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Science News Archive 2019


Page 1 of 486

Hepatitis B: Unusual virus discovered in shrews

Researchers have identified an unusual hepatitis B virus in shrews, which lacks a key protein essential for chronic infection. This discovery offers new insights into the disease's pathogenesis and may lead to the development of effective treatments.

Autoimmunity and complex regional pain syndrome

Daily injections of patient autoantibodies in mice with injured paws led to increased pain sensitivity and microglial activation in brain regions. Blocking interleukin-1 receptors prevented or reversed these effects, suggesting an autoimmune contribution to CRPS development.

Engineers tap DNA to create 'lifelike' machines

Researchers developed DASH materials that exhibit metabolism, self-assembly, and organization - key traits of life. The biomaterial autonomously emerges from nanoscale building blocks, grows, and decays, allowing it to perpetuate dynamic processes.

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.

eDNA expands species surveys to capture a more complete picture

A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that eDNA (environmental DNA) can identify more species of marine vertebrates than traditional trawl nets. The research team collected water samples and analyzed the DNA to detect the presence of important species such as great white sharks and salmon.

Possible dementia vaccine closer after mice studies

Researchers have successfully tested a new immunotherapy approach that targets brain plaque and tau protein aggregates linked to Alzheimer's disease. The treatment, developed using a combination of vaccines, shows promise for preventing dementia in humans within two years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA finds a weaker Sarai now a depression

NASA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Sarai, showing a weaker storm near Tonga. The storm is rapidly weakening and dissipating under adverse atmospheric conditions.

Making blood on demand: How far have we come?

Researchers have made significant progress in generating functional hematopoietic stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Key findings include the role of transcription factors HOX and GATA proteins in regulating hematopoiesis, which may lead to breakthroughs in treating blood cancers and other disorders.

How the brain balances pleasure and pain

The study reveals that different classes of neurons control positive and negative motivation, sending opposing signals along a shared brain circuit. This balance determines whether an individual seeks pleasurable experiences or avoids negative ones.

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.

A new breakthrough in developing effective antimalarial drugs

Scientists at Institut Pasteur and CNRS identified molecules capable of inhibiting DNA methylation, killing even the most resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The results showed significant activity comparable to chloroquine, with some inhibitors killing parasites in just 6 hours.

NASA finds Tropical Storm Calvinia moving away from Mauritius

Tropical Storm Calvinia has moved south of the island of Mauritius in the Southern Indian Ocean, with a tropical cyclone warning class III still in effect. The storm is expected to turn southeast and strengthen to 65 knots, eventually becoming extra-tropical after January 1.

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.

Phosphate for life's origin in carbonate-rich lakes

Researchers propose that phosphate-rich lakes can support life due to concentrated phosphates. Carbonate-rich lake environments provide the necessary conditions for biomolecule formation, overcoming a major obstacle to life's origin.

Arup SenGupta awarded second Fulbright research fellowship

Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned expert in water technology, has received the second Fulbright research fellowship to collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology in Guwahati. His work focuses on implementing Hybrid Ion Exchange Nanotechnology (HIX-Nano) to transform wastewater into usable water.

Learning from the bears

A team of scientists studied grizzly bears' muscles during hibernation and found that they produce non-essential amino acids, which can stimulate cell growth. This discovery could lead to the development of new methods to prevent and treat muscle atrophy in humans.

Scientists link La Niña climate cycle to increased diarrhea

A study finds La Niña is associated with cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and higher flooding in Botswana, leading to a 30% increase in under-5 diarrhea incidence. This could lead to an early-warning system to prepare for periods of high diarrhea cases.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

How fish fins evolved just before the transition to land

Research on fossilized fish from the late Devonian period details the evolution of fins as they began to transition into limbs. The study used CT scanning to examine fin shape and structure, constructing digital 3D models that allowed researchers to infer how fins worked and changed.

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.

Life could have emerged from lakes with high phosphorus

A new study finds that certain lakes with high concentrations of phosphate could have supplied the key ingredient for life to emerge on early Earth. The discovery solves a long-standing problem in origin-of-life research and suggests that lakes with carbonate-rich waters may have played a crucial role in creating life.

How cells learn to 'count'

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that specialized cells use a process more common in non-mammalian species to create hundreds of cilia, challenging the long-held assumption that deuterosomes play a central role. This discovery could lead to new treatments for cilia-related disorders.

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.

Himalayan glacier lake outburst floods

Researchers estimate that glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) could reach peak discharges of up to 15,600 cubic meters per second, posing a major threat to rivers and communities in the region. The study highlights the importance of monitoring lake levels and historic outbursts in determining GLOF hazard.

Pacific infiltration of Southern Ocean

Research reveals Pacific Ocean infiltration into the Southern Ocean around 6,000-7,000 years ago, possibly due to weakened westerly winds. This finding may signal potential impacts of climate change on the region.

The growing Tibetan Plateau shaped the modern biodiversity

Recent fossil discoveries revealed three evolutionary patterns on the Tibetan Plateau: local endemism, out-of-Tibet dispersal, and intercontinental exchange. These patterns reflect the biological responses to tectonic uplift and its impact on biota globally.

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.

Strategies to generate larger pores in metal-organic frameworks

Recent methodologies for generating hierarchical porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reviewed. Techniques such as template, etching, and construction of composites enable the creation of multi-level pore structures. These advancements facilitate improved mass transfer and guest diffusion in MOF-based applications.

Persistent organic pollutants in mother's blood linked to smaller fetal size

Researchers found that pregnant women exposed to persistent organic pollutants had slightly smaller fetuses than those who were not exposed. The study analyzed ultrasound scans and blood samples from over 2,200 pregnant women, finding a significant association between exposure to POPs and reduced fetal growth.

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.

Better anchor roots help crops grow in poor soils

Researchers at KAUST identified a key metabolite called anchorene that regulates plant anchor roots and promotes water and nutrient uptake. Increasing anchorene levels in deficient soil can rescue root growth in crops, increasing yields.

NASA tracks Tropical Storm Sarai moving away from Fiji

Tropical Storm Sarai continues to move further away from Fiji and towards Tonga, with rough surf, tropical storm force winds, and heavy rains expected for both islands. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts the storm will curve to the northeast and pass just north of Tonga and Niue over the next several days.

Drivers of plant population growth

Researchers analyzed 208 plant species across various environmental factors, finding that all three factor types have similar effects on plant performance. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when predicting future biodiversity changes.

Brain network activity in preterm infants

Researchers used MRI to assess neural activity in preterm infants and adults, finding similar patterns of interindividual variability in brain network activity. The study suggests that age-related increases in brain network variability may be linked to cortical maturation and expansion.

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.

Harnessing hot carriers for high efficiency solar cells

Researchers at KAUST have developed a way to prolong hot carrier lifetime in 2D perovskite solar materials, potentially increasing solar energy efficiency. The approach involves tuning the structure of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites to suppress hot carrier cooling mechanisms.

Unhappy revolutionaries

The study analyzed the correlation between happiness levels and Arab Spring protests, finding that countries with lower happiness levels were more likely to experience unrest. The researchers also discovered that GDP per capita had a weaker correlation with protest activity than initially thought.

How puffins use tools

Researchers observed two instances of puffin tool use: one on Skomer Island in 2014 and another on Grimsey Island in 2018. Puffins used wooden sticks to dislodge parasites or scratch their chests, which may have been more effective than using their beaks.

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.

Negative emotion and tobacco use

Four studies involving over 12,000 participants reveal a nuanced link between negative emotion and tobacco use. Sadness is reliably associated with current smoking and relapse rates, as well as impatience and puff volume.

Juvenile ornamentation in American coots

A study by Bruce E. Lyon and Daizaburo Shizuka found that juvenile ornamentation in American coots helps parents determine which chicks will benefit most from care and nutrition. The researchers discovered that later-hatched, redder chicks received preferential treatment and increased food portions from their parents.

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.

Geomagnetic imprinting in fruit flies

Researchers studied geomagnetic imprinting in fruit flies using laboratory experiments. They found that the flies can learn and remember a magnetic field associated with a specific location and transmit this information to their offspring.

More Chinese scientists in America are going back home

A growing number of Chinese researchers are returning to their homeland, contributing significantly to China's rising scientific prowess. Studies have shown that these foreign-trained researchers publish more high-impact research and collaborate with international partners upon their return.

Altruistic behavior and pain

Researchers discovered that altruistic individuals experience less physical pain than controls. Brain activity scans revealed a correlation between altruism and decreased pain activity in the brain's medial prefrontal cortex.

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.

Bioelectric stimulation to clear skin lesions

Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) delivers nanosecond pulsed electric fields to cells and tissues, inducing cell death in epidermal or dermal lesions without causing scarring. Researchers used NPS to treat skin lesions, including seborrheic keratosis and warts caused by human papilloma virus.

Short or long sleep associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis

A study found that people who sleep 4 hours or less double their risk of pulmonary fibrosis and those who sleep 11 hours or more triple their chance. The researchers attribute this to the body clock and suggest targeting it as a potential target for treating the disease.