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Science News Archive September 2018


Page 9 of 37

Why it doesn't get dark when you blink

Researchers identify medial prefrontal cortex as key player in perceptual memory, allowing for stable perception of environment despite intermittent blinks. This finding has implications for understanding interaction between perception and memory, and may also shed light on confidence in one's own perception.

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.

Antiviral protein links gut microbiota and allergies

A study in mice revealed that MAVS deficiency leads to altered gut microbiota, increased intestinal permeability, and susceptibility to allergic contact dermatitis. The findings suggest a causal relationship between the gut microbiome and allergies.

Mild exercise and memory

Research found that short periods of light exercise boost functional connectivity in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory processing. Participants showed improved memory performance after exercise, with increased connectivity correlating to better results.

Does our environment affect the genes in our brains?

Researchers found that epigenetic changes in genes related to dopamine neurotransmission are associated with lower IQ test results. The study suggests environmentally-induced gene activity plays a significant role in intelligence.

Expanding CEO-to-worker pay gap bad for business

A study by University of California, Berkeley found that wider CEO-to-worker pay gaps lead to negative perceptions among employees and consumers. The study suggests a visceral disapproval of businesses whose profits fail to trickle down the corporate ladder.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

National parks bear the brunt of climate change

Climate change is already affecting US national parks, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the rest of the country. Without action, small mammals and plants may be driven to extinction by the end of the century. Reducing emissions could limit temperature increases in national parks.

Sex in plants requires thrust

Scientists discovered that pollen tubes exert forces similar to car tire pressure as they navigate through plant tissue to fertilize eggs. The research found that cells can 'feel' and respond to physical resistance in their environment, leading to changes in growth patterns.

LGBT community has poorer health outcomes, assessment finds

The local LGBT community reports twice the number of poor mental health days as the general population, with transgender individuals experiencing even more days. The study found that minority stress, stigma, and lack of access to healthcare contribute to these poorer health outcomes.

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.

Results from the ReCre8 trial reported at TCT 2018

The ReCre8 trial found that a novel polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stent was clinically safe and effective, comparable to a durable polymer zotarolimus-eluting stent. The study showed that one-month DAPT in troponin-negative patients may be safe regarding stent thrombosis.

Study shows invasive lung cancer surgery can lead to long-term opioid use

A study published in JAMA Oncology found that patients treated with more-invasive surgical techniques for early-stage lung cancer were more likely to become chronic opioid users. In contrast, those who underwent minimally invasive VATS surgery were less likely to fill opioid prescriptions after surgery and in the long term.

Exploring the effects of integrative health in cancer

A Special Focus Issue on Integrative Oncology investigates complementary and integrative medicine in multiple age groups, nations, and special populations. Research articles and commentaries discuss the options and effectiveness of nutritional strategies, aromatherapy, massage, and self-care toolkits for cancer patients.

A new way to count qubits

Researchers have created a new method for measuring the state of qubits, a crucial step towards building powerful quantum computers. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in fields like pharmaceutical development and cryptography.

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.

Some female termites can reproduce without males

Researchers discovered termite populations with all-female colonies that can successfully reproduce and maintain social order without males. Queens in these colonies had empty spermathecae, indicating no fertilization of eggs.

Small modulator for big data

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a new method to fabricate and design integrated, on-chip modulators 100 times smaller and 20 times more efficient than current lithium niobite (LN) modulators

Herbicides as drug-leads for fungal infections

Researchers found that certain commercial herbicides can inhibit the growth of human fungal pathogens like Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The herbicides showed synergy with itraconazole to enhance antifungal activity.

Common weed killer linked to bee deaths

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.

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.

Height may be risk factor for varicose veins, Stanford-led study finds

A Stanford-led study found a link between height and varicose veins, identifying 30 genes linked to the condition and suggesting that genetic markers of height may predict disease. The researchers used machine learning combined with epidemiological methods to examine genomic data on over 400,000 people.

Desert ants develop memory of food-associated odors

Research reveals that desert ants can learn and retain up to 14 distinct food-associated odors, a crucial adaptation for navigating diverse food sources. This memory lasts for up to 26 days in nearly half of the ants tested, outlasting their average life expectancy.

Simulation software with humble beginnings receives $1.7 million from NSF

The open-source deal.II library has been awarded $1.7 million in National Science Foundation funding to continue its development and support a growing community of users. The new funding will enable researchers to expand documentation, training modules, and infrastructure to further improve the software.

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.

History of New York City marshes

Researchers reconstructed three centuries of sedimentation history for NYC marshes, finding a significant decrease in inorganic mineral sediments since the 19th century. This reduction weakens marsh structures, suggesting future preservation will require adding mineral sediment to dredged basins and the marshes themselves.

Why are data ethics so challenging in a changing world?

The article discusses the complexity of data ethics, emphasizing personal data ownership, consent, trustworthiness, and privacy. Researchers aim to strike a balance between harnessing data's potential benefits and mitigating its risks.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ancient retrovirus and intravenous drug use

A study found that a fragment of an ancient retrovirus, HK2, is more frequently integrated in the genes of people who contracted HIV through IV drug use. This suggests that HK2 may contribute to dopaminergic manipulation and be an underappreciated pathogenic burden.

Renewed project could protect environment for millennia

The project, which began in 2014 with $5.25 million, aims to ensure safe disposal of nuclear waste for thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. Researchers are using multidisciplinary approaches to study the movement of radionuclides through soil and groundwater.

How Earth sheds heat into space

Researchers from MIT's EAPS department found a linear relationship between the Earth's surface temperature and its outgoing heat, which may break down at higher temperatures. The study suggests that water vapor feedback is responsible for this relationship, and it could help climate scientists model the effects of climate change.

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.

Effect of glyphosate on honey bee gut

The herbicide glyphosate reduces abundances of dominant gut microbiota species in exposed bees, making them more susceptible to pathogens. Bees with impaired gut microomes are more likely to die when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.

Shen leads team seeking to improve quantum computation

A team of scientists, led by Dr. Shen, is working on developing a two-photon controlled-phase logic gate, an essential building block for optical quantum information. The team aims to overcome the difficulty in manipulating photons and create a fundamental component for photonic quantum computation.

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.

How common are traumatic brain injuries in children?

The study analyzed national survey data to estimate lifetime TBI in children and found that such injuries send children to emergency departments and carry risk for long-term adverse outcomes. Parents reported diagnoses, which may lead to underestimation of TBI prevalence.

Scientists search for coral's new home

Researchers are creating artificial structures to mimic natural surfaces for coral larvae to settle on. By understanding the interactions between larvae and materials, they aim to increase reef regeneration rates and combat coral bleaching. The project combines engineering and biological expertise to tackle this critical issue.

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.

Advanced animal society thrives without males

Researchers at the University of Sydney discovered six termite populations in Japan that lacked males, yet still reproduced. These findings suggest asexual reproduction may be essential for some advanced animal populations to adapt to new environments.

Asian-Americans more likely to be hired to lead troubled companies

Researchers found that Asian-Americans were appointed two-and-a-half times as often during a company's decline than when it was successful. This may be due to stereotypes of Asian-Americans being self-sacrificing, which can lead to longer working hours or giving up bonuses.

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.

Children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to try it at younger age

A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana during their first 12 years are more likely to start using cannabis earlier than children of non-users. This relationship holds even after controlling for social environmental factors, suggesting a potential risk factor for early init...

Violence in pre-Columbian Panama exaggerated, new study shows

A new evaluation of Panama's Playa Venado site reveals no signs of trauma at or near time of death, contradicting earlier interpretations of violent death. The burial site likely tells a more culturally nuanced story, with adults buried next to urns containing children and evidence of adult kinship practices.

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.

Photosynthesis discovery could help next-gen biotechnologies

Researchers have purified and visualized the Cyclic Electron Flow supercomplex, a critical part of photosynthetic machinery, to advance solar-powered microalgae-based biotechnologies. This discovery provides new insights into how plants capture and store solar energy at the molecular level.

Ready-to-use recipe for turning plant waste into gasoline

Bioscience engineers at KU Leuven have created a roadmap for producing cellulose gasoline, a second-generation biofuel, by converting plant waste into hydrocarbon chains. The process involves adding cellulose to the petroleum refining process, resulting in a strongly bio-sourced gasoline.