Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2018


Page 42 of 47

Fathers' postnatal hormone levels predict later caregiving, study shows

A first-of-its-kind study found that fathers' hormone levels around the birth of their children relate to their parenting down the road. Dads whose cortisol levels were elevated while holding their newborns on the day of birth were more likely to be involved in indirect care and play with their infants in the first months of life.

Complex factors can drive the emergence and evolution of plant pathogens

A recent study found that a new bacterial pathogen, Erwinia tracheiphila, emerged from the introduction of foreign crop plants to North America. The pathogen's genome shows dramatic changes, suggesting it has recently evolved as a pathogen, primarily affecting cucurbits grown in intensive monocultures.

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.

Warmer springs can reduce summer plant productivity

A new study reveals that warmer springs in northern regions lead to reduced plant productivity in summer and autumn months. The team used satellite images to survey 41 million km2 of land and found that the early onset of spring does not continue into the summer, resulting in depleted water resources and reduced biomass.

Cooling effect of preindustrial fires on climate underestimated

A new study finds that preindustrial fire emissions were stronger than previously believed, leading to an underestimated cooling effect on past climate. Fire-induced aerosol particles increased cloud brightness and reflected sunlight, offsetting warming from greenhouse gases.

Stem cells organize themselves into pseudo-embryos

Researchers have developed artificial pseudo-embryos from mouse stem cells that display characteristics of early embryonic development, including the formation of antero-posterior, dorso-ventral, and medio-lateral axes. These structures, called gastruloids, could complement animal embryos in studying mammalian embryonic development.

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.

Yale approach bases decision-making on older adults' own health priorities

Researchers developed a patient priorities care approach to help older adults identify their health goals and preferences. The method involves structured conversations with facilitators who document the information in an electronic health record, enabling clinicians to align care with patients' priorities.

It pays to be pessimistic, shows new research into entrepreneurs

Research from the University of Bath and London School of Economics found that business owners with above-average optimism earned 30% less than those with below-average optimism. Pessimistic entrepreneurs are more likely to avoid poor entrepreneurial projects, while optimistic ones may be misled into setting up failing businesses.

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.

ICESat-2 laser fires for first time, measures Antarctic height

ICESat-2 successfully fired its laser for the first time, sending photons to measure Antarctic height and detecting small changes in planet's ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice. The mission will continue with procedures to optimize the instrument, aiming to start getting excellent science-quality data within a month after launch.

Wheat that pumps iron, naturally

Researchers successfully biofortified wheat to naturally increase its iron content, a process that could help address global iron deficiency. The breeding lines showed no significant decrease in grain yield, making it a promising solution for improving nutrition without compromising farmers' profits.

OU radar team developing mobile radar testbed for US Navy

The University of Oklahoma Advanced Radar Research Center is developing a mobile radar testbed to address operational missions and increase public safety outcomes. The all-digital polarimetric phased array system will provide multiple radar modes, including weather monitoring and air traffic surveillance and control.

Lilly Pilly fossils reveal snowless Snowy Mountains

Leaf fossils of Lilly Pilly trees found in the Snowy Mountains suggest a warmer climate with no winter snow around 20 million years ago. The discovery provides insight into the region's past vegetation and climate, with implications for understanding Australia's future weather patterns.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Funder involved in all aspects of most industry-funded clinical trials

Most industry-funded clinical trials show funder involvement in design, conduct, and reporting, raising questions about academic freedom and independence. Only a few trials were found to be independent, highlighting the need for accurate reporting of contributorship to ensure patient confidence in trial results.

Domestic refrigerators may pose risk to insulin quality

Researchers found that 79% of insulin temperature logs contained deviations from the recommended range, with fridge storage being the biggest issue. This can lead to reduced potency and variability in dosing for people with diabetes, highlighting the need for proper storage and monitoring practices.

Hubble finds compelling evidence for a moon outside the solar system

Astronomers have found the first compelling evidence for a moon outside our own Solar System, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Space Telescope. The exomoon, Kepler-1625b-i, is comparable in diameter to Neptune and orbits a gas giant planet at a distance similar to Earth's orbit around the Sun.

NASA sees Atlantic's Leslie become a hurricane

NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data showing Hurricane Leslie's strongest thunderstorms were fragmented and circling the center at minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center forecasts the hurricane will remain within favorable environmental conditions, allowing it to strengthen further.

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.

Alternatives to pesticides -- Researchers suggest popular weeds

The study reveals that botanic soil amendments with popular weeds like black nightshade and jimsonweed can effectively control nematodes. Researchers report a significant reduction in female nematode populations when treated with weed extracts, making these natural alternatives a promising eco-friendly solution.

Russian scientists develop high-precision laser for satellite navigation

Researchers at ITMO University have developed a high-precision laser for measuring the distance between the Earth and Moon, achieving an accuracy of just a few millimeters. The new laser will be used in the GLONASS navigation system, allowing for real-time correction of satellite coordinates and improved navigation capabilities.

Hormone therapy for 'low T' may not be safe for all men

Long-term testosterone supplementation has been linked to increased blood pressure in obese rats, raising concerns about its safety in certain populations. The study suggests that hormone therapy may not be beneficial for men with heart disease risk factors, highlighting the need for more research on complex effects of testosterone.

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.

Low vitamin D linked to earlier death in Thai men

A new study found that low vitamin D levels are associated with a 77% higher risk of death in community-dwelling Thai older men. The risk is significant only in diabetic males, suggesting cardiovascular disease may be the link.

Common herbicide compound may save millions of lives

Researchers discovered a common herbicide compound inhibits key enzyme in fungal species, preventing growth and proliferation of infections. The study offers hope for new treatments to combat drug-resistant fungal diseases.

Revolutionary ultra-thin 'meta-lens' enables full-color imaging

Researchers at Columbia University have created the first flat lens capable of focusing a range of colors and polarizations to the same focal spot. The ultra-thin 'meta-lens' offers performance comparable to conventional lenses but with significantly reduced size and weight.

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.

No more Iron Man: submarines now have soft, robotic arms

A new modular soft robotic arm enables deep-sea researchers to interact with delicate sea life without damaging them. The system features a glove-controlled arm that can flex and move with unprecedented dexterity, allowing scientists to explore understudied ocean environments.

Thanks to help from Hubble, the first confirmed exomoon?

Researchers observed transit timing variations in Kepler-1625b's HST-recorded transit, suggesting the presence of an exomoon. The moon would have caused a delay in the transit start time, which occurred nearly 80 minutes earlier than expected.

Tropical frogs found to coexist with deadly fungus

A study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that frog populations in El Copé developed the ability to tolerate chytrid fungus, enabling them to persist despite severe species losses. The findings, published in 2018, could mean good news for other hot spots of amphibian biodiversity hit hard by the chytrid fungus.

UC anthropologist rewrites history using science, art

Researchers uncover evidence of ancient goiter and thyroid disease using science and art in a 2,000-year-old carved statue. The discovery challenges traditional theories about the statue's representation of achondroplasia, providing new insights into the health and diet of Native Americans.

Scientists discover new nursery for superpowered photons

Researchers have found a new source of high-energy photons in the cosmos: a microquasar located in our galaxy. The gamma rays emitted by this system are among the most energetic ever observed and were detected using the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Gamma-Ray Observatory.

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.

Glow-in-the-dark paper as a rapid test for infectious diseases

Researchers developed a glow-in-the-dark paper strip that can detect the presence of infectious diseases using antibodies in blood, offering a quick and affordable alternative to traditional lab tests. The test measures antibody concentration by analyzing blue-green light produced through bioluminescence.

Couples showing off: Songbirds are more passionate in front of an audience

Researchers found that songbird couples sing more and perform elaborate dances when an audience is present, suggesting loyalty and bonding are crucial for maintaining long-term relationships. This study provides insights into complex communication signals in animals, including humans, that establish coupling relationships.

Interferential current offers solution to painful sex

A new study compares interferential current to vaginal estradiol creme in treating sexual complaints of women with premature ovarian insufficiency taking hormones. Interferential current improves lubrication, pain, orgasm, and overall satisfaction.

NASA gets a look at the rainfall rates within Typhoon Kong-Rey

The GPM core satellite measured rainfall rates within Typhoon Kong-Rey, revealing powerful storms in the northeastern eyewall producing over 1.4 inches of rain per hour. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports the storm is moving north-northwest towards Okinawa and Japan.

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.

Emissions-free energy system saves heat from the summer sun for winter

A research team at Chalmers University of Technology has developed an emissions-free energy system that can store solar energy in a liquid form for up to 18 years. The system uses a specially designed molecule that captures energy from sunlight and releases it when needed, warming the liquid by 63 degrees Celsius.

The dog, when treated with insecticide, is man's best friend

Treating community dogs with systemic insecticides can significantly reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission in Brazil. A mathematical model estimated that 70% of community dogs need to be treated with an 80% effective insecticide for six months to halve the number of cases.

Study sheds light on atypical periprosthetic femoral fractures

A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that 8.3% of patients with total hip replacements experienced atypical femoral fractures, a type of rare stress fracture. The researchers also discovered a strong association between bisphosphonate use and the risk of these fractures.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NASA peers into the large clear eye of Hurricane Walaka

Hurricane Walaka is intensifying as a category 4 storm, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms capable of heavy rain. The hurricane is expected to turn toward the north-northeast with a faster forward motion, bringing powerful winds and potential weakening.

Periodontal disease bacteria may kick-start Alzheimer's

A study by UIC researchers found that long-term exposure to periodontal disease bacteria causes inflammation and degeneration of brain neurons similar to Alzheimer's disease. Chronic infection leads to neural effects, including senile plaque formation and brain inflammation.

Recording device for cell history

ETH Zurich researchers have created a molecular recording system that writes transcriptional events into DNA, allowing permanent storage and later access. The CRISPR-Cas system records genetic information about pathogens infecting the cell, storing it in a specific stretch of DNA known as a CRISPR array.

New model of polarization sheds light on today's politics

A new model of polarization explains how voters strategically vote for parties to empower their preferred party, contributing to increased polarization. The model also highlights the impact of gerrymandering on polarization and suggests policy changes, such as increasing local party coordination, could help address the issue.

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.

Articles examine aspects of sexual assault, harassment

Two studies investigate the impact of workplace sexual harassment and assault on blood pressure, mood, anxiety, and sleep among midlife women. The research found that sexual harassment is linked to higher hypertension rates and poor sleep, while assault is associated with depression, anxiety, and clinically significant elevations.

Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers

A new study reveals that giraffe babies pass on their unique spot patterns to their mothers, with larger spots and irregular shapes linked to increased survival. Researchers used modern imaging techniques to analyze coat patterns in wild Masai giraffes, confirming a 49-year-old hypothesis about heritability.

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.

Study finds human milk components in amniotic fluid

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered human milk oligosaccharides in amniotic fluid during pregnancy, which may influence early microbiome development and prevent preterm birth. HMOs' presence in amniotic fluid also suggests potential benefits for prenatal lung and brain development.

What kind of sex do German men have at 45?

A large-scale study in Germany found that nearly ten percent of gay men had engaged in vaginal sex with women in the past three months, challenging traditional notions of sexual orientation. Additionally, a significant percentage of heterosexual men were found to have had non-traditional sex practices, including oral and anal sex.

Global warming increases wildfire potential damages in Mediterranean Europe

A study by University of Barcelona researchers finds that global warming will increase burned areas due to fires in Mediterranean Europe, with a 40% rise at 1.5°C warming and 100% at 3°C. This calls for rethinking current management strategies and developing climate-fire models to prevent and reduce fire impact.