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Science News Archive 2019


Page 99 of 486

Near misses on slot machines may not encourage continued gambling

A recent study from University of Alberta researchers suggests there may be no relationship between near misses and continued play, contrary to widely held beliefs. The study found that despite brain activity changes and subjective measurements, conclusive evidence for a near-miss effect on gambling persistence is lacking.

High-risk patients benefit from undergoing surgery at teaching hospitals

A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that high-risk patients who underwent general or vascular surgery at major teaching hospitals had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates (15.9% vs 18.2%) and reduced costs compared to non-teaching hospitals. Orthopedic surgery patients showed similar outcomes at both types of hospitals.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How do ketogenic diets affect skin inflammation?

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that ketogenic diets heavy in coconut oil and palm oils worsened psoriasiform-like skin inflammation in mice. In contrast, well-balanced ketogenic diets with long-chain triglycerides did not exacerbate skin inflammation.

What is Europe? Exploring post-war history through the medical lens

A new research project led by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin aims to shed light on European post-war history by focusing on the shared concern for people's health. The 'Leviathan' project, awarded an ERC Synergy Grant, will study the development of medicine and healthcare between 1945 and 1990 in both Eastern and Western Europe.

Exoplanet interiors have Earth-like geochemistry

A new study reveals that some exoplanets have Earth-like geochemistry, with high oxidation levels similar to those in the Solar System. This finding suggests that rocky exoplanets may have similar internal properties to Earth and Mars.

Communicating uncertainty about climate change

A new Stanford study found that expressing uncertainty about climate change predictions increases public trust in scientists, but acknowledging unknown factors can undermine credibility. When climate scientists include best-case and worst-case scenarios, Americans are more trusting and accepting of their statements.

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.

Cystic fibrosis carriers at increased risk of digestive symptoms

Researchers found that cystic fibrosis carriers have a higher likelihood of experiencing bile duct obstruction and other digestive system phenotypes. The study used large-scale genomic data from the UK Biobank to identify these associations, which may provide answers for carriers who were previously left without information.

Reforesting is a good idea, but it is necessary to know where and how

A large group of ecologists contests an article proposing 'reforestation' of the Cerrado, Brazil's most biodiverse tropical savanna. The critics argue that the plan is based on flawed calculations and could worsen climate change by reducing surface albedo and intensifying global warming.

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.

Double layer of graphene helps to control spin currents

Researchers have created a device that controls spin currents using a double layer of graphene on top of tungsten disulphide. The new technique enables the use of spin currents in transistors, which could be more energy-efficient than traditional electronics.

Europe prepares four 5G pilots in industrial applications

A European research project, 5Growth, will test nine 5G use cases in four vertical industry settings in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The pilot tests aim to validate the performance of 5G systems for Industry 4.0, eHealth, and audiovisual entertainment applications.

Controlling ion recognition in reactive host-guest systems

Scientists controlled host-guest complexes to explore the mechanism of chemical reactions, discovering that modification of guest metal ions could switch between 'recognition first' and 'reaction first' pathways. This finding has potential applications in drug delivery systems.

DEET gives humans an 'invisibilty cloak' to fend off mosquito bites

Researchers found that DEET traps and masks human scents, preventing them from reaching mosquito odor detectors. This interaction leads to a lower response in mosquitoes, reducing the risk of malaria transmission. The study provides insight into how repellents work and may lead to new, more effective repellent development.

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.

How hunger makes food tastier: a neural circuit in the hypothalamus

Researchers discovered that starved mice prefer sweet tastes and are less sensitive to bitter tastes, attributing this to a neural circuit in the hypothalamus. The study used optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to activate AgRP-expressing neurons, which modulated taste preferences through two distinct pathways.

Livestream available: metal to metal oxide progression

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a simplified approach for studying charge transfer in catalysis, using a tiny ruthenium catalyst and real-time detection. This method provides a complete picture of the reaction mechanics and has potential applications in industrial processes such as solar energy devices.

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.

UTEP receives $19M to study cancer affecting Mexican-Americans

The University of Texas at El Paso's Border Biomedical Research Center will use the grant to understand molecular mechanisms and environmental factors contributing to cancer health disparities in Hispanics. Researchers aim to develop novel treatments using a comprehensive Cancer Tissue Biorepository for this population.

First genome of spotted lanternfly built from a single insect

The US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service has published the first genome of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, obtained from a single caught-in-the-wild specimen. The genome sequencing was made possible by Pacific Biosciences' new platform that produces 10 times more data from a single run.

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.

How human brain development diverged from great apes

Researchers analyzed human and chimpanzee cerebral organoids to understand dynamic gene expression and regulation in early brain development. They identified human-specific gene expression patterns and developmental differences in the adult prefrontal cortex.

Biodiversity improves crop production

A study involving over 100 researchers demonstrates that biodiversity enhances pollination and biological pest control, leading to increased crop yields. Higher agricultural biodiversity also reduces the reliance on pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Fully recyclable packaging materials

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country and Colorado State University have developed a class of biorenewable, biodegradable plastics that promote the circular economy. The new materials have suitable mechanical and barrier properties similar to commercial materials currently used in packaging.

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.

Scientists discover method to create and trap trions at room temperature

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize and trap trions that remain stable at room temperature, enabling manipulation and study of their fundamental properties. The work has implications for technologies such as bioimaging, chemical sensing, energy harvesting, solid-state computing and quantum computing.

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.

Mathematicians find gold in data

Researchers developed a numerical method that speeds up calculations for modern supercomputers, making the inverse problem tractable. The new algorithm enables prospectors to make do with fewer exploratory holes and is applicable for searching other types of ores.

Hubble observes 1st confirmed interstellar comet

Astronomers have observed the first confirmed interstellar comet, 2I/Borisov, using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The comet has a central concentration of dust around its nucleus and is traveling at an extraordinary speed of 110,000 miles per hour.

Alfalfa and potassium: It's complicated

Researchers found that while potassium fertilization increases alfalfa yield, it also decreases forage quality. Understanding the tradeoffs between yield and quality is crucial for sustainable production and fertility management.

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.

Blood-collection device makes radiation testing quick and easy

A new blood self-collection device has been developed to quickly estimate a person's exposure to radiation in the event of a nuclear accident or attack. The device, which can process samples in a centralized lab, could help triage emergency medical treatment and alleviate a sample collection bottleneck.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Respiratory diseases linked with high blood pressure in lungs

Pulmonary hypertension caused by respiratory disease has been linked to improved health outcomes through identifying underlying conditions. Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that thorough evaluations and tailored therapy approaches can help dogs with pulmonary hypertension, increasing survival rates.

Reducing open-circuit voltage loss in organic solar cells

Researchers achieved high power conversion efficiencies in organic solar cells by designing a highly crystalline donor-acceptor interface. The V_oc was found to increase with increasing acceptor layer crystallinity, resulting in reduced energy loss and improved efficiency.

UK food chains with voluntary menu labeling serve less fat and salt

A study of popular UK restaurant chains found that establishments with voluntary menu labeling served items with 45% less fat and 60% less salt than those without. This suggests that mandatory labeling could encourage restaurants to improve the nutritional quality of their menus.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rice blast fungus discovery will drive crop innovation

A six-year study has uncovered the existence of a sensor in appressoria that tells the fungus when to rupture the rice leaf. This discovery provides a platform for developing fungicides against rice blast, one of the deadliest crop killers, and could also apply to other septin-mediated fungi.

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.

New strategy to treat Parkinson's disease

A new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease has been developed by amplifying healthy GCase enzymes, alleviating symptoms in both human brain cells and mouse models. This approach may be relevant for multiple forms of PD with reduced activity of wild-type GCase.

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.