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Science News for November 16, 2018


Treated superalloys demonstrate unprecedented heat resistance

Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory discovered a way to make superalloys more resistant to heat-related failures, allowing them to withstand high temperatures six times longer than untreated counterparts. This breakthrough could improve materials performance in electricity generators and nuclear reactors.

SourceDOE/Idaho National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 16, 2018

New materials: Growing polymer pelts

Scientists at KIT have developed a simple and cost-effective method to create customized polymer nanofibers through vapor deposition of liquid crystal layers with reactive molecules. This process enables the creation of complex structures with tailored properties for various applications, including biological detectors and coatings.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2018

Sucking your baby's pacifier may benefit their health

A Henry Ford Health System study found that babies whose parents cleaned their pacifiers with saliva had lower levels of IgE antibodies, associated with allergies and asthma. The researchers believe healthy oral bacteria may be passed from parents to their children, influencing immune system development.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateNov 16, 2018

Milk allergy affects half of US food-allergic kids under age 1

A new study reveals that over two percent of U.S. children under the age of 5 have a milk allergy, and 53% of food-allergic infants under age 1 have a cow's milk allergy. The number of children with milk allergies decreases as they grow older, with 41% of 1-2-year-olds, 34% of 3-5-year-olds, and 15% of 11-17-year-olds.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 16, 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.

Majority of HIV persistence during ART due to infected cell proliferation

A study published in Nature Communications confirms that HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is driven by the proliferation of infected cells, rather than viral replication. This finding suggests that reducing cellular proliferation could help deplete the latent HIV reservoir and potentially lead to a functional cure.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2018

Study links social isolation to higher risk of death

A large American Cancer Society study found that social isolation is linked to a higher risk of death from all causes combined and heart disease, with increased cancer mortality in white men and women. Addressing social isolation holds promise as it could be relatively simple and influence other risk factors.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateNov 16, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How to make AI less biased

Researchers identify potential causes of bias in machine learning systems and demonstrate how changing data collection methods can reduce bias without compromising accuracy. They suggest identifying clusters of patients with high disparities in accuracy to inform data collection decisions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, CSAIL·DateNov 16, 2018

Eyeing echidnas

Harvard researchers create highly-detailed musculoskeletal model of an echidna forelimb to gain insight into its biomechanics and optimize limb leverage for certain movements. The study also reveals the importance of muscle configuration in supporting limb rotation, a key feature of the echidna's sprawling gait.

SourceHarvard University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateNov 16, 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.

The common ancestor of species was rod-shaped

The study found that the common ancestor of Deinococcus species was rod-shaped, with six conserved genes (MreB, MreC, MreD, MrdA, RodA, and RodZ) present in all rod-shaped species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that major gene loss occurred four times during evolution, generating spherical shape species.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Bioinformatics Journal·DateNov 16, 2018

Color coded -- matching taste with color

Penn State researchers found that people can learn to associate colors with tastes and that some people are quicker learners than others. They also discovered that different bitter compounds have distinct taste profiles, which may explain why people enjoy some bitter flavors but not others.

SourcePenn State·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateNov 16, 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.

Drug resistant infections associated with higher in-hospital mortality rates in India

Researchers found that patients infected with multi-drug resistant and extensively drug resistant bacterial infections, especially Gram-negative infections, had significantly higher mortality rates. The study highlights the urgent need for increased surveillance, research, and antimicrobial stewardship efforts worldwide.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateNov 16, 2018

UCLA cell study reveals how head injuries lead to serious brain diseases

A UCLA cell study has discovered the impact of head injuries on individual cells and genes, leading to serious brain disorders. The researchers found that hundreds of genes are adversely affected by mild traumatic brain injury, which can later lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2018

Review on dynamical downscaling methods

Dynamical downscaling methods aim to improve fine-scale climate information by integrating regional climate models with global climate models. Recent research reviewed these methods, highlighting their merits and limitations in constraining model biases through bias correction techniques.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateNov 16, 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.

Artificial intelligence predicts treatment effectiveness

Researchers developed a new AI method to evaluate treatment effectiveness in individual patients. The method uses causal Bayesian networks and was applied to obstructive sleep apnea treatment, showing reduced mortality rates by 5%.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalHealthcare Informatics Research·DateNov 16, 2018

Gene editing possible for kidney disease

Scientists at Newcastle University have identified a gene editing method to stop kidney damage in patients with Joubert syndrome, a genetic condition causing brain and kidney issues. The 'exon-skipping' technique may lead to personalized therapies for inherited kidney diseases.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2018

Your severe eczema may best be treated by allergy shots

A medically challenging case presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that allergy shots provided significant benefits to a patient with severe eczema. The treatment successfully reduced the need for high-dose steroid therapy and improved symptoms such as itching and dry skin.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 16, 2018

The keys to advancing research in family medicine

Researchers identified eight departments that regularly produce authoritative and relevant research in family medicine, citing leadership commitment, team-based approach, convergence of researchers and clinicians, and departmental culture as crucial factors. The findings suggest collaborations between the College of Medicine and other ...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFamily Practice·DateNov 16, 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 research suggests language influences how consumers trust a brand

Researchers found that variations in tone of language used in advertising biased attitudes toward a brand, decreasing consumer trust. The level of politeness was most important, with more polite taglines leading to lower trust in ethically ambiguous business practices.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateNov 16, 2018

New research uncovers the predatory behavior of Florida's skull-collecting ant

A new study reveals that Florida's Formica archboldi ant uses chemical mimicry to hunt trap-jaw ants, with cuticular hydrocarbon profiles matching native species. The research expands knowledge of an important insect chemical phenotype and provides insights into the evolution of chemical diversification.

SourceNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences·JournalInsectes Sociaux·DateNov 16, 2018

Sarcopenic obesity: The ignored phenotype

Sarcopenic obesity is a phenotype characterized by both sarcopenia and obesity, causing significant health concerns. Professor Marwan El Ghoch emphasizes the need for further research to define and manage this condition.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Nutrition Journal·DateNov 16, 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.

Overflowing crater lakes carved canyons across Mars

New research found that overflowing crater lakes on Mars carved canyons rapidly, possibly in weeks, using high-resolution satellite images. This process likely played a major role in shaping Mars' surface without plate tectonics.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeology·DateNov 16, 2018

Smart data enhances atomic force microscopy

A team at University of Washington demonstrates an innovative approach to bridge AFM and big data, offering better spatial resolution and accuracy. By using sequential excitation strategy, they deduce physical insight from PCA data and speed up analysis by orders of magnitude.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 16, 2018

Playing high school football changes the teenage brain

A study found significant changes in grey matter structure and deep brain structures after a season of high school football, which may lead to long-term cognitive decline and neurological disorders. The researchers used MRI scans to examine brain microstructure and correlation with head impacts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·DateNov 16, 2018
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Affordable catalyst for CO2 recycling

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new catalyst using mineral pentlandite to convert carbon dioxide into valuable source materials. The catalyst's stability and ability to produce synthetic gas mixtures make it a promising approach to combat climate change.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemical Science·DateNov 16, 2018

The Coulomb interaction in van der Waals heterostructures

Researchers studied electronic structures of van der Waals heterostructures under applied vertical electric field, revealing Coulomb interaction's impact on bandedges. This nonlinear variation is attributed to interlayer charge transfer, essential for nanoelectronic device applications.

SourceScience China Press·DateNov 16, 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.

The engineering work of ants can influence paleoclimatic studies

Researchers found that ants select medium-sized soil grains with quartz over feldspar for their structures, potentially altering palaeoclimatic data. This study highlights the importance of considering bioturbatory action in paleontological analyses.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalCATENA·DateNov 16, 2018

Scientists produce 3D chemical maps of single bacteria

Researchers at NSLS-II produce 3D images of a single bacterial cell's chemical composition, identifying calcium and zinc distributions. The technique demonstrates high-resolution imaging capabilities for understanding cellular processes and developing medical treatments.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 16, 2018

Channels for the supply of energy

The study reveals that TIM chaperone proteins facilitate the transport of channel and transporter proteins across the outer mitochondrial membrane. The ring-shaped chaperones have six water-repellent brackets to prevent protein aggregation, a common cause of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCell·DateNov 16, 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.

New research provides guidance on how to successfully motivate California's Medicaid population to quit smoking

Researchers found that supplementing telephone counseling with access to nicotine-replacement patches and moderate financial incentives significantly improves smoking cessation outcomes in the Medi-Cal population. The study also suggests that modest financial incentives can be an effective intervention for low-income populations.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 16, 2018

Identification of LZTR1 leads to novel insights into RAS-driven diseases

Researchers found LZTR1 contributes to human diseases by acting as part of ubiquitin ligase complex that mediates conjugation of ubiquitin to RAS proteins, reducing its activation and downstream signalling. This discovery may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for RAS-driven diseases.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2018

Sucking your baby's pacifier to clean it may prevent allergies

A study of 128 mothers found that children whose parents sucked on their pacifiers had lower IgE levels, indicating a reduced risk of allergies. The effect was most pronounced between 10-18 months of age and may be due to the transfer of beneficial microbes.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 16, 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.

Vine compound starves cancer cells

Researchers have discovered a new compound, ancistrolikokine E3, from a Congolese rainforest vine that effectively targets and kills pancreatic cancer cells. The compound inhibits the Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy pathway, leading to dramatic changes in cell morphology and preventing metastasis formation.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Natural Products·DateNov 16, 2018

Caregiver's poor knowledge of asthma means longer hospital stay for child

Children of caregivers with poor asthma knowledge were four times more likely to have a prolonged hospital stay, according to new research. The study found that caregivers who received education on asthma management and inhaler technique showed significant improvements in their knowledge and ability to care for their child.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 16, 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.

Establishment of the immortalized cell line derived from Okinawa rail (endangered species)

Researchers successfully established an immortalized cell line derived from the critically endangered Okinawa rail. The use of the K4DT method, which involves co-expressing mutant CDK4, Cyclin D, and TERT genes, significantly extended cellular division and immortalization in avian cells. This breakthrough paves the way for further func...

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalJournal of Cellular Physiology·DateNov 16, 2018

Eleven seal species narrowly escaped extinction

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that eleven seal species narrowly escaped extinction, with most surviving strong population declines. However, four species, including the northern elephant seal and Mediterranean monk seal, suffered severe genetic loss due to overhunting.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2018

Youth dating violence shaped by parents' conflict-handling views, study finds

A recent study led by University of Illinois social work professor Rachel Garthe found that parents' conflict-handling views play a significant role in shaping their children's behavior. The study surveyed over 1,000 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students about their parents' views on handling conflicts. Results show that students ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Adolescence·DateNov 16, 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.

A new lead on a 50-year-old radiation damage mystery

A simulation by researchers at the University of Michigan and others revealed that shockwaves can create loops in iron, which can strengthen or weaken steel depending on their placement. The discovery could help engineers design better radiation-resistant steel for reactors and potentially lead to stronger steel overall.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2018

Researchers launch website on firearm deaths & injuries among children

A new website aims to change the equation on death and trauma from firearms among young people by sharing what's known about guns and people under age 19. The site offers a trove of data and training for health care providers, researchers, and others to tackle the prevention of youth firearm injuries as a public health issue.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateNov 16, 2018

Communal rearing gives mice a competitive edge

Researchers found that communal-reared males were more competitive towards unrelated males and displayed higher exploratory tendencies. These traits are advantageous in a high-density population or when dispersing from the natal territory.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 16, 2018

Space-inspired speed breeding for crop improvement

Scientists at John Innes Centre and University of Queensland have improved space-inspired speed breeding technique to breed disease-resistant, climate-resilient crops. By using enhanced LED lighting and day-long regimes, they can grow six generations of wheat per year, compared to two generations using traditional breeding methods.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Protocols·DateNov 16, 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.

NASA catches Tropical Cyclone Gaja's landfall

Tropical Cyclone Gaja made landfall along southeastern India's coast as it passed overhead the NASA Aqua satellite, providing temperature information. The AIRS instrument detected coldest cloud top temperatures of minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit near the center, indicating a storm capable of heavy rainfall

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 16, 2018

Cells decide when to divide based on their internal clocks

A new study reveals that cells decide when to divide based on their internal clocks, with the time of day having a stronger influence than previously thought. The circadian clock continuously influences cell division throughout the day and night, fine-tuning the process by decreasing or accelerating division at different times.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2018

Long-term exposure to road traffic noise may increase the risk of obesity

A new study has found a significant association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the risk of obesity. The research, published in Environment International, involved 3796 adults who took part in the Swiss SAPALDIA cohort study and had attended at least two follow-up visits between 2001 and 2011.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateNov 16, 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.

Selling plants on Amazon: A forest of untapped opportunity

A recent study by Kansas State University found that only a small percentage of horticultural businesses are selling live plants online through platforms like Amazon. The study highlights the challenges faced by these businesses, including strict seller requirements and cost-prohibitive fees.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateNov 16, 2018

Will your epinephrine auto injector still work if it gets frozen?

A recent study published at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that epinephrine auto injectors (EAIs) can still function properly even if they are unintentionally frozen. Researchers tested 104 devices and found no significant difference in weight changes before and after freezing.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 16, 2018

Controlling organ growth with light

Scientists in EMBL's De Renzis group use optogenetics to steer the shape transitions of embryonic tissues, controlling a crucial step in development. This technique allows them to inhibit abnormalities and provide new insights into tissue invagination.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateNov 16, 2018

Earthquake researchers finalists for supercomputing prize

Researchers from the University of Tokyo developed an AI-powered simulation that accurately models earthquake physics in urban centers, achieving a fourfold increase in speed. The new code adapts to precision needs and reduces computational power, enabling more efficient disaster response.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·DateNov 16, 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.

Human pharmaceuticals change cricket personality

A study by researchers at Linköping University found that human pharmaceuticals altering serotonin levels change cricket activity and aggression. Crickets exposed to these drugs showed decreased activity and aggression compared to those with no exposure.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 16, 2018

Dodging antibiotic resistance by curbing bacterial evolution

Researchers found DNA translocase Mfd accelerates mutations in bacteria, promoting antibiotic resistance. A new class of anti-evolution drugs targeting Mfd could complement existing antimicrobials and address the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 16, 2018