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Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 32


Page 32 of 33

Study puts the Neotropics on the map of the world's food production centers in antiquity

A new study reveals that sambaqui societies living in coastal Atlantic Forest areas between 8,000 and 1,000 years ago consumed a range of plants and had a more diversified economy than previously believed. Analysis of their middens shows evidence of plant cultivation and high consumption of carbohydrates.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateDec 3, 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.

Acute flaccid myelitis: Five things to know

Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare but serious condition in children that can progress rapidly and result in persistent health deficits. The disease is usually caused by enteroviruses and requires urgent testing and medical attention.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 3, 2018

Study finds toxic flame retardants in children's car seats

A new study by Indiana University scientists found toxic flame retardants in newly manufactured children's car seats, posing risks to children's health. The researchers detected high levels of emerging flame retardant chemicals, including cyclic phosphonate esters and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

SourceIndiana University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateDec 3, 2018

Patients report skimping on insulin because of cost

A small survey of patients with diabetes found that 1 in 4 reported underusing insulin due to cost concerns. Poor glycemic control was a common result of this underuse. The study emphasizes the importance of making insulin more affordable.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 3, 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.

Magnetic evidence of oxygen in a paleolake

Scientists have found magnetic evidence of oxygenation in a paleolake, suggesting that most water column and history contained oxygen. The study analyzed drill cores from the Nonesuch Formation, revealing a gradient of oxygenation according to water depth.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UMSOM and GRAS begin second typhoid conjugate vaccine study in africa

A joint US-African effort to test the Bharat Biotech typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) on 250 children aged 9-36 months in Burkina Faso. The study aims to evaluate the TCV's efficacy when co-administered with other routine vaccines, such as yellow fever and meningitis A vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·DateDec 3, 2018

Clark University researchers: Development threatens tropical forests

A recent study by Clark University researchers reveals that tropical forests are under threat from massive infrastructure projects and resource extraction. The study highlights the urgent need for policy-making that protects forests and communities from corruption and human rights abuses.

SourceClark University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018

Primordial RNA and origins of life

Scientists have created a version of RNA that could have served as an early genetic polymer, with inosine replacing guanine to improve accuracy. The results suggest that inosine could have played a crucial role in the origins of life.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 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.

A new approach to studying the flu

Researchers have developed a new method to study the flu virus, allowing them to visualize individual proteins and understand how they contribute to the virus's success. The study suggests that variations in protein composition may be beneficial for the virus, enabling it to spread infection more effectively.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCell·DateDec 3, 2018

Discovery may lead to safer drugs to save more women in childbirth

Scientists at USC and SLAC develop a 3D map of the structure of a cell receptor as it binds to misoprostol, a key drug for women's health. This research provides a starting point for new drug discoveries that could reduce maternal mortality rates.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 3, 2018

Macroscopic phenomena governed by microscopic physics

A research group at Osaka University has observed magnetic reconnection driven by electron dynamics for the first time in a laboratory setting. The study uses high-power lasers to create plasma conditions similar to those found in space, allowing researchers to investigate electron-scale phenomena alongside macroscopic structures.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 3, 2018

Stentrode (TM) developed for brain treatments without major surgery

Researchers have developed a tiny device that electrically stimulates the brain, paving the way for minimally invasive treatments for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. The Stentrode can deliver targeted stimulation without open-brain surgery, opening up new possibilities for treating neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 3, 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.

Running a marathon can increase cardiac strain in amateur runners

A new study published in Circulation found that running a full marathon significantly raises concentrations of biomarkers indicating heart strain in amateur runners. The study suggests that shorter endurance races may reduce the strain on the heart muscle during competition.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateDec 3, 2018

Diagnostic imaging for bladder cancer

Researchers developed a noninvasive diagnostic imaging method for bladder cancer using machine learning analysis of nanoresolution images from urine samples. The method achieved 94% accuracy in diagnosing bladder cancer compared to cystoscopy, the clinical standard.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 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.

Life has a new ingredient

Researchers at Harvard University suggest that inosine could have served as a surrogate for guanosine in the early emergence of life. Inosine enabled RNA to replicate with high speed and few errors, supporting its potential role as a backbone of the first cells.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018

For older adults with heart failure: Can taking too many medications reduce abilities?

A study found that older adults with heart failure who take five or more medications are at higher risk for cognitive impairment and difficulty performing daily activities. The researchers suggest that healthcare providers should consider these limitations when prescribing medications, as they may unnecessarily expose patients to incre...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 3, 2018

LIGO and Virgo announce four new gravitational-wave detections

The LIGO and Virgo collaborations have detected 10 stellar-mass binary black hole mergers and one neutron star merger, with six of the black hole events previously reported. The new detections include GW170729, GW170809, GW170818, and GW170823, which are included in a new catalog of gravitational-wave events.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 3, 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.

Science proves vaccines are helpful, not harmful, to society

Vaccines have been proven to be safe and beneficial for society, but misconceptions persist. The World Health Organization requires vaccination checks during medical encounters, but many cases are missed. Digital tools like VaccApp and ViVI Score aim to improve vaccine communication.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·DateDec 3, 2018

Artificial intelligence for studying the ancient human populations of Patagonia

Archaeologists used machine learning techniques to classify and predict the technological elements of ancient hunter-gatherer groups in Patagonia. The study identified two distinct 'landscapes' of technology, one for pedestrian groups and another for nautical societies, shedding light on their mobility patterns and interactions.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateDec 3, 2018

As married couples age, humor replaces bickering

A study by UC Berkeley found that married couples who aged show more humor and tenderness towards each other, leading to lower rates of defensiveness and criticism. The researchers tracked the emotional interactions over a period of 13 years, revealing an increase in positive behaviors like affection and enthusiasm.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalEmotion·DateDec 3, 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.

Requests for emergency contraception could be an important sign of abuse

A new UK study found that women experiencing domestic violence and abuse are more than twice as likely to request emergency contraception, highlighting a possible indicator of abuse. The research suggests that healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in identifying and referring these women to specialist support services.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateDec 3, 2018

Study finds bad bosses could turn you into a great boss

A University of Central Florida study suggests that workplace abuse by managers may not lead to abusive behavior by lower-level leaders. In fact, prior victims of abuse are more likely to treat their own subordinates better after learning from their boss's bad behavior.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateDec 3, 2018

The secret contamination of polar bears

Scientists discover hundreds of unrecognized halogenated contaminants in polar bear serum, including polychlorinated biphenyls and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. The study reveals increasing levels of these pollutants over the past two decades, posing potential health risks to the Arctic ecosystem.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 3, 2018

Physicists shed X-ray light on melting polymers

Researchers from MIPT and Lomonosov Moscow State University developed an experimental setup combining thermal and X-ray analysis to study semicrystalline polymers. They found that a critical heating rate can prevent structural changes, revealing complex thermodynamic behavior behind the material's melting points.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Macro Letters·DateDec 3, 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.

Plant cells inherit knowledge of where's up and where's down from mother cell

Researchers at IST Austria found that plant cells inherit knowledge of where is up and down from their mother cell. The directional transport of hormone auxin sets up polarization, but this depends on polar distribution of PIN auxin transporters. Endocytosis and phosphorylation of PIN transporters are crucial for re-establishing polarity.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Plants·DateDec 3, 2018

Prenatal environment can tune genomic imprinting

A study found that prenatal environmental factors, including maternal age and nutrition, influence genomic imprinting in humans. The researchers analyzed DNA methylation data from Gambian children and found varying levels of imprinting depending on the season of conception.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018

New dataset expands understanding of Arctic Spring Bloom

A new study published in Biogeosciences reveals that declining silicon concentrations in the European Arctic Ocean reduce diatom production, impacting the food chain and organic matter sinking to the seafloor. The research team confirms this effect in 95% of samples collected during a research expedition.

SourceDauphin Island Sea Lab·JournalBiogeosciences·DateDec 3, 2018

Opioid prescriptions from dentists linked to youth addiction risk, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teens and young adults who receive their initial opioid prescriptions from dentists are at increased risk for opioid addiction in the following year. The study, which examined nearly 15,000 patients, found that those who received dental opioid prescriptions were more likely to c...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 3, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New laboratory system allows researchers to probe the secret lives of queen bees

Scientists have created a lab-based method to monitor honey bee queen fertility, revealing the impact of worker nutrition on queen egg laying. The study found that worker bees fed with pollen paste resulted in slower egg laying rates for queens compared to those fed with bee bread.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 3, 2018

Solving 21st-century problems requires skills that few are trained in, scientists find

A new scientific report highlights the importance of collaborative problem-solving skills for tackling modern problems. The research team identifies key cognitive and social components of CPS and emphasizes the need for evidence-based standards and curricula in education to develop these skills.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateDec 3, 2018

Utility customers overestimate cost savings with energy-conservation plans

A new study by Ohio State University found that utility customers rely on perception of cost savings rather than actual savings when deciding to participate in energy-conservation programs. The study involved 8,702 customers and showed that consumers who thought they were saving more were more likely to renew their programs.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Energy·DateDec 3, 2018

High childhood BMI linked to obesity at age 24 in women

Researchers found that girls who gained weight rapidly between ages 5 and 15 were more likely to be obese at 24. A follow-up study of 182 participants found a 93% rate of overweight or obesity in those with accelerated weight gain, compared to 20-37% in other groups.

SourcePenn State·JournalEating Behaviors·DateDec 3, 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.

Resource extraction, forest loss, and community rights

A study finds that resource extraction and infrastructure development lead to significant forest loss and marginalize indigenous communities. The authors suggest novel approaches balancing conservation and agroindustry goals through rigorous land use zoning and community-led resource management.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018

Barts Charity funds £6.5 million to grow Queen Mary University of London campus

Queen Mary University of London has received £6.5 million in funding from Barts Charity to develop a new teaching lab, Cell Culture Labs, Tissue Bank Lab, Mass Spec Lab, Microscopy Lab, and office spaces at its Charterhouse Square campus. The investment will enhance the school's capacity to host up to 100 new appointments over four years.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateDec 3, 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.

Coping with threats from hurricanes, wildfires and rising sea levels

Recent studies highlight the need for updated adaptation plans to address severe weather events, with hard-adaptive measures like seawalls increasing long-term vulnerability. Increasing hazard awareness through education can reduce vulnerability, while effective communication strategies can mitigate flood damages.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·DateDec 3, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Dana-Farber to present research on myeloma progression from precursor conditions

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made significant advances in understanding the progression of multiple myeloma from precursor conditions, suggesting potential new treatments. The study found that immune system cells in patients with precursor conditions undergo changes that affect disease progression, and a novel combi...

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateDec 3, 2018

Protective effects of coffee in Parkinson's disease models

Research reveals that coffee compounds eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide and caffeine work together to maintain enzyme PP2A activity, dephosphorylating pathogenic α-synuclein proteins. This synergy prevents neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease models.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2018