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Science News for March 2, 2018


Do racial and gender disparities exist in newer glaucoma treatments?

A new IRIS Registry-powered study explores racial and gender outcomes with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, aiming to increase quality care for diverse patient groups. The research seeks to assess the real-world demographic differences in MIGS use, safety, and effectiveness.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·DateMar 2, 2018

Simplifying samples

Researchers at Washington University developed a novel, low-cost technique to preserve blood and urine samples without refrigeration. The method uses nanoporous materials to protect protein biomarkers, maintaining 95% purity and enabling efficient transportation and analysis.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateMar 2, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research showed better survival outcomes in one type of heart failure

A joint 7-year cohort study of 2039 patients in Singapore and New Zealand found that heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have better survival rates and outcomes compared to those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The study provides greater accuracy about the risk of dying from heart failure.

SourceNational University Health System·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMar 2, 2018

New method identifies splicing biomarkers for liver cancer

Researchers have developed a method to identify splicing-based biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. These biomarkers may help predict disease progression and are associated with poor patient survival.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Research·DateMar 2, 2018

New Emmy-Noether group in theoretical chemistry

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum aim to optimize the Density Matrix Renormalization Group method to predict properties of complex molecules. The goal is to tailor molecules for specific applications, enabling more accurate simulations and cost-effective synthesis.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateMar 2, 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.

How the brain makes predictions

Research by Professor Yee Lee Shing investigates how brain predicts environment, using EU-funded grant to explore internal models and cognitive processes. Long-term goal is to better understand clinical conditions like autism and schizophrenia.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·DateMar 2, 2018

Student-led depression awareness program boosts teens' understanding and help-seeking

A new study from the University of Michigan Depression Center finds that a student-led depression awareness program significantly boosts knowledge and attitudes among high school students. The manual for the program, called Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program (P2P), is now available online for schools to use.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateMar 2, 2018

Enrichment program boosts STEM for black students but leaves Latinos behind

A study by Cornell sociologists found that MESA, a widely-established enrichment program, improved black students' high school STEM engagement but had little impact on Latino students' aspiration to major in a STEM field in college. The researchers suggest tying enrichment programs with social connections to amplify positive effects.

SourceCornell University·JournalResearch in Higher Education·DateMar 2, 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.

St. Michael's Hospital cardiology team reports a world first

The Pascal system uses a spacer to fill the gap between leaflets and clamp them onto the spacer, tailored for patients with complex anatomy. The procedure has shown improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations for patients with tricuspid regurgitation, affecting about 5% of people over age 75.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateMar 2, 2018

Bubbles of life from the past

Researchers discovered 1.6 billion-year-old fossilized oxygen bubbles trapped in microbial mats, providing a signature for life. These ancient bubbles were created by cyanobacteria through photosynthesis and suggest a larger role for these microbes in shaping the Earth's ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalGeobiology·DateMar 2, 2018

Antibiotics may impact cancer treatment efficacy

Researchers found that antibiotics can hinder the efficacy of some cancer treatments, particularly adoptive T-cell therapy, by impacting the gut microbiota. However, CAR T-cell therapy appears to be less affected by antibiotic use.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateMar 2, 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.

Mapping nanoscale chemical reactions inside batteries in 3-D

Scientists at University of Illinois Chicago and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a technique to pinpoint chemical reactions inside lithium-ion batteries. This allows them to understand how batteries operate and identify ways to optimize performance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2018

Virus-like particle could lead to new cancer vaccine

Researchers at Michigan State University are developing a new cancer vaccine using the virus-like particle Qβ, which generates anti-cancer immune responses. The vaccine aims to protect animals against cancerous cells and could translate to human use for spontaneously occurring cancers.

SourceMichigan State University·DateMar 2, 2018

The Lancet Planetary Heatlh: Globally, costs of the Paris Climate Agreement could be outweighed by health savings from reducing air pollution

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that implementing the Paris Climate Agreement could lead to significant health savings due to reduced air pollution-related disease and death. Estimated costs range from 0.5-1% global GDP, while potential health benefits could be as high as 2.5 times greater than these costs.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateMar 2, 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.

Mining hardware helps scientists gain insight into silicon nanoparticles

Researchers created a 3D dynamic model of light-nanoparticle interactions using mining hardware, showing particles lose symmetry and optical properties become heterogeneous when exposed to short intense laser pulses. This finding could enable control of light on a nanoscale for ultrafast information processing devices.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMar 2, 2018

Dual frequency comb generated on a single chip using a single laser

Researchers miniaturized dual-frequency combs on a single chip using a single laser, enabling real-time sensing and spectroscopy in field environments. The device can detect a broad range of chemicals with high precision, paving the way for commercialization in the future.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 2, 2018

Deeper look at biopsy exposes mutation ready to ambush drug combination

Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered a rare pre-existing mutation in PIK3CA that causes rapid drug resistance in melanoma patients. The study found that this mutation was present in the tumor before treatment and rapidly expanded after treatment, leading to swift disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Discovery·DateMar 2, 2018

Vertical measurements of air pollutants in urban Beijing

Researchers used a container to measure light extinction coefficients, gaseous NO2, and black carbon from ground surface to 260m during daytime and nighttime. The study found temperature inversion and local emissions as major factors affecting vertical profiles of air pollutants.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateMar 2, 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.

Spring is springing earlier in polar regions than across the rest of earth

A recent study found that polar regions are experiencing earlier springs, with advances of up to 16 days earlier than a decade ago. This is attributed to rapid springtime warming at higher latitudes, which has significant implications for migratory bird species and their habitats.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2018

Thawing permafrost causing the 'browning' of northern lakes

Researchers found that thawing permafrost is increasing the concentration of organic matter in Arctic and subarctic ponds. This leads to oxygen depletion and cooler water at the bottom of the ponds, impacting microbial activity and greenhouse gas production.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·DateMar 2, 2018

Want more efficient simulators? Store time in a quantum superposition

Researchers propose storing time in a quantum superposition to reduce memory requirements for classical computer simulations. This allows for more efficient modeling of processes like traffic flow and neural firing without sacrificing predictive accuracy.

SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateMar 2, 2018

Previously unknown 'supercolony' of Adélie penguins discovered in Antarctica

A new study led by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has discovered a supercolony of over 1.5 million Adélie penguins in the Danger Islands, off the Antarctic Peninsula's northern tip. The population appears to be resilient to climate change, providing valuable insights for future monitoring and conservation eff...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 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.

New study: Snowpack levels show dramatic decline in western states

A new study found that snowpack levels in the western United States have declined by 15-30% since 1915, with a significant impact on water storage and usage. The loss of water storage is comparable to Lake Mead, the West's largest manmade reservoir.

SourceOregon State University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateMar 2, 2018

Backyard chickens need more regulation

A recent UC Davis study suggests that local ordinances for backyard poultry are inadequate, with laws not keeping pace with those for commercial growers. The study recommends stronger regulations on vaccinations, manure management, and general animal welfare in urban settings.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Community Health·DateMar 2, 2018

New UTSA lab addresses pediatric feeding disorders

The UTSA lab conducts behavioral assessments and studies food preferences, finding that children with autism commonly reject vegetables and fruits while preferring high-carbohydrate foods. Researchers develop evidence-based practices to help health providers and parents address feeding challenges and promote healthier diets.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalReview Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMar 2, 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.

Study shows improving pediatric asthma care is possible

A new study published in Hospital Pediatrics shows that improved pediatric asthma care can be achieved through the use of personalized inpatient assessments and streamlined patient care decision tools. The study found that clinicians who used these tools had a significant improvement in the accuracy of prescribed medication, with an in...

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateMar 2, 2018

JHU scientists discover how extremophiles flourish in stressful environments

Researchers discovered that small noncoding RNAs orchestrate the resilience of Haloarchaea to oxidative stress by degrading messenger RNA and silencing transposons. This finding could lead to a better understanding of how other species, like humans, resist damage from oxidative stress.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateMar 2, 2018

Unprecedentedly wide and sharp dark matter map

A team of researchers has created a comprehensive dark matter map, indicating inconsistent halos with the standard cosmological model. The findings could hold new clues to understanding the accelerating expansion of the Universe.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateMar 2, 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.

Fossilized plant leaf wax provides new tool for understanding ancient climates

Researchers have developed a new method to estimate ancient atmospheric water content based on fossil plant leaf waxes, which can help predict future climate changes. By studying the chemistry of these compounds in soils and sediments, scientists can reconstruct past climates and test their understanding of global warming.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2018

Capturing the balance of nature

A study spanning twelve years reveals that natural ecological communities are dynamic and influenced by species diversity and interactions. The researchers developed a method to calculate the fluctuating stability of a natural ecological community in Maizuru Bay, providing new methodologies for ecological and population research.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateMar 2, 2018

Sedative may prevent delirium in the ICU

Researchers found that a low dose of dexmedetomidine at night significantly reduced the incidence of delirium and prolonged free periods without delirium in ICU patients. Additionally, patients receiving dexmedetomidine were less likely to experience severe pain if they were in pain, but sleep quality showed no significant improvement.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 2, 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.

Scientists use satellites and drones to discover Antarctic penguin 'super-colonies'

A recent expedition using satellite imagery and quadcopter-based aerial photography revealed the Danger Islands have over 751,527 pairs of Adélie penguins, making them the third and fourth largest colonies worldwide. The discovery sheds light on how climate change affects this species, with potential implications for conservation efforts.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2018

Two-year study of gun policy research finds gaps, proposes fixes

A two-year study by RAND Corporation found persuasive evidence for child access prevention laws and moderate evidence for background checks and mental illness-related prohibitions. The study identified gaps in evidence for most gun laws, but suggests areas for compromise and increased funding for gun research.

SourceRAND Corporation·DateMar 2, 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.

3-D-written model to provide better understanding of cancer spread

Researchers at Purdue University have created a lifelike cancer environment using polymer to better understand how drugs can stop its course. The 3D jet writer device produces polymer microtissues with pore sizes large enough for cells to enter, enabling the simulation of metastasis in mice.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 2, 2018

Study in six countries identifies groups that are vulnerable to severe mental illness

A study of six countries found that young men, ethnic minorities, and people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are more likely to experience first-episode psychosis. The study also showed that environmental factors play a crucial role in the variation of incidence rates across urban and rural areas.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMar 2, 2018