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Science News Archive November 2018


Page 29 of 42

Experts find that stone tools connected communities

Experts analyzed stone tools from the Klipdrift Shelter and Diepkloof Rock Shelter, finding similarities between them. The findings suggest a networked interaction between distant communities during the Middle Stone Age.

Making wind farms more efficient

Researchers have developed a new approach to design more efficient wind farms by incorporating factors such as wind speed, turbine spacing, and land size. The algorithm uses biogeographical-based optimization to minimize computational cost while maximizing efficiency.

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.

A toast to the proteins in dinosaur bones

Researchers at Yale University discovered chemicals that preserve dinosaur soft tissues under specific conditions, such as oxidative environments. These preserved structures are comparable to Advanced Glycoxidation and Lipoxidation end products (AGEs and ALEs), which are resistant to decay and degradation.

Surgical home program for spinal fusion achieves long term success

A new surgical home pathway for spinal fusion surgery reduces opioid pain medication need and shortens hospital stays, achieving sustainable benefits over two-and-a-half years. The study, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, demonstrates improved care value and patient outcomes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The new face of South American people

A comprehensive study confirms the existence of a single ancestral population for all Amerindian ethnic groups, contrary to traditional theories linking Africa or Australasia. The study reveals that the Lagoa Santa people were descendants of Clovis culture migrants from North America.

Intense tests reveal elusive, complex form of common element

Researchers create crystallized version of nitrogen by subjecting it to extreme pressures and temperatures, revealing a complex structure made up of dozens of molecules. The study resolves speculation on the structure of ι-N2, known as nitrogen's elusive form discovered 15 years ago.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Most complete study on Europe's greatest Hadrosaur site published

A recent study published in PLOS ONE provides the most comprehensive analysis of a Hadrosaur bone bed in Europe, shedding light on the lives of these ancient herbivores. The research reveals that young individuals were more abundant than adults, suggesting a natural population dynamic.

Creating better devices: The etch stops here

A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Illinois has developed a new technique for creating nanoscale-size electromechanical devices by using graphene as an etch stop. This allows for precise patterning of two-dimensional structures, enabling the creation of complex devices with improved performance.

Aging a flock of stars in the Wild Duck Cluster

Researchers found that the Wild Duck Cluster's stars are older than initially thought due to their rotational periods, which affect their hydrogen core mixing and lifetime. This discovery sheds light on how stars form and evolve, challenging previous assumptions about open clusters.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Trash more treasured with new conversion method

Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a groundbreaking process that converts biogas from landfills into liquid diesel fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This innovative method has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence.

Unique study shows how bats maneuver

Researchers at Lund University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bat flight techniques, revealing that they turn on the upstroke of their wings to navigate. This new understanding has significant implications for the development of next-generation drones.

Columbia-led team receives $16.75 million from BRAIN Initiative

A Columbia-led team has been awarded $16.75 million from the BRAIN Initiative to study the primary visual cortex, a region crucial for making sense of visual information. The five-year project aims to bridge the gap in knowledge between theoretical and experimental neuroscience.

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.

Ancient child's tooth reveals picture of Alaska's early inhabitants

A 9,000-year-old child's tooth has revealed insights into Alaska's ancient people, their genetic makeup and diets. The tooth, linked to the Ancient Beringian lineage, indicates that these groups remained in Alaska for thousands of years after migrating across the Bering Land Bridge.

Conversion 'therapy' begins at home

A study by the Family Acceptance Project found that LGBT young people experiencing conversion therapy report higher levels of depression, suicidal behavior, and lower self-esteem. Parents serve as gatekeepers for both home-based and external conversion interventions.

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.

High-performance solar cells: Physicists grow stable perovskite layers

Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg develop a method to produce stable perovskite layers, which could lead to high-performance solar cells. The approach uses an industry-wide process to control layer growth, resulting in homogenous and controlled crystals that can withstand elevated temperatures.

Flipped classroom enhances learning outcomes in medical certificate education

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that flipped classroom teaching improved medical certificate writing skills compared to traditional lectures. The research involved 40 students from each group and showed a significant difference in scores, with flipped classroom students scoring better on average.

Tropical Cyclone Alcide's rainfall observed by GPM Satellite

Tropical cyclone Alcide formed in the South Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar, prompting NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission to analyze its rainfall. GPM's data revealed strong convective storms dropping rain at a rate of over 44 mm/hour, with measurements of precipitation heights made possible by DPR Ku Band radar.

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.

Moving the motivation meter

Two novel drugs have been found to restore normal behavior in rats lacking motivation by stimulating a build-up of dopamine in the synapses. This discovery holds promise for treating apathy and fatigue in humans, particularly those suffering from depression or caused by chronic diseases.

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.

Broad genome analysis shows yeasts evolving by subtraction

Researchers sequenced and compared the genomes of 332 yeast species, revealing an extensive picture of their evolution over hundreds of millions of years. The study suggests that yeasts evolved through reductive evolution, losing traits to specialize in specific food sources, with modern yeasts having narrower appetites.

Neurons that fire together, don't always wire together

A study published in Neuron demonstrates that neurons with the same projection target are more likely to connect with each other, despite being neighbors. This 'exclusion' principle of connectivity highlights a new rule of connectivity in the neocortex.

New decision support tool improves discharge outcomes

A new decision support tool, DIRECT CDS, has been developed to optimize post-acute care (PAC) referrals and improve patient outcomes. The algorithm helps clinicians identify patients most in need of PAC and suggests the level of care required.

Healing kidneys with nanotechnology

A new method for treating and preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) has been developed using tiny, self-assembling forms of DNA origami nanostructures. These nanostructures were shown to protect the kidneys from harm as effectively as the leading drug therapy and alleviate symptoms of AKI.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Amazon forests failing to keep up with climate change

The Amazon forest is failing to keep up with the effects of climate change, with more drought-resistant tree species outcompeting vulnerable ones. As a result, biodiversity is at risk, and existing intact rainforests need to be protected from deforestation.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Link between autoimmune, heart disease explained in mice

Studies in mice with psoriasis-like conditions found that stiff blood vessel walls trapped cholesterol, promoting plaques and increasing cardiovascular risk. Neutralizing a specific immune cell type reduced collagen density and cholesterol deposits, suggesting a preventable link between autoimmune diseases and heart disease.

UK scientists opening up access to science through DIY equipment

Spikeling, a low-cost DIY kit, simulates how nerve cells in the brain compute information, allowing for hands-on learning of neuroscience. The kit's open design and free availability aim to level the playing field in global science education, making complex concepts accessible to students worldwide.

Mark your calendar: All infectious diseases are seasonal

Research suggests that all infectious diseases follow a seasonal cycle, with outbreaks occurring at specific times of the year. Seasonality is driven by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and vector-borne diseases like Zika, which is influenced by mosquito proliferation in algae-filled waterbodies.

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.

Re-inventing the hook

Researchers found orangutans spontaneously manufactured hook tools out of straight wire, solving a complex problem that eludes young human children. The apes' innovation abilities were tested using a hook-bending task, where they successfully bent and unbent wires to retrieve rewards.

Molecular inhibition gets cells on the move

A team of researchers at Osaka University has identified the molecular mechanism that enables cells to move in a specific direction. By analyzing the interaction between PTEN and PIP3 molecules, they found that these molecules mutually suppress each other, preventing cells from forming pseudopodia at different ends.

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.

Some of retina's light-sensing cells may have ancient roots

Scientists have discovered that some retina cells may be using an ancient light-sensing mechanism, which suggests a possible connection to the earliest photoreceptors. This finding was made in mice and has implications for understanding vision and its relationship to other biological processes.

Automated detection of sleep states from olfactory brain waves

Researchers create an algorithm that accurately classifies mouse vigilance states into wake, REM sleep, and non-REM sleep based on local brain activity in the olfactory bulb. The study has potential applications in medical and clinical fields, including surgical anesthesia and sleep disorders.

A newly discovered, naturally low-caffeine tea plant

Scientists have identified a wild tea plant in China that contains virtually no caffeine and may provide the health benefits of regular brewed teas. The newly discovered plant, known as hongyacha, was found to contain several potentially health-promoting compounds not found in regular tea.

Failing heart cells trigger self-protection mechanism

Researchers discovered a self-protection mechanism in failing heart cells that triggers the regulation of genes promoting heart failure. The study reveals that one fragment of the protein junctophilin-2 protects against damage by traveling to the cell nuclei.

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.