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Science News Archive October 2018


Page 27 of 47

PPR virus poses threat to conservation

The PPR virus poses a significant threat to conservation efforts, with mass mortality events in critically endangered species like the Mongolian saiga. This highlights the urgent need for explicit inclusion of wildlife protection in the global eradication campaign.

Energy harvesting and innovative inputs highlight tech show gadgetry

Dartmouth's research projects demonstrate innovative thinking and technical skills essential for developing next-gen wearables. The lab developed a battery-free energy harvester, a novel conductive system for smartwatches, and self-powered gesture recognition using ambient light to power devices.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sea snail shells dissolve in increasingly acidified oceans, study shows

Researchers found sea snail shells were on average a third smaller and showed visible deterioration under predicted future CO2 levels, impacting thickness, density, and structure. The corrosive effects of ocean acidification threaten the survival of calcified animals like shellfish, which are crucial to coastal marine communities.

Two degrees decimated Puerto Rico's insect populations

Climate-driven crash in arthropod populations has significant implications for rainforest ecosystems and biodiversity. The study found that insect biomass declined by up to 60-fold between 1976 and 2013, leading to a major bottom-up trophic cascade.

Marker may help target treatments for Crohn's patients

Researchers pinpointed microRNA-31 as a predictive indicator of clinical outcome and functional relevance in driving the disease. The study uses an artificial gut to culture human biopsy samples and track molecular abundance, offering a personalized testing platform for therapeutic agents.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Technique quickly identifies extreme event statistics

A machine-learning model provides risk assessment for complex nonlinear systems, identifying the types of extreme events likely to occur. The technique simulates wave forces and stresses on structures, offering a faster and more accurate risk assessment than traditional methods.

Argonne to advance high performance computing in manufacturing

The High Performance Computing for Manufacturing (HPC4Mfg) Program aims to optimize production processes, enhance product quality and speed up design and testing cycles using supercomputers. Argonne researchers will work with industry partners and scientists at the ALCF to develop advanced manufacturing technologies.

Study suggests vaping does not stain teeth

A recent study by British American Tobacco found that e-cigarettes and tobacco heating products significantly reduce enamel discoloration compared to conventional cigarettes. The researchers assessed the impact of these products on teeth using an in vitro study and found minimal staining.

Pain disruption therapy treats source of chronic back pain

A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2018 found that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation therapy significantly improves chronic back pain, with a median pain score decrease of 33% after follow-up. DRG stimulation disrupts pain signals by targeting specific nerves, avoiding unnecessary stimulation of nerve fibers from non-painful areas.

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.

Postpartum depression linked to mother's pain after childbirth

A new study suggests that postpartum depression is significantly associated with higher postpartum pain scores, and women in the postpartum depression group were more likely to have delivered by C-section. The researchers found that adequate postpartum care is needed for women at risk of postpartum pain.

Human and cattle decoys trap malaria mosquitoes outdoors

A study published in Parasites & Vectors found that host decoy traps baited with human or cattle odour can effectively collect outdoor-biting mosquitoes, including the main malaria vector species Anopheles arabiensis. The traps outperformed traditional methods such as human landing catch and caught more mosquitoes than expected.

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.

Novel catalyst for high-energy aluminum-air flow batteries

Researchers have developed a novel catalyst that enables an aluminum-air flow battery to outperform lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density, cost, and cycle life. The breakthrough technology uses a silver manganate nanoplate architecture to alleviate side reactions and improve the battery's longevity.

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.

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.

Religious freedom laws linked to poor health in LGBT people

A national analysis found a significant increase in unhealthy days among sexual minorities in Indiana following the passage of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This rise was not seen in neighboring states or heterosexual populations, suggesting the law's impact on public health.

Early changes to synapse gene regulation may cause Alzheimer's disease

A Japanese team of researchers found that early changes to synapse gene regulation, including the phosphorylation of SRRM2 protein, can lead to Alzheimer's disease. This discovery offers new insights into the pathology of AD and may suggest possibilities for gene therapies using virus vectors.

An RNA key that unlocks innate immunity

A new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has identified a human RNA molecule called nc886 as a potent activator of the innate immune system. The RNA molecule's ability to turn on protein OAS sets off a chain of events that destroys viruses.

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.

A new way to create molecules for drug development

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new method to generate ketyl radicals, enabling the design of new synthetic drugs. The process uses manganese as a catalyst activated by an LED light, resulting in more controlled, wasteful, and selective product formation.

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.

Promising new therapeutic approach against Ebola virus identified

Researchers have developed a two-pronged approach targeting Ebola virus infection using linked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The study demonstrates effective targeting of two Ebola viral genes and the ability to prevent infectivity via Niemann-Pick C1.

Basophils -- Underestimated players in lung development

Researchers have discovered that basophils, immune cells long believed to only cause allergic reactions, are essential for proper lung development and homeostasis. They interact with other cell types to produce growth factors and cytokines, suggesting a potential target for novel immunotherapies in lung diseases.

MDI Biological Laboratory awarded NIH grant to promote data literacy

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to promote data literacy among high school students and teachers. The project aims to address the contamination of well water in Maine and New Hampshire with arsenic, which can lead to severe health problems.

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.

Early Alzheimer's brain pathology linked to psychiatric symptoms

Researchers have found that Alzheimer's disease is closely linked to neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The study used brains from over 1,000 healthy adults aged 50+, finding that AD pathology was present in many individuals who didn't show classic cognitive symptoms.

Does climate vary more from century to century when it is warmer?

Century-scale climate variability was enhanced when the Earth was warmer during the Last Interglacial period compared to current interglacial conditions. The study reveals series of century-scale arid events in southern Europe and cold water-mass expansions in the North Atlantic.

Building a better battery layer by layer

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a self-assembled monolayer coating that promotes efficient transportation within electrodes, suppressing side reactions in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. The coating improved power density and cyclability, allowing the battery to maintain capacity even after 100 cycles.

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.

A new mechanism for how animal cells stay intact

Researchers at Stanford University have found a unique way that animal cells stay intact in the marine organism Trichoplax adhaerens (Tplax), using fast contractions in its epithelial layers. This discovery could inform our understanding of complex animals and the creation of advanced materials.

Classifying microbes differently leads to discovery

A new study suggests that changing how microbes are classified can reveal clearer patterns of similarity between closely related mammals in terms of their gut microbiomes. The researchers propose an alternative approach to classification based on evolutionary history, which helps uncover meaningful units among microbes.

Why don't we understand statistics? Fixed mindsets may be to blame

A study found that fixed mindsets can lead to difficulties in solving statistical problems, even when simpler solutions are available. The researchers suggest that a lack of education in natural frequencies may be the cause, and hope to encourage curriculum designers to incorporate this concept into school mathematics and statistics.

Tropical moths in the mountains are larger

Researchers from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena studied the correlation between tropical moth size and elevation, finding clear patterns in their measurements. Moths from two species-rich families increase significantly in size at higher elevations, contradicting expectations under the Bergmann rule.

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.

UT Dallas study provides fuller picture of the human cost from terrorist attacks

A new study from The University of Texas at Dallas analyzes the impact of terrorism injuries, estimating that victims lost an average of 12,628 years of healthy life due to injuries. The study puts the annual toll of terrorist attacks in context with other causes of death, highlighting the devastating human cost of these events.

Calm the immune system, halt premature birth

Researchers at University of Connecticut have discovered a potential treatment for premature birth by targeting the immune system. Studies in mice suggest that inhibiting granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) could prevent preterm labor and birth.

Unapproved ingredients in over-the-counter supplements

A study analyzed FDA warnings from 2007-2016 and identified over 700 dietary supplements with unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients. Most of these products were marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, or muscle building, highlighting the need for stricter regulation of over-the-counter supplements.

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.