Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2018


Page 35 of 47

There's a better way to decipher DNA's epigenetic code to identify disease

Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to sequence epigenetic marks on DNA, allowing for more precise detection of disease earlier and with increased precision. The method uses APOBEC DNA deaminases to differentiate between two common epigenetic marks, methylation and hydroxmethylation.

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.

Big discoveries about tiny particles

Researchers have discovered that polymer nanoparticles exhibit distinct characteristics compared to larger particles of the same material, including surface mobility and elastic modulus. The findings could improve the performance of materials used in various applications, such as filter membranes and sound wave propagation.

When yesterday's agriculture feeds today's water pollution

A study finds that phosphorus accumulation in watersheds can reach a catastrophic threshold, accelerating runoff and harming aquatic ecosystems. The researchers estimate that some watersheds could reach this point in less than a decade due to high fertilizer use rates.

Magnetic map of Atlantic salmon

Nonmigratory Atlantic salmon can extract positional information from Earth's magnetic field, orienting themselves appropriately in response to different magnetic conditions. This skill may enable salmon escaping from aquaculture to better navigate and invade habitats, challenging previous assumptions about their navigational abilities

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Time-traveling illusion tricks the brain

Caltech researchers develop two illusions to demonstrate postdiction, a phenomenon where later stimuli retroactively affect earlier perceptions. The Illusory Rabbit and Invisible Rabbit illusions show how sound can influence vision, highlighting dynamic neural processing.

Out like a light: Researchers ID brain's 'sleep switch'

Scientists have discovered that a specific region of the brain, known as the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO), plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and body temperature. Activating these cells causes a profound drive to sleep, while excessive stimulation can lead to prolonged sleep and a drop in body temperature.

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.

Study shows land-locked Atlantic salmon also use magnetic field to navigate

A new study shows that land-locked Atlantic salmon use the Earth's magnetic field as a navigational tool, similar to Pacific salmon. The ability is retained even after several generations of fish in a land-locked lake. This raises concerns about the impact on native salmon and ecosystems if these fish escape aquaculture pens.

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.

Approach paves way for new antimicrobial materials

Researchers at NC State have developed self-sterilizing antimicrobial materials that can inactivate bacteria and viruses using only visible-wavelength light. The new approach opens the door to a range of new products aimed at reducing the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens.

Launch of the discrimination and inequality laboratory

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has launched the Laboratory of Discrimination and Inequality (D-Lab), aiming to advance research on discrimination and social inequality. The lab is currently working on projects such as GEMM, analyzing ethnic discrimination in employment across five European countries.

How wasp and bee stinger designs help deliver the pain

Researchers found that wasp and bee stingers are softer at the tip than at the base, allowing for easier penetration. The study also showed that the stingers are about seven times more elastic at the tip than at the base, enabling them to penetrate deep while maintaining their structure.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How vampire bats are supporting virus research

Researchers studying vampire bats and Morbillivirus aim to understand how viruses persist inside the body and trigger new infections. The project aims to gain fundamental insights into RNA virus persistence and potentially shed light on diseases like SSPE.

Mountain snowpack and climate warming

The study found that mountain snowpack is vulnerable to climate warming, with a 20-40% decrease in above-average snow water equivalent for 1-2°C temperature increases. Regional variations were observed, with northern regions more susceptible than southern ones, affecting water resource management and wildfire activity.

Immunotherapy effective against hereditary melanoma

Researchers found that immunotherapy is effective in treating metastatic melanoma in individuals with CDKN2A mutations, with nearly two-thirds of patients responding to treatment. The study suggests that tumours with CDKN2A mutations have a larger number of mutations, making them easier to recognise by the immune system.

Bottom trawl-fishing footprints

Researchers estimate bottom trawl footprints on continental shelves and slopes up to 1,000m in depth. Sustainable fisheries management may provide collateral environmental benefits by reducing trawling footprints in regions meeting international benchmarks for sustainable fishing rates.

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.

New knowledge about retrovirus-host coevolution

Researchers from Uppsala University have identified previously unknown retroviral insertions in European rabbits, shedding light on how ERVs spread in host populations. The study reveals substantial variation across ERV insertions in different rabbit populations, providing a genomic record of retrovirus-host associations.

Supercharged natural killer cells may hold promise for cancer

Researchers at Imperial College London have created a genetically engineered version of a cell called an invariant natural killer T-cell (iNKT) that shows potential as a new treatment for cancer. The CAR19-iNKT eliminated all cancer cells in 60% of mice and had 90% long-term survival rates.

A tumor cell population responsible for resistance to therapy and tumor relapse

A study published in Nature identified a tumor cell population responsible for resistance to therapy and tumor relapse in basal cell carcinoma. The researchers found that vismodegib promotes the differentiation of tumor cells, leading to their elimination, but also reveals a dormant population of tumor cells with active Wnt signaling.

Neural prostheses for the brain

Researchers, led by Dr. Nikolaus Wenger, are developing neural prostheses for brain-computer interfaces to treat neurological disorders. The goal is to understand how the brain processes information and develop a prosthesis that can transmit signals back to the nervous system.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Too much vitamin A may increase risk of bone fractures

Consuming too much vitamin A may decrease bone thickness and increase fracture risk in humans. A recent study found that mice exposed to lower doses of vitamin A equivalent to 4.5-13 times the recommended daily allowance showed significant weakening of bones over a 10-week period.

Study opens route to flexible electronics made from exotic materials

Researchers create semiconducting films from materials like gallium arsenide, lithium fluoride, and silicon, with potential for low-cost, high-performance devices. The technique uses remote epitaxy and graphene, allowing for the production of flexible electronics that outperform traditional silicon-based devices.

Genetic disease healed using genome editing

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully heal genetic disease phenylketonuria in mice using a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system. The technique achieved a high correction rate of up to 60% and restored normal levels of phenylalanine, eliminating the disorder's symptoms.

Researchers demonstrate first example of a bioelectronic medicine

Scientists at Northwestern University have created a bioelectronic medicine that uses electrical stimulation to accelerate nerve regeneration and improve muscle strength in rats. The device, made of biodegradable materials, is powered wirelessly and operates for up to two weeks before naturally absorbing into the body.

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.

Infective endocarditis increases tenfold in North Carolina

Research reveals 73% of patients with drug-associated infective endocarditis are uninsured or on Medicaid, adding significant burden on hospitals and government budgets. The median hospital charge for valve replacement surgery exceeds $251,000, with over 280 surgeries performed annually in North Carolina.

Fingerprint drug screen test works on the living and deceased

A new drug test developed at the University of East Anglia can detect four classes of drugs in traces of sweat found in a fingerprint. The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System enables rapid detection of amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and opiates from a single fingerprint sample.

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.

New study shows promise for targeting breast cancer metastasis

A new study suggests targeting collagen XIII could suppress breast cancer metastasis by enhancing anoikis resistance in cancer cells. Researchers found that collagen XIII expression is significantly higher in cancerous human breast tissue and necessary for metastasis in mouse models.

Code of ethics doesn't influence decisions of software developers

A study by North Carolina State University found that the ACM code of ethics has no impact on software developers' decision-making. Researchers presented 11 ethical scenarios to 168 participants, with and without prior exposure to the code of ethics, and found no significant difference in responses.

The cosmological lithium problem

Researchers used the n_TOF facility to explore a neutron channel that could increase the destruction rate of Be-7 and resolve the Cosmological Lithium Problem. However, the results indicate that neutron channels alone are not enough to resolve the issue, leaving scientists with additional challenges to address.

Gout drug may protect against chronic kidney disease

Researchers found that patients taking full-dose allopurinol for gout flares had a lower risk of developing Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) compared to non-users. The use of allopurinol may be beneficial in reducing kidney disease risk, contrary to previous concerns.

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.

Dopamine and belief updating

Researchers discovered that neural encoding of sensory information leading to belief updates is negatively related to dopamine receptor availability. The study also found a link between dopamine and the ability to flexibly update beliefs, with paranoid ideation being negatively related to sensitivity to meaningful sensory information.

Global sea level could rise 50 feet by 2300, study says

A study published in Annual Review of Environment and Resources projects that global sea levels will likely rise 6-10 inches from 2000 to 2050, but more sensitive projections beyond 2050 depend on greenhouse gas emissions and projection methods. Rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal populations and ecosystems worldwide.

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.

Center for Human Genetics receives $1.87 million to study complex traits

The Center for Human Genetics is conducting research to better understand the genetic causes of rare diseases using a combination of genome-wide association analysis and gene-editing techniques. The team has identified novel transcribed regions that play a crucial role in regulating complex traits.

Statins show little promise for conditions other than heart disease

Research suggests statins may benefit people with certain non-heart diseases, such as kidney disease and cancer progression, but the evidence is inconclusive. The study found a modest link between statin use and diabetes, highlighting the importance of lifestyle advice for patients at risk.

Mayo clinic researchers question benefits of long term oxygen therapy in COPD

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that long-term oxygen therapy does not decrease hospitalization risk or increase life expectancy for many patients with mild to moderate COPD. However, it may lower quality of life due to its significant costs and practical challenges.

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.

Expanding fungal diversity, one cell at a time

Researchers have developed a single-cell genomics approach to explore unknown fungal diversity, revealing essential metabolism genes and insights into phylogenetic position. The study successfully reconstructed near-complete fungal genomes from environmental samples, shedding light on the cryptic biology of unculturable species.

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.

Recalling memories in context

Studies using 64 and 28 participants revealed that recalling a target memory enhances retention of both the target and a linked object, with neural activity reinstated in parietal lobe regions. This suggests that retrieval may be an efficient method for memory enhancement.