guidance, developed by experts at the University of Exeter Medical School, aims to improve quality of life for older adults with type 2 diabetes. For the first time, it provides guidance on stopping treatment in particularly frail adults, a move welcomed by Diabetes UK.

New journal series provides insights on European medication-related guidelines

A new journal series published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology aims to provide insights into European medication-related guidelines. The series, developed in collaboration with the EMA, offers annotated versions of relevant guidelines and regulatory documents, facilitating discussion among professionals and patients. Ex...

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.

Research finds pain expectation is pain reality for children

New research from UC Riverside psychologist Kalina Michalska finds that children's experience of pain is significantly influenced by their expectations. The study, involving healthy and anxious children, reveals that simply telling them they will experience pain can actually increase the severity of their pain. In contrast, distracting...

Welfare backlash tied to white fear of declining status

New research finds a causal relationship between whites' attitudes towards welfare and their perceived threatened racial status. Whites who fear losing their socioeconomic standing oppose government anti-poverty programs they perceive as benefiting minorities, while not affecting views on programs benefiting themselves.

Researchers devise new way to discern what microbes eat

Researchers developed a new method to identify microbe food sources using carbon stable isotope ratios, providing insights into microbial communities and their impact on animal and plant health. The technique uses mass spectrometry and software to link microbes with substrates, enabling the study of complex microbial relationships.

Sniffing out real truffles

Researchers developed a technique to distinguish between natural and synthetic truffle compounds using carbon isotope ratios. The method can reliably detect foods containing synthetic truffle aroma or a mixture of synthetic and natural aromas, helping to fight food fraud.

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.

ESA tipsheet for June 2018

Researchers developed a new method to detect insect invaders using eDNA, while coral reef studies highlighted the importance of cultural values in conservation. Additionally, designers created fish-friendly architectural engineering designs for marine infrastructure, and a study examined the effects of oil sands on wildlife populations

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.

European Commission funds research into new solar materials

The European Commission has funded a €4 million research project to develop a new, potentially low-cost class of solar materials. The MAESTRO project will focus on increasing cell stability and boosting efficiency in perovskite-based devices.

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.

From Haifa to Tokyo: Medical detectives team up on selenoprotein1/EPT1

Researchers from Israel and Japan collaborated to diagnose a child with an ultra-rare genetic disease caused by a mutation in the EPT1 gene, which is essential for making myelin in the normal brain. The team found that the disease affects PE production, leading to reduced plasmalogen synthesis, but not enough to prevent myelin damage.

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.

Better biomimetic bone focus of NIH grant

A $1.7 million NIH grant will aid in understanding citrate signaling for bone development and designing novel biomaterials. Researchers aim to mimic native tissue composition and induce bone growth through citrate-presenting biomaterials.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

'Hidden' driver discovered that helps prime the anti-tumor immune response

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a hidden driver, kinases Mst1 and Mst2, that regulates the function of different dendritic cell subsets and primes anti-tumor T cells. This discovery provides clues for new treatment strategies by modulating dendritic cell activity to shape the immune response.

Surgical technique improves sensation, control of prosthetic limb

Researchers have developed a novel approach to limb amputation that preserves dynamic muscle relationships, enabling patients to feel the movement of their prosthetic limbs. This new paradigm, called the agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI), has been successfully implemented in a human patient with below-knee amputation.

High protein diet slightly increases heart failure risk in middle-aged men

Researchers found that higher protein intake from most sources was associated with a slightly higher risk of heart failure, with the greatest increase seen for animal-based proteins. The study suggests that moderating protein intake may be beneficial in preventing heart failure, but further research is needed.

Workplace dress codes present barriers to people living with disabilities

Research from the University of Missouri finds that workplace dress codes present a significant barrier to people living with disabilities, leading to increased stigma and decreased confidence. The study highlights the need for inclusive and adaptive clothing options to promote workplace inclusivity.

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.

One-step, 3D printing for multimaterial projects developed by WSU researchers

Researchers at Washington State University have developed a one-step 3D printing process for multimaterial projects, allowing for faster production and reduced manufacturing steps. The technology enables the creation of complex products with multiple parts in one operation, reducing the need for adhesives and joint connections.

Alternative inflation rate may offer more accurate economic guidance

Researchers found that official inflation indexes, such as CPI and PCE, may overestimate or underestimate the true inflation rate due to errors in housing rent assessments. The alternative method suggests an error range of 1.7-4.2% during the Great Recession and 0.3-0.9% during the current expansionary period.

Even a shark's electrical 'sixth sense' may be tuned to attack

Researchers discovered that sharks' electrosensing organs react in an all-or-none manner to tiny electrical fields, unlike skates which respond with graded currents. The study suggests that genes controlling ion channels may be responsible for this difference.

New review highlights benefits of plant-based diets for heart health

A new review published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases found that plant-based diets can prevent and reverse atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by 40%. Plant-based diets are rich in fiber and phytonutrients, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, while animal products are high in saturated fat a...

Oil and gas wastewater as dust suppressant less than ideal

A multidisciplinary team of researchers found that oil and gas wastewater can be effective at suppressing dust, but it also carries high salt, organic, and radioactivity concentrations. The team recommends using alternative materials or treatment to remove contaminants before using the wastewater.

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.

NASA finds Subtropical Depression Alberto's center over Indiana

Subtropical Depression Alberto's center has been located near latitude 38.7 degrees north and longitude 87.4 degrees west, approximately 80 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. The depression is moving toward the north-northeast at 17 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph and higher gusts.

How to build a brain: discovery answers evolutionary mystery

Researchers at King's College London have discovered a fundamental process by which brains are built, involving the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This finding may lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and epilepsy.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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