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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 36 of 44

Novel Hawaiian communities operate similarly to native ecosystems

Researchers found that introduced birds on Oahu select specific non-native plants, dispersing them across the island, and even contribute to their stability. However, these novel communities are less diverse than native ecosystems, with only four bird species responsible for plant movement.

Bacterial nanowire mystery solved

Geobacter bacteria project metal-containing heme filaments called nanowires to dispose of excess electrons in oxygen-free environments. This discovery solves the mystery of how nanowires facilitate environmental cleanup and potential applications for building new materials and sensors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Visualization strategies may backfire on consumers pursuing health goals

A new study from Oregon State University found that using visualization with a third-person perspective can backfire on consumers pursuing health goals. When health goals are peripheral to a person's self-concept, adopting a third-person perspective can discourage goal-consistent intentions and behavior.

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.

Going with the flow: How fecal bacteria spread in streams

Researchers create model to predict faecal bacteria spread in summer, highlighting hydrological connectivity's crucial role. The model captures actual distribution of bacteria but needs adaptation for winter months due to temperature and soil conditions.

Heavy metal planet fragment survives destruction from dead star

Astronomers from the University of Warwick detected a heavy metal planet fragment orbiting a white dwarf, which is the remains of a dead star. The fragment, rich in iron and nickel, has survived a system-wide cataclysm that followed the death of its host star.

Scientists discover a small, dense planet orbiting a white dwarf

A new study reveals the first intact planetary body orbiting a white dwarf star, with a densely packed planetesimal no larger than 600 kilometers in diameter. The object's high density suggests it may be the remnant core of a planet stripped away by tidal forces.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Unlocking the female bias in lupus

New research reveals that females with lupus have an abnormal expression of genes linked to their second X chromosome due to incomplete X inactivation in immune system T cells. This abnormality may contribute to the genetic missteps seen in lupus, and changes in nuclear structure may also play a role.

A 'million word gap' for children who aren't read to at home

A new study found that young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. This 'million word gap' could be one key in explaining differences in vocabulary and reading development.

Super berries power up porridge

Researchers found that Aronia berries resistant to heat during production of cornmeal porridge, retaining antioxidant content. The study highlights the potential of super berries like Aronia for functional foods like porridge.

Mystery of how beetles that live in aquifers breathe solved

Researchers found that subterranean beetles breathe through their skin, absorbing oxygen from the surrounding water, which limits their size. This discovery sheds light on the unique adaptations of these tiny creatures living in underground aquifers.

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.

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.

Durability vs. recyclability: Dueling goals in making electronics more sustainable

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers highlights the challenges of designing products that balance durability and recyclability. While some products, like automobiles, can achieve both goals, many others face trade-offs between increasing device life span and reducing electronic waste. The study's findings suggest ...

How do muscle and tendon connections last a lifetime?

Muscle-tendon attachments must resist high mechanical forces for life, but surprisingly few Talin molecules experience detectable forces at developing attachments. To cope with increasing tissue forces, muscles recruit a large number of Talin molecules to share the peak forces produced during contractions.

Researchers identify 'beauty spots' in the genome

A genome-wide association study found that genetic variations linked to beauty also impact body mass in women and blood cholesterol levels in men. The study highlights the complex relationships between beauty and other human traits.

Artificial intelligence approach optimizes embryo selection for IVF

A new AI approach analyzes time-lapse images of embryos to predict pregnancy potential, improving IVF success rates and minimizing multiple pregnancies. Researchers used a large dataset of human embryos to train an algorithm that can classify embryo quality with high accuracy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The decline of state-level IVC filter utilization

National IVC filter utilization declined by 36.3% in the Medicare population between 2009 and 2015, with varying rates across states. The privately insured population saw a 26.6% decline in IVC filter utilization over the same period.

Damaging Sichuan earthquakes linked to fracking operations

Two moderate-sized earthquakes in Sichuan Province caused extensive damage and injury, likely triggered by nearby fracking operations. The earthquakes coincided with injection activities at fracking well pads, suggesting a link between the two.

Insulin insights

Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered an unexpected mechanism by which insulin triggers changes to thousands of genes. The insulin receptor is physically transported to the cell nucleus and helps initiate the expression of insulin-related genes, providing new avenues for diabetes research and potential therapeutic targets.

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.

Researchers create molecules with strong anti-Zika virus potential

Scientists at ASRC have created a new class of molecules showing potent anti-Zika activity and low toxicity towards animal cells. These compounds may become the basis for a Zika-specific therapeutic, with potential applications in treating other viruses and bacterial infections.

Poverty leaves a mark on our genes

A Northwestern University study found that poverty can become embedded in nearly 10% of the genome, associated with over 2,500 sites and 1,500 genes. This epigenetic mark may shape gene expression and contribute to disease development.

Cancer exports molecular 'saboteurs' to remotely disarm immune system

Researchers identified a phenomenon where cancer cells export PD-L1 in exosomes, remotely disarming immune cells and preventing them from attacking tumors. This discovery may help explain immunotherapy resistance and hints at new strategies to unleash the immune system against disease.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers uncover hidden deicer risks affecting bridge health

Researchers found that magnesium chloride deicers can cause significant degradation of concrete strength and micro-hardness, even without visible signs of damage. The study's findings have important implications for transportation officials and the use of magnesium chloride as a winter road treatment.

ERC Advanced Grant for Thomas Rudel

Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.

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.

Experts call for strategies to address public health crisis of opioid, ID epidemics

The article highlights the growing public health crisis of opioid and infectious disease (ID) epidemics, citing increased rates of HIV, viral hepatitis, and skin infections linked to rising opioid use. Experts recommend strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists, including investments in evidence-based ...

One in every 12 Canadian with migraines has attempted suicide

A study by the University of Toronto found that adults with migraines who experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse were more likely to attempt suicide. Approximately 8.7% of individuals with migraines had attempted suicide, compared to 2.3% without the disorder.

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.

And the blobs just keep on coming

Researchers discovered massive blobs of solar wind in archival data from NASA's Helios spacecraft, which could shed light on the solar wind's beginnings. The study used advanced modeling and analysis to connect the blob patterns to specific regions on the Sun.

Improving 3D-printed prosthetics and integrating electronic sensors

A Virginia Tech professor and his team have developed a method to integrate electronic sensors into personalized 3D-printed prosthetics, gathering information on pressure and comfort. This technology aims to improve the functionality of wearable systems and create more affordable electric-powered prosthetics.

A new DFG Research Unit for rare genetic diseases

A new research unit at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin aims to improve the identification and diagnosis of rare genetic diseases by analyzing non-coding DNA sequences. The researchers will develop software for whole-genome data analysis, enhancing our understanding of gene regulation and transcription.

Jurassic crocodile discovery sheds light on reptiles' family tree

A newly identified species of 150 million-year-old marine crocodile has given insights into how a group of ancient animals evolved. The fossil, named Cricosaurus bambergensis, features distinguishing characteristics in its jaws and tail, aiding greater understanding of the metriorhynchid family.

About TFE: Old and new findings

Researchers review TFE's role as a structuring agent for unfolded peptides, inducing helical conformations, while also enhancing protein denaturation. The study details recent applications of TFE in conformational studies, including antimicrobial and aggregation-prone peptides.

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.

Liquid jets break up more readily on a substrate

Researchers used computational models to investigate how liquid drops behave on surfaces. They found that the presence of a substrate makes breakup more likely, leading to three possible scenarios: collapse into one droplet, break up into multiple droplets, or re-form back into a single droplet.

Cathinone color test is now on the market

A color test developed at University of Technology Sydney can accurately detect all cathinones, a new illicit synthetic drug entering the market every four days. The test is now commercialized and being marketed to police and customs agencies in Europe, offering a solution for detecting new psychoactive substances.

Cell lesson: better coordinated than isolated

A new study led by Juana Díez has discovered a common regulator, Xrn1, that connects the three main stages of gene expression. This common coordinator prevents toxic aggregations in membrane proteins, ensuring the cell's robustness against genetic alterations.

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.

Australian research uncovers link between dietary fiber and lung disease

A new study by Australian researchers has discovered that dietary fiber reduces lung inflammation and damage, improving lung function. The findings suggest that consuming high amounts of fiber may help prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition affecting 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 40.

Using a promiscuous inhibitor to uncover cancer drug targets

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identify key molecules supporting lung cancer cell survival, demonstrating simultaneous inhibition of two signaling pathways. This approach could aid in designing drugs that selectively attack multiple proteins, beneficial for managing certain tumors.

Dedicated sleep and dementia research unit launches at UEA

A new state-of-the-art sleep unit has opened at the University of East Anglia, pioneering research will investigate the link between sleep and dementia. The unit aims to determine whether treating sleep disturbances early on could help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

No such thing as 'sugar rush'! Sugar worsens mood rather than improving it

A new study published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews found that sugar has no beneficial effect on mood and can even worsen it. Researchers analyzed data from 31 studies involving over 1,300 adults and discovered that sugar consumption increases tiredness and lowers alertness within an hour after consumption.

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.