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Science News for December 24, 2018


Editing malarial parasite gene expression

Researchers developed a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system to efficiently edit the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum's gene expression. By altering histone acetylation near invasion-related genes, they increased or decreased erythrocyte invasion efficiency.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Researchers use 'blacklist' computing concept as novel way to streamline genetic analysis

Researchers have developed a novel way to streamline genetic analysis by utilizing the blacklist computing concept. This method has shown promise as a key to faster therapeutic innovation, enabling clinicians and researchers to focus on true disease-causing mutations., By removing non-pathogenic genetic variants from consideration, thi...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Climate resilience of European wheat

A decline in European wheat's climate resilience is reported, as analyzed from farmers' field data and trials. Wheat cultivar diversity hotspot exists in Slovakia, but deserts are found in Czechia, Germany, Italy, and Spain

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 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.

Academic success and social relationships

Researchers surveyed 226 engineering students finding that socially isolated students received lower grades compared to those developing more friendships and collaborations. Friendships can evolve into collaborative academic relationships, improving academic success.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Estimates of global migration

Research estimates that approximately 1.2% of the global population migrates every five years, resulting in up to 87 million people moving each year. Notably, around one-quarter of all migrations involve return journeys to individuals' countries of birth.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Socioeconomic status and the developing brain

A longitudinal neuroimaging study of over 600 healthy young people found positive associations between socioeconomic status and the size and surface area of brain regions involved in cognitive functions. Greater childhood SES was associated with larger volumes of subcortical regions, extending previous research on SES and cortical morp...

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateDec 24, 2018

Catheter ablation superior to standard drug

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found catheter ablation superior to conventional drug therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The procedure was associated with reduced all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 24, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How climate affects forest biodiversity

A global study analyzed 421 tree communities to understand how climate affects functional traits in forests. Climate factors like temperature variability and vapor pressure have the greatest impact on trait diversity across all species.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Brain activity predicts fear of pain

Researchers used machine learning to translate brain activity into fear of pain questionnaire scores, revealing distinct neural patterns for different constructs. The study may reconcile self-reported emotions and their neural underpinnings, providing new insights into pain-related fear.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateDec 24, 2018

Dust and social change in Mesopotamia

A study found a significant increase in dust in northern Iran around 4,200 years ago, suggesting a period of drying and relatively arid climate conditions. This event coincided with the decline of the Akkadian Empire and the abandonment of North Mesopotamian settlements.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Communication interception can be traced through meteor trails

Physicists at Kazan Federal University developed a refined simulation of joint reception areas for meteor radio reflections. The study reveals that unpredictable nature of meteors makes signal interception challenging, with practical possibilities disappearing at 30 km distances.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation·DateDec 24, 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.

Cost-efficiency of high-yield urban gardens

Urban gardens in Australia achieve high yields comparable to commercial farms, yet face challenges due to higher material and labor costs. The study emphasizes the need for judicious management of inputs to ensure sustainability.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Genetic legacy of state centralization

A study analyzing genome-wide data from 693 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo found that present-day Kuba are genetically diverse and similar to neighboring groups, suggesting historical unification during state centralization. This research underscores the potential of genomics to reconstruct societal histories.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

New global migration estimates show rates steady since 1990, high return migration

Researchers have developed a new statistical method to estimate migration flows between countries, revealing higher rates of migration and return migration. The pseudo-Bayes approach provides more accurate estimates than previous methods, with rates fluctuating between 1.1 and 1.3 percent of global population from 1990 to 2015.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Sustainable 'plastics' are on the horizon

A new process produces 'plastic' from marine microorganisms that completely recycle into organic waste, providing a biodegradable and non-toxic material. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the world's efforts to clean the oceans without affecting arable land or using fresh water.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalBioresource Technology·DateDec 24, 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.

Climate change and electricity consumption in China

Climate change is projected to significantly impact electricity consumption in China's Yangtze River Delta, with daily consumption increasing by 14.5% for every 1°C rise in temperature above 25°C. By the end of the century, annual mean and peak consumption are expected to increase by approximately 9.2% and 36.1%, respectively.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 24, 2018

Hotter days will boost Chinese residential electric use

A new study from Duke University and Fudan University found that China's residential electricity consumption will increase by 9% for every degree Celsius rise in global mean surface temperature. Peak usage is projected to rise by 36%, with estimates suggesting a minimum of 72% increase, driven mainly by hotter days.

SourceDuke University·DateDec 24, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Breast cancer drug impairs brain function

A study using monkeys with the breast cancer drug letrozole found significant behavioral changes and impaired brain function, including hot flashes, increased anxiety, and spatial memory issues. The research highlights the importance of studying the effects of estrogen-reducing treatments on the nervous system.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateDec 24, 2018