Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for December 7, 2018


Are amorphous solids elastic or plastic?

Researchers found that amorphous solids can be truly elastic and reversible for small strains, but become marginally stable with infinitesimal deformations, exhibiting both elastic and plastic behavior

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Molecular insights into spider silk

Researchers from the University of Würzburg have provided new insights into the molecular-level structural details responsible for spider silk's exceptional strength, extensibility, and biodegradability. The study suggests that a molecular clamp connecting protein building blocks contributes to the material's flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease linked to prostate cancer

A 20-year study from Northwestern Medicine found men with inflammatory bowel disease have four to five times higher risk of prostate cancer and elevated PSA values. Researchers are now investigating the mechanism behind gut inflammation leading to prostate cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateDec 7, 2018

Carnegie Mellon researchers probe hydrogen bonds using new technique

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy to probe the hydrogen bonds that modulate the chemical reactivity of enzymes, catalysts, and biomimetic complexes. The study provides valuable information on how systematic changes to hydrogen bonds within the secondary coordination sphere influen...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 7, 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.

News about a plant hormone

Scientists have found that jasmonic acid triggers the quick closure of stomata, a crucial mechanism for plants to conserve water during drought stress. The discovery also reveals a molecular crosstalk between jasmonic acid and abscisic acid, two key plant hormones involved in regulating stomatal conductance.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 7, 2018

Harnessing the power of 'spin orbit' coupling in silicon: Scaling up quantum computation

Researchers have discovered a new way to manipulate spin-orbit coupling in silicon to create compact and efficient qubits for large-scale quantum computing. This breakthrough enables fast read-out of the spin state of just two boron atoms in an extremely compact circuit, hosting all devices in a commercial transistor.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2018

Elucidating protein-protein interactions & designing small molecule inhibitors

Researchers have developed computational methods to predict and design small molecule inhibitors that can disrupt protein-protein interactions, a critical property of cell sustenance. The study provides insights into the challenges faced by researchers investigating protein-protein interactions through computational methods.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Topics in Medicinal Chemistry·DateDec 7, 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.

Some people uncomfortable discontinuing cancer screening even when benefit is low

A study found 29% of veterans who underwent recommended colonoscopies were uncomfortable with stopping screenings when benefits were expected to be low. Participants preferred a more personalized approach to screening decisions, citing mistrust in life expectancy calculators and age-based guidelines.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 7, 2018

Study: Damning evidence of dam's impacts on rainforest birds

A 30-year-old hydroelectric project in Thailand has caused the local bird population to collapse. The reservoir has inundated a unique habitat rich in biodiversity, leading to deforestation and human-caused fire, resulting in isolated habitat patches dominated by disturbance-tolerant species.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateDec 7, 2018

A new 'spin' on kagome lattices

A recent study reveals that Fe3Sn2 exhibits nematic electronic state and giant magnetization-driven energy shift, shedding new light on the presence of spin-orbit coupling in kagome lattices. The research also shows that the material can be manipulated to change its electron energy structure through tuning the magnetic field.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature·DateDec 7, 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.

Being yelled at: Our brain on alert in a flash

A recent study by researchers at the University of Geneva found that our brains quickly differentiate between angry and happy voices, with a faster response time to perceived threats. This enhanced auditory attention enables us to detect potential dangers more effectively, leading to improved survival behavior.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateDec 7, 2018

Lifestyle intervention helped breast cancer survivors lose weight

Breast cancer survivors who participated in a lifestyle intervention program lost weight and had higher disease-free survival rates compared to those who received general recommendations. The study found that completion of the program was associated with a 35% higher rate of disease-free survival.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateDec 7, 2018

Increasing statins dose and patient adherence could save more lives

A study by Imperial College London and University of Leicester found that patients taking high-intensity statins and adhering to treatment regimens can avoid 12,000 cardiovascular events. High adherence achieves better long-term cholesterol reductions and outcomes for patients.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 7, 2018

In times of low unemployment, nursing home quality suffers

A Georgetown University Medical Center study found that nursing homes experience improved quality of care during periods of recession and worsened care when the economy is good. Higher unemployment rates are linked to higher nursing staff levels, leading to better retention and reduced turnover.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateDec 7, 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.

Experiments at PPPL show remarkable agreement with satellite sightings

Experiments at PPPL demonstrate striking similarities between laboratory findings and satellite observations of magnetic reconnection in space. Researchers found that electron and ion currents flow perpendicular to the magnetic field, converting energy and leading to northern lights, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

New algorithm provides a more detailed look at urban heat islands

A new algorithm developed by Yale Ph.D. student TC Chakraborty creates a more comprehensive and consistent estimate of urban heat islands worldwide. The Global Surface UHI Explorer map uses urban agglomerations instead of administrative city boundaries, providing surface UHI intensity estimates for over 10,000 urban clusters.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalInternational Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation·DateDec 7, 2018

Study upends timeline for Iroquoian history

Recent studies have questioned the conventional dating of indigenous sites in Ontario, Canada, with new evidence pointing to a 50-100 year shift in dates. The findings suggest that early contact between indigenous people and Europeans may have occurred later than previously thought.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2018

How fruit flies ended up in our fruit bowls

Fruit flies were first found in southern Africa, where they colonized the area after humans moved in around 10,000 years ago. The flies are attracted to marula fruit, which has been linked to their historical presence among indigenous tribes.

SourceLund University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 7, 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.

More bioplastics do not necessarily contribute to climate change mitigation

A University of Bonn study suggests that bioplastics may not be as environmentally friendly as thought, as increased production could lead to land use changes and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that even with a tax on conventional plastics, the benefits are temporary and offset by negative economic effects.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 7, 2018

Risk Analysis releases special issue on communicating about Zika virus

Researchers explore how scientific understanding of Zika developed over time and how North American agencies addressed public communication challenges. The special issue provides insights into the dissemination of information via traditional and social media and its effects on public knowledge and risk perception.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateDec 7, 2018

Planning processes for Chicago's 606 Trail spawned gentrification, study finds

A new case study examines the planning processes behind Chicago's 606 Trail and concludes that nonprofit coordination multiplied gentrification risks due to fragmentation. The trail's $95 million project converted an abandoned rail line into a multi-use path, but ignored displacement concerns and accelerated environmental gentrification

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCities·DateDec 7, 2018

Friendly electromagnetic pulse improves survival for electronics

A 'friendly' EMP generator has been used to test various electronic devices, including military equipment and civilian products, for their ability to withstand an electromagnetic pulse. Preliminary results show that some devices can be protected with additional shielding.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateDec 7, 2018

Double the stress slows down evolution

Bacteria adapt more slowly and less efficiently when exposed to two stress factors, leading to smaller population sizes. This affects the evolution of antibiotic resistance, as bacteria are less able to protect themselves from predators, resulting in a stronger influence on their survival rate.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 7, 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.

Seeing and avoiding the 'blind spot' in atomic force measurements

A team of researchers has discovered a 'blind spot' in atomic force microscopy that can lead to incorrect results due to the use of certain force laws. However, they have also developed a new mathematical method to identify and avoid this issue, safeguarding atomic force measurements from inaccurate results.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 7, 2018

MIT engineers repurpose wasp venom as an antibiotic drug

Researchers at MIT created variants of a wasp venom peptide that are potent against bacteria while nontoxic to human cells. The peptides were designed by analyzing the structure and function of the original molecule, identifying optimal percentages of hydrophobic amino acids and positively charged amino acids.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 7, 2018

A code for reprogramming immune sentinels

A research team at Lund University successfully reprograms mouse and human skin cells into immune cells called dendritic cells. This breakthrough enables the development of novel dendritic cell-based immunotherapies against cancer. The process is quick, effective, and opens up possibilities for patient-specific treatment.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Immunology·DateDec 7, 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.

Vitamin C may reduce harm to infants' lungs caused by smoking during pregnancy

A randomized controlled trial found that vitamin C supplementation reduced harm to infants' lungs caused by smoking during pregnancy. Infants whose mothers took 500mg of vitamin C in addition to their prenatal vitamin had significantly better lung function at three months of age, according to the study.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 7, 2018

Study highlights correlations between violent death and substance use

The study found that over half (55.3%) of the 365 victims had consumed alcohol or drugs shortly before their death, with a high prevalence of cocaine and cannabis use. This correlation suggests a significant link between substance use and violent deaths in São Paulo City.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInjury·DateDec 7, 2018

DDT in Alaska meltwater poses cancer risk for people who eat lots of fish

Children in Alaska may have elevated cancer risk due to insecticides like DDT in the meltwater, especially those who rely on fish as a staple diet. Researchers found that even low levels of organochlorine pollutants can increase cancer risk for youth and adults.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateDec 7, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Iron-rich lamellae in the semiconductor

Scientists at HZDR created an iron-rich compound in a semiconductor that became magnetic due to the formation of two-dimensional lamellae. This unusual structure could help understand superconductors and optimize their properties.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateDec 7, 2018

GW expert calls for strong, sustainable action to make world roadways safer

A commentary published in The Lancet Public Health highlights the need for governments to commit to reducing traffic deaths and invest in road safety. According to Dr. Adnan Hyder, more than a million people die from traffic crashes worldwide each year, with no decline in death toll since 2009.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateDec 7, 2018

One out of 3 rivers in the Iberian Peninsula is affected by salinization

Salinization affects biodiversity and water ecosystem functioning directly, but more baseline information is needed to predict its effects. The main causes of salinization in Spain include mining, agriculture, and regime changes in precipitations.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateDec 7, 2018
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.

Milestone for bERLinPro: Photocathodes with high quantum efficiency

Developed by HZB teams, the photocathodes exhibit high quantum efficiency and stability, crucial for superconducting electron sources. The new process delivers desired performance, with quantum efficiency remaining high even at low temperatures.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams·DateDec 7, 2018

Gender bias sways how we perceive competence in faces

Research reveals a significant gender bias in how we perceive competence in faces, with masculine faces being rated as more competent. The study used a computational model to alter face stimuli and found that participants perceived more competent faces as more confident and masculine.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 7, 2018

Choice of surgery may affect quality of life for young breast cancer survivors

A study of 561 young women with breast cancer found that those who underwent mastectomy scored lower in quality of life measures, including satisfaction with appearance, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being. Breast-conserving surgery was associated with better outcomes, regardless of whether one or both breasts were removed.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateDec 7, 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.

Graphic warnings snuff out cigarettes' appeal to kids

A new study from Cornell University suggests that graphic warning labels on cigarette ads have a significant anti-smoking effect on children and young adults. The research found that these warnings can cancel out the appeal of smoking as cool and fun, reducing the influence of social cues in advertising.

SourceCornell University·JournalHealth Education Research·DateDec 7, 2018

Supercomputers without waste heat

Researchers from the University of Konstanz have demonstrated that lossless electrical transfer of magnetically encoded information is possible, enabling enhanced storage density and reduced energy consumption in computing centres. This finding paves the way for novel functionalities in future energy-efficient information technologies.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

Potential seen for tailoring treatment for acute myeloid leukemia

Researchers developed a rapid screening method to evaluate drug responses of leukemia stem cells and blast cells from individual patients. The study revealed unique drug susceptibility patterns, with promising targets identified for patient-specific therapies.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·DateDec 7, 2018

How ice particles promote the formation of radicals

Researchers discovered a mechanism for how ice particles and certain molecules release harmful substances into the atmosphere. The study found that organic molecules attach to ice particle defects, leading to UV radiation-induced radicals that damage the ozone layer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 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.

The privacy risks of compiling mobility data

A new study by MIT researchers finds that compiling massive, anonymized datasets about people's movement patterns can make it easier to discern users' identities. The study shows how merging different types of location-stamped data can lead to a high matchability success rate, increasing the possibility of deanonymizing real user data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Big Data·DateDec 7, 2018