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Science News Archive September 2018 - Page 30


Page 30 of 37

Family genetics vital for understanding autism progression

A new study finds that individuals with a disease-associated mutation can have vastly different symptoms due to the total amount of rare mutations in their genome. The researchers discovered a correlation between the number of mutations and cognitive development, IQ scores, and head size.

SourcePenn State·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateSep 7, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists developing new blood test to screen for secondary heart attack

Scientists at Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute have identified plasma lipid biomarkers that improve upon traditional risk factors in predicting heart disease and stroke. The new blood test will use up to ten lipid markers to better diagnose heart disease, reclassifying patient risk and guiding treatment.

SourceBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute·JournalJCI Insight·DateSep 7, 2018

Galactic 'wind' stifling star formation is most distant yet seen

For the first time, researchers have observed a powerful 'galactic wind' of molecules in a galaxy 12 billion light-years away, providing insights into how early galaxies regulated their growth. The wind was detected in a galaxy called SPT2319-55, which is more than 1 billion years old.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2018

Study examines pros and cons of hydropower

A new study reveals that hydropower relicensing often overlooks key issues, such as restoring natural river conditions without significant economic penalties. The research highlights opportunities to reduce negative impacts while considering the carbon-emissions cost of reduced hydropower.

SourceWiley·JournalRiver Research and Applications·DateSep 6, 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.

A first step toward cracking the genetics of strabismus

A rare genetic variant in an intron of the WRB gene, located on chromosome 21, has been identified as a potential contributor to common childhood strabismus. The study involved 1,200 US patients and found that patients with this variant were more likely to have inherited it from their father.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateSep 6, 2018

What Anglo Saxon teeth can tell us about modern health

Researchers from the University of Bradford analyzed Anglo Saxon children's milk teeth to identify modern children at risk for conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The study found that teeth provide a more reliable indicator of diet and health than bones, revealing biomarkers for stress in early life.

SourceUniversity of Bradford·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateSep 6, 2018

Rapid weight gain during infancy possible risk factor for later obesity in kids with autism

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that rapid weight gain during infancy may be a risk factor for later obesity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mothers who experienced pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity were more likely to have a child with overweight or obesity at ages 2-5.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalAutism·DateSep 6, 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.

Researchers use silicon nanoparticles for enhancing solar cells efficiency

Scientists at ITMO University have developed a new material using silicon nanoparticles to improve perovskite solar cells' efficiency. The nanoparticles trap light of various wavelengths near the cell's active layer, maintaining stability and increasing absorption. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and stable solar cells.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateSep 6, 2018

Could AI robots develop prejudice on their own?

Computer simulations show that autonomous machines can form prejudicial groups by copying each other's behavior, indicating a non-human phenomenon of discrimination. The findings suggest that AI developments could inadvertently perpetuate prejudice, highlighting the need for awareness and responsible AI design.

SourceCardiff University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 6, 2018

Smoking linked to higher dementia risk

A nationwide health claims analysis from Korea found smoking increases dementia risk, while quitting reduces it by up to 32%. Long-term quitters had a 14% lower risk of dementia compared to continual smokers, while never smokers had an 18% reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateSep 6, 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.

New diagnostic tool for complex cancer cases

Researchers created a new diagnostic tool using advanced analyses to identify tumors with unknown origins. The tool helped diagnose a metastasis of melanoma residing in the lung, leading to effective treatment with BRAF inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJCO Precision Oncology·DateSep 6, 2018

Understanding family involvement in Chinese immigrant women's health and healthcare

A study by Northwestern University researchers explored the attitudes and beliefs of Chinese immigrant women regarding their children's and spouse's involvement in their health and healthcare. The findings suggest opportunities for culturally tailored interventions to improve these women's health outcomes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHealth Equity·DateSep 6, 2018

How ungulates learn to surf the 'green waves' of forage

Researchers found that migratory ungulates develop and persist migration behaviors through social learning of local knowledge. Reintroduced populations showed better green-surfing ability over time, demonstrating the importance of cultural transmission in these nomadic mammals.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 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.

Study: Adding power choices reduces cost and risk of carbon-free electricity

A new study by MIT researchers reveals that using a mix of fuel-saving, flexible, and highly reliable sources is key to building a cost-effective and reliable zero-carbon electricity system. The study found that pairing low-carbon sources with steady carbon-free resources can reduce costs by up to 62% compared to relying on wind, solar...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJoule·DateSep 6, 2018

Synthetic DNA vaccine effective against influenza A virus subtype

A synthetic DNA vaccine has been shown to produce broad immune responses against diverse H3N2 viruses, which have led to high morbidity and mortality in recent years. The vaccine was found to be more effective than traditional vaccines in protecting mice from lethal influenza A infection.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateSep 6, 2018

Predict the onset and course of Huntington's disease

A research team at Max Delbrück Center identified tiny huntingtin protein fibers that precede larger deposits in Huntington's disease, enabling prediction of disease onset months in advance. These findings hold promise for diagnosis and potential new treatments by testing pharmaceutical substances against the fibers' harmful activity.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 6, 2018

Visceral leishmaniasis on the rise in Brazil, study finds

The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis increased by 52.9% in Brazil between 1990 and 2016, while the disability-adjusted life years increased by 83.6%. Regional variations were observed, with rates rising in the Northeast and Southeast but decreasing in the Northern states.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateSep 6, 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.

Patient-friendly and accurate

Researchers developed an imaging signature to detect subclinical cardiac injury in lupus patients, revealing inflammation as the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. The new diagnostic method using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) improves detection and monitoring of heart involvement without radiation or contrast agents.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateSep 6, 2018

Invasive pines fueled 2017 fires in Knysna, South Africa

A recent study found that invasive pine trees significantly increased the severity of the 2017 Knysna wildfires by trebling fuel loads. The study also showed that climate change exacerbated the fire's impact due to a prolonged drought period, and warned that similar conditions will occur again in the future.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalFire Ecology·DateSep 6, 2018

US housing subsidy may improve adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'

A US housing subsidy program may reduce adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'. The study analyzed 2829 adolescents and found a harmful effect of treatment on boys' binge drinking. The reasons for the gender difference are unclear, but further research is needed to uncover the exact mechanisms.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·DateSep 6, 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.

Longer daily fasting times improve health and longevity in mice

A new study found that longer daily fasting times improved health and longevity in male mice, with benefits seen across different diets and calorie consumption levels. The researchers also discovered that extended fasting periods enabled repair and maintenance mechanisms, which may help prevent age-related metabolic disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 6, 2018

Why leaf-eating Asian monkeys do not have a sweet tooth

A genetic study reveals that Asian colobine monkeys have a poor sense of taste, particularly in regards to natural sugars. This is attributed to their diet consisting mainly of leaves, which are easily digestible and fibre-rich, rather than energy-rich fruits containing simple sugars.

SourceSpringer·JournalPrimates·DateSep 6, 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.

Building a better brain-in-a-dish, faster and cheaper

UC San Diego researchers develop rapid and cost-effective method to create human cortical organoids directly from primary cells. The new protocol enables large-scale production of brain organoids, which can be used to better understand human brain function and develop treatments for neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateSep 6, 2018

Protection for the ozone layer: sugar molecules bind harmful CFCs

Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences have made a breakthrough in binding the highly ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon Freon 11. They discovered that modified cyclic sugar molecules can effectively adsorb and detect Freon 11, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalGlobal Challenges·DateSep 6, 2018

Conditional release programs often work for criminally insane

Researchers found that conditional release programs often work for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity, with 66% maintaining their release and only 1 out of 81 having a new non-violent offense. The HCR-20 tool, commonly used to assess violence risk, was also found to be less effective in predicting recidivism.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·DateSep 6, 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.

Bio-inspired materials decrease drag for liquids

Researchers from KAUST developed nature-inspired surfaces that decrease frictional drag at the liquid-pipe interface without chemical coatings. The microtextured surfaces, mimicking springtail skins, sustain trapped air for extended periods, reducing surface drag and enhancing oil- and water-repellent properties.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 6, 2018

New €10 million Parkinson's study

A new €10 million Parkinson's study will implement an integrated care model designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease across two health hubs in Bath, UK and Nijmegen, Netherlands. The project aims to bridge the gap between fragmented care providers and deliver proactive and integrated care to patients.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateSep 6, 2018

Gender identities disrupted -- and reinforced

The study analyzed the ways children's gender narratives reinforce or disrupt gender inequality, revealing two master narratives that emphasize differences between boys and girls. Alternative narratives, including incongruent and counternarrative types, challenged these dominant stories, with some children explicitly questioning and re...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChild Development·DateSep 6, 2018

Children with food insecurity at risk for high blood pressure

A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Joint Hypertension Scientific Sessions found that children with food insecurity are more likely to have high blood pressure. The researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 children and found that nearly one-fifth had food insecurity, while more than 12% had high blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateSep 6, 2018

Bird bacteria study reveals evolutionary arms race

A recent study has found that birds develop resistance to bacterial infections, which in turn leads to the evolution of more potent pathogens. This host-pathogen coevolution process plays a key role in shaping species' defenses and highlights the importance of understanding emerging infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 6, 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.

Researchers model tree species distributions in Amazonia

The study uses Landsat and Aster satellites to identify ecologically relevant environmental and biotic variation, and machine learning algorithms predict species distributions. The findings provide important information for forest management and conservation in the Peruvian lowland Amazonia.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalBiotropica·DateSep 6, 2018

Satellites tracking the rainfall from Tropical Depression Gordon

Tropical Depression Gordon is expected to produce significant rainfall accumulations of 3-7 inches in northwest Mississippi and Arkansas, potentially causing local flooding. The depression is moving west-northwest at 8 mph, with little change in strength forecast over the next 48 hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 6, 2018

Single-dose drug can shorten flu symptoms by about a day, studies suggest

A new influenza drug, baloxavir marboxil, has been shown to significantly shorten the duration of flu symptoms in teens and adults, clearing virus more quickly than placebo. The drug's antiviral potency was found to be similar to that of a five-day course of oseltamivir, but with greater effectiveness and no significant side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 6, 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.

Researchers study how a hormone helps plants build leaves' ventilation system

The researchers found that a hormone called cytokinin coordinates the number of stomata in plants, which can be increased or decreased through gene editing technology. This discovery suggests opportunities for engineering plants to adapt to climate change and fine-tunes the process by which plants regulate stomatal development.

SourceStanford University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 6, 2018

Jet-air dryers should not be used in hospital toilets

Researchers found that jet-air dryers contaminated toilet floors, sinks, and surfaces with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci. The study suggests that paper towels are a safer alternative for hand drying in hospitals.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Hospital Infection·DateSep 6, 2018

New biomarker panel could accelerate autism diagnoses

A new biomarker panel identified in a large metabolomic study could accelerate autism diagnoses, detecting around 17 percent of children with ASD. The panel analyzes amino acid metabolism and shows promise for developing an ASD biomarker test.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateSep 6, 2018

Antibacterial polymers

Researchers have synthesized a phosphonium polymer that exhibits extraordinary antibacterial activity despite lacking hydrophobic alkyl chains. The polymer's hydrophilic nature and balanced display of positive charges played a crucial role in its effectiveness.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 6, 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.

Driver gene heterogeneity is minimal among untreated metastases

A new study analyzing 76 untreated metastases from 20 patients found that different metastatic lesions share the same driver gene mutations. The findings suggest that a biopsy of a single metastatic lesion could provide sufficient information for treatment decisions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2018

Stray proteins cause genetic disorders

A study led by Professor Matthias Selbach found that minute changes in Glut1 protein structure can lead to severe cellular disturbances, causing genetic disorders. The research identified a mechanism where flexible regions of proteins interact with other molecules, disrupting cellular processes and leading to disease.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCell·DateSep 6, 2018

Telehealth helps promote safe antibiotic prescribing practices in remote healthcare

A pilot project found that telehealth videoconferencing increased awareness of antibiotic stewardship principles and helped facilities implement more than two-thirds of recommendations. This study demonstrates how technology can provide access to expert knowledge and practices for smaller facilities.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateSep 6, 2018

Do you know why and how you forget passwords?

Researchers discovered that people tend to forget passwords less frequently when they are used more often, according to a Rutgers University-led study. The study's findings suggest that password systems could be designed to encourage users to log in regularly, improving password retention.

SourceRutgers University·DateSep 6, 2018

What's all the 'excitement' about flight?

A recent study from Prof. Gaiti Hasan's lab has identified the FMRFa receptor as a crucial molecule in sustaining flight in fruit flies for long periods of time. The receptor is part of a class of proteins known as GPCRs, which help convert extracellular messages into cellular responses.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateSep 6, 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.

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation awards grant to Critical Path Institute

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant to the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) to accelerate the development of therapies for sickle cell disease. C-Path will plan a consortium of stakeholders to identify and work collaboratively on jointly beneficial drug development tools and novel methodologies.

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·DateSep 6, 2018

California's large minority population drives state's relatively low death rate

A study by UCLA researchers found that California's minority population contributes to the state's relatively low death rate, despite high poverty and lack of insurance rates. The state's death rate from all causes was 619.1 per 100,000 population in 2016, lower than the national average.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·DateSep 6, 2018