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Science News for January 19, 2018


USDA's NIFA invests in fighting citrus greening disease

The US Department of Agriculture's NIFA has awarded $17 million to research and extension programs aimed at combating citrus greening disease in Florida. Researchers are developing detection systems, hydroponics, and biocontrol methods to address the devastating impact of the disease on the state's $1.5 billion citrus industry.

SourceNational Institute of Food and Agriculture·DateJan 19, 2018

The Down syndrome 'super genome'

A study by UNIGE and UNIL researchers found that individuals with Down syndrome have an excellent genome, better than the average genome of people without the genetic abnormality. This high-quality genome may compensate for the disabilities caused by the extra chromosome 21, enabling some fetuses to reach full term and grow up to old age.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 19, 2018

Radioactivity from oil and gas wastewater persists in Pennsylvania stream sediments

A new Duke University study finds that radioactivity in sediments at three disposal sites is 650 times higher than normal, with conventional oil and gas wastewater contributing to the contamination. The study confirms that radionuclide accumulation occurs after 2011, when authorities limited fracking wastewater disposal.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 19, 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.

On the rebound

Palladium nanoparticles have been shown to repair atomic dislocations in their crystal structure after experiencing intense strain. Researchers discovered that these nanoparticles function like the human body healing from an injury, allowing them to mend and regain their original state.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2018

New technique for finding life on Mars

Researchers from McGill University develop a miniature life detection platform to identify and analyze microorganisms in extreme environments, providing proof-of-concept for direct life detection on Mars and other planets. The technique has potential applications on Earth, including detecting pathogens during epidemics in remote areas.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJan 19, 2018

Study ends debate over role of steroids in treating septic shock

A large-scale study has shown that steroid treatment can reduce the duration of septic shock and time spent on life support therapy, but not necessarily lead to fewer deaths. The trial involved 3800 patients across five countries and found that steroids led to a more rapid resolution of shock and earlier discharge from intensive care.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 19, 2018

Mice immunized with synthetic horsepox protected against vaccinia virus

Researchers successfully created a synthetic horsepox vaccine that offers protection against the vaccinia virus, which is associated with serious side effects. Mice immunized with the chimeric HPXV developed similar levels of protective antibodies as those inoculated with VACV, but had less severe reactions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 19, 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.

Have Brexit and the US presidential election made you more radical?

A recent study suggests that disillusionment with Brexit and the US presidential election leads to a shift towards more extreme political attitudes. Disillusioned individuals often question their understanding of society and strive for a sense of orientation through endorsing radicalized views, warns the research.

SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJan 19, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

National school lunch program aces safety test

The National School Lunch Program's zero-tolerance policy for Salmonella and E. coli bacteria has led to highly effective food safety standards, with 99% of shipments being Salmonella-free. This effective program is critical for child nutrition policy and anti-poverty measures.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateJan 19, 2018

Virtual reality goes magnetic

An international research team created an ultrathin electronic magnetic sensor that can be worn on skin, enabling a touchless manipulation of virtual and physical objects. The device uses magnetic fields to detect body motion and translate it into the virtual world.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 19, 2018

Mortality of surgery vs. targeted radiation in early lung cancer patients

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found low post-treatment mortality rates for both surgery and targeted radiation in early-stage lung cancer patients. Patients over 80 years old showed significantly higher mortality rates with surgery compared to targeted radiation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 19, 2018

Early Trump support climbed in areas with recent Latino population growth

Research finds that Trump's use of inflammatory language activated latent support among Republican voters in areas experiencing Latino population growth. The study used geocoded surveys to track changes in voter sentiment before and after Trump's campaign announcement and infamous statements.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateJan 19, 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.

Piecework at the nano assembly line

Researchers at TUM have developed a novel electric propulsion technology for nanorobots, allowing them to move at speeds 100,000 times faster than traditional biochemical processes. This breakthrough enables the creation of molecular assembly lines, paving the way for future nanotechnology applications.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2018

Cystic fibrosis bacterial burden begins during first years of life

Researchers found that lung bacterial infections and inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients start much earlier than expected in childhood. Therapies to break up mucus may offer the best route to a longer life for CF patients, as early intervention could dramatically increase quality of life.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 19, 2018

Conserving our biodiversity: Priorities for well-connected protected areas

Only one-third of countries meet global targets for protected area connectivity, with EU Member States averaging 18.9% connected land coverage. The study recommends designating new PAs in strategic locations to enhance connectivity and support biodiversity conservation.

SourceEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJan 19, 2018

'Programmable droplets' could enable high-volume biology experiments

Researchers at MIT have developed a system that uses electric fields to manipulate droplets of chemical or biological solutions on a surface. This new approach enables parallel testing of thousands of reactions and could revolutionize the field of biological research.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMRS Advances·DateJan 19, 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.

Hedgehog signaling proteins keep cancer stem cells alive

Researchers found that Hedgehog signaling proteins keep cancer stem cells alive and are required for their survival. The study suggests targeting the Hedgehog pathway could eliminate cancer stem cells and prevent recurrence.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 19, 2018

Adaptive immune response: New cofactor of roquin identified

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new cofactor, NUFIP2, that works with Roquin to regulate the immune response. This cooperative regulation helps limit immune responses to specific reactions and prevents inflammatory reactions.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 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.

BTI Institute, SE Texas group team up for terrorist response

A collaboration between BTI Institute and the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission aims to identify current gaps in terrorist response plans and create a unified regional plan. The project will also provide templates and recommendations for nationwide use.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJan 19, 2018

Real-world intercontinental quantum communications enabled by the Micius satellite

A cross-disciplinary team developed a satellite, Micius, to facilitate secure quantum key distribution globally. The system has achieved significant milestones, including decoy-state QKD with kHz rates over 1200 km distances, demonstrating the potential for an ultra-long-distance global quantum network.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 19, 2018

Older hospitalized adults are infrequently tested for influenza

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older hospitalized adults are less likely to have provider-ordered influenza testing than younger patients. The study included 1422 adults with symptoms of acute respiratory illness or non-localizing fever and found that only 28% were tested for influenza.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 19, 2018

Bio-renewable process could help 'green' plastic

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an economical and high-yielding way to produce furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a critical chemical for making renewable plastics.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 19, 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.

Factor that doubles the risk of death from breast cancer identified

A study published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with high intra-tumour heterogeneity of the oestrogen receptor are twice as likely to die from breast cancer over a span of 25 years. This risk holds true for Luminal A breast cancer subtype, which is generally considered to have a good prognosis.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 19, 2018

Thanks for the memory: NIST takes a deep look at memristors

Researchers at NIST have identified a toolset to study memristors, leading to deeper understanding of their operation and potential for more efficient devices. The team found that reducing the size of a memristor can minimize unwanted current pathways, suggesting ways to engineer better performance.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2018

Fanconi anemia: Insight from a green plant

A model plant study reveals a previously unknown pathway for genetic material exchange in germ cells, crucial for understanding Fanconi anemia disease. The study identifies the key protein FANCD2's important function in meiotic crossover formation.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJan 19, 2018

Essential oil inhaler changes dynamics for pain

The patented AromaStick inhaler enhances pain management by changing pain dynamics and improving relief. In two field studies, participants experienced increased mood and well-being when using the inhaler.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Psychopharmacology·DateJan 19, 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.

How metal scaffolds enhance the bone healing process

Researchers develop optimized titanium-mesh scaffolds that promote faster and more effective bone regeneration. The study found that softer implants enhanced healing, with results applicable to various types of bone defects.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 19, 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.

Novel genomic tools provide new insight into human immune system

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identified a hitherto unknown precursor for a poorly understood subgroup of killer T cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed an unprecedented level of heterogeneity among immune cells, upending the traditional view of immune cells as unvarying entities.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·DateJan 19, 2018

Breakthrough study shows how plants sense the world

Researchers created the first network map for 200 plant sensing proteins, revealing unknown interactions and key proteins that act as master nodes. The map could lead to ways to increase plant resistance to pathogens, heat, drought, salinity, or cold shock.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2018

City lights setting traps for migrating birds

Researchers found that city lights in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia attract large densities of migratory birds, even from far away. This can lead to increased mortality risks from collisions with buildings, vehicles, and predators like domestic cats, as well as resource depletion.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 19, 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.

Beyond drugs for IBD: Improving the overall health of IBD patients

Research presented at the Crohn's & Colitis Congress provides guidance for physicians to enhance IBD patient care. Studies show that better management of anemia improves overall outcomes, while IBD patients need better understanding of CRC screening intervals.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 19, 2018

A nanophenomenon that triggers the bone-repair process

Scientists at ICN2 have found that bone's mineral component exhibits flexoelectricity, which triggers the bone repair process. This effect is localized to the tip of microfractures and signals to osteoblasts where damage needs repair.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 19, 2018

Length of opioid prescription spell highest risk for misuse after surgery

A new study published in The BMJ suggests that the duration of opioid treatment is a more potent predictor of abuse and overdose than dosage among patients with no history of recent or chronic opioid use. Longer treatment spells increase the risk of dependence, abuse, or overdose by up to 20% each additional week.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 19, 2018

New drugs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Researchers have made breakthroughs in IBD treatment with the approval of a new antibiotic and the use of Janus kinase inhibitors. These advancements aim to improve outcomes for patients who currently lack effective treatment options.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 19, 2018

Prescription drug labels provide scant dosing guidance for obese kids

A recent study found that none of the 89 approved pediatric drug products include dosing information for obese kids. Obesity affects how the body takes up medicine, where it retains it and how quickly it is excreted. More efforts are needed to provide safe dosing guidelines for children with obesity.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJan 19, 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.

Thorium reactors may dispose of enormous amounts of weapons-grade plutonium

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a technology to burn weapons-grade plutonium in high-temperature gas-cool low-power reactors, converting it into power and thermal energy. The process also enables the desalination of water, making it suitable for areas without large water bodies.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalAnnals of Nuclear Energy·DateJan 19, 2018

Scientists discover how treating eczema could also alleviate asthma

Researchers have discovered a potential new therapy for eczema that also reduces asthma severity, offering hope for effective treatments for both conditions. The study found that alleviating skin inflammation can significantly reduce asthma symptoms.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJan 19, 2018

Algorithm increases employment opportunities for refugees

A new algorithm developed by ETH Zurich and Stanford University aims to increase employment opportunities for refugees in Switzerland by up to 73%. By analyzing data on refugees' characteristics and labor market conditions, the algorithm provides a tailored recommendation for which canton each refugee is most likely to find work.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2018

Artificial agent designs quantum experiments

Researchers from Innsbruck and Vienna teams used artificial intelligence to design new quantum experiments, leveraging a projective simulation model and reinforcement learning. The AI-agent performed tens of thousands of experiments, discovering novel structures that could be tested in the lab.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 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.

Cells lacking nuclei struggle to move in 3-D environments

Researchers discovered that nuclei play a crucial role in cell movement, particularly in 3D environments. Cells lacking nuclei or disconnected from the cytoskeleton exhibit reduced mobility on soft surfaces and fail to move in three-dimensional matrices.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 19, 2018

Charge order and electron localization in a molecule-based solid

A team of scientists reports a Verwey-type charge ordering transition in Cs4O6, where molecular O2- entities form well-defined singly charged superoxide and doubly charged peroxide anions. The study sheds light on the mechanism of Verwey-type charge ordering phenomena in mixed-valence compounds.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 19, 2018

Hunting dogs as possible vectors for the infectious disease tularaemia

Researchers found seven percent of Austrian hunting dogs tested positive for the disease, highlighting a potential new vector for tularaemia transmission. The study suggests that asymptomatic dogs may pose an additional risk of infection for people.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·DateJan 19, 2018
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.