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Science News Archive September 2018 - Page 21


Page 21 of 37

Viruses under the microscope

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have identified viral microRNA molecules that can serve as ideal biomarkers for detecting human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation. The discovery was made using a novel method that allows for early detection of viral activation, potentially leading to improved clinical interventions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·Journalnpj Genomic Medicine·DateSep 14, 2018
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.

Dr. Annick Bricaud selected as 2018 recipient of the Jerlov Award

Dr. Annick Bricaud received the 2018 Jerlov Award for her pioneering work in ocean optics, covering experimental and theoretical studies on seawater optical properties. Her research has been widely cited with over 11,400 citations, and she is a pioneer among female researchers in optical oceanography.

SourceThe Oceanography Society·DateSep 13, 2018

Dietary fiber reduces brain inflammation during aging

A new study from the University of Illinois found that dietary fiber can reduce brain inflammation in old mice, leading to improved memory and reduced cognitive decline. The researchers discovered that high-fiber diets elevated butyrate levels in the blood, which had anti-inflammatory properties on microglia.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateSep 13, 2018

Testosterone replacement therapy may slow the progression of COPD

Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch found that testosterone replacement therapy reduces respiratory hospitalizations in middle-aged and older men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may slow the progression of COPD in these individuals.

SourceSAGE·JournalChronic Respiratory Disease·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

Malicious brain cell identified

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a previously unknown astrocyte subpopulation that plays a key role in driving brain inflammation. The newly discovered 'ieAstrocytes' are activated early in neuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournaleNeuro·DateSep 13, 2018

Study sheds light on why the US and China don't see eye-to-eye on e-commerce

A new study by Singapore Management University finds that the US and China have distinct stances on e-commerce regulation, with the US prioritizing digital barriers and China focusing on traditional trade barriers. The study suggests that policy makers should look for areas of common interest to bring down trade barriers.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalJournal of International Economic Law·DateSep 13, 2018

Disrupting genetic processes reverses aging in human cells

A study led by the University of Exeter Medical School found that disrupting genes and pathways regulating splicing factors can reverse signs of aging in cells. Disrupting ERK and AKT pathways reduced senescent cells, increasing splicing factors and leading to cellular rejuvenation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateSep 13, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Scientists design new metabolic technology to open scientific data for everyone

A new cloud-based analysis platform allows scientists to quantify molecules from biological samples and share their results publicly. The platform enables faster research and increased precision by identifying key fragments of molecules, benefiting fields like environmental sciences, pharmaceuticals, and sports medicine.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 13, 2018

Calorie counts on restaurant menus have customers ordering less

A recent study by Cornell University found that customers who saw calorie counts on restaurant menus ordered meals with 45 calories less than those without calorie information. Customers also valued the nutrition information and supported future implementation of calorie labels.

SourceCornell University·DateSep 13, 2018

One in three college freshmen worldwide reports mental health disorder

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 35% of students from 19 colleges in eight countries reported symptoms consistent with at least one mental health disorder. Major depressive disorder was the most common, followed by generalized anxiety disorder.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateSep 13, 2018

Warm with a chance of birds: Forecasting avian migrations

A new forecasting model uses Next-Generation Radar data to capture migratory patterns of birds with high spatial accuracy, explaining up to 81% of variation in migration timing and intensity across the U.S. The model can forecast movements up to a week ahead and estimate total bird numbers making the journey.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

New knowledge on the condition of cull sows prior to transportation to the abattoir

Researchers from Aarhus University conducted a study on the clinical condition of cull sows prior to transportation to slaughter. The results show that a significant portion of sows had various injuries and disabilities, including wounds, superficial skin lesions, and udder lesions, highlighting the need for improved animal welfare in ...

SourceAarhus University·JournalTranslational Animal Science·DateSep 13, 2018

Diagnosing and treating resistant hypertension

Resistant hypertension affects 12-15% of patients with high blood pressure, who require three or more medications to control it. Improving lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and weight can lower blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateSep 13, 2018

Computer avatars play a part in dementia detection

A new system using computer avatars detects dementia with high accuracy by analyzing speech and language patterns of elderly individuals. The technology has the potential to encourage early diagnosis through daily conversations with avatars.

SourceOsaka University·JournalIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine·DateSep 13, 2018

FEFU young scientists are developing new materials for laser equipment

The researchers are developing new materials based on 'laser ceramic - thermoelectric' heterostructures to improve the performance characteristics of final materials in several ways. They aim to create a structure where SrTiO3 and TiO2 grains are located in a 'checkerboard' order throughout all the volume of the material.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·DateSep 13, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study details incidence & timing of immunotherapy-related fatalities

Researchers found that while severe reactions can occur, the risks are low compared to common cancer treatments. The study identified a peak timing for fatal toxicities within 15-40 days after treatment initiation, depending on the type of immune checkpoint inhibitor.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateSep 13, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The art of storytelling: researchers explore why we relate to characters

A new study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience suggests that our brains prioritize character development when listening to or viewing a story. This study used fMRI scans to examine how participants conveyed narrative ideas through different forms of expression, such as speech, gestures, and drawings.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateSep 13, 2018

Social class determines how the unemployed talk about food insecurity

Researchers found that people from lower classes describe food as a means of survival, while those in the middle class use language to obscure their struggles. In contrast, those in the upper class view food as a networking tool, rarely considering its physical necessity.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCommunication Monographs·DateSep 13, 2018

Researchers managed to prevent the disappearing of quantum information

Researchers at University of Turku and University of Science and Technology of China have successfully controlled the flow of quantum information into the environment, preventing its disappearance. This breakthrough has significant implications for basic research and the development of quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

UTA researcher creates hydrogels capable of complex movement

Kyungsuk Yum and his doctoral student Amirali Nojoomi developed a process to program 2-D hydrogels for space- and time-controlled swelling and shrinking, enabling the formation of complex 3-D shapes and motions. The technology has potential applications in bioinspired soft robotics and artificial muscles.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 2018

New genetics tool helps answer evolutionary questions

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new genetics tool called conStruct to analyze large datasets of genetic variation. The tool helps identify patterns of relatedness among individuals and populations, overcoming previous statistical challenges.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalGenetics·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

One foot in the grave for pheasants that favor a side

A new study found that young pheasants who strongly favored using their left or right leg to step over a barrier died at a significantly lower rate than those with weaker preferences. The research suggests that favouring one side of the body may bring advantages, but also explains why low levels of 'footedness' exist among pheasants.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2018

Laser sintering optimized for printed electronics

Researchers have developed a more efficient method for laying down thin-film circuitry using copper nanoparticle ink with green laser light. The study found that optimal settings for laser power and scanning speed can enhance conductivity, while sintering reduces film thickness by up to 74%.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateSep 13, 2018

High-resolution genomic map gives scientists unprecedented view of brain development

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital created a massive database of gene activity in individual cells during embryonic development and after birth, enabling scientists to trace specific developmental trajectories in the cerebellum. The analysis will aid understanding of brain development and provide a foundation for unde...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 13, 2018

A very special protein synthesis machinery

A team of scientists has discovered the atomic-resolution structure of a specialized ribosome in Trypanosomes, a parasitic disease-causing organism. The study reveals that these ribosomes are composed primarily of proteins, unlike other ribosomes which are dominated by RNA.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

NASA-NOAA satellite finds Barijat crossing Gulf of Tonkin

The NASA-NOAA satellite detected Tropical Cyclone Barijat crossing the Gulf of Tonkin, weakening significantly due to wind shear. The storm's rotation was skewed by winds at different altitudes, causing it to dissipate quickly after landfall in Vietnam.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 13, 2018

The next phase: Using neural networks to identify gas-phase molecules

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new method using neural networks to identify the structural signatures of molecular gases. This breakthrough enables researchers to accurately sense unidentified chemicals or scan samples for impurities in a much smaller period of time.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateSep 13, 2018

Regret is a gambler's curse, neuroscientists say

A UC Berkeley study reveals the brain's orbitofrontal cortex replays and revisits nearly every feature of previous decisions after placing a bet. The researchers found that gamblers' regret from losing or not betting more is the main driver of activity in this region.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 13, 2018

NASA sees Hurricane Helene decoupled by wind shear

Hurricane Helene is decoupling from wind shear due to southwesterly vertical wind shear, pushing the bulk of the storm away from its rotating center. The NHC expects wind shear to increase on Sept 13, potentially weakening the storm further.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

Novel flying robot mimics rapid insect flight

Researchers developed an autonomous, free-flying robot that mimics fruit flies' aggressive escape manoeuvres, demonstrating exceptional flight qualities and power efficiency. The DelFly Nimble has a top speed of 25 km/h and can perform agile maneuvers, making it suitable for future applications in drone technology.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2018

How skin begins: New research could improve skin grafts, and more

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a critical mechanism in skin development, shedding light on genetic roots of birth defects like cleft palate. The study sheds new light on how p63 regulates key signaling pathways involved in hair follicle and sweat gland formation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

Trees reveal the evolution of environmental pollution

Researchers analyzed Tipuana tree rings and bark to measure environmental pollution levels, finding reduced levels of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead over the past three decades. The study suggests a correlation with declining gasoline emissions in Brazil.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateSep 13, 2018

Certain environmental pollutants may contribute to poor kidney health

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to worse kidney function and other signs of kidney damage in studies analyzing all relevant research. The analysis points to the need for further research on the effects of PFAS on kidney health.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 13, 2018

Hemidystrophic thorax mimicking scoliosis

A new form of Chest Wall Deformity has been discovered in patients with mild scoliosis and without it, characterized by rib humps mimicking scoliosis. Long-term observations are necessary to draw a final conclusion on prognosis.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Orthopaedics Journal·DateSep 13, 2018

Open insulin, 'DIY bio' and the future of pharma

The DIY bio movement is disrupting the pharmaceutical industry with open-source protocols for manufacturing off-patent insulin, increasing competition and potentially making life-saving medicine more affordable. The Open Insulin Project, a case study, aims to develop and release an open-source protocol for manufacturing insulin.

SourceColorado State University·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

Study: Kidney stones have distinct geological histories

A new study reveals that kidney stones are built up in calcium-rich layers resembling mineralizations in nature. The research found that the stones partially dissolve and regrow again and again as they form, contradicting the widely held notion that they never dissolve.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2018

Busting bitter, saving lives

A new collaboration grant will support development of next-generation screening technologies to identify bitter taste blockers. The goal is to advance human health by improving the taste and acceptability of nutritious plant-based foods.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·DateSep 13, 2018

Helping computers fill in the gaps between video frames

Researchers at MIT develop Temporal Relation Network (TRN) module to help CNNs recognize activities by observing key frames. The module achieves top accuracy of 95% in activity recognition on Jester dataset, outperforming existing models.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateSep 13, 2018
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.

Enhanced 3D imaging poised to advance treatments for brain diseases

PySight improves rapid 2D and 3D imaging of the brain with high spatiotemporal resolution, enabling scientists to better understand brain dynamics and discover new treatments. The open-source software integrates with state-of-the-art hardware, overcoming technical barriers to continuous 3D imaging.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateSep 13, 2018