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Science News Archive October 2018


Page 32 of 47

NASA sees Atlantic's Leslie become a hurricane

Hurricane Leslie has formed in the Atlantic with strong storms circling its center, revealing temperatures as low as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center forecasts some additional strengthening over the next day or so, with a northward motion expected to begin tonight.

Study challenges widely held belief that gout is primarily caused by diet

A new study published in The BMJ suggests that genetics play a significantly larger role in the development of high serum urate levels than diet. Despite long-held assumptions about diet's impact on gout, researchers found that only a small percentage of variation in urate levels could be explained by food choices.

Eczema drug restores hair growth in patient with longstanding alopecia

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital report significant hair regrowth in a 13-year-old patient with total alopecia and eczema after treatment with dupilumab. The drug's mechanism of targeting an immune system pathway overactive in eczema may also induce hair growth in other alopecia patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists get in touch with the biology underlying pain

Researchers discovered that activating Piezo2-expressing neurons induces painful sensations in mice and that rodents deficient in Piezo2 do not register pain in response to soft touches. Blocking Piezo2 function may prevent allodynia without affecting normal pain responses.

New study helps explain recent scarcity of Bay nettles

A new study explains recent Bay nettle scarcity, attributing it to warm waters and decreased reproductive rates. The research warns of potential cascading impacts on Bay fisheries and ecosystems, as climate change may increase the prevalence of low-oxygen bottom waters and alter food web dynamics.

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.

Downy mildew research to benefit lettuce growers and consumers

Researchers at UC Davis will use genomics to combat downy mildew in lettuce, a pathogen causing $3 billion industry losses annually. The project aims to reduce crop losses and improve profitability for farmers, while providing consumers with produce using fewer chemicals.

NASA finds Nadine a compact tropical storm

Tropical Storm Nadine is a small storm with tightly circling clouds, extending wind up to 80 miles from its center. The storm is forecast to move northwest and weaken by tomorrow, eventually dissipating over the weekend.

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.

English first: Suicide prevention

Researchers found that information on support services was significantly more likely to be displayed in English-speaking countries. The study uncovered striking differences not only between countries but also within countries with multiple officially recognized languages.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Tiny tools for a big industry

Researchers explore using nanoparticles as tiny scouts to map connectivity between wells, optimize injection schemes, and identify oil-rich spots. Nanomaterials also show promise in keeping surfactants from sticking to rocks and magnetically separating oil microdroplets.

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.

Setting personal goals for dementia care

Researchers used goal attainment scaling to help people with dementia and their caregivers set personalized health goals. The study found that 84% of goals were non-medical, focusing on improving the person's quality of life and reducing caregiver stress.

Larger families reduce cancer risk

A study of 178 countries found a strong negative correlation between family size and cancer incidence, with larger families having a protective effect against various types of cancer. The protective effects are stronger for males than females, with non-reproduction-related cancers also being involved.

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.

The fine print

Researchers have developed a method to 3D-print cells to produce human tissue such as ligaments and tendons, eliminating the need for additional surgeries and reducing reliance on harvested tissue. The technique involves printing stem cells on hydrogel to form tissue that can grow in vitro before implantation.

Shrimp talent quest finds a winner

Researchers found that the peppermint shrimp outperformed other species in a set of experiments, reducing parasite infection by 87% and targeting environmental stages. This discovery provides a viable candidate for a natural biocontrol agent to combat parasites in aquaculture industries.

Testing new drugs with 'ALS-on-a-chip'

A team of MIT engineers created a microfluidic chip with 3-D tissue model of the interface between motor neurons and muscle fibers, replicating the effects of ALS. The researchers tested two drugs in clinical trials and found that giving both restored most of the lost muscle strength.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Tech to prepare manufacturers, workers for the 'factory of the future'

Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new simulation platform that uses artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things to simulate factory settings. The platform aims to help manufacturers assess business success and risks, offset costs, and prepare workers for collaborating with robots.

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.

DGIST, identifying an initial growth process of calcium phosphate

A joint research team has discovered a new analysis method that reveals nanoparticles continue to grow and transform into bulk materials in the early stages of nanomaterial growth. This finding contradicts classical nucleation theory, which assumes critical nuclei are created early in material growth.

Molecular details of protein reveal glimpse into how kidney stones form

Researchers have gained fresh insights into how kidney stones form using cryo-electron microscopy to capture the 3D structure of an ion channel protein called TRPV5. The study reveals a unique mechanism of TRPV5 inhibition that could be useful for finding novel binding partners and drug discovery.

$3.6 million to study adverse effects of genome editing

The NIH has awarded a $3.6 million grant to study the safety of CRISPR-like therapies in human tissues. A team led by Todd McDevitt will assess the safety and toxicity issues of genome editing, developing platforms to detect adverse effects on physiological function.

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.

Muscular men prefer an unequal society

A study by Aarhus University researchers reveals that men's political attitudes towards inequality are influenced by their physical strength, not logic or reason. The results suggest that strong men are more likely to support unequal societies, as it aligns with their instinctual desire for status and resource control.

Innovative sensing technique could improve greenhouse gas analysis

Researchers have developed a ghost imaging technique that can measure atmospheric greenhouse gases with subnanometer resolution, improving detection sensitivity and accuracy. The new approach enables measurements using less powerful light sources and at wavelengths where highly sensitive detectors aren't available.

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.

PIEZO2, a molecular target for treating clinical pain

Researchers at Scripps Research have identified the molecule PIEZO2 as responsible for tactile allodynia, a condition characterized by pain from gentle touch. The study provides validation that targeting PIEZO2 could be beneficial in treating this common form of chronic pain.

Memory 'brainwaves' look the same in sleep and wakefulness

New research reveals identical brain mechanisms trigger memories during both sleep and wakefulness, suggesting a crucial role for sleep in stabilizing memories. The study provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of sleep on memory formation and offers insights into how memories are formed.

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.

Bug that causes stomach cancer could play a role in colorectal cancer

Researchers found a significant correlation between H. pylori infections and colorectal cancer incidence, especially in African Americans. The study analyzed data from over 4,000 cases and found that antibodies to four H. pylori proteins were most often present among those with colorectal cancer.

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.

New project will advance virtual laboratory infrastructure

The new project, ENTeR, will explore the future of GENI's testbed and incorporate emerging computational models into the infrastructure. Researchers aim to build a testbed that can perform computations in centralized and distributed clouds, enabling experiments on internet-of-things devices and large-scale data processing.

A new path to solving a longstanding fusion challenge

A new compact fusion reactor design using high-temperature superconducting magnets can effectively shed excess heat, a longstanding challenge in fusion power plants. This approach makes it possible to open the device's internal chamber and replace critical components.

Scientists mimic the earliest stages of human development

Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have developed a new method to study the earliest stages of human development, mimicking how cells self-organize into distinct populations. By silencing specific genes in human pluripotent stem cells, they created ring patterns that influence cell behavior and future identity.

Faith-based approach to changing lifestyle lowers blood pressure

A church-based program combining faith-based lifestyle change with motivational interviewing significantly lowered systolic blood pressure by 5.8 mm Hg, compared to an educational program alone. The study found that the intervention was effective in improving blood pressure control and could be a routine practice in places of worship.

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.

Chewing gum may be effective for delivering vitamins

Researchers found that chewing vitamin-supplemented gum increased levels of water-soluble vitamins in saliva and plasma. The study validated the concept of gum as an effective delivery system for at least some vitamins.