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Science News Archive October 2019


Page 24 of 47

Rice blast fungus discovery will drive crop innovation

A six-year study has uncovered the existence of a sensor in appressoria that tells the fungus when to rupture the rice leaf. This discovery provides a platform for developing fungicides against rice blast, one of the deadliest crop killers, and could also apply to other septin-mediated fungi.

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.

New strategy to treat Parkinson's disease

A new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease has been developed by amplifying healthy GCase enzymes, alleviating symptoms in both human brain cells and mouse models. This approach may be relevant for multiple forms of PD with reduced activity of wild-type GCase.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

How does fathers' physical and mental health status impact their children?

A new study found that children of fathers with poor mental health have a higher risk of poor mental health and overall health, highlighting the significant role fathers play in their children's well-being. The researchers emphasize the need for interventions to improve father involvement in children's lives.

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.

High-level EU funding: MLU receives grant for an international Ph.D.-network

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg will coordinate an European Training Network for doctoral students to develop a digital twin for highly flexible structures in industrial applications. The network aims to create a computational model of the system's behavior, allowing for simulations and predictions during development.

Sweetened drinks represented 62% of children's drink sales in 2018

A report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that 62% of children's drink sales were dominated by fruit drinks and flavored waters with added sugars. Healthier drinks like 100 percent juice represented only 38% of sales, with companies spending $20.7 million to advertise sugar-sweetened drinks to children.

New international exercise guidelines for cancer survivors

The new guidelines recommend aerobic and resistance training for cancer survivors, aiming to address common side effects such as anxiety and fatigue. The updated recommendations provide specific 'exercise prescriptions' to improve survival rates after a diagnosis of breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

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.

Strong storms can generate earthquake-like seismic activity

Researchers have discovered a new phenomenon where strong storms can produce vibrations in the ocean floor as strong as a magnitude 3.5 earthquake. The study found over 10,000 stormquakes occurring from 2006 to 2019 offshore of various locations, including New England and Florida.

World's fastest ant hits recording breaking speed of 855mm/s

Researchers have discovered that Saharan silver ants can reach speeds of up to 0.855m/s, making them the fastest ants ever recorded. The team found that the ants' unique footwork, including a gallop-like movement and coordinated leg swings, allows them to navigate their desert habitat efficiently.

Competitive people are more prone to drug consumption

A recent study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that hostile and competitive personality traits are associated with an increased risk of drug consumption among young people. On the other hand, individuals with patient, less hostile, and non-competitive personalities have a lower likelihood of being drug users. ...

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.

Secretive targets for CEO bonus pay signal poor performance

Undisclosed non-financial measures linked to CEO cash bonuses are associated with worse company performance, new research reveals. However, transparent and measurable non-financial targets related to corporate social responsibility are positively linked to industry-adjusted return on assets.

Findings bridge knowledge gap between pheromone sensitivity and courtship

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified a key player in fruit fly olfactory processing that amplifies courtship signals in male flies. The discovery of PPK25, a sodium-ion channel, reveals a critical role in regulating pheromone sensitivity and promotes courtship behavior when flies are most fertile.

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.

Diabetes: A next-generation therapy soon available?

Researchers at UNIGE identified a protein called S100A9 that regulates blood glucose and lipids, improving glucose management and reducing harmful side effects in diabetic mice. A clinical trial is underway to test the safety and efficacy of this new therapy in humans.

Scientists find early humans moved through Mediterranean earlier than believed

An international research team has found evidence of human activity on the island of Naxos at least 200,000 years ago, forcing a reevaluation of human movement in the region. The discovery pushes back the known settlement timeline by tens of thousands of years and suggests that early humans were capable of adapting to new environments.

Gas 'waterfalls' reveal infant planets around young star

Researchers observed unique gas flows and identified three predicted planets around young star HD 163296. The gas flows, like waterfalls, indicate the presence of infant planets pushing aside dust and gas, providing evidence for planet formation. The study offers a more complete picture of planet formation than previously thought.

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.

Stanford study shows why even well-controlled epilepsy can disrupt thinking

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that even people with well-controlled epilepsy often experience cognitive deficits due to abnormal brain electrical activity called high-frequency oscillations. The research suggests that certain medications or implantable devices could be improved to alleviate these deficits.

Tackling inequality could save millions of children

A recent study mapping child deaths over two decades finds that nearly half of the 5.4 million under-5 deaths in 2017 were due to differences between countries and districts. The research, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, highlights health disparities within countries and 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.

Computer models show clear advantages in new types of wind turbines

Researchers from Aarhus University and Durham University have modelled fluid dynamics of multi-rotor wind turbines, demonstrating a clear advantage for a turbine model with four rotors. This design reduces downstream turbulence, allowing for more efficient energy production.

Clingfish biology inspires better suction cup

A team of engineers and marine biologists created a suction cup that clings to both smooth and rough surfaces, holding up to hundreds of times its own weight. The device was inspired by the clingfish's unique adhesive mechanism, which involves a soft layer and slits in the artificial suction cups.

Computational 'match game' identifies potential antibiotics

A software tool called MetaMiner has been developed to identify bioactive molecules and their producing microbial genes for therapeutic use. The tool speeds up the discovery process, identifying 31 known RiPPs and seven new ones in about two weeks.

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.

Ag-to-energy farmland use is focus of new $2.4 million grant

A team of Cornell University researchers will investigate the interrelationships between food, energy and water through a three-year, $2.4 million grant. The study aims to understand how ag-to-energy land-use conversions affect agricultural production, water quality and quantity, as well as electrical grid operational efficiency.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Raw meat-based diets for pets pose a health risk for humans

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 60% of raw pet food samples, including E. coli that can cause infections in humans and animals. The study advises dog and cat owners to handle the food carefully and maintain strict hygiene standards.

A rat's brain, on and off methamphetamine

Study reveals substantial changes in metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism, the nervous system, and cell membrane lipid metabolism during methamphetamine self-administration and withdrawal. Biomarkers such as depleted amino acids may help identify early warning signs of methamphetamine dependence.

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.

AI system more accurately identifies collapsed lungs using chest X-rays

The AI system uses a huge database of x-ray images to identify collapsed lungs with 75% accuracy, outperforming medical specialists who diagnose fewer than 50%. Researchers plan to integrate the technology into a software system and apply it to other conditions, reducing treatment delays and improving patient outcomes.

EPFL is developing next-generation soft hearing implants

Researchers at EPFL's Laboratory for Soft BioElectronic Interface have developed a next-generation soft hearing implant that can send targeted electrical signals to the auditory brainstem. The new implant overcomes the limitations of current ABIs, which can only provide sound perception and are stiff and inflexible.

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.