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Science News for July 27, 2018


Making love can make men sad too: QUT research

A world-first study by QUT researchers concludes that men can experience Postcoital Dysphoria (PCD), leading to feelings of sadness and irritability following sex. The study found that 41% of participants reported experiencing PCD in their lifetime, with 20% reporting it in the previous four weeks.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of Sex & Marital Therapy·DateJul 27, 2018

Russian scientists discovered a new mineral

Researchers at Ural Federal University have discovered a new mineral called uakitite, consisting of vanadium nitride. The crystal structure of the mineral was studied using electron diffraction techniques, allowing for its discovery and registration.

SourceUral Federal University·DateJul 27, 2018

Epithelial cells adopt a new geometric shape so that tissue can curve

Researchers discover epithelial cells can adopt a new geometric shape called scutoid, allowing tissues to curve and form complex organs. This finding has significant implications for understanding organ development and potentially treating diseases related to altered tissue curvature.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 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.

Portfolio diet lowers many risk factors for heart disease

Researchers found the portfolio diet reduces LDL cholesterol by 30%, as well as blood pressure, triglycerides, and inflammation, with a combined effect of 13% lower risk for coronary heart disease. The diet's four main components include nuts, plant protein, viscous soluble fibre, and plant sterols.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProgress in Cardiovascular Diseases·DateJul 27, 2018

Magnetic surgical cement heals spinal fractures, provides targeted drug delivery

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago developed a magnetic surgical cement that can guide nanoparticles to lesions near spinal fractures, providing targeted drug delivery. The technology has the potential to become a surgical option for patients with primary spinal column tumors or metastasizing tumors.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 27, 2018

UB research suggests how stimulant treatments for ADHD work

A new study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that stimulants like methylphenidate improve classroom behavior and performance by enhancing specific cognitive processes. The more medication helped kids hold and manipulate information in working memory, the greater the classroom benefit.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 27, 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.

Key to artery health lies in LYVE-1 macrophage

A team of researchers found that LYVE-1 macrophages protect arteries from becoming stiff by interacting with smooth muscle cells and reducing collagen production. The protein is responsible for binding to hyaluronan, facilitating the degradation of collagen.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalImmunity·DateJul 27, 2018

NASA sees the development of Tropical Storm Gilma

Tropical Storm Gilma formed on July 26 and strengthened into a storm by July 27, according to NASA's Terra satellite data. The storm is expected to weaken due to wind shear and cooler waters, potentially becoming a remnant low within 3 days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 27, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Dense breast notification and insurance legislation analysis

A study by Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute found that states with legislation requiring notification of patients about breast density issues saw a significant increase in the use of ultrasound imaging after mammography, suggesting improved cancer detection rates.

SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalMedical Care·DateJul 27, 2018

Cost of flood losses in Maritimes could increase by up to 300 percent

A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that flood losses in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area could increase by up to 300% if steps are not taken to address climate change. The study suggests that governments need to plan for rare but high-impact flood events and warn citizens about growing flood risks.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalGeoenvironmental Disasters·DateJul 27, 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.

Medical errors in the emergency room: Understanding why

A study published in De Gruyter's Journal Diagnosis found that doctors in emergency departments with trainees make similar types of errors as admitted patients, primarily due to information processing issues. Patients with abdominal complaints are particularly vulnerable to these errors.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalDiagnosis·DateJul 27, 2018

Can pollution alter wildlife behavior?

New studies demonstrate that chemical exposure can alter animal behaviour, impacting food chains. Researchers designed experiments using amphipods to investigate effects of tank size and shape on exploratory behaviours, finding variations between species in response to light stimuli.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 27, 2018

55- to 70-year-old women and men with prediabetes get stronger bones with football training

A new study found that twice-weekly one-hour football training sessions combined with dietary guidance significantly improved bone health in untrained 55-70-year-olds with prediabetes. After 16 weeks, the participants showed marked improvements in clinically important sites, including a 3.2% increase in femoral neck bone mineral content.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateJul 27, 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.

Bielefeld sociologist awarded EU science prize

Minh Nguyen, a Bielefeld University sociologist, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant to study the welfare systems of China and Vietnam. Her research aims to understand how global factories impact the lives of migrant workers in these countries.

SourceBielefeld University·DateJul 27, 2018

Cooking oil coating prevents bacteria from growing on food processing equipment

Researchers at U of T Engineering propose a simple and effective way to minimize food contamination by trapping cooking oil in microscopic scrapes and cracks. The method results in a 1,000x reduction in bacterial levels, making it a safer alternative to harsh chemicals and disinfectants.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 27, 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.

Are caries linked to political regime?

A study analyzed 62 countries' DMTF Index scores, finding that those under Social Democratic and Liberal regimes had lower rates of tooth decay compared to Conservative and Dictatorial regimes. The researchers suggested creating new typologies to better characterize the relationship between political systems and oral health indicators.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 27, 2018

Scientists discover neurodegenerative disease in monkeys

Researchers at OHSU have discovered a naturally occurring neurodegenerative disease in monkeys that mimics Batten disease, a fatal childhood disorder. The study confirms the CLN7 gene mutation and provides a promising model for developing new gene therapies.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·DateJul 27, 2018

Queen Mary researcher recognized for influential contributions to dental research

Cynthia Pine, a renowned researcher at Queen Mary University of London, has received the IADR E.W. Borrow Memorial Award for her groundbreaking work on preventing childhood dental caries. Her research focuses on promoting oral health in disadvantaged communities and developing interventions to improve parents' key dental health behaviors.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateJul 27, 2018

NASA's TESS spacecraft starts science operations

TESS starts its search for planets, monitoring the nearest and brightest stars for periodic dips in their light, which suggest a planet may be passing in front of its star. The mission aims to discover thousands of exoplanets, some potentially supporting life.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 27, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Susceptible genes identified for childhood chronic kidney disease

Researchers have identified a group of genes strongly related to childhood nephrotic syndrome, an incurable disease with unknown cause. The study found that specific HLA haplotypes are associated with an increased risk of developing the condition.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 27, 2018

New algorithm could help find new physics

A new algorithm developed by University of Illinois researchers enables condensed matter physicists to find interesting properties in materials. The algorithm starts with the desired type of physics and works backward to generate Hamiltonians, which can predict or explain material behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJul 27, 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.

Novel genome-wide association study risk loci for nonsyndromic orofacial clefts

A genome-wide association study identified novel risk loci for non-syndromic orofacial clefts in an African population, refining the genetic architecture of the condition. The study also revealed new genetic associations with cleft lip and palate sub-phenotypes.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 27, 2018

Deglacial changes in western Atlantic Ocean circulation

Researchers analyzed ocean sediments to understand Atlantic Ocean circulation changes, finding two episodes of ice melting linked to slow-downs in ocean circulation. The findings have implications for future long-term changes in Earth systems with global climate change.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 2018

Obstacles limiting the preservation of global heritage by UNESCO revealed

A Kanazawa University researcher identifies features limiting UNESCO's Memory of the World program, focusing on disagreement between China and Japan over Nanjing Massacre documents. The professor proposes alleviating tension through state participation and transparency in the nomination process.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalContemporary Politics·DateJul 27, 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.

Benjamin Fingerhut receives the ERC Starting Grant

Benjamin Fingerhut, a junior group leader at the Max Born Institute, has been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant to study ultrafast biomolecular dynamics. The project aims to elucidate fundamental processes in biological systems using innovative non-adiabatic approaches.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·DateJul 27, 2018

Luxembourgish researchers predict cell conversion factors

Researchers developed a computational method to accurately predict cell subpopulation conversions, enabling potential applications in regenerative medicine. The platform, TransSyn, identifies subtle genetic differences between cell subtypes, allowing for targeted gene expression alteration and cell reprogramming.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 2018

Genetic basis of heart rhythms explored in large population study

Researchers discovered 44 chromosomal regions linked to abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation and heart block. The study's findings could lead to better treatments and a greater understanding of the heart's electrical activity.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 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.

The best spies in the skies analyze Mellaria

The Upper Guadiato Archaeological Ager Mellariensis project has analyzed 49 km2 of the territory containing ancient Roman city Mellaria using the COSMO-SkyMed constellation. The satellite technology has revealed invisible moist and floodable areas, groundwater flow, and lost medieval roads.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalArchaeological Prospection·DateJul 27, 2018

Why US universities need better policies against workplace bullying

A new study found that US universities lack effective policies against workplace bullying, with most faculty codes of conduct failing to address the issue. The authors argue that policies can be crafted to balance First Amendment rights with the need to protect employees from a hostile work environment.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalFirst Amendment Studies·DateJul 27, 2018

UMass Amherst Astronomer heading to Chile on 'astronomical pilgrimmage'

Astronomer Daniel Wang will collaborate with Jorge Cuadra in Chile to study the massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, aiming to understand its interactions with the galactic ecosystem. This research has significant implications for our understanding of galaxy-wide properties and astrophysical processes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateJul 27, 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.

Scientists create 'impossible' materials in simple way

Researchers successfully created nitrides, a previously considered impossible material, using a direct synthesis method under ultra-high pressure. The development of these materials could lead to improved cutting tools and innovative applications in electronics.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 2018