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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 14 of 33

Two UTA researchers elected fellows of National Academy of Inventors

UTA faculty Teik C. Lim and L.K. Mestha have been elected as National Academy of Inventors fellows for their prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions. Their work has made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and society.

Colorado River Delta report provides restoration road map

A four-year scientific study by a University of Arizona-led binational team has provided a road map for restoration in the Colorado River Delta. The report documents the effects of environmental flows on native plants and groundwater, revealing increased bird diversity and recharge of groundwater.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New properties of sulfur atom discovered

Researchers at the University of Malaga have discovered that sulfur atoms can exhibit both donative and repulsive behavior, leading to the creation of more stable and functional organic diradicals. These findings have significant implications for various scientific fields, including chemistry and environmental science.

HIV vaccine protects non-human primates from infection

A new study published in Immunity shows that an experimental HIV vaccine protects rhesus macaques from infection by inducing neutralizing antibodies against a Tier 2 virus. The vaccine strategy, developed over two decades, aims to train the immune system to recognize and attack vulnerable areas on the HIV envelope protein.

Wiring diagram of the brain provides a clearer picture of brain scan data

A study published in BRAIN journal used a brain wiring diagram to reconcile inconsistent neuroimaging findings for Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that all 26 studies reported abnormalities within the same connected brain network, improving reproducibility and understanding of the disease.

Treatment shown to improve the odds against bone marrow cancer

A new study has found that long-term therapy with lenalidomide doubles remission duration and improves survival in younger patients by almost 8%. The treatment is also shown to prolong the average remission time by more than two years in younger patients.

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.

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.

How does diet during pregnancy impact allergies in offspring?

A study found that pregnant women who have a family history of food allergies are more likely to avoid certain foods, such as nuts and eggs. However, this avoidance does not necessarily prevent food allergies in their infants, but rather increases the risk of problems with food at 4 months old.

Characteristics of physicians excluded from public insurance programs

A study examined characteristics of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs for fraud, health care crimes or unlawful prescribing of controlled substances. Physicians excluded were more likely to be male, have osteopathic training, be older or practice in specific specialties.

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.

Driving heart health

The Wayne State University team will address hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity through innovative approaches to comprehensive population health initiatives. They will explore the use of community health workers, telehealth smartphone applications, and bi-directional referrals to promote better management of these conditions.

How complexity science can quickly detect climate record anomalies

Researchers use information theory to identify complex anomalies in high-resolution ice core data, allowing for more accurate analysis of climate records. The technique enables the detection of small anomalies that could indicate significant climate events or errors in data processing.

DFG to fund 9 new Research Units and 1 Clinical Research Unit

The DFG is funding ten new Research Units and one Clinical Research Unit to address pressing issues in hydrology, oceanography, glaciology, geology, and climatology. The units will investigate the effects of volcanic eruptions on the Earth's climate system and develop novel evaluation methods for satellite data.

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.

Mapping technique to reassess Alzheimer's studies finds improved reproducibility

Researchers found that isolating symptoms to a single brain area resulted in low reproducibility rates, but analyzing symptom-specific circuitry within brain networks led to 100% reproducibility. This new approach aims to shed light on therapy development by identifying common symptom-localization patterns across different diseases.

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.

The feature size and functional range of molecular electronic devices

Researchers investigated the transition from tunneling leakage current to molecular tunneling in single-molecule junctions, finding optimal nanogap distances for proper function. The study suggests that future single-molecule electronics require precise control over molecular length and gap size.

A young star caught forming like a planet

Astronomers have discovered two stars, MM 1a and MM 1b, orbiting each other in the young star system. The team used ALMA to image the surrounding gas and dust discs, revealing a massive companion star with a mass ratio of 80:1.

Building an AI to predict if you carry a killer on your skin

Researchers developed an AI model to predict the risk of developing a serious infection from Staphylococcus epidermidis genomic features. The model uses large-scale population genomics and machine learning to identify high-risk genotypes, which could lead to proactive identification of individuals at risk before surgical procedures.

A holiday gift to primary care doctors: Proof of their time crunch

A new study published in BMJ found that primary care doctors need to work six more hours a day to provide recommended preventive care, including colonoscopy and lung cancer screening. The simulation model also reveals that this would lead to 17 out of every 100 doctors taking early retirement each year.

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.

Quantum chemical calculations on quantum computers

Researchers from Osaka City University have developed a quantum algorithm capable of performing full configuration interaction calculations for any open shell molecules in polynomial time, overcoming the exponential explosion challenge. This breakthrough enables practical applications of quantum computers in chemistry and physics.

A damming trend

A new study by Michigan State University found that hundreds of dams planned for the Mekong River basin could disrupt the region's flood dynamics, threatening food security and ecosystem balance.

Exploring ways to reduce child deaths in low-income countries

A study led by ISGlobal identifies a simple algorithm that can predict mortality risk in newborns and babies after hospital discharge, particularly for those under three months old. The implementation of this model could contribute to reducing child mortality in low-income countries.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab to lead mapping, restoration of SAV in Alabama

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is leading a five-year project to map and restore SAV in coastal Alabama, aiming to cut the frequency of mapping from every six years to twice within a six-eight year period. The project will also enhance educational resources and cover the restoration of three zones, including areas prone to erosion.

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.

A summary of electrospun nanofibers as drug delivery system

Researchers used electrospun polymeric nanofibers to create drug delivery systems for various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardiovascular applications. The method improves treatment processes by loading low-solubility drugs into fibers for controlled release.

Birth of a hybrid

Researchers from NUST MISIS have developed a new method for producing bulk MAX-phases, which exhibit the properties of both metals and ceramics. The proposed approach allows for quick synthesis in one stage, resulting in high-density materials suitable for high-temperature applications.

Hospitalizations for homeless individuals are on the rise

A retrospective cohort study found acute hospitalizations among homeless individuals increased between 2007-2013, primarily for mental illness and substance use disorders. Homeless adults had longer hospital stays, lower mortality rates, but higher costs than non-homeless controls.

A role for microRNAs in social behavior

A study discovered that a microRNA cluster regulates synaptic strength and is involved in controlling social behavior in mammals. The researchers found that the absence of this microRNA cluster results in increased sociability in mice.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tale of two trees: New web tool estimates gene trees with ease

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled a new web-based tool called ORTHOSCOPE, which quickly analyzes genomic data to estimate gene trees and identify sets of ancestral genes. This allows researchers to infer gene functions and understand species evolution.

Robot makes world-first baby coral delivery to Great Barrier Reef

A robot has successfully delivered heat-tolerant coral larvae to the Great Barrier Reef in the first small-scale pilot of a new technique to help restore and recover coral reefs. The robot, called LarvalBot, disperses microscopic baby corals onto damaged reef areas allowing them to settle and develop into coral polyps.

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.

Drug targets for Ebola, Dengue, and Zika viruses found in lab study

A lab study identified key ways the three viruses hijack human cells and found at least one potential drug that can disrupt this process in human cells. Researchers also discovered how the Zika virus might cause microcephaly in infants, a crucial step towards developing a treatment.

Ingestible capsule can be controlled wirelessly

Researchers at MIT have developed a wireless ingestible capsule that can be controlled using Bluetooth technology. The capsule, which can deliver drugs or sense environmental conditions, can reside in the stomach for up to a month and transmit information to a user's smartphone.

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.

Chinese scientists get first look at geometric phase effect in a chemical reaction

Researchers from China and Germany discover the geometric phase effect in a benchmark chemical reaction, providing new insights into molecular systems with conical intersections. The study uses high-resolution velocity map ion imaging technique to observe rapid oscillations of H2 products, which can only be reproduced by theoretical ca...

The parable of universal health cover for people on the move

The UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health debunks common misconceptions about migration's impact on public health and economies. It highlights the significant economic benefits of migration, including increased GDP per person in advanced economies.

Magic number colloidal clusters

Researchers at FAU have decoded the structure and process behind formation of highly ordered clusters. They discovered over 25 different magic number colloidal clusters with unique shapes and symmetries.

Monitoring the environment with artificial intelligence

Researchers from UNIGE developed an AI-based approach combining genomics and machine learning to analyze microbial biodiversity and diagnose ecosystem health on a large scale. The method uses genomic tools to sequence DNA of microorganisms, then builds predictive models to identify species performing key functions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Study reveals how Chinese travellers use technology abroad

Chinese backpackers rely heavily on digital technologies like Ali Pay and WeChat Pay for mobile payments and enjoy sharing their travel experiences on social media to receive comments and complements. Their IT use is influenced by collectivistic culture, guanxi, and the need for constant connectedness with families.

New genetic clues to early-onset form of dementia

Researchers have identified a single mutation in the MAPT gene as the culprit behind inherited frontotemporal dementia, leading to impaired communication between brain neurons and neurodegeneration. The study offers new potential treatment targets for both this condition and Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Organic food worse for the climate

A new international study published in Nature found that organic food production requires more land, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Organic peas and winter wheat have significantly larger climate impacts than their conventional counterparts.