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Science News Archive November 2018 - Page 29


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.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hypertonic saline may help babies with cystic fibrosis breathe better

A new study found that hypertonic saline improved lung function and weight gain in infants with cystic fibrosis. The treatment, which was safe from diagnosis onwards, also showed promise for preventing the progression of lung disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCell·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

NUS study: Mangroves can help countries mitigate their carbon emissions

A NUS study found that mangroves can capture more carbon than tropical rainforests, making them a key solution to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Coastal ecosystems like mangroves can store organic carbon in water-saturated soil, effectively mitigating climate change.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 9, 2018

UMass Amherst study demonstrates 'tunability' of a molecular chaperone

Researchers found significant differences between bacterial and eukaryotic Hsp70s, including variations in binding interfaces and cycles of domain docking and undocking. These findings suggest that eukaryotic Hsp70s have evolved to be more flexible and efficient in their function.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2018

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.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

Online labor platforms offer growing alternative to traditional offshoring

The study reveals that online labor platforms provide companies with a simple and cheap mechanism to hire knowledge workers in lower-income countries. Workers from emerging economies can earn more and have more predictable work hours through these platforms, but their income can be less stable.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJournal of Management·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 8, 2018

New UMBC research suggests global reforestation efforts need to take the long view

A new study by UMBC researchers highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to reforestation efforts. Secondary forest patches are often quickly re-cleared, but their full benefits don't kick in until they're decades old. The study found that large patches and those alongside rivers were less likely to be re-cleared.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalConservation Letters·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalBMC Medical Education·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNeuron·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 8, 2018

UCLA researchers and partners work with sushi restaurants to reduce seafood fraud

Researchers and students from UCLA monitor seafood purchases from Los Angeles restaurants, extracting DNA to distinguish between fish species. They find that sushi mislabeling is pervasive, but intentional fraud is less common, with some restaurants already implementing changes based on their findings.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateNov 8, 2018

CWRU-Led study triggers change in WHO treatment guidelines for lymphatic filariasis

A CWRU-led study shows a single dose of the new triple-drug therapy is significantly more effective at killing microscopic larval worms in people diagnosed with lymphatic filariasis. This finding has led to changes in WHO treatment guidelines, offering promise for eliminating this disease from global health threats.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 8, 2018
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 8, 2018

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateNov 8, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalScience·DateNov 8, 2018