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Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 27


Page 27 of 33

Common antidepressant does not aid stroke recovery, study finds

A recent study published in The Lancet found that fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, does not improve physical ability or reduce disability after stroke. However, researchers did note a small increase in bone fractures among those taking the medication.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 5, 2018

A banner year for pharma

In 2018, the biotech industry saw significant investment from venture capital firms and a surge in initial public offerings. Promising developments include the approval of the first RNA interference drug, Onpattro, for treating rare genetic disorders, as well as advancements in CRISPR technology and cannabis-based therapeutics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 5, 2018

COSINE-100 experiment investigates dark matter mystery

The COSINE-100 experiment has reported no excess of signal in its data, putting DAMA's annual modulation signal at odds with other experiments. The researchers will need several years of data to fully confirm or refute the claim.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 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.

Study reveals sleep problems in young adult students

Sleep problems are prevalent and increasing among young adult students, with women experiencing a higher prevalence of insomnia. The study suggests that sleep issues warrant attention as a public health concern in this population.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateDec 5, 2018

Wireless, battery-free sensors monitor skin exposure to solar radiation

Researchers have developed wireless, battery-free sensors that monitor skin exposure to solar radiation in real-time, providing a flexible method to track UV light. The devices overcome existing drawbacks such as limited battery life, allowing for broader use in outdoor activities and optimizing light-based treatments for skin conditions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 5, 2018

New attack could make website security captchas obsolete

Researchers have created a new artificial intelligence that can effectively defeat captcha security systems used by most popular websites. The algorithm, based on deep learning methods, requires only 500 genuine captchas to train, making it highly efficient and able to launch attacks with low effort.

SourceLancaster University·DateDec 5, 2018

UBC economist proposes solution to Vancouver's affordability crisis

A new model for calculating property tax could help combat Vancouver's housing affordability problem by transferring tax burden from owners to renters. The proposal aims to raise property taxes and lower income and sales taxes, stimulating the economy and making it easier for workers to afford housing.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCanadian Tax Journal/Revue fiscale canadienne·DateDec 5, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Scientists design way to track steps of cells' development

Researchers at WashU Medicine have designed a 'flight data recorder' for developing cells, revealing the paths they take as they progress from one type to another. This tool has potential to boost regenerative medicine by guiding skin cells into new liver cells and may also be applied in cancer research.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2018

Guiding the smart growth of artificial intelligence

A new paper examines the rationale behind the 'Barcelona Declaration' for responsible AI development and usage in Europe, focusing on safety, reliability, and ethics issues. The declaration aims to integrate best practices proactively as part of the design process.

SourceIOS Press·JournalAI Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

Global carbon dioxide emissions rise even as coal wanes and renewables boom

Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach a record high of over 37 billion tons in 2018, driven by growing energy demand and non-fossil source emissions. Renewables have largely come online as add-ons to fossil fuels, but more needs to be done for them to displace fossil fuels.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 5, 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.

Adding new channels to the brain remote control

Researchers have developed new tools for controlling specific cells in the brain using light, enabling the study of individual neurons within complex networks. The new protein pores allow for switching neurons on or off using light, opening up new possibilities for probing brain function.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateDec 5, 2018

A molecular look at nascent HDL formation

Researchers at Boston University have made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HDL formation. They discovered a crucial interaction between apolipoprotein A-I and ABCA1 proteins, which enables the formation of nascent HDL particles.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateDec 5, 2018

OU study explores sexuality & gender gaps in political perspectives among college students

A new study by University of Oklahoma sociologist Meredith Worthen reveals clear 'sexuality gap' between exclusive heterosexuals and others, as well as gender gaps among mostly heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. The research suggests that liberal attitudes are more common among LGB individuals, particularly women.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalSexuality Research and Social Policy·DateDec 5, 2018
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.

Is our nation's water supply disrupting the human endocrine system?

Studies found that at least one hormone or pharmaceutical contaminant was present in untreated groundwater at 6% of sites, with higher exposure risks for individuals using domestic wells. The presence of chemicals also threatens ecosystems, particularly through stormwater management practices.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·DateDec 5, 2018

Learning from mistakes

A Caltech-led team of researchers has identified individual neurons that monitor our behavior, catching errors and correcting them quickly. The study provides rare recordings of these neurons, which are involved in error monitoring and have implications for psychiatric diseases like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateDec 5, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Classifying brain microglia: Which are good and which are bad?

Researchers have identified nine distinct groups of microglia, including some that appear only in embryonic or newborn stages, and others that are involved in myelination. These findings may help uncover new roles for microglia in disease and development, and could lead to the development of therapies targeting specific subpopulations.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalImmunity·DateDec 5, 2018

Risk factors for falling are different in older men versus older women

A study of 3,112 community-dwelling adults aged 60+ found distinct risk factors for falls in men and women. Injurious falls were more commonly associated with low blood pressure and balance issues in men, while underweight and cognitive impairment were key risks for women.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 5, 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.

229 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2018

The California Academy of Sciences has added 229 new plant and animal species to the family tree, including 120 wasps, 34 sea slugs, and seven flowering plants. These discoveries were made over five continents and three oceans, highlighting the vast and dynamic planet's unexplored places.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalZooKeys·DateDec 5, 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.

Being employed puts your health at risk

The symposium presentation explores current topics in occupational risk analysis, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and dermal contact with solid metals. Studies have found a lifetime excess risk of CTE in NFL players to be unacceptably high, highlighting the need for regulations.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·DateDec 5, 2018

Stress from using electronic health records is linked to physician burnout

Researchers found that EHR-related stress is associated with burnout among physicians, particularly in primary care specialties. Primary care doctors like pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and general internists report excessive time spent on documentation and frustrating user interfaces.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateDec 5, 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.

Duration of infertility in men may affect sperm count

A study of 1644 infertile men found that longer durations of infertility were associated with lower sperm counts and impaired sperm parameters. Older age and higher body mass index were also linked to prolonged infertility.

SourceWiley·JournalBJU International·DateDec 5, 2018

New insights in rust resistance in wheat

Researchers from Aarhus University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the mechanisms of yellow rust resistance in wheat. The study found that Yr15 gene produces defence responses early in infection, providing a crucial piece of information for developing disease-resistant varieties.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

30 years of experimental evolution results in a new sex chromosome

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have found a novel genomic mechanism for sex determination in swordtail fish, resulting from decades-long hybridisation experiments. The study reveals that introgression and selection of pigmentation phenotypes contribute to the rapid evolution of a new sex chromosome.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

Artificial synapses made from nanowires

Scientists have created a memristive element made from nanowires that functions similarly to biological nerve cells, storing and processing information in parallel. The discovery offers promising advantages for bioinspired computers, which can work decentralised with multiple processors connected by networks.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 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.

Medullary bone found in Cretaceous birds

A team of scientists has found medullary bone in a Cretaceous bird fossil, providing the first occurrence of this tissue outside of modern birds. The discovery links birds and dinosaurs, challenging previous assumptions about their relationship.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

Uranium in mine dust could dissolve in human lungs

A new study found that uranium in mine dust can dissolve in simulated lung fluids and bloodstream, increasing the risk of disease. The researchers tested dust samples from five sites near uranium mines in New Mexico, discovering that mineral composition affects solubility.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateDec 5, 2018

Write with heat, cool and then repeat with rewritable paper

Researchers create long-lasting rewritable paper by layering blue dye and black toner, which remain legible for more than six months. The material can be reset by cooling it down to 14 F, allowing for over 100 reuse cycles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateDec 5, 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.

Cell phones without annual plans offer limited help to homeless people

A UC San Francisco study found that homeless older adults often have limited access to stable phone numbers, leading to increased stress and social isolation. The lack of two-way communication also contributes to high emergency department usage and inadequate healthcare services.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateDec 5, 2018

Without Dna2, genes can jump into DNA breaks

A study by Baylor College of Medicine researchers found that when Dna2 is absent, small DNA fragments insert themselves into chromosome breaks, leading to genomic instability. This mechanism may contribute to cancer development and other cellular conditions.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2018

Science: High pressure orders electrons

High-pressure induced long-range charge order competing with superconductivity has been found in a high-temperature cuprate superconductor. The study provides new insights into the behavior of correlated electrons and mechanisms yielding to high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2018

New study uncovers why Rift Valley fever is catastrophic to developing fetuses

A new study has found that Rift Valley fever virus can cause high rates of stillbirth in pregnant rats and human tissue, with the virus evading the mother-child barrier more efficiently than other vertically transmitted viruses. The research aims to develop vaccines to prevent the virus from causing miscarriage and birth defects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 5, 2018

Narcissists less likely to support democracy

Research suggests that people with narcissistic tendencies are more likely to reject democratic institutions, preferring strong leadership or authoritarian rule. In contrast, those with a positive self-view and high levels of trust in others tend to support democracy more strongly.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·DateDec 5, 2018
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.

Wildfire ash could trap mercury

Researchers found that burned forest material can sequester mercury, preventing its release into waterways. Black ash from low-intensity burns contained similar amounts of mercury as unburned vegetation and white ash from high-intensity burns had higher levels in a non-reactive form.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 5, 2018

Recycle your old mobile phone to save gorilla populations

A study published in PLOS ONE found that recycling old mobile phones can recover valuable metals, such as gold and coltan, used in their construction. This reduces the incentive to mine gorilla habitats for these minerals, helping to save the species from extinction.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 5, 2018

New recommendations for the conduct of economic evaluations in osteoporosis

The International Osteoporosis Foundation and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases established recommendations for economic evaluations in osteoporosis. These guidelines aim to improve transparency and methodologic standards, promoting high-quality methodolo...

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateDec 5, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

DF-PGT, now possible through massive sequencing techniques

A research team from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona develops a new Double Factor Preimplantation Genetic Testing (DF-PGT) strategy using massive sequencing techniques. This allows for simultaneous diagnosis of genetic mutations and chromosomal alterations, increasing the security of the diagnosis and the viability of embryos.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 5, 2018

Pollution: New ammonia emission sources detected from space

Researchers have created a global map of atmospheric ammonia distribution using satellite data from 2008 to 2016. The study identified over 200 new sources, including sites of intensive livestock production and industrial activity, which were previously underestimated.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2018

Distinguishing resistance from resilience to prolong antibiotic potency

A study by Duke University researchers shows that pathogen responses to first-line antibiotics can be distinguished, allowing for more effective treatment strategies. The researchers developed a method to quantify resistance and resilience, enabling clinicians to prescribe targeted dosing regimens.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 5, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Bringing La Buvette d'Evian back to life

The EPFL study found that La Buvette combines several of Prouvé's innovations, including steel 'crutches', an unorthodox material combination, and innovative roof design. The researchers suggest renovating the site into a seasonal exhibition space with a focus on its water element.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateDec 5, 2018

Assessing India's health with a single question

A study by researchers from UNIGE and Calcutta examines the reliability of a self-assessment question for evaluating health status in middle-income countries. The team found that the simple question provided a sound understanding of India's population health, with better variance captured compared to Switzerland.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBMJ Global Health·DateDec 5, 2018