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Science News Archive 2019


Page 19 of 486

Tree cavities for wild honeybees

Researchers identified hotspots for wild honeybee nesting sites, including unmanaged forests and coniferous forests in Sweden and Finland. The study suggests that conserving trees with cavities should be included in forest management to support pollinator populations.

Study sheds light on 'overlooked' bee species

The study found that solitary bees can tolerate a range of environmental conditions and have distinct preferences for nesting sites. The project's results could help inform land management to better protect ground-nesting bees.

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.

Stanford scientists pry apart party drug's therapeutic, addictive qualities

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a specific brain chemical, serotonin, responsible for the social behavior-enhancing effects of MDMA. The study suggests that novel treatments targeting this pathway may alleviate symptoms of psychiatric disorders marked by social awkwardness and withdrawal.

Composite to replace cast iron in harsh maritime environments

A team from Aarhus University and Vestas Aircoil is developing a new composite material to replace heavy, expensive cast iron components in massive ship engines. The goal is to reduce weight and chemical treatment costs, making maintenance easier and more efficient.

Illinois team develops first of a kind in-vitro 3D neural tissue model

Researchers created living biohybrid nerve tissue using stem cells to develop 3D models of neural networks, enabling better understanding of brain function and disease development. The 3D models can be controlled with optogenetics and used for drug testing and studying complex behaviors.

The songwriter is creative -- the singer, not so much

Researchers found that country music songwriters employ two strategies to co-write songs with less talented but more famous artists: bespoke facilitation, where they take a backseat, and the manipulation dance, where they pre-write most of the song. This approach helps create good songs while avoiding alienating their partner.

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.

Scientists link decline of Baltic cod to hypoxia -- and climate change

A recent study by Dr. Karin Limburg and Michele Casini reveals that hypoxia caused by climate change is responsible for the declining condition of Baltic cod. The researchers analyzed otoliths, or earstones, found in the fish's hearing and balance system, which showed a clear link between hypoxia and the decline of the species.

Earth was stressed before dinosaur extinction

Fossilized seashells from Antarctica reveal that the Earth's oceans were undergoing significant changes in response to increased carbon dioxide from volcanic eruptions. These findings provide new insights into the causes of the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event, which led to the demise of the dinosaurs.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study finds association between poor diet, age-related macular degeneration

A study from the University at Buffalo found an association between poor diets high in red and processed meat, fried food, refined grains, and high-fat dairy, which increase the risk of developing late-stage age-related macular degeneration. The study suggests that limiting intake of these foods may help preserve vision over time.

Tropical flower offers potential new route for treating pancreatic cancer

Researchers have developed drug-like molecules from a tropical flower that kill pancreatic cancer cells, offering a potential new route for treatment. The findings suggest these 'anti-austerity' agents could remove the ability of cancer cells to tolerate starvation conditions, leading to cell death.

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.

There's a new squid in town

Researchers have identified a new species of bobtail squid in Okinawa's waters, named Euprymna brenneri, which is the eleventh known in the Euprymna genus. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of cephalopods off the coast of Okinawa and may shed light on their genes, behavior, and development.

Cheers! Maxwell's electromagnetism extended to smaller scales

Researchers at MIT have extended Maxwell's electromagnetism to smaller scales, bridging the gap between macroscopic and nanoscale phenomena. The new model incorporates electronic length scales, enabling nonclassical effects such as nonlocality and surface-enabled Landau damping.

(Noise-) less is more

Researchers at Osaka University developed a high precision 3D circuit simulator to quantify electromagnetic (EM) noise and its origin. The simulator allows for the visualization of EM noise generation and propagation, enabling intuitive understanding of why and where noise occurs, leading to noiseless circuit design.

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.

Single-cell analysis of the earliest cell fate decisions in development

The study reveals how embryonic cells may be deviated from a default state and awoken to new developmental possibilities during gastrulation. Researchers used scNMT-seq and MOFA computational methods to analyze gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility in single cells from mouse embryos.

Pioneering nanotechnology cloud -- nanoHUB -- looks to future

nanoHUB, a virtual society for nanotechnology research and education, has received a National Science Foundation grant renewal to create new technologies. The cloud provides simulation software, data, lectures, and other innovative content to engineers and scientists.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers discover brain circuit linked to food impulsivity

A team of researchers has identified a specific brain circuit linked to food impulsivity, which could lead to the development of therapeutics for overeating. The study found that activating this circuit, involving melanin-concentrating hormone, increases impulsive behavior around food without affecting motivation or enjoyment.

Training middle-school educators to identify suicide warning signs

Case Western Reserve University researchers found that virtual training increased middle-school educators' ability to recognize suicidal behavior. The training, Kognito At-Risk simulation, also covers bullying and other topics, highlighting the importance of comprehensive mental health education.

New spray gel could help take the bite out of frostbite

Researchers developed a cold-stable spray gel containing heparin and ibuprofen to treat frostbite injuries, showing improved healing rates compared to conventional treatments. The treatment reduced inflammation and accelerated healing, potentially preventing gangrene and amputation.

Deciphering the equations of life

Researchers developed equations to study life's diversity and predict specific traits, including reproduction timing and lifespan. The new theory refines old understandings about life history tradeoffs and has implications for ecosystem models and management decisions.

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.

Azteca ant colonies move the same way leopards' spots form

A study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Azteca ant colonies in Mexican coffee farms exhibit a Turing pattern, similar to leopard spots and zebras' stripes. This finding highlights the complexity of agroecological systems and challenges simplistic pest management approaches.

Groups work better when stakes are gradually increased

A new study found that gradualism, increasing project stakes step-by-step, significantly improves group coordination. The research showed that teams with gradually increasing stakes outperformed those with consistently high or low stakes.

Increasing transparency in the healthcare sector: More might not be better

A new study suggests that increasing quality transparency in healthcare can improve social welfare in the short-term, but may have negative effects in the long-term. Policymakers should target specific patient populations, such as younger or urban patients, and incentivize hospitals to make socially optimal investments.

All age groups worldwide 'at high risk' of drop in children's physical activity

A global review of over 50 studies covering 22,000 children found that daily physical activity declined by 3-4 minutes per year, starting from ages 4 or 5. The study indicates that all age groups and genders face a high risk of declining physical activity, emphasizing the need for early promotion and parental involvement.

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.

Helping plant nurseries reduce runoff

Researchers found that additives like dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer can reduce phosphorus concentrations in drainage water by an average of 70%. These amendments help keep phosphorus in the pot, addressing a major environmental concern. The study aims to explore the long-term retention of retained phosphorus in containers.

A research team develop biotransistors able to hear small beats of live

A research team has developed biotransistors that can record small beats of live cells and micro-tissues, paving the way for drug development and screening. The transistors, made of organic material on a flexible substrate, are biocompatible and offer intrinsic signal amplification, reducing the need for external amplifiers.

Immune outposts inside kidney tumors predict post-surgery outcomes

Researchers discovered immune cells inside tumor samples can predict progression-free survival after surgery for kidney cancer. Patients with well-supported immune cells have longer disease control, leading to improved treatment options and potential adjuvant therapy trials.

Study supports long-term benefits of non-drug therapies for pain

A study based on over 140,000 VA health records found that non-drug therapies for chronic pain reduced the risk of alcohol and drug disorders, opioid poisoning, and suicidal thoughts. Non-drug treatments like acupuncture and massage were linked to lower risks of these adverse outcomes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study reveals rapid increases in cannabis use among individuals with depression

Research suggests a significant increase in cannabis use among individuals with depression over the past decade. The prevalence of cannabis use was approximately twice as common among those with depression compared to those without it. Daily cannabis use was also more common among those with depression, particularly young adults.

Isotope analysis points to prisoners of war

Researchers from the University of Bonn used strontium isotope analysis to determine the origins of victims in a 1,400-year-old Maya mass grave. The study found that most victims grew up at least 95 miles from Uxul, with some showing signs of high social status.

One-third of recent global methane increase comes from tropical Africa

A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals that one-third of the recent global methane increase comes from tropical Africa's tropics. The research used satellite data to examine trends in atmospheric methane between 26° N and 26° S, highlighting the importance of individual wetlands like the Sudd in South Sudan.

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.

BU finds concerns about other painkillers contributed to opioid crisis

A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that the decline in prescriptions of non-opioid analgesics coincided with a marked increase in opioid prescribing. The study suggests that health risks associated with NSAIDs were one factor that led to increased prescribing of opioids.

Low-dose aspirin may not help African-Americans prevent heart attack

A study published by the American Heart Association found that low-dose aspirin did not reduce the risk of a fatal heart attack among African Americans, unlike in white populations. The study used data from over 65,000 participants and suggested genetic differences and poor control of other risk factors may contribute to this result.

A machine learning approach to identify functional human phosphosites

Researchers at EMBL-EBI have created the largest reference phosphoproteome of almost 120,000 human phosphosites using a machine learning approach. This freely-accessible resource enables scientists to identify critical phosphosites relevant for various biological processes and diseases.

High doses of vitamin D for critically ill patients yield minimal benefit

A large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that high doses of vitamin D do not reduce mortality or improve non-fatal outcomes in critically ill patients. The Vitamin D to Improve Outcomes by Leveraging Early Treatment (VIOLET) study included over 200 researchers and showed no difference in mortality rates, hos...

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.

Unique data confirms why water turns brown

A 79-year study confirms that increased coniferous forests are the primary cause of water browning in lakes and rivers. Organic soil leaching into lakes and streams also contributes to this process.

Focus on food security and sustainability

The researchers highlight the urgent need for investment in research infrastructure to provide reliable data on population health, nutrition, and agricultural practices. An international body is proposed to address pressing nutritional and agricultural issues and prepare policy decisions.