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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 17 of 44

Green material for refrigeration identified

Researchers have discovered a green material that can replace polluting gases used in most refrigerators and air conditioners. The plastic crystal of neopentylglycol achieves huge cooling effects comparable to conventional coolants.

How do we make moral decisions?

A recent study published in Nature Communications challenges prior research on moral decision-making by showing that people's moral behavior can shift depending on the context. The researchers identified four moral strategies: inequity aversion, guilt aversion, greed, and moral opportunism, which involves switching between these strate...

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.

The FASEB Journal: DNA repair gene linked to male infertility

A recent animal study published in The FASEB Journal found that a deficiency of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 leads to impaired spermatogenesis and infertility in male mice. The researchers observed lower sperm concentration and motility, as well as disrupted stemness, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in XRCC1-knockout mice.

CEBAF turns on the charm

Jefferson Lab's CEBAF facility has confirmed the production of charm quarks in J/ψ particles following a recent upgrade to its operating energy. This achievement expands the realm of precision nuclear physics research with electron beams at higher energies.

Cataloging Southern California's tiny hidden earthquakes

A new study catalogs nearly 1.8 million tiny tremors in Southern California, filling gaps in the earthquake record and shedding light on geophysical processes. The analysis reveals that about 495 earthquakes occur each day in the region, with most being small and imperceptible.

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.

Better performance for mixed tin-lead perovskite solar cells

Researchers improved mixed tin-lead perovskite solar cells using guanidiinium thocyanate, enhancing carrier lifetimes and optoelectronic properties. This led to all-perovskite tandem solar cells achieving efficiencies of up to 25% with over 88% efficiency maintained after 100 hours of continuous operation.

Kidney transplant patients need even better aftercare!

Kidney transplant patients face a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality due to existing damage and immunosuppressive drug side effects. The current post-transplantation care is fragmented, leading to undertreatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Coincidence helps with quantum measurements

A new method for characterizing complex quantum states has been developed, enabling quantum simulations on larger systems. This method is based on the repeated measurement of randomly selected transformations of individual particles and provides information about the degree of entanglement.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New fiber-shaped supercapacitor for wearable electronics

Researchers designed a novel fiber electrode to improve electron supply and ion accessibility, achieving high specific capacitance and rate capability. The amphiphilic core-sheath structure enhances interactions between functional groups and PANI molecules, resulting in greater pseudocapacitance utilization.

Ginkgo seed extracts show antibacterial activity on skin pathogens

Researchers at Emory University found that Ginkgo seed extracts inhibit the growth of skin pathogens like Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The study suggests ginkgo seeds could be used as a topical antimicrobial treatment for skin disorders.

Growing a cerebral tract in a microscale brain model

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have grown a working model of a cerebral tract in the lab, mimicking the connections between neurons in the brain. The model, created using induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrates how axons can grow and form bundles to connect separate cognitive tasks.

Making digital tissue imaging better

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have developed an open-source quality-control tool to assess the quality of digital tissue slides. The tool, called Histo-QC, incorporates measurements and classifiers to flag corrupted images and retain high-quality slides for analysis by computers.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Pig experiment raises ethical questions around brain damage

A groundbreaking experiment has successfully restored some functions and structures in donated pig brains for up to four hours after they were butchered. The result challenges the notion that mammalian brains are fully and irreversibly damaged by a lack of oxygen, raising questions about when to save patients and organs.

Asian nations in early tobacco epidemic: study

Researchers analyzed 20 prospective cohort studies in Asian countries to find that smoking patterns are similar to those in the US, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer mortality and other health problems. The study calls for immediate action to implement comprehensive tobacco control policies in all Asian countries.

How to hack your deadline: Admit it's uncertain

Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a method for working with uncertainty in deadlines. By mapping out the uncertainty and incorporating it into a project management system, managers can improve their success rates. This technique can help managers save time and resources by focusing on less uncertain requirements.

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.

Searching for the surface of water through a single molecule

Researchers have isolated single H2O molecules using cryogenic ion spectroscopy and observed individual frequencies of related OH groups. The vibrational frequencies demonstrate site-dependent behavior and reveal that bound OH companions account for lower energy bands in the spectrum.

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.

Lasers make magnets behave like fluids

Scientists at CU Boulder discovered that zapped magnets exhibit fluid-like behavior, with spins changing orientation like waves in an ocean. This phenomenon occurs after a short laser pulse, leading to the formation of 'droplets' with consistent magnetic properties.

Researchers use 3D printer to print glass

Researchers have successfully 3D printed chalcogenide glass using a modified 3D printer, enabling the creation of complex optical components and fibers for low-cost sensors, telecommunications components, and biomedical devices. This breakthrough could pave the way for efficient manufacturing of infrared optical components at a low cost.

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.

Logical reasoning: An antidote or a poison for political disagreement?

A new study explores ideological belief bias, where people judge logical arguments based on their believability rather than sound premises. Liberals and conservatives showed varying levels of ability to identify flawed arguments supporting opposing views. The findings suggest that being open to the other side can lead to a better under...

Brain stimulation reverses age-related memory loss

A new Northwestern University study found that electromagnetic pulses can improve memory in older adults with age-related memory loss, reversing it to the level of young adults. The technique targets the brain's memory center and rebuilds part of memory that helps recall everyday tasks.

Increased screen time in preschool is linked to inattention

Children with more than two hours of screen time per day were five times more likely to report clinically significant externalizing problems and had a significantly increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In contrast, children who engaged in organized sports showed fewer behavioral problems.

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.

Heavy drinkers consuming more than half of all alcohol

A new study found that 10% of Australians drink an average of six standard drinks per day, consuming 54.4% of all alcohol consumed in the country. This group is more likely to drink cheap alcohol and experience negative health effects.

Lessons learned from the drift analysis of MH370 debris

A team of scientists at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel used simulation techniques to analyze the drift of MH370 debris and propose new strategies for tracking marine objects. The study found that Stokes drift, caused by surface waves, plays a crucial role in determining the final position of drifting objects.

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.

Vitamin D study sheds light on immune system effects

Researchers found vitamin D affects dendritic cells' ability to activate T cells, hindering the activation process and reducing immune reactions. The study sheds light on how vitamin D deficiency may regulate the immune system and influence susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.

Modern Midas turns bacterial components into catalysts

Researchers have developed a new type of carbon-based catalyst made from natural bacterial cellulose, showing high specific surface areas and large pore volumes. The catalyst exhibits versatility in accelerating various important reactions, outperforming state-of-the-art catalysts in some cases.

Switch from hunting to herding recorded in ancient pee

A new study published in Science Advances uses urine salts to reconstruct the history of animal domestication at an ancient site in Turkey. The research suggests that the transition from hunting to herding occurred around 10,000 years ago, with a rapid increase in human and animal density.

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.

Making a fast ion transporter

An international team of researchers discovered a pair of residues acting as a gate in the archaeal Na+/H+ antiporter PaNhaP. The gate's mutation speeds up the transporter twice as much as the wild type, suggesting a balance between fidelity and efficiency.

Why lightning often strikes twice

Researchers have discovered needle-like structures in positively charged lightning leaders that store negative charges, causing repeated discharges to the ground. This new finding explains why lightning often strikes twice and provides a deeper understanding of lightning development.

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.

A 'virtual' view with a little bit of math

Researchers developed a mathematical model to standardize the results of a ballistocardiogram, allowing for tracking of health changes and potential early detection of cardiovascular diseases. The model can capture information on elasticity of arteries, contractility of heart ventricles, and viscoelasticity of blood vessels.

Need more energy storage? Just hit 'print'

Researchers from Drexel University and Trinity College in Ireland have created a conductive MXene ink for 3D printing micro-supercapacitors, which outperforms existing energy storage devices. The ink can be used to print flexible energy storage components of any size or shape.

How superstitions spread

A model by theoretical biologists demonstrates how superstitious beliefs can become established in a society's social norms, guiding the behavior of large groups. The research suggests that even irrational beliefs can be beneficial when correlated with others' actions, leading to coordinated behaviors.

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.

Biosensor 'bandage' collects and analyzes sweat

Researchers developed a wearable biosensor resembling a bandage that samples sweat and analyzes its components using a simple color-changing assay. The device can potentially help diagnose diseases with less invasive diagnostic testing, and its sensitivity is currently being increased.

Why researchers are mapping the world's manure

Researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology have mapped the global flow of phosphorus, identifying regions with significant demand and potential for recapturing and recycling. The study highlights opportunities for increasing recycling in developing and developed economies.

Morphing origami takes a new shape, expanding use possibilities

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created a new type of origami that can change its shape instantly, altering its structural characteristics. This hybrid origami allows for reprogrammable mechanical properties and customization possibilities, enabling new types of origami-based structures or metamaterials.

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.

Breakthrough for children with serious epileptic seizures

A New Zealand-Australian study has found that using two anti-convulsant medications one after the other can increase the success rate of stopping prolonged seizures in children by up to 75%. This breakthrough treatment may halve the number of children ventilated and sent to intensive care, improving their chances of recovery.

Bacterial therapy in a dish

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a system called BSCC, which enables rapid screening of engineered bacterial therapies in vitro. They successfully tested a potent therapy for colon cancer using a novel bacterial toxin combined with an optimal drug delivery genetic circuit.

Universities lead effort to help Appalachians trapped by opioid epidemic

Researchers and health-care professionals from universities across the region are teaming up with community groups to develop new solutions to the opioid crisis. The Opioid Research Consortium of Central Appalachia aims to improve access to treatment and reverse the tide of overdose deaths in areas with limited resources.