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Science News Archive September 2018


Page 28 of 37

Encouraging scientists to collaborate on the tropics

A recent study published in Biotropica investigates collaboration among scientists in tropical ecology, revealing an increase in international collaboration and representation of tropically-based scientists. The study analyzed years' worth of articles to look for changes in author affiliations and found that more scientists from tropic...

Following Twitter conversations around hacked diabetes tools to manage blood sugar

Researchers analyzed Twitter conversations around OpenAPS, a DIY system combining off-the-shelf CGMs and insulin pumps, to understand its benefits and limitations. The study found that OpenAPS improved self-reported A1C and glucose variability while reducing daily distress and burden, but also raised concerns about safety and regulation.

Analyzing roadside dust to identify potential health concerns

Studies have found that roadside dust contains traffic-related abrasion particles, including tire wear and brake pad debris, which can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. Researchers are warning that climate change may exacerbate this problem, leading to increased pollution and potential harm to ecosystems.

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.

Primary care is an untapped resource for depression screening

A new study identifies missed opportunities for catching depression in non-White and medically ill patients, as well as men, who are less likely to be screened. The research suggests that combining hazardous alcohol use screening with a simple questionnaire could improve treatment outcomes for these at-risk populations.

Study prevents cognitive decline in older blacks with memory loss

A randomized controlled trial shows that a behavioral treatment, Behavioral Activation, can reduce the risk of future memory loss by increasing social, cognitive, and/or physical activity. The study found an 88% reduction in cognitive decline compared to the control group.

The current state of transradial access

Transradial access has emerged as a preferred option for patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes, offering lower vascular and bleeding complications and reduced mortality rates. The study reviews the current evidence supporting transradial access across various patient populations.

Peatland carbon sinks at risk

Peatlands, which store up to 530 billion tons of global carbon, are vulnerable to climate change due to changing temperature and precipitation patterns. The study found that temperate regions in warmer periods can accumulate more carbon than tropical regions, but ultimately release it as warming intensifies.

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.

Discovery of the earliest drawing

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known abstract drawing made with a piece of ocher used as a pencil, dated to 73,000 years ago. The drawing, found on a silcrete fragment in Blombos Cave in South Africa, confirms that early humans intentionally created and used symbols.

Stereotypes and disparities between social groups

Researchers used laboratory economic games to demonstrate that societal stereotypes about group warmth and competence can predict treatment disparities. The study found patterns of disparity similar to those documented in educational and labor markets.

Parasitic blister beetles tailor strategies to deceive hosts

Researchers found that geographically isolated populations of parasitic blister beetles use distinct adaptations to target different host bee species. The larvae emit chemical cues tailored to the pheromones of local hosts, attracting male bees and exploiting their nests.

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.

Large trucks are biggest culprits of near-road air pollution

A two-year study in Vancouver and Toronto reveals large trucks are the greatest contributors to black carbon emissions close to major roadways. The study suggests retrofitting older diesel trucks with better emission treatment systems can improve air quality in cities.

The universality of shame

Research found that the intensity of shame people feel when imagining various actions accurately predicts the degree to which those actions would lead others to devalue them. This universal human quality helps individuals balance personal costs and benefits with social costs and benefits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Special antibodies could lead to HIV vaccine

A Swiss research team has identified a factor influencing immune response in HIV-1 infected individuals: the virus genome. Broadly neutralizing antibodies were found to target envelope proteins with varying levels of efficiency.

Binge drinking affects male and female brains differently

Repeated binge drinking alters gene expression in the brain, affecting hormone signaling and immune function in females, while nerve signaling is impacted in males. This study highlights the importance of tailoring treatments for male and female patients with alcohol use disorder.

NASA sees Tropical Storm 27W moving through Luzon Strait

Tropical Storm 27W is forecast to intensify over the next three days before making landfall on Sept. 13 over China's Luichow Peninsula. The storm will then emerge into the Gulf of Tonkin, making a final landfall north of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Just seven photons can act like billions

Researchers created a system with just seven photons and found that phase transitions occur in these small systems, allowing for the study of quantum properties. This discovery has potential applications in measurement or sensing, as well as exploring properties at the smallest scale when phase transitions occur.

OU team receives NSF instrumentation grant for research data archiving

The University of Oklahoma team has received a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant to develop the OU and Regional Research Store, a massive tape archive serving as a national model. The project will provide affordable storage for over 85 research teams across 27 institutions in 17 states.

SwRI scientists find evidence for early planetary shake-up

Researchers at Southwest Research Institute studied the Patroclus-Menoetius binary asteroid pair and found that its existence indicates an earlier dynamical instability. This instability pushed Uranus and Neptune outwards, scattering small bodies into the Kuiper Belt, where they formed the Trojan asteroids.

Acute critical illness increases risk of kidney complications and death

A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients with acute critical illness without pre-existing kidney disease are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The study also shows that these patients have a higher risk of death.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Kidnapping in the Antarctic animal world?

Biologists have discovered that amphipods carry pteropods piggyback to avoid predators, but these pteropods starve due to limited access to food. The association may provide protection for both animals, but its benefits are still unclear.

NASA covers Hurricane Isaac's ragged center

NASA's Aqua satellite detected a thick ring of powerful storms around Hurricane Isaac's central dense overcast, with coldest cloud tops reaching minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next day or two before weakening by the middle of the week.

Peatlands will store more carbon as planet warms

New research suggests global warming will cause peatlands to absorb more carbon initially, but the effect will weaken as warming increases. The study highlights the importance of protecting intact peatlands and restoring drained peatlands to prevent rapid rates of peat decomposition.

Reward of labor in wild chimpanzees

In a study led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, researchers found that active participation in group-hunts increased successful hunts and encouraged sharing of meat among chimpanzees. Oxytocin activation during hunting behavior also supported cooperative interactions.

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.

White matter repair and traumatic brain injury

Mice deficient in tPA exhibited greater white matter damage and cognitive function loss after TBI, while tPA treatment improved neurological function. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target for recovering from TBI.

Low-severity wildfires impact soils more than previously believed

New research reveals that low-severity burns weaken soil structure, increasing risk of erosion, while also releasing organic carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Soils in burned areas show deteriorating physical properties over weeks and months.

Researchers decode mood from human brain signals

A team of engineers and physicians at USC and UC San Francisco developed a novel decoding technology that can predict mood variations from neural signals in the human brain. The study may lead to new closed-loop, tailored therapies for depression and anxiety disorders.

New technique reveals how Zika virus interacts inside our cells

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new technique to determine the structure and interactions of the Zika virus genome inside human cells. This technique, called COMRADES, can screen for host-virus RNA base-pairing and reveal interacting sequences, offering potential targets for anti-viral therapies.

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.

Change your diet to save both water and your health

A new study by the JRC found that adopting a healthy diet could reduce the water footprint by 11-35% for meat-based diets, 33-55% for pescetarian diets, and 35-55% for vegetarian diets. This shift towards a more resource-efficient vegetable-rich diet is crucial due to the high water footprint of animal products.

RAND Corporation establishes opioid research center

The RAND Opioid Policy Tools and Information Center (OPTIC) will analyze policies aimed at curbing the nation's opioid epidemic, developing more powerful tools for tackling the crisis. Researchers will create a simulation tool to inform methods for identifying effective policies in specific communities.

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.

Articles focus on Medicaid work requirements

Two research letters examine the impact of Medicaid work requirements on recipients, estimating the number at risk of losing coverage and calculating associated spending. State-level estimates also provide insight into those meeting proposed work requirements.

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.

NASA finds wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Paul

Tropical Storm Paul is experiencing wind shear, displacing its strongest storms from the center. This displacement has led to a lack of well-organized convection and minimal banding features, according to the National Hurricane Center. As a result, weakening is forecast, and Paul is expected to become a remnant low in a few days.

US wildfire smoke deaths could double by 2100

A new study simulates the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, predicting that deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could increase to over 40,000 per year by the end of the 21st century. The number of fire-related particulate matter deaths is expected to more than double in the worst-case-scenario prediction model.

Rice cultivation and greenhouse gas emissions

A study reveals that intermittent flooding in rice cultivation leads to higher nitrous oxide emissions, potentially up to 30-45 times higher than continuous flooding. Co-management of water, nitrogen, and carbon can reduce climate impacts by 10-90%.

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.

Robot can pick up any object after inspecting it

Researchers at MIT CSAIL have developed a robot system that can inspect and understand objects, allowing it to perform specific tasks such as picking up objects from a cluttered space. The system, called Dense Object Nets, uses a self-supervised approach and doesn't require human annotations.

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.

Researchers discover how caged molecules 'rattle and sing'

A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a method to predict molecular motion with high accuracy when confining molecules in small nanocages. This breakthrough discovery could improve the production of fuels and chemicals, as well as capture CO2 from the air.

Stress and brain blood flow

A study found that chronic stress alters blood flow regulation in specific brain regions, including the temporal and prefrontal cortex. The researchers suggest understanding these changes may aid in assessing individuals' risk for stress-related illnesses.

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.

Jumping genes drive sex chromosome changes in strawberries

Researchers found gene cassettes transfer across generations in strawberry plants, leading to sex chromosome changes and homomorphic female heterogametic inheritance. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind sex chromosome evolution and has implications for creating new crop varieties.