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Science News Archive November 2018


Page 24 of 42

The unintended consequences of dams and reservoirs

A new study reveals that dams and reservoirs can have unintended consequences, including exacerbating droughts and water shortages. The research team found that increasing storage capacity can lead to a vicious cycle of higher demand and decreased sustainability.

Immunity connects gut bacteria and aging

A study published in Immunity found that the gut bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum produces excessive lactic acid when its receptor protein PGRP-SD is disrupted, leading to oxidative stress and accelerated aging. Increasing PGRP-SD levels prevents this effect and extends lifespan.

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.

How can hospitals keep doctors positively engaged with their work?

A scoping review of 15 studies on hospital physician engagement found that young, experienced, and single physicians were more engaged. Personal attributes like resiliency, self-efficacy, and optimism, as well as work-related factors such as quality of work life and job resources, also linked to higher engagement.

Angiotensin receptor blockers normalize sodium excretion

A study found that angiotensin receptor blockers improve sodium excretion in healthy black individuals who tend to retain more salt under stress. This could lead to a better treatment strategy for those with high blood pressure, particularly blacks who are often disproportionately affected.

Southwest Research Institute's Terrence Alger awarded for engine innovations

Terrence F. Alger II, a leading researcher at Southwest Research Institute, has been awarded the 2019 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Technology Innovation for his groundbreaking work on vehicle engines. His Dedicated Exhaust Gas Recirculation technology improves fuel economy by up to 15% while reducing engine-out emissions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

AFAR 2018 Scientific Awards of Distinction

David A. Sinclair and Laura Niedernhofer received the Irving S. Wright Award of Distinction and Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award in Aging Research, respectively, for their groundbreaking work on age-related processes and DNA damage. The awards recognize their contributions to advancing the field of aging research.

First microarrayed 3D neuronal culture platform developed

A new device has been developed to perform high-throughput 3D chemotactic assays, revealing diversity and complexity in the chemotactic regulation of neuronal development by various guidance molecules. The platform uses a hydrogel-based microfluidic system to test hundreds of suspended microscale hydrogel cylinders with distinct gradie...

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.

Suicide risk increases in teens who knew murder victims

A new study found that nearly half of black teenagers surveyed reported losing a friend or family member to murder, associated with higher suicide attempts. The research highlights the ripple effects of traumatic loss on young people and communities.

Large babies born to mothers with diabetes have a near-trebled risk of obesity

A new study published in Diabetologia found that children born large for gestational age (LGA) and born to mothers with gestational diabetes are almost three times as likely to be obese as children born a normal size to diabetes-free mothers. Breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of obesity in most children.

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.

Study finds that in treating obesity, one size does not fit all

Researchers found four groups of patients with unique characteristics, including disordered eating behaviors and varying levels of glucose in their blood. The study suggests personalized approaches to treating obesity may be more effective, as one-size-fits-all treatments may not work for all individuals.

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.

Wishes help keep pediatric patients out of the hospital

A recent study published in Pediatric Research found that children who received wishes were 2.5 times more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital admissions and 1.9 times less likely to use the emergency department. This led to a decline in healthcare costs, even after accounting for the average cost of the wish.

Amazon turtle populations recovering well thanks to local action

Local protection efforts have led to a significant recovery of Giant South American Turtle populations, with over nine times more turtles hatching on protected beaches compared to the 1970s. Other species, such as birds and fish, are also thriving in these areas.

Solving the mystery of NPM1 in acute myeloid leukemia

A team of researchers developed new strategies to exploit CRISPR technology to target the mutant form of protein NPM1, which is associated with acute myeloid leukemia. By blocking the export of mutant NPM1 from the nucleus, they were able to inhibit leukemic cell growth and induce differentiation or death in cancerous cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Most complete enantiornithine bird fossil from North America

The newly described fossil, Mirarce eatoni, is the most complete enantiornithine bird skeleton found in North America, providing insights into the evolution of flight. Its unique features, including quill knobs and a deeper keel on its sternum, indicate that it was a strong flier.

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.

Brain changes found in self-injuring teen girls

A new study found that teenage girls who engage in serious forms of self-harm show brain features similar to those seen in adults with borderline personality disorder. The research highlights the need for prevention and early intervention in those at high risk of suicide.

Doubly-excited electrons reach new energy states

Physicists have characterised higher energy levels reached by electrons in resonance with positronium ions, a complex three-particle system. The new model provides guidance for experimentalists to observe these resonant structures, potentially leading to breakthroughs in atomic and nuclear physics.

Pain can be a self-fulfilling prophecy

A new brain imaging study found that when subjects expect more heat, brain regions involved in threat and fear are more activated, leading to increased pain perception. The study also showed that positive expectations can have the opposite effects, suggesting a potential link between negative expectations and chronic pain.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Understanding congenital heart defects to prevent them

A team of researchers, led by UH professor Kirill Larin, is investigating the relationship between mechanical factors and genetic pathways in embryonic heart development. Understanding this connection can help prevent congenital heart defects, which claim one out of every 100 baby lives in the US.

The first cave-dwelling centipede from southern China

Scientists have recorded the first cave-dwelling centipede from southern China, a species that had been hiding away from biologists. The new cavedweller, Australobius tracheoperspicuus, is tiny and has pale yellow-brownish color with no eyes.

Surrey academic receives award for preserving endangered languages

University of Surrey academic Dr Mike Franjieh has been recognized for preserving two endangered languages on the South Pacific island of Ambrym in Vanuatu. His research has created usable spelling systems and recorded cultural practices, benefiting community members and future generations.

Arts research transforms Finnish society

The ArtsEqual project in Finland examines how arts can meet social challenges, promoting equality and inclusivity. Research-based policy briefs have informed decision-making, leading to concrete results in local curriculum planning and regional action plans.

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.

Simulation versus observation

A study suggests that up to 40-50% of Arctic sea ice loss over the last three decades is due to unknown internal drivers, such as tropical effects. This discrepancy challenges the consensus among climate scientists who attribute it to flawed modeling.

Back-to-the-future plants give climate change insights

Researchers used outdoor labs to test plant responses to future climate change, finding that some crops may grow more under rising CO2 levels. However, drought and heat can limit growth, leading to a trade-off between positive and negative impacts.

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.

So, you think you're good at remembering faces, but terrible with names?

A new study from the University of York found that humans are more accurate at recalling names than recognizing faces, a finding that challenges our everyday experiences. Participants scored higher in remembering names (up to 83%) compared to faces (as little as 64%), especially in unfamiliar situations.

Health costs of ageism calculated at $63 billion annually, study finds

A new study by Yale University estimates that ageism costs the US healthcare system $63 billion annually, affecting conditions like cardiovascular disease and mental disorders. The study found that 17.04 million cases of these conditions were linked to ageism among those aged 60 and older.

Rising sea levels may build, rather than destroy, coral reef islands

New research suggests that rising global sea levels and high-energy wave events could actually build, rather than destroy, coral reef islands like the Maldives. This is possible if the coral reef remains healthy to provide building material, but threatens island infrastructure with devastating consequences.

NUS researchers offer solution in fight against fake graphene

A lack of production standards in the graphene market has led to inferior products being sold as high-grade. NUS researchers developed a reliable method for testing graphene quality, finding that most samples contained less than 10% real graphene flakes.

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.

WPI and Albany Medical College developing robotic system to treat brain tumors

The new robotic system uses a thin probe inserted into the brain through a small hole drilled in the skull to deliver high-intensity ultrasound energy lethal to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue. Real-time MRI-based thermal imaging provides feedback on dose delivery, ensuring precise control and safety.

UH Physicist Zhifeng Ren receives Humboldt Prize

Physicist Zhifeng Ren, director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston, has received a research award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to collaborate with German researchers. He will focus on new fabrication techniques and thermoelectric materials to improve clean energy conversion.

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.

Probiotics increase bone volume in healthy mice

A study published in Immunity found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation increased bone formation in female mice by stimulating the growth of butyrate-producing gut bacteria. This activation led to the expansion of regulatory T cells, which secrete a protein called Wnt10b, critical for bone development.

Emotional intelligence: A new criterion for hiring?

Researchers at UNIGE and UNIBE developed an emotional intelligence test to measure skills in work environments. The test, called the Geneva Emotional Competence Test (GECO), evaluates understanding emotions, recognizing emotions, regulating one's own emotions, and managing other people's emotions.

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.

Carbon emissions will start to dictate stock prices

A new study by University of Waterloo researchers finds that high carbon emissions can lead to stock price depreciation and asset devaluation. Companies in emission-intensive sectors may experience fundamental devaluations in their stocks within 10 years, due to stricter environmental regulations and climate change risks.

Carbon goes with the flow

A recent study by Michigan State University found that floods significantly transport large amounts of organic carbon through ecosystems, contrary to the traditional view of the carbon cycle as vertical. The research analyzed over 1,000 watersheds across the US and found that wetlands play a crucial role in storing and releasing carbon.

Fish recognize their prey by electric colors

Elephantnose fish recognize their prey by electric colors, using two types of receptors to determine intensity and shape. They can distinguish between living and dead objects and even recognize specific food sources like mosquito larvae with considerable accuracy.