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Science News Archive October 2018


Page 2 of 47

Inflammation can lead to circadian sleep disorders

A Northwestern University study found that inflammation can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to circadian sleep disorders. The research used a genetic switch to turn inflammation on and off in mice, revealing a link between inflammatory diseases and the body's clock.

Decoding how brain circuits control behavior

Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how brain circuits control behavior by identifying two types of intermingled nerve cells with distinct roles. The study used extensive analyses of neurons' shapes, gene activity, and function to tease out which cells are responsible for planning and initiating movements.

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.

Are we losing one of our biggest CO2 sinks?

A recent study reveals that eelgrass meadows store significant amounts of organic carbon, comparable to tropical seagrass species and mangroves. The distribution area of these meadows has decreased by at least 1/3rd over the past 50 years, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

The materials engineers are developing environmentally friendly materials

Materials engineers are developing environmentally friendly materials, including graphene-based nanofibers, for various applications such as environmental protection, agriculture, medicine, and clothing industry. These nanofibers offer unique properties like conductivity, strength, flexibility, and bio-basis, making them promising for ...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Controlling future summer weather extremes still within our grasp

Climate scientists predict that extreme summers, like 2018, will continue if countries don't phase out fossil fuels; however, switching to cleaner coal-burning technology can mitigate this effect. Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating temperatures and cooling the planet.

The ESRF cryo-electron microscope bears fruit in its first year

The ESRF cryo-electron microscope has achieved significant results in its first year, publishing research on the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor. The study revealed the receptor's activation cycle and binding pockets, providing crucial information for developing antinausea drugs.

Don't underestimate the force

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has identified the weak van der Waals forces holding together a tiny, self-assembling box. The box can bulge to accommodate large or long guest molecules and contract to eliminate extra space when hosting negatively charged guests.

Relapsed leukemia flies under immune system's radar

Researchers found that relapsed leukemia cells have reduced expression of genes involved in immune recognition, making them invisible to the immune system. Interferon gamma has been shown to turn back on these hidden immune markers, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for AML patients who relapse after transplantation.

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.

Kent scientists unlock secrets of falcon DNA

University of Kent researchers have created chromosome-level assemblies for three falcon species, providing insights into their biology and ecology. The study's findings reveal a unique pattern of genome organization not typical in birds.

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.

Bose-Einstein condensate generated in space for the first time

A team of scientists has successfully generated a Bose-Einstein condensate in space, opening up new possibilities for high-precision measurements in zero gravity. The condensate can be used to measure the Earth's gravitational field, detect gravitational waves, and test Einstein's equivalence principle with unprecedented accuracy.

Monitoring air pollution after Hurricane Maria

Researchers deployed low-cost, solar-powered sensors to monitor air quality in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. The devices detected high levels of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, exceeding EPA standards on nearly 80% of days during the monitoring period.

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.

UTA researcher developing chip-scale system for quantum communications

Researchers create integrated quantum transceiver capable of sending and receiving quantum information over various waveforms, enabling fast, robust and photon-efficient quantum communications. The team aims to develop a single-chip system that can be used for both free space and optical fiber communication.

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.

Karate kicks keep cockroaches from becoming zombies, wasp chow

A Vanderbilt biologist studied cockroaches' defense mechanism against wasp attacks using ultra-slow-motion videography. The 'en garde' position and swift kicks saved 63% of adult cockroaches from being stung, while juveniles were more vulnerable to attack.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

European workers fail to maintain water balance

A study by the Pan-European Heat-Shield project found that 7 out of 10 European workers suffer from dehydration due to failure to maintain water balance, negatively impacting cognitive function and motor performance. This threatens both safety and productivity in various occupations.

The when, where and what of air pollutant exposure

Researchers in South India measured personal exposure to fine particulate matter using a combination of techniques, finding significant differences between men and women. Men showed higher levels of personal exposure throughout the day, while women's exposures were related to cooking and industrial activities.

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.

Traumatic brain injury: What happens next?

Researchers aim to develop more efficient classification and predictive models for traumatic brain injuries, which would allow clinicians to provide targeted care and improve patient outcomes. The study's findings could also inform clinical trials and allocate resources more effectively.

Large cells for tiny leaves

Researchers discovered that LMI1 protein limits cell growth, preventing large cells from developing into other tissue types, resulting in smaller leaves despite early cell growth. The study also found that LMI1 regulates pea leaf morphology by producing thread-like tendrils at the tip of the leaf and large stipules at the base.

New method peeks inside the 'black box' of artificial intelligence

Researchers developed a new approach to interpret machine learning algorithms, revealing how they can produce nonsensical answers even when given meaningful inputs. By reducing inputs to the bare minimum required for correct answers, the method provides insights into algorithmic limitations and potential solutions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cooling 'brains on fire' to treat Parkinson's

Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a promising new therapy using the small molecule MCC950, which blocks NLRP3 activation and prevents brain cell loss in Parkinson's patients. The therapy shows marked improvement in motor function and may offer an alternative approach to current treatments.

Ultrasensitive toxic gas detector

Scientists have created a novel gas sensor based on vertically aligned WO3-CuO core-shell nanorod arrays, achieving ultrasensitivity to ammonia (NH3) gas. The hybrid sensor exhibits high gas response and short recovery times, making it suitable for detecting toxic gases.

3 percent of children hit daily activity target

A recent study published in Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that only 3.2% of Year Five children (aged nine or ten) met the recommended daily physical activity target of 60 minutes, with even lower levels among girls. This suggests that previous studies may have overestimated the prevalence of children meeting the recomme...

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.

Online sperm donors more agreeable: QUT study

A new study analyzing online sperm donors reveals they are more agreeable than traditional clinic donors. The researchers found exclusively online donors were more likely to be in committed relationships and identify with non-heterosexual sex identities.

JILA researchers see signs of interactive form of quantum matter

Researchers have isolated groups of a few atoms and precisely measured their multi-particle interactions within an atomic clock. The study reveals unexpected results when three or more atoms are together, including nonlinear shifts in the clock's frequency and long-lived entangled states.

Gaining unknown insights

A new imaging process will enable x-ray microscopy on living subjects, facilitating more detailed analysis of bone structure changes in osteoporosis. The European Research Council funds the project with a €12.3 million grant.

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.

Artificial intelligence bot trained to recognize galaxies

Researchers have developed an AI bot named ClaRAN to identify galaxies emitting powerful radio jets from supermassive black holes. The system uses machine learning to spot complex galaxy structures, reducing manual classification by human astronomers.

Hard cider, with a shot of sugar

Researchers analyzed 23 popular hard ciders and found that 60% of domestic brands contained added sugars from cane or corn syrup. The study's findings suggest that labels are not a reliable way to determine whether a cider has added sugar, due to discrepancies between expected and observed isotopic ratios.

More black South Africans are donating blood

The South African National Blood Service has increased the proportion of donations from black South Africans by fivefold since 2005. This significant improvement is attributed to the implementation of individual donation nucleic acid testing (NAT), which has reduced HIV transmission risks.

Can bacteria colonies be good neighbors?

Researchers studied bacterial ecological systems using experiments and computer models to investigate population dynamics, identifying key role of stochastic effects in early colony patterning. They also found that interactions between neighboring bacteria can amplify local variation, influencing competition outcomes.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A fully human system to cultivate skin cells for grafting

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and Singapore General Hospital develop a fully human system to cultivate skin cells for grafting, eliminating the need for animal-derived products. This breakthrough method uses specific laminin proteins to support the growth of human keratinocytes in the laboratory.

$6 million grant launches innovative genetic research at Bigelow Laboratory

The four-year project will develop and apply new tools to connect the functions of individual microbes to their genetic makeup in diverse marine and continental environments. Combing single-cell genomics with measurements of microbial metabolism will help understand the role of microbes in cycling biologically important compounds.

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.

Nanostraws deliver molecules to human cells safely and efficiently

Researchers have developed a new method to deliver molecules into human cells using nanostraws, which are tiny glass-like protrusions that poke equally tiny holes in cell walls. The technique is more precise, faster, and safer than existing methods, with the ability to deliver molecules in just 20 seconds.