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Science News Archive November 2018


Page 7 of 42

Music supports the auditory skills of hearing-impaired children

A study published in Music Perception reveals that children with hearing impairments who engage in regular music activities exhibit better speech perception in noisy conditions. The results suggest that parental singing and daily musical engagement are crucial for developing communication skills.

Pulsed radiofrequency relieves acute back pain and sciatica

A study found that pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) is an effective treatment option for patients with acute lower back pain from lumbar disk herniation. pRF was superior to steroid injections in reducing inflammation and symptoms, resulting in faster pain relief and improved quality of life.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lipid that aids normal skin turnover may help psoriasis

Researchers have discovered a lipid called phosphatidylglycerol (PG) that may help restore healthy skin turnover in people with psoriasis. PG reduced inflammation and raised skin lesions when applied topically to a mouse model of psoriasis, suggesting it could be a new treatment option.

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.

Automated technique for anime colorization using deep learning

Japanese researchers have developed a technique for automatic anime colorization using deep learning, which is based on recent advances in machine learning approaches. The technique uses a combination of image segmentation and voting techniques to refine the colorization result.

How antibiotics help spread resistance

Researchers found that certain antibiotics can alter the way bacteria divide and interact with each other, leading to increased competence and the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. Biofilms play a crucial role in this process, allowing cells to secrete higher concentrations of a peptide that triggers quorum sensing.

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.

Newly discovered wasp turns social spiders into zombies

Researchers discovered a newly found species of wasp transforming social spiders into zombie-like drones, abandoning their colonies. The wasps' parasitic relationship involves injecting hormones to alter the spider's behavior, making it leave its nest and spin new structures.

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.

Using fine-tuning for record-breaking performance

Scientists at FAU have developed a new organic molecule that absorbs more light than fullerenes and is very durable. The hybrid printed photovoltaics achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 12.25%, setting a new record for solution-based organic single-junction solar cells.

Researchers aim to prevent medical imaging cyberattacks

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev developed a system to monitor outgoing commands from CT equipment, detecting anomalies and alerting operators before execution. A second study looked at the potential to tamper with mammogram results using AI-powered image manipulation.

New concept for tractor beam from Star Wars developed

Researchers at ITMO University propose a new approach to creating tractor beams using hyperbolic metasurfaces, which can capture particles and cells. The study shows that these materials have the potential for practical applications in experiments and traps.

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.

Biologists discover an unusual hallmark of aging in neurons

Researchers at MIT found a mysterious RNA buildup in neurons that increases with age, reducing protein production and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery was made using a novel technique that allowed them to isolate and sequence messenger RNA from specific types of cells.

Telemedicine use increases but still uncommon

Annual telemedicine visits increased from 0.02 to 6.57 per 1,000 members between 2005-2017, with growth accelerating after 2015. Most users resided in urban areas, a trend contrasting with the emphasis on expanding telemedicine access in rural regions.

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.

AI system may accelerate search for cancer discoveries

The LION LBD AI system is designed to assist scientists in the search for cancer-related discoveries by analyzing tens of millions of publications. By identifying indirect associations between entities, it can help researchers make new connections and discover potential links that may have been overlooked.

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.

Microplastics pollution in Falklands as high as UK

A new study has discovered high levels of microplastic contamination in the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island, with some areas showing comparable levels to those around the UK. The research highlights the need for standardized monitoring methods to address this growing environmental concern.

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.

Endurance but not resistance training has anti-aging effects

A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that endurance training but not resistance training slows or reverses cellular aging. Telomerase activity and telomere length increased in volunteers who underwent endurance and high-intensity training, suggesting a potential mechanism for healthy aging.

Veterans study points to suicide risk from multiple brain injuries

A new Veterans Affairs study found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with a history of repeated traumatic brain injuries are at much greater risk for recent suicidal ideation compared to those with one TBI or none. The researchers identified poor sleep quality and depression as key risk factors for suicidal thinking.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

ASH releases new clinical practice guidelines for venous thromboembolism

The American Society of Hematology has released new clinical practice guidelines for venous thromboembolism, covering evidence-based recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The guidelines aim to improve care for patients with blood clots, addressing current uncertainties and variations in clinical practice.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Seven UC San Diego professors named AAAS Fellows

Seven researchers from the University of California, San Diego have been recognized as AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in various fields. Robert Continetti was honored for his novel studies on molecular reaction dynamics, while Farhat Beg received recognition for his contributions to high energy density science.

Hacking the aging code: Big data to the rescue

Researchers use big data from medical studies and large biobanks to develop models predicting biological age, aging rate, and potential targets for future anti-aging therapies. The approach also led to the identification of wearable-based biomarkers of aging and frailty.

Home videos of children can be scored to diagnose autism, Stanford study says

A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine has developed a method to diagnose autism in children using short home videos, expanding on previous feasibility studies. The researchers employed machine learning to determine relevant behavioral features and devised an algorithm to provide an overall diagnostic score.

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.

Putting hybrid-electric aircraft performance to the test

Researchers created a flight-performance simulator to test the performance of a hybrid-electric drivetrain on a Tecnam P2006T aircraft. The study found that a parallel hybrid architecture can lead to substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, particularly for short-range missions.

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.

Is your office messy? If so, you may be seen as uncaring, neurotic

Participants in three experiments rated researchers with messy offices as less conscientious, agreeable, and less neurotic than those with clean offices. The findings suggest that perceived disorganization can impact how others treat individuals in personal and professional settings.

Why screen time can disrupt sleep

Salk scientists discovered that melanopsin cells, responsible for regulating consciousness and sleep, respond to prolonged illumination, but can become desensitized. The study may lead to new treatments for migraines, insomnia, jet lag and circadian rhythm disorders.

Photonic radiation sensors survive huge doses undamaged

Researchers at NIST discovered that oxide-coated silicon photonic devices can withstand up to 1 million gray of radiation exposure, making them suitable for measuring radiation dose in medical and industrial applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of precise radiation sensors for medical imaging and therapy.

Drug use, religion explain 'reverse gender gap' on marijuana

A study by North Carolina State University found that women are more likely to support strict marijuana policies due to their religious beliefs and lower rates of cannabis use. Mothers, in particular, do not differ from childless women in terms of their views on marijuana policy or reported use.

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.

New technique to make objects invisible proposed

Researchers at the University of Extremadura have demonstrated electromagnetic invisibility of objects using an alternative technique based on filler cloaking. This method makes objects invisible from the interior without using any external device.

Health surrogates for older adults often don't know their care preferences

A new study found that only 21% of health surrogates actually know what an older adult would want in the event of a serious illness, despite 75% feeling confident in their knowledge. The researchers emphasize the need for improved advance care planning and communication between patients and their health surrogates.

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.

Mere sunlight can be used to eradicate pollutants in water

Chemists at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new process that utilizes hydrated electrons to degrade dissolved pollutants. The process requires only sunlight and can be conducted outdoors with minimal equipment, offering a promising solution for water pollution remediation.