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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 30 of 44

Underwater forests a treasure trove of new drugs

Researchers have identified a common species of seaweed, Laminaria ochroleuca, as a rich source of bacteria with antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The study reveals that extracts from these Actinobacteria inhibited growth of various pathogens and showed selective anticancer activity.

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.

High-strength MRI tracks MS progression

A study using 7-Tesla MRI detected cortical lesions in 80% of MS patients, which were strongly correlated with neurological disability and disease progression. Cortical lesions accumulated in grooves on the brain's surface called sulci, suggesting a new approach to evaluating MS progression.

Researchers reveal novel therapeutic strategy for ALS

A new cellular mechanism for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been identified, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy targeting the RNA degradation pathway. Researchers also found that an asthma drug called Tranilast could potentially rescue cells and fruit flies from C9orf72-induced neurotoxicity.

Study suggests 'rest is best' for carpal tunnel and similar injuries

A four-week rest period was nearly as effective as an experimental drug in reducing discomfort and regaining function after injury from repeated moderate-strain activity. The study suggests that rest may be a good first treatment choice for common musculoskeletal disorders, with exercises and pain reducers used to aid recovery.

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.

Retrieving climate history from the ice

Climate researchers are searching for ice in the Antarctic that's at least 1.5 million years old to gather data on carbon dioxide and methane, and their connections to the climate's development. The BE-OI project has selected Little Dome C as the ideal site, which will be drilled into starting in mid November 2021.

A new way of finding compounds that prevent aging

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a new method to identify compounds that prevent aging by analyzing the transcriptome of human cells. This approach identified several candidate substances, including Hsp90 inhibitors, which have been shown to extend lifespan and improve health in C. elegans.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study: Trump's 'Repeal and Replace' debate already impacting women's health

A new study found that the current 'repeal and replace' debate is already affecting women's health by increasing interest in IUDs as a cost-efficient form of reversible birth control. The study used Google Trends data to track searches for IUDs, showing a significant increase following the 2016 presidential election.

Can flipping coins replace animal experiments?

Researchers Sophie Piper and colleagues used a coin toss to confirm whether a drug protects the brain against stroke, questioning the need for repeated experiments in mice. The study reveals high rates of false positive results and highlights the 'replication crisis' in scientific research.

Study: Medication treatment reduces arrests among people with opioid use disorder

A new study published in Addiction found that medication treatment for opioid use disorder significantly reduces the risk of arrest and incarceration. The research, led by UMass Amherst public health scientist Elizabeth Evans, used data from a large randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of two medications on social outcomes.

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.

Three K-12 educators win AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Awards

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation has honored three K-12 educators for their outstanding contributions to STEM education. The winners, Charlotte Cook, Patricia Palazzolo, and Megan L. Tucker, have inspired their students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The anxiety of exposure

Researchers confirmed the theory that impostor syndrome mediates the link between perfectionism and psychological distress. Impostor syndrome arises from maladaptive perfectionism, causing increased anxiety, depressive moods, and other disorders. The study recommends focusing on competence, understanding self-defense mechanisms, mainta...

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.

JUUL electronic cigarette products linked to cellular damage

A recent study has found that JUUL electronic cigarette products contain dangerously high levels of nicotine, which can be toxic to living cells. The researchers also discovered that flavor chemicals in JUUL pods may make them attractive to youth and could lead to adverse health effects with chronic use.

Life could be evolving right now on nearest exoplanets

New study models UV environments of nearby exoplanets, finding they could support life despite high radiation levels. The researchers argue that life has survived similar conditions on Earth and suggests the possibility of life existing today on planets like Proxima-b.

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.

NIH researchers make progress toward Epstein-Barr virus vaccine

Researchers at the NIH have made progress toward developing an EBV vaccine by identifying key antibodies that block infection. The new vaccine candidates elicited potent anti-EBV antibody responses in animals, offering potential protection against EBV-associated cancers and infectious mononucleosis.

The return of Cthulhu -- the small sea critter

Researchers at Yale University have identified a 430 million-year-old fossil as a new species related to living sea cucumbers, named Sollasina cthulhu. The creature had 45 tentacle-like tube feet and was small, about the size of a large spider.

High-intensity interval training increases injuries, Rutgers study finds

A Rutgers study found that high-intensity interval training increases injury risk, especially in the knees and shoulders. Most injuries involved knees, ankles, and shoulders, with white males aged 20 to 39 being most injured. The researchers recommend conditioning, proper form, and recovery phases to minimize preventable injuries.

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.

Graphene coating could help prevent lithium battery fires

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found that graphene coating can reduce lithium battery fires by preventing oxygen release from cathode decomposition. The coating showed significant reduction in oxygen release under high heat, maintaining battery performance even after rapid cycling.

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.

NASA imagery shows winds tearing Tropical Cyclone Wallace

Tropical Cyclone Wallace was sheared apart by northwesterly winds, causing its clouds to spread far inland. The storm's rotation was weakened due to wind shear, a phenomenon where winds at different altitudes push against the rotating cylinder of winds.

How societal attitudes, political rhetoric affect immigrants' health

A new study by University of Washington professor Jane Lee finds that partisan rhetoric and cultural divides contribute to poor health among immigrants. The study identifies 'sociopolitical context' as a key factor in shaping health-related behaviors, with participants reporting fear, uncertainty, and discrimination as major stressors.

Using bacteria to protect roads from deicer deterioration

Drexel University researchers have found that mixing a certain type of bacteria into concrete can prevent potholes caused by road salt. The bacteria produce calcite, which interacts with the calcium chloride in road salts and prevents their negative effects on concrete.

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.

Study reports on bacterial STIs among men using PrEP

The study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 gay and bisexual men in Australia who received daily HIV PrEP, revealing an association between bacterial STIs and specific risk behaviors. The findings suggest that PrEP users are at higher risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis diagnoses.

Researchers working to prevent sexual harassment in scientific field settings

A team of Colorado State University researchers are studying the prevalence and psychological indicators of sexual harassment in field-based research. They aim to create a policy and culture of collegiality and respect across field teams, with a focus on low-power positions like graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Pin-sized sensor could bring chemical ID to smartphone-sized devices

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a compact spectrometer that can integrate with smartphone cameras, enabling real-time chemical identification. The device boasts high resolution and low fabrication costs, paving the way for enhanced sensors in various fields.

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.

New to college? Spend some time alone

A new study finds that first-year students who value and enjoy their alone time tend to display greater psychological health. The researchers argue that a healthy motivation for solitude is essential, particularly for those who don't feel they belong in college.

Greener, more efficient natural gas filtration

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel polymer membrane that dramatically improves the efficiency of natural gas purification while reducing environmental impact. The membrane can process natural gas quickly and effectively, removing more carbon dioxide than traditional materials.

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.

More than 90% of glacier volume in the Alps could be lost by 2100

A study projects significant glacier loss in the Alps due to climate change. By 2050, about 50% of glacier volume is expected to disappear, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the region's ecosystem and economy. The fate of glaciers will depend on future warming scenarios.

Cancer-killing combination therapies unveiled with new drug-screening tool

Researchers at UCSF have developed a new screening system to identify effective cancer-killers when combining drugs that are only partially effective as single-agent therapies. The study identified combinations of PI3K inhibitors and RNAi that eradicated a devastating blood cancer and certain solid tumor cells.

Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

Researchers found that empathy fosters cooperation over selfishness by taking into account another person's perspective when forming moral judgments. Empathy tends to spread throughout a population under most scenarios, leading to increased cooperation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Single cell transcriptomics: A new sequencing approach

A new study compared traditional Illumina platforms to an alternative BGISEQ-500 short-read sequencing platform for single-cell transcriptomics. The authors found that BGISEQ-500 was highly comparable in sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility of detected RNA molecules.

Bacteria flip an electric switch to worsen food poisoning

A new study reveals how Salmonella bacteria flip an electric switch within immune cells, causing them to migrate out of the gut and into the bloodstream. This mechanism contributes to the severity of food-borne illnesses, with over 400,000 deaths worldwide each year.

Disposable parts of plants mutate more quickly

A new study published in PLOS Biology found that plant parts with longer lifespans, such as stems and roots, have lower mutation rates compared to those with shorter lifespans, like leaves and petals. The researchers also discovered that plants with more future prospects for mutations tend to have lower relative mutation rates.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Combining opioids and marijuana may be advantageous for pain sufferers

Researchers found that combining cannabinoids with morphine did not increase impulsivity or memory impairment in rhesus monkeys, suggesting a safe way to cut opioid dosage for pain sufferers. The study's findings support the notion that opioid-cannabinoid mixtures can be effective for treating pain without greater adverse effects.