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Science News for August 17, 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.

As body mass index increases, blood pressure may as well

A large-scale study found a positive association between body mass index and blood pressure, with a mean increase of 0.8-1.7 mm Hg per unit increase in BMI. The study's findings have implications for China's high blood pressure crisis and suggest the need for earlier and more frequent use of antihypertensive drugs.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 17, 2018

To find and disarm: Scientists develop platform to kill cancer cells

Researchers create universal platform using magnetite-gold particles for targeted cancer treatments and simultaneous diagnosis. The breakthrough discovery enables therapeutic delivery of drugs to tumor cells while detecting them with magnetic resonance imaging.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 17, 2018

Robots as tools and partners in rehabilitation

Researchers emphasize social and trust-building measures for robots in rehabilitation, recognizing the importance of cooperation and adaptability. They highlight the need for robots to recognize patients' aims and motives and be tailored to individual needs to achieve successful therapy.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Robotics·DateAug 17, 2018

UVA multidisciplinary engineering team designs technology for smart materials

Researchers at UVA have invented a material with the ability to switch between insulating and cooling, making it suitable for applications such as smart fabrics and active wear. This technology has potential game-changing applications in various fields, including athletics and energy production.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 17, 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.

Historically black schools pay more to issue bonds, researchers find

A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) pay higher fees to issue tax-exempt bonds than non-HBCUs. The evidence points to racial discrimination as the cause, with HBCUs in Deep South states facing the most significant disparities.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateAug 17, 2018

Automated detection of focal epileptic seizures in a sentinel area of the human brain

A team of researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham has identified a sentinel area of the brain that may give an early warning before clinical seizure manifestations appear. An algorithm was also developed to automatically detect this early warning, allowing for neurostimulation of the sentinel area to potentially block seizures.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalEpilepsy Research·DateAug 17, 2018

Study confirms truth behind 'Darwin's moth'

Researchers found that pale peppered moths are more camouflaged against lichen-covered tree bark than dark moths, making them less likely to be eaten by birds in unpolluted woodland. This supports Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and provides key evidence for the evolutionary advantage of camouflage.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 17, 2018
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.

16 going on 66: Will you be the same person 50 years from now?

Researchers found that personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability tend to become more stable and mature with age. While individual differences in change exist, the study suggests a general malleability of personality across the lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 17, 2018

More efficient security for cloud-based machine learning

A novel encryption technique combining homomorphic encryption and garbled circuits secures data used in online neural networks without significantly slowing their runtimes. This approach holds promise for using cloud-based neural networks for medical-image analysis and other applications that use sensitive data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 17, 2018

AI could make dodgy lip sync dubbing a thing of the past

A new AI system developed by researchers can accurately edit facial expressions to match dubbed voices, reducing costs and time for the film industry. The technique uses model-based 3D face performance capture to record movements of actors' faces and transposes them onto target actors.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateAug 17, 2018

Energy-efficient spin current can be controlled by magnetic field and temperature

Scientists have found a way to control spin currents using magnetic fields and temperatures, significantly improving the efficiency of fundamental spintronic components. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the design of storage devices like hard disks and create new technologies such as spin current switches.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 17, 2018

NASA analyzes Typhoon Soulik's water vapor

Typhoon Soulik has the capability to produce heavy rainfall due to extremely low cloud top temperatures. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted on Aug. 17 that Soulik was centered near 23.7 degrees north latitude and had maximum sustained winds near 92 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 17, 2018
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.

Researchers develop irregular-shaped laser to tackle laser instability

A team of scientists has designed a D-shaped laser that regulates light emission patterns and eliminates instabilities, leading to stable beams. The unique cavity shape causes light to bounce off mirrors in an unpredictable manner, resulting in a stable light stream for high-powered applications.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2018

Patients, doctors dissatisfied by Electronic Health Records

A study by Lehigh University researchers found that electronic health records (EHRs) left physicians and patients dissatisfied, even after full implementation. Despite improvements in care and outcomes, EHRs reduced physician productivity and frustrated both doctors and patients.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateAug 17, 2018

Like shark attack and the lottery, unconscious bias influences cancer screening

A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that doctors with personal cancer experience are 17% more likely to recommend ovarian cancer screening to low-risk women, despite guidelines against it. This bias may be due to overestimating a patient's risk and prioritizing their experience over evidence-based guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateAug 17, 2018

Scientists identify enzyme that could help accelerate biofuel production

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified an enzyme, GPAT1, as a promising target for increasing biofuel production from red algae. The study found that TAG productivity could be increased by more than 56 times in a strain overexpressing GPAT1 without negative effects on algal growth.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 17, 2018
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.

Students more likely to eat school breakfast when given extra time, new study finds

A new study by Virginia Tech and Georgia Southern University found that giving primary school students 10 extra minutes in the cafeteria boosts their likelihood of eating a nutritious breakfast. The study also revealed that serving breakfasts inside classrooms increases consumption rates even more, getting close to 100%.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateAug 17, 2018

Exploring the relationship between fever and cancer incidence

Research suggests an inverse relationship between fever and cancer incidence, potentially linked to enhanced gamma/delta T cell activity. This mechanistic hypothesis proposes that repeated exposure to fever boosts the ability of these T cells to detect cellular abnormalities and destroy malignant cells.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·DateAug 17, 2018

NASA's GPM analyzes Atlantic Tropical Storm Ernesto's rainfall

Tropical Storm Ernesto has brought light to moderate rainfall to the eastern Atlantic, with the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour. The storm is expected to become post-tropical and move across Ireland and the UK on Saturday night.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 17, 2018
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.

Intensifying Hurricane Lane examined by GPM satellite

A GPM satellite scan revealed Hurricane Lane's strengthening to a Category 2 hurricane, with intense rainfall rates of over 128 mm/hour and towering cloud heights. The storm's formation eye wall was accurately mapped using the satellite's radar data.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 17, 2018

Drug and alcohol use by pregnant women: the evolution of state policies

A new study examines the scope of US state policies targeting drug use during pregnancy, revealing a trend towards punitive laws that limit access to treatment and services for pregnant women. Supportive policies are scarce, with only 12 states having such laws in place as of 2016.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalContemporary Drug Problems·DateAug 17, 2018

Scientists examine the relative impact of proximity to seed sources

A new study found that seed rain, canopy gaps, and soil disturbances contribute to the establishment of invasive plants. Proximity to seed sources was a significant predictor for wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, and Japanese stiltgrass.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalInvasive Plant Science and Management·DateAug 17, 2018

HIV and a tale of a few cities

Researchers studied the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Implementing reforms could prevent 21% of new HIV infections if incarceration is reduced and individuals are diverted to evidence-based treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateAug 17, 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.

Should all babies have their genomes sequenced?

A new report by UCSF bioethicists recommends targeted genome sequencing for symptomatic newborns, but opposes universal screening. This approach aims to balance the benefits of genomics with potential risks and costs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalHastings Center Report·DateAug 17, 2018

Experiences at first sexual encounter impact risk of HIV and violence for women in Kenya

Research suggests that conditions of a first sexual encounter, such as age and consent, can indicate future risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls and young women who experience forced or coerced sex encounters are four to five times more likely to face ongoing gender-based violence.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateAug 17, 2018

Color effects from transparent 3D printed nanostructures

Researchers develop computational tool to automatically create 3D print templates for nanostructures that correspond to user-defined colors. The new design tool has several advantages over previous methods, including a free-form structure that allows for greater flexibility and possibilities for additional coloring effects.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 17, 2018

URI scientist: Long-legged lizards better adapted for hurricane survival

A University of Rhode Island professor has discovered that lizards with shorter hind legs are more likely to survive hurricanes due to their ability to cling to vegetation. This unexpected finding suggests that natural selection may be at play, favoring traits that enhance survival during extreme weather events.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2018

Particulate pollution's impact varies greatly depending on where it originated

Research by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that aerosol particles from different countries have varying effects on the climate and air quality. Aerosols emitted in certain regions can cool the planet more than others, with some having a significant impact even if they are far from their source of origin.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Perinatal hypoxia associated with long-term cerebellar learning deficits and Purkinje cell misfiring

A study by Children's National Health System researchers found that chronic sublethal hypoxia causes locomotor miscoordination and long-term cerebellar learning deficits. Restoring GABA levels with an off-the-shelf medicine improves Purkinje cell firing and locomotor performance in a model of neonatal brain injury.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2018

For children with complex medical situations, a new roadmap for improving health

A new roadmap for improving health has been developed by UCLA researchers using software that aggregates data on how to treat conditions of children with complex medical situations. The team identified 10 key health outcome domains, including social integration and family support, to help provide a comprehensive model of care.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 17, 2018

Novel nanoparticle-based approach detects and treats oral plaque without drugs

Researchers have developed a drug-free method for detecting and destroying the bacteria that cause dental plaque. The approach uses nanoparticles made of hafnium oxide to target and kill harmful bacteria, reducing biofilm burden and preventing conditions like cavities and cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalBiomaterials·DateAug 17, 2018

First science with ALMA's highest-frequency capabilities

Astronomers observed water vapor jets streaming away from a protostar, detecting heavy water naturally emitted by water molecules. ALMA also observed a wealth of complex organic molecules surrounding the star-forming region, with over ten times more spectral lines than previous observations.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 17, 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.

Progress toward personalized medicine

Scientists have introduced a microfluidic chip for manipulation and nucleic-acid analysis of individual cells. The technique uses dielectrophoresis to trap and analyze cells efficiently, overcoming conventional methods' limitations. This innovation paves the way for personalized medicine and improved diagnostics.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 17, 2018
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.

Acid coastal seas off US putting common fish species at risk

Research finds US coastal waters are vulnerable to acidification, affecting marine life like salmon, sharks, and cod. Elevated CO2 levels can cause cognitive problems and disorientation in fish, particularly in colder northern waters. The study highlights the need for sustained ocean observations to track coastal chemistry trends.

SourceGoldschmidt Conference·DateAug 17, 2018

CityU develops the world's first-ever 4D printing for ceramics

Researchers at CityU developed a novel ceramic ink to print flexible and stretchable ceramic precursors, enabling complex shapes like origami folding. These precursors can undergo self-reshaping after heat treatment, resulting in mechanically robust and high-strength ceramics.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 17, 2018

Texas A&M team develops new way to grow blood vessels

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a clay-based platform that delivers therapeutic proteins to assist with the formation of blood vessels. The technology introduces nanosilicates to deliver growth factors, promoting sustained and controlled release.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Biosystems·DateAug 17, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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