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Science News Archive October 2018


Page 44 of 47

A new model takes oxidative stress to heart

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new model of heart failure that allows for the specific study of oxidative stress using chemogenetics. The approach enables researchers to activate or inactivate reactive oxygen species in the heart, leading to advanced cardiac dysfunction.

Making mice a tiny bit more human to study preterm birth

Scientists successfully inserted human DNA into transgenic laboratory mice, allowing them to study the biology of preterm birth. They discovered a stress hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its interaction with a transcription factor called DLX3 in the placenta.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wildfire aerosols remain longer in atmosphere than expected

Research team at Michigan Tech found wildfire aerosol particles remaining in atmosphere for up to a week, defying expectations of rapid oxidation. This discovery has significant implications for climate predictions and the role of aerosols in global warming.

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.

Take my hand and ride with me -- Over the genome

Researchers at CRG describe how specific proteins guide Tet2 enzyme to DNA regions needed for cell fate specification. This novel mechanism reveals a new way transcription factors interact with the genome.

Imaging the zebrafish, one cell at a time

Researchers are using laser marking systems and light sheet microscopy to track individual cells in zebrafish development, aiming to create a complete cellular blueprint. The project has the potential to revolutionize regenerative biology by precisely defining cell roles in complex organisms.

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.

Single atoms break carbon's strongest bond

Researchers at Yale University and Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a new catalyst to break carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest chemical bonds known. Single atoms of platinum were found to be strikingly effective in catalyzing bond cleavage and contaminant breakdown.

Commandeering microbes pave way for synthetic biology in military environments

A team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory and MIT have developed a novel synthetic biology tool that delivers DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria. The XPORT bacterium enables precise and controlled transfer of DNA to various microorganisms, opening up new possibilities for military applications.

Sleep research uncovers dire consequences to deprivation

Researchers at Michigan State University found that sleep-deprived individuals experienced a significant increase in errors during tasks requiring following directions and remembering sequence steps. Memory maintenance was the primary culprit behind these difficulties.

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.

One more year of high school may shape waistlines later in life

A study by USC Dornsife researchers found that an extra year of education contributed to weight loss in individuals at greatest risk of becoming obese. The study used genome data from 250,000 people and found that the change in mandatory attendance age had a significant impact on health outcomes.

New algorithm efficiently finds antibiotic candidates

Researchers developed a new algorithm to search vast repositories of compounds produced by microbes, identifying over 5,000 promising unknown compounds that merit further investigation. The algorithm, called Dereplicator+, analyzes mass spectra data to eliminate known compounds and focus on potential new pharmaceuticals.

Making the right connections

Scientists at VIB and KU Leuven identify a new protein interaction that regulates the formation of specific synapses between pyramidal neurons and mossy fibers in the hippocampus. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that govern unique interactions in neuronal networks.

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.

Canada's first 'state of the nation' report on children's physical literacy

A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that about two-thirds of Canadian children aged 8-12 have not reached an acceptable level of physical literacy. The Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group's Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy tool was used to assess over 10,000 children across the country, revealing lo...

New knowledge on how neurons talk to muscles

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new way in which nerve cells control movement by dynamically adjusting neurotransmitter production. This finding opens up new avenues for treating diseases such as myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Pitt researchers receive prestigious NIH Director's Awards

Two University of Pittsburgh faculty members, Peter Strick and Warren Ruder, have been awarded $6 million NIH Director's Transformative Research Awards for innovative research in brain-body connection and antibiotic resistance. Their work aims to revolutionize biomedical research and address significant medical challenges.

Cobra cannibalism more prevalent than previously thought

A new study reveals that wild cobras frequently eat other snakes and engage in cannibalism, with five out of six species displaying the behavior. Males are more likely to participate in cannibalism events, raising questions about its evolution and impact on intrasexual competition.

Study finds more belly fat, less muscle after crash dieting

A new study found that extreme dieting in female rats led to a decrease in metabolic factors and functions, including body weight and blood pressure, but resulted in a higher accumulation of abdominal fat. This increase in belly fat may cause long-term health risks for people who have previously crash dieted.

Engineering breast milk to treat sick infants

Kathryn Whitehead's project uses genetic engineering to isolate and modify human cells in breast milk for infant disease therapy. The goal is to develop non-invasive treatments for babies with diseases, such as spina bifida or enterocolitis.

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.

Diet affects the breast microbiome in mammals

A Mediterranean diet increased Lactobacillus abundance in mammary glands of macaque monkeys, a nonhuman primate model of women's health. This finding suggests that diet directly influences microbiome populations outside the intestinal tract and may impact breast cancer risk.

Molecule studies reveal potential treatment for stroke patients

Researchers from Clemson University and Stony Brook University reveal a 3-D structure of a protein fragment that could serve as a drug target in treating stroke patients. The protein, PSD-95, plays a crucial role in maintaining neural connections and facilitating communication, learning, and memory.

Abdominal aortic calcification may signal future heart attack

A new study found that abdominal aortic calcification measured by CT scans is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events, outperforming the widely used Framingham risk score. The research suggests that detecting calcification via routine CT scans could help identify patients at high risk and enable early interventions.

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.

Gaia spots stars flying between galaxies

A team of astronomers using Gaia data found twenty high-velocity stars racing towards the Galactic centre, raising questions about their origin. The stars' velocities could be a sign of supermassive black holes or binary systems in nearby galaxies.

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.

Europe's new X-ray laser reveals structure of antibiotic-disabling enzyme

The European XFEL has obtained the first scientific results from its operation, revealing the structure of an antibiotic-disabling enzyme. The international collaboration used X-ray flashes to obtain flash X-ray exposures of tiny crystals, allowing them to build up the full three-dimensional structure of the biomolecule.

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.

Computer simulation follows light to supermassive black holes

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology have built the first simulation to predict light signals from supermassive black hole binaries nearing merger. The model combines information gathered from light- and gravitational waves, enabling scientists to identify these monster collisions with existing and future telescopes.

Novel mechanism for generating our skeleton

The Mek5/Erk5 pathway plays a crucial role in skeletogenesis through the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and chondrocyte maturation. Erk5 controls early chondrogenic differentiation and chondrogenic differentiation after condensation formation. This study improves our understanding of skeletal development and paves ...

Studded winter tires cost more lives than they save

A new study by Chalmers University of Technology reveals that studded winter tires have a significant negative impact on public health, costing between 60 and 770 life-years. The study also found that the use of studded tires contributes to accidents and fatalities in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Biofilm reactor promises to cut production costs on vitamin K

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to enhance fermentation of Menaquinone-7, a potent form of vitamin K, using biofilm reactors. The new process is expected to reduce production costs and increase efficiency, making it a promising alternative for industrial-scale production.

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.

Aggressive breast cancer cells hijack natural stress protector to thrive

Aggressive breast cancer cells exploit the natural stress protector heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) to thrive and evade cell death, says a new study. The finding highlights how cancer cells manipulate tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which normally promotes self-destruction, to aid their survival.

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.

Black holes ruled out as universe's missing dark matter

Researchers from UC Berkeley used statistical analysis of 740 supernovas to conclude that primordial black holes can make up no more than 40% of the universe's dark matter. This finding suggests that heavy black holes or MACHOs do not exist as a type of dark matter.

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.

Weak magnetic fields affect cells via a protein involved in bird migration

A study found that weak magnetic fields stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species in human cells, which can be beneficial or harmful. The protein cryptochrome is involved in this process, helping to explain the effects of PEMF-based therapies on diseases like depression and Parkinson's disease.