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Science News Archive September 2018


Page 10 of 37

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Ground coffee' with soil perks in Brazil

Researchers in Brazil develop an effective method to minimize lost coffee berries during mechanical harvesting, reducing soil compaction and improving profit margins. The study suggests using a subsoiler followed by a crusher as the most cost-effective solution.

Dinosaur-like forms in early bird shoulders

Researchers discover Jinguofortis perplexus, a Pygostylia species with both bird-like and dinosaur-like features, providing insight into the evolution of modern birds. The study highlights the role of developmental plasticity in shaping the avian shoulder girdle.

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.

Children whose mothers use marijuana may try it at a younger age

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to start using the drug themselves an average of two years earlier. This can lead to negative consequences such as impairments in concentration and decision-making, increased impulsivity, and reductions in IQ.

Earthquake risk estimation

Researchers developed a method to estimate seismic risk by modeling various earthquake scenarios and identifying common impacts. The study suggests that most scenarios produce lower impacts than the worst-case scenario, with urban areas posing less risk than rural western Nepal.

Older adults with a 'fall prevention plan' less likely to end up in hospital

A new study published in The Gerontologist found that older adults with a 'fall plan of care' are less likely to suffer fall-related hospitalizations. This initiative, which includes screening for fall risk, assessing modifiable risk factors, and prescribing evidence-based interventions, was shown to reduce hospitalizations by 0.6 times.

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.

Know someone sick? Your own smell might give it away

A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reveals that healthy animals' bodily odors change when they are near sick animals, potentially impacting social contacts and disease spread. The findings suggest that exposure to sickness-related odors can trigger protective responses in others.

DNA islands effective as 'anti-bacterial drones'

A new study finds that DNA islands can be engineered to disable Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are often resistant to antibiotics. The 'drone-like' vehicles deliver genetic payloads to bacterial populations, killing the bacteria and rescuing treated animals.

Chinese Cretaceous fossil highlights avian evolution

A newly discovered extinct bird species, Jinguofortis perplexus, sheds light on early flight development and evolutionary variation. The fossil's unique traits, including a fused shoulder girdle, suggest different flying styles during the Cretaceous period.

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.

Weathering of early Earth rocks

Researchers analyzed silicon and oxygen isotopes in zircon crystals to infer the presence of sedimentary rocks, such as cherts or banded iron formations, on early Earth. The findings suggest that these rocks may have existed over 4 billion years ago, providing a window into the planet's primordial chemistry.

How nature, nurture shape the sleeping brain

A study of teenage twins reveals that both genetic and environmental factors shape brain activity during sleep. The findings suggest that frontal regions are under stronger environmental control, while regions towards the back of the brain are more influenced by genetics.

Reprocessing cultural heritage

A project at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences combines traditional woodworking techniques with innovative cinematic forms of communication to create documentary-style tutorials. The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, aims to preserve traditional crafts for future generations.

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.

Children found capable of using the 'wisdom of crowds'

Research led by the University of Bristol found that children aged 11-19 can effectively use collective intelligence to make group decisions, revealing a geometric mean rule-of-thumb approach. The study revealed that pupils used their original guesses to come to a final consensus, even in cases of disagreement.

High-carbohydrates diet lead to weight loss, according to new study

A new study found that a high-carbohydrate diet led to significant weight loss and improvements in insulin function in overweight individuals. The plant-based diet group consumed whole, complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and legumes, leading to reduced body mass index, body weight, and fat mass.

Establishing metastasis

Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina discovered that over-expression of VRK1 actually slows down cancer cell migration and invasion, but enables cells to form colonies under 3D conditions. High levels of VRK1 are associated with aggressive breast cancers and poor prognoses in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

A fracture anywhere reduces bone density everywhere

New studies from UC Davis Health reveal that fractures lead to bone density losses throughout the body, particularly around the time of fracture and in bones far from the site of injury. The research also identifies age-related recovery differences, with younger mice regaining pre-fracture bone mineral density levels.

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.

Crowd counting through walls with WiFi

UCSB researchers propose a new method for estimating the number of people in a room based on WiFi signal strength measurements. The technique, which uses received signal power to estimate occupant numbers, has shown high accuracy in experiments with up to 20 people and various wall properties.

Alarmingly low awareness of urology across Europe

A survey of over 2,500 respondents found low awareness of urological conditions, particularly among men. Men are less knowledgeable about urological symptoms than women, and many do not take early signs seriously, leading to delayed diagnosis and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Halting Parkinson's disease-related neurodegeneration

Researchers identified SynuClean-D as a potential therapeutic for neurodegeneration, which disrupts amyloid fibrils and inhibits alpha-synuclein aggregation. The compound reversed degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in animal models, offering hope for halting Parkinson's disease-related neurodegeneration.

North Korea's 2017 bomb test set off later earthquakes, new analysis finds

Scientists discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test in 2017 set off aftershocks over eight months, providing insight into the physics of nuclear explosions and how natural earthquakes can be triggered. The analysis used new methods to pinpoint the locations of the quakes with greater precision, revealing a hidden fracture.

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.

How a molecular signal helps plant cells decide when to make oil

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified a key molecular signal that helps plant cells decide when to produce oil. The study found that trehalose 6-phosphate interacts with the sugar-sensing complex, inhibiting the shutdown of oil production and leading to increased oil synthesis.

Mosquitoes that can carry malaria eliminated in lab experiments

A team from Imperial College London used gene drive to completely block the reproductive capacity of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae. The technology successfully transmitted genetic modifications that caused female infertility and population collapse.

Burst of morning gene activity tells plants when to flower

A team of researchers discovered that flowering plants exhibit a morning peak of gene activity, contrary to the previously established evening peak theory. The study, conducted in natural environments, suggests that artificial growing conditions used in labs may have influenced earlier findings.

Desert ants have an amazing odor memory

Researchers found that desert ants can learn multiple food odors in a short time and retain them throughout their lives. In contrast, they require repeated exposure to learn a single nest odor and may forget it quickly after removal from the nest. These findings suggest different memory processes for food and nest-related cues.

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.

Physical activity necessary to maintain heart-healthy lifestyle

A systematic review of 25 studies found physical activity significantly reduces heart disease risk by 40%, with moderate-intensity exercise lowering systolic blood pressure by up to 15mmHg. Replacing sedentary behaviors with daily activities can also lower all-cause mortality.

New earthquake risk model could better inform disaster planning

Researchers developed a new seismic risk modeling approach to assess earthquake impacts and identify common hazards across multiple scenarios. The 'ensemble modeling' method provides critical information on likelihood and probable scale of future earthquakes' impacts, enabling targeted disaster mitigation resources distribution.

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.

Preventing underage drinking among youths on rural reservations

A recent study evaluated the effects of combined individual- and community-level interventions to reduce underage drinking by American Indian/Alaska Native youths. Reports of drinking frequency declined among students in the intervention group relative to comparison groups, with significant reductions in heavy drinking frequency.

Results from the SOLVE-TAVI trial reported at TCT 2018

The SOLVE-TAVI trial found that local anesthesia is both safe and effective for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially those with intermediate to high surgical risk. The study also showed similar outcomes between current-generation balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves.

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 research heralds a blood test for drowsy driving

Researchers at the University of Surrey have successfully identified biomarkers in blood that can detect sleep deprivation. A machine learning algorithm detected changes in gene expression levels with 92% accuracy, paving the way for a future test to assess driver fitness.

'Pinning down' how salty droplets dry

Scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a method to pin the edge of drying droplets, creating various geometric patterns. By adding microscopic latex particles to salt solution droplets, they can achieve controlled re-crystallization and form beautiful snowflake-like patterns.

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.

MSU-Spectrum Health researchers identify new genetic disorder

Researchers identified a rare genetic disorder in a human patient caused by mutations in the ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) gene. The disorder is characterized by large birth weight, hair loss, and developmental delays, and may be treatable with the FDA-approved drug DFMO.

Tobacco display ban linked to fewer children buying cigarettes in shops

A new study from Imperial College London found that removing tobacco displays from shops reduced the proportion of children buying cigarettes by 17 percent. However, more than two-thirds of child smokers reported being refused cigarettes when trying to buy them, suggesting that enforcement is still crucial.

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.

Insulin shows great potential against chronic colitis

A new study finds that injecting insulin into the rectum can effectively treat chronic bowel inflammation in humans like Colitis Ulcerosa. The treatment strengthens bowel cells' own defence, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms such as weight loss and bloody diarrhoea.

Ocean acidification may reduce sea scallop fisheries

A new model predicts that ocean acidification could reduce the US sea scallop population by more than 50% in 30 to 80 years, but proactive climate policy may mitigate this impact. The study combines four major factors, including future climate change scenarios, ocean acidification impacts, fisheries management policies, and fuel costs.

Three NASA missions return first-light data

The TESS mission captured a detailed picture of the southern sky with its four wide-field cameras, while Parker Solar Probe and GOLD returned initial data on their instruments and science potential. The three missions offer new perspectives on exoplanets, solar activity, and space weather.

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.

New battery gobbles up carbon dioxide

A new type of battery developed by MIT researchers can convert carbon dioxide into a solid mineral carbonate as it discharges. This approach could potentially reduce the cost of carbon capture systems and make them more economically viable. The battery is made from lithium metal, carbon, and an electrolyte that incorporates captured CO2.