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Science News Archive September 2018


Page 2 of 37

Scientists created proteins controlled by light

Researchers developed switchable fluorescent proteins that can be controlled by green and orange light, enabling the study of dynamic processes in living cells without harming them. The proteins' efficient photoswitching allows for super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, a method previously hampered by toxic irradiation.

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.

Diagnostic protocol effective in identifying ED patients with acute chest pain

A new accelerated diagnostic protocol, HEART Pathway, is effective in identifying low-risk ED patients with acute chest pain who can be safely sent home without hospitalization or comprehensive cardiac testing. The study found a 6% reduction in hospitalizations and significant decreases in median length of stay and use of stress testing.

Green mango peel: A slick solution for oil-contaminated soils

Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed nanoparticles from green mango peel that can break down toxins in oil sludge through chemical oxidation. These plant-based nanoparticles successfully decontaminate oil-polluted soil, providing a novel and effective treatment for oil-contaminated soils.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Search for groundwater in the ocean

Scientists from GEOMAR and University of Malta are collaborating on a three-year project to develop a best practice guide for detecting, characterizing, and monitoring offshore aquifers. The goal is to assess the sustainability of using these aquifers as an alternative source of freshwater in coastal regions.

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.

A role for Scn5a missplicing in cardiac arrhythmias in myotonic dystrophy

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that reproducing Scn5a missplicing in mice with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) recapitulates cardiac function defects present in patients. The findings highlight a non-mutational mechanism contributing to arrhythmias and open possibilities for novel interventions.

Steelhead life cycle linked to environment, pink salmon abundance

A Simon Fraser University study has found that steelhead trout age of migration, size, and numbers are controlled by a combination of temperature, co-occurring salmon, and other factors. In years with large pink salmon returns, steelhead migrated to sea at a younger age, producing more young fish from the river system.

Feeding ants dopamine might make them smarter foragers

Researchers found that treating ants with dopamine increased individual foraging trips and sensitivity to humidity. The team also used a dopamine inhibitor to verify their results, showing that increased dopamine levels led to more foraging and improved colony behavior.

Keeping things cool with a paint-like polymer

Researchers have developed a paint-like polymer that can cool down surfaces by reflecting sunlight and heat back into the sky. The PDRC polymer reflects over 96% of sunlight and achieves sub-ambient temperature reductions of approximately 6° Celsius in hot climates.

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.

Ride-hailing increases vehicle miles traveled

A study published in Transportation found that ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft contribute to increased vehicle miles traveled due to empty miles from drivers going without passengers. For every 100 miles carrying passengers, Uber and Lyft drivers travel an additional 69 miles without a passenger.

Following the path of chemicals through the soil

Researchers used visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to predict breakthrough curves of dissolved chemicals in intact soil columns. The new technology estimated mass transport with a high degree of accuracy and has potential for cost-effective and efficient monitoring of dissolved chemical transport.

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.

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.

NASA's close up of Hurricane Rosa shows hint of an eye

Hurricane Rosa shows a cloud-filled eye with two wrapping thunderstorm bands. The National Hurricane Center notes a defined eye structure beneath the overcast. Rosa is expected to strengthen and weaken before landfall in Baja California on Oct. 2.

New invasive bryozoan arrives in Alaskan waters

A new invasive species, Bugula neritina, has been detected in the Ketchikan region of Alaska, along with three other non-native species. The discovery highlights the importance of early detection and monitoring to control the spread of invasive species in Alaskan waters.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New Cluster of Excellence to unravel the 'physics of life'

The Cluster of Excellence PoL aims to understand the organization of living matter and its mechanisms. The researchers hope to shed light on tissue formation and structure, which will provide solutions to pressing bioengineering and health issues.

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.

Scientists propose a new model for the specialization of cells

Researchers developed a model that explains how cell specialization arises in response to resource constraints. The model considers the influence of environmental factors and initial differentiation of cells, providing a more realistic understanding of cellular specialization.

How Sacred Ibis mummies provided the first test of evolution

The discovery of mummified Sacred Ibises in France after Napoleon's conquest of Egypt played a significant role in delaying the acceptance of evolutionary theory. The debate between Georges Cuvier and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck over these birds' classification highlighted the influence of charismatic personalities on scientific thought.

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 digital tool sparks enthusiasm among metal detectorists

A new digital platform DIME has been launched in Denmark to register and make accessible the growing number of metal detector finds. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between amateur archaeologists and museums, allowing for a broader sharing of knowledge and promoting democratic cultural heritage management.

Software finds the best way to stick a Mars landing

Researchers at MIT have developed a software tool that automatically generates maps of favorable landing sites on Mars, taking into account scientific priorities and engineering constraints. The program uses fuzzy logic to deal with imprecision in the data and can explore different landing and exploratory scenarios.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

When neglected children become adolescents

A new study on children from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project found that those who remained in institutions experienced cognitive problems, depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior. In contrast, children placed with high-quality foster families showed improved outcomes, particularly at ages 12 and 16.

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.

DARPA funds Carnegie Mellon team for Subterranean Challenge

The Carnegie Mellon team will leverage its expertise in modularity to develop robots that can adapt to various environments, including small spaces and large structures. The team aims to create robots capable of rapid mapping, exploring, and exploiting complex underground environments.

Shake, rattle, and roll to high efficiency photovoltaics

Researchers at Penn State discover unique properties of halide perovskites that enable efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity, guiding the development of next-generation solar cells. The study's findings provide insights into how to improve the performance and stability of these materials.

NASA-NOAA satellite looks into Typhoon Trami's ragged eye

Typhoon Trami showed a wide and ragged eye with deep convection and developing thunderstorms in NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite image on Sept. 27, 2018. The storm was located near latitude 22.2 degrees north and longitude 128.6 degrees east, with maximum sustained winds of 90 knots.

Plasma thruster: New space debris removal technology

A new plasma thruster technology has been developed to remove space debris, decelerating it with a force imparted from the satellite. The system uses bi-directional ejection of plasma plumes, controlled by a magnetic field and gas injection, for efficient removal in three operational modes.

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.

Polymer coating cools down buildings

Researchers create high-performance exterior PDRC polymer coating with nano-to-microscale air voids, which reflects sunlight and radiates heat to the sky. The coating can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint on various surfaces, achieving cooling capabilities in both desert and tropical climates.

UM research to focus on muscles of bird flight

Researchers will explore how smooth muscles control feathers and aid birds in flight, a novel approach that could reveal the role of smooth muscle in limb control for the first time. By studying body contour feathers and wing movement, they aim to transform our understanding of bird flight.

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.

Where are they?

A team of UCSB students, led by Philip Lubin, are searching for signs of alien life in Andromeda using a suite of telescopes and photonic technology. They aim to detect potential signals from civilizations using optical beams that could be visible across the universe.