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Science News Archive November 2018


Page 19 of 42

SwRI scientists map magnetic reconnection in Earth's magnetotail

Researchers have found that the regions in the Earth's magnetosphere that energize the polar aurora are remarkably calm and nonturbulent. The study revealed intense electron jets associated with magnetic reconnection, which dump energy into Earth's atmosphere, exciting auroras.

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.

Patchy distribution of joint inflammation resolved

Biomechanical forces play a key role in the development of joint inflammation and erosions in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The study identifies hot spots in the musculoskeletal system where mechanical loading leads to increased inflammation and tissue damage.

Should you eat a low-gluten diet?

Researchers found that a low-gluten, fibre-rich diet changes the community of gut bacteria and decreases gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating. The study suggests that dietary fibres, not the absence of gluten alone, are the primary cause of these changes.

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.

Spending our carbon budgets wisely

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggest that prioritizing fundamental human needs over economic growth could make it easier to reduce carbon emissions. They found that meeting subsistence and protection needs takes half of the global carbon budget, while leisure and identity take most of the other half.

Resistant bacteria: Can raw vegetables and salad pose a health risk?

A study by the Julius Kühn Institute and BfR found antimicrobial-resistant bacteria with multiple transferable resistance genes on fresh produce, including mixed salads, arugula, and cilantro. Consumers can minimize risk by washing raw vegetables thoroughly and considering heat treatment for immunocompromised individuals.

Arming drug hunters, chemists design new reaction for drug discovery

Researchers at Colorado State University have created a new carbon-carbon bond reaction using phosphorus to stitch together molecular rings called pyridines. This reaction could fling open an underexplored wing of biologically relevant chemistry, allowing for the discovery of new drugs.

Preventing chemical weapons as sciences converge

The article highlights the threat of future chemical attacks during a period of rapid scientific change. The authors emphasize the need for collective review and strengthening of global measures to prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Disrupting parasites' family planning could aid malaria fight

Researchers discovered that malaria parasites adjust their reproduction strategy based on host conditions, opting to invest more in reproduction when conditions are favorable and prioritizing survival during adverse times. This finding could inform the development of new treatments by prompting parasites to spread more easily.

Insect antibiotic provides new way to eliminate bacteria

Thanatin, a natural insect antibiotic, eliminates bacteria by preventing the formation of their outer protective shield. This unprecedented mechanism offers a new way to develop effective antibiotics against dangerous pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

Dry eye syndrome slows reading rate, study suggests

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that dry eye syndrome can slow a person's reading speed by up to 10% and make it difficult to read for more than 30 minutes. The condition affects millions of adults in the US, causing ocular discomfort and visual problems.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Electronic skin points the way north

Scientists at HZDR create an electronic skin with magnetosensitive capabilities, allowing humans to perceive the Earth's magnetic field. The sensor is thin, malleable, and can be attached to human skin, facilitating interaction in virtual and augmented reality.

Humpback whales arrive in the Mediterranean to feed themselves

Humpback whales have been observed feeding on krill in the Mediterranean, with experts predicting an increase in sightings due to changes in climate and temperature. The species migrates from the poles to the Equator to reproduce, and recent studies suggest that food availability is a key factor in their presence in the region.

Phenyl addition made a poison useful for a chemical reaction in catalysis

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have discovered that a catalyst poison can be transformed into an efficient ligand by introducing a substituent. This finding has significant implications for the design of ligands for homogeneous catalysts, enabling the acceleration of catalytic reactions.

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.

Seeing and smelling food prepares the mouse liver for digestion

Researchers found that perceiving food activates the liver to prepare for nutrient uptake, including rapid signaling cascades that prime the endoplasmic reticulum for protein synthesis. This study may hold implications for understanding obesity and diabetes connections through protein folding and insulin release.

New maps hint at how electric fish got their big brains

Researchers mapped the regions of the brain in electric fish, finding that the cerebellum is bigger than expected and associated with their use of weak electric discharges. The study challenges the idea that big brains always mean big cerebellums, suggesting alternative explanations for brain evolution

Feeling the pressure with universal tactile imaging

Osaka University scientists created a new approach to pressure distribution measurement using universal tactile imaging technology. The sensors have no need for pressure-sensitive materials and are simpler to manufacture, making them suitable for various applications including robotics and surgical medicine.

Rutgers study helps city ban large trucks

A Rutgers University study found significant improvements in air quality after restricting heavy truck traffic on a residential street in Elizabeth, N.J. The research team tracked 60 trucks per hour and found a spike in black carbon from diesel exhaust pollution, which was linked to asthma and other health issues.

Drop your weapons!

A study by Ummat Somjee and colleagues found that male leaf-footed bugs invest more in their large hind legs than females do, which are used as weapons in male-male duels. The team measured energy use of live bugs with and without hind legs to calculate the hidden energetic cost of maintaining these structures.

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.

Infants born to obese mothers risk developing liver disease, obesity

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discover that infant gut microbes altered by maternal obesity increase the risk of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease later in life. The study suggests that altering the microbiome through probiotics or supplements may help reduce this risk.

Friends and family increase the risk of children becoming smokers in the UK

A new study found that UK children exposed to smoking from caregivers or friends are more likely to try and continue smoking. The research highlights the 'transmissible' nature of tobacco smoking among young people, emphasizing the need for measures to protect children from smoking in the home and support smoking cessation.

Making moves and memories, are they connected?

A recent study found that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in cognitive functions, including short-term memory. The research team discovered that activity in the cerebellum during periods of stillness was linked to memory activity in both the frontal cortex and other parts of the brain.

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.

Brain, muscle cells found lurking in kidney organoids grown in lab

Researchers discovered that lab-grown kidney cells can contain rogue brain and muscle cells, making them imperfect models for human kidneys. However, they found a way to prevent most of these off-target cells from forming, which could accelerate progress in developing better treatments for kidney disease.

Can artificial intelligence help victims of abuse to disclose traumatic testimony?

Researchers developed custom software to automatically detect and categorize speech patterns in forensic interviews, which are crucial for young victims of abuse. The study found that children's responses were highly correlated to their age, with emotional content influencing younger kids and vocalized words impacting older children.

How sperm find their way

A new study by University of Tokyo researchers reveals that a protein in sperm cell membranes plays a key role in navigation to eggs. The PMCA protein may also help explain species-specific interactions between sperm and egg cells, making it a promising target for drug research.

Bursting bubbles launch bacteria from water to air

Researchers found that bacteria can affect a bubble's longevity, causing it to last up to 10 times longer than an uncontaminated one. The team discovered that bacterial secretions act as surfactants, extending the lifetime of contaminated bubbles by reducing surface tension and making them more resistant to perturbations.

Researchers in Japan make android child's face strikingly more expressive

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a system to quantify and control the surface motion of an android's face, enabling it to express a wider range of emotions. The system uses deformation units to measure and adjust facial movements, resulting in more nuanced expressions such as smiling and frowning.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UMN researchers discover important connection between cells in the liver

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery about how liver cell communication affects disease progression. By studying the dialogue between hepatocytes and macrophages, they found that a specific ketone body metabolite helps protect against tissue fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver...

The smart factory

Researchers at Swansea University are developing data-driven computational models to predict machine failures and optimize production processes in Crown's smart factories. The goal is to increase efficiency, accuracy, and productivity while addressing the current lagging productivity levels of UK manufacturers and suppliers.

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.

Professor Adrian Hilton awarded prestigious IET Achievement Meda

Professor Adrian Hilton received the IET Achievement Medal for his pioneering work in 3D and 4D video technology, recognising his significant impact on machine perception research. His achievement showcases the university's strong AI research group, CVSSP, with its expertise in audio-visual machine perception.

Devonian integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

A new Devonian integrative stratigraphy framework for China has been established, integrating bio-, chronostratigraphy, event stratigraphy, and radioactive isotope ages. The framework provides a high-resolution chronology for the complex ocean-land-atmosphere interactions during the Devonian period.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Home-based visits benefit rural patients with kidney disease

A pilot program in rural New Mexico promoted patients' active involvement in their daily care, leading to modest improvements in clinical measures. The intervention also showed significant benefits in mental health quality of life and reduced CKD risk factors.

Toxins override key immune system check

Researchers found that bacterial toxins from Staphylococcus aureus reduce the number of cells suppressing the immune response, leading to excessive immune responses. Weakened enterotoxins could potentially be used to induce stronger immune responses in cancer treatment.

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.

Metallic nanoparticles light up another path towards eco-friendly catalysts

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created subnano-sized metallic particles that can perform 50 times higher catalytic activity than well-known Au-Pd bimetallic nanocatalysts. These particles are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making them a promising solution for reducing pollution.

Drug candidate may recover vocal abilities lost to ADNP syndrome

A new study finds that CP201, a nerve-cell-protecting snippet of ADNP protein, normalizes disrupted neural connectivity and improves vocal communication in ADNP-deficient mice. The research paves the way for a clinical trial to treat social, motor, and vocal communication impediments in ADNP syndrome patients.

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.

'Edited' plant-based toxin possesses anti-tumor characteristics

Researchers at Shinshu University discovered that editing fusicoccins, a toxic organic compound, can transform them into chemicals with anti-tumor properties. The study suggests that the compound works as a stabilizer for protein-protein interactions, which could lead to the development of new clinically relevant anti-cancer agents.

Researchers to study drivers of asthma in Puerto Rico

A new study aims to investigate the origins of asthma in Puerto Rico by following 4,000 children from birth through early childhood. The team plans to use genetic techniques to identify biological drivers of disease and biomarkers that may predict outcomes.

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.