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Science News Archive October 2018


Page 31 of 47

Genetics allows personalized disease predictions for chronic blood cancers

Researchers developed a method to make personalized predictions of future disease outcomes for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. By combining genetic and clinical information, the study identified eight different genetic subgroups that link to patterns of clinical disease and patient prognosis.

Clues to lupus's autoimmune origins in precursor cells

A recent study found that DN2 B cells, a type of immune cell, are expanded in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be responsible for the production of autoantibodies. The research suggests that targeting these cells could provide new insights into treating the disease.

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.

The making of soldier ants

Scientists at McGill University found that a rudimentary 'organ' in ants regulates the balance between soldiers and workers, allowing colonies to maintain a constant ratio. By controlling the growth of this organ, ants can rapidly produce more soldiers when needed.

NIH study finds probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria

A NIH study found that probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria, preventing its growth in the gut and nose of healthy individuals. The researchers identified fengycins, a specific class of lipopeptides, as the substance responsible for inhibiting S. aureus sensing system.

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.

Prescience: Helping doctors predict the future

Researchers developed Prescience, a system that uses patient charts and sensor data to predict hypoxemia. The system provides explanations for its predictions, enabling anesthesiologists to better understand patient risks and prevent complications.

Heusler, Weyl and Berry

Heusler compounds have been found to host non-trivial topological properties, including the discovery of Weyl fermions. The study also reveals the importance of Berry curvature in determining key effects like the anomalous Hall Effect. This research has significant implications for energy conversion and quantum electronic devices.

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.

UCI researchers discover molecular mechanisms of ancient herbal remedies

Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have discovered that two components of the Mallotus leaf extract activate KCNQ2/3 potassium ion channels, essential for controlling electrical activity in the brain. The combination of these compounds is highly effective at preventing life-threatening seizures.

Boxing up ag field nitrogen

Saturated riparian buffer strips can effectively reduce nitrate loads into nearby streams and lakes by reconnecting water flow through the soil, allowing growers to continue using tile drains. The system's cost per pound of nitrate removed is $1.33 for a 40-year lifetime, making it a simpler and cheaper alternative to other systems.

Pneumonia-causing bacteria can be spread by nose picking and rubbing

A study found that pneumococcus bacteria can spread at the same rate whether it is dry or wet, and when a person picks or pokes their nose as when they rub their nose. Ensuring good hand hygiene and keeping toys clean could help protect young children from catching and spreading the bacteria.

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.

Hundreds of patients with undiagnosed diseases find answers, study reports

A study by Stanford Medicine and the Undiagnosed Disease Network has diagnosed over 100 patients with previously unknown ailments, providing actionable information for treatment. The network, created in 2014, uses a combination of traditional medicine and cutting-edge genomic technologies to solve mysterious cases.

Feeding 10 billion people by 2050 within planetary limits may be achievable

A new study suggests that feeding 10 billion people sustainably by 2050 is achievable through a combination of dietary changes, improved agricultural practices, and reduced food loss and waste. The researchers found that adopting more plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over half and other environmental impacts.

Creating custom brains from the ground up

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a new method to create customized mouse models for studying the brain. This technique involves using a natural toxin to kill off developing brain cells, allowing scientists to reconstitute the forebrain from genetically engineered stem cells. The resulting mice have tightly contr...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Indigenous fire practice protecting the Gibson Desert's biodiversity

Research suggests that Indigenous fire practices are protecting plant biodiversity in the Gibson Desert by preventing ecosystem transformations, retaining critical species. The traditional burning practices of the Pintupi people have helped conserve unique flora and prevent the destruction of desert myrtle shrubs.

What causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve?

Researchers from the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating what causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve over time. They found that zeolite crystals facilitate faster dissolution, and are exploring ways to slow or impede their formation.

New approach could jumpstart breathing after spinal cord injury

A team at the Krembil Research Institute in Toronto has developed a novel strategy to target dormant neurons that can restore breathing following spinal cord injury. The research, published in Nature, shows promise for treating dysfunctional breathing, a major cause of death or disease among people with spinal cord injuries.

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.

Tracking a killer

UCSB, UCSD, and SBP researchers developed a method to track sepsis development on a molecular level, revealing different pathways depending on host responses to various pathogens. Boosting anti-inflammatory activity or blocking TLR-4 activation showed potential as therapeutic approaches.

Nutrients may reduce blood glucose levels

A study by Joslin Diabetes Center shows that alanine can activate AMPK, increasing energy production and lowering glucose levels. This finding suggests a new potential way to modify glucose metabolism in the body.

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.

The pentagon and the bean

Researchers have revealed the structure of immune protein IgM, showing it to be an incomplete hexagon. This discovery has significant implications for developing effective medicines for various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. The structural connection between IgM and AIM proteins suggests that drugs targeting AIM...

GeoSEA array records sliding of Mount Etna's southeastern flank

Scientists have recorded horizontal and vertical movement of a submerged volcanic flank for the first time using a sound-based underwater geodetic monitoring network. The entire southeastern flank is in motion due to gravity, and a catastrophic collapse could trigger a major tsunami.

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.

Synapse 'protection' signal found; helps to refine brain circuits

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a 'don't eat me' signal that prevents microglia from pruning useful connections. This 'yin/yang' system helps fine-tune brain circuits, ensuring normal brain development and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Simple fabrication of full-color perovskite LEDs

Perovskite nanoparticles are capable of emitting different colors depending on the internal halogen element. Researchers at UNIST developed a simple method to replace certain elements via solution process, allowing for the creation of red, blue, and green LEDs with high luminous efficiency.

Sit-stand office desks cut daily sitting time and appear to boost job performance

A trial published by The BMJ found that employees who used sit-stand workstations reduced their sitting time by more than an hour a day over 12 months, with improvements in job performance, psychological health, and daily anxiety. The results suggest that displacing sitting with standing may have positive effects on work-related outcomes.

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.

Molecular link between body weight, early puberty identified

Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism that leads overweight female rats to experience early-onset puberty. The study found that the SIRT1 enzyme plays a crucial role in transmitting body weight information to the brain, affecting the expression of the Kiss1 gene.

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.

A break from the buzz: bees go silent during total solar eclipse

Researchers monitored bee activity during the 2017 total solar eclipse and found that bees ceased flying during totality. The study, supported by a grant from the American Astronomical Society, engaged over 400 participants in setting up acoustic monitoring stations across the US.

Volcano researcher learns how Earth builds supereruption-feeding magma systems

Guilherme Gualda and his students studied magma storage-depth evolution in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. They found that magma moved closer to the surface with each successive eruption, likely preventing supereruptions. The dynamic nature of the crust allowed for frequent, smaller eruptions to occur, preventing a massive eruption.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Altruism can be trained

Scientists discovered that specific mental trainings can improve prosocial behavior over several months. Affect Module, consisting of daily practices, boosted altruistic behaviors, making it a potential step towards a caring society.

Satellite sees Tropical Cyclone Luban nearing Oman

Tropical Cyclone Luban continued to move through the Arabian Sea toward the coast of Oman, with a visible image provided by NOAA-20 satellite on October 10. The storm has maintained deep central convection and spiral bands wrapped tightly toward the center.

The culprit of superconductivity in cuprates

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences found that a strong chemical bond between the apical cation and oxygen in cuprate compounds impacts superconductivity temperature. This discovery sheds light on key component of complicated phenomena in cuprates, opening up new avenue for materials design.

Lung cancer deaths are 28 percent lower in California

A recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research reveals that California's long-term tobacco control efforts have led to a 28% decrease in lung cancer deaths compared to the rest of the country. The state's approach has been particularly effective in discouraging young people from starting to smoke, with a 39% lower initiation ra...

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.

Study identifies gene that makes gentle touch feel painful after injury

Researchers identified PIEZO2 as a gene controlling tactile allodynia, a form of pain caused by gentle touch after injury. The study found that PIEZO2 plays an essential role in the nervous system's reaction to injury and inflammation, making it a target for developing precise treatments for relieving painful skin injuries.

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.