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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 39 of 44

Patent-pending probiotic could disrupt Crohn's disease biofilms

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a novel probiotic mix that can weaken and break apart stubborn microbial biofilm communities in the gut, which are often resistant to antibiotics. The study suggests this probiotic could help patients with gastrointestinal diseases avoid harmful biofilms that worsen symptoms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Crowdsourcing speeds up earthquake monitoring

A new method combines seismic data with crowdsourced information from the internet, smartphones, and Twitter to detect earthquakes more quickly. This approach reduces detection time for felt earthquakes to just 1-3 minutes, improving situational awareness.

Predicting the uphill battle

Researchers developed a series of models that strongly predict how terrain slope affects human travel rates, accounting for variability in movement. The study used crowdsourced fitness-tracking data from nearly 30,000 people, resulting in more advanced models than previous ones.

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.

New insights on liver injury in men taking body building supplements

Researchers found that men taking bodybuilding supplements experienced prolonged and difficult-to-treat liver injuries, often accompanied by jaundice and generalized itching. The study also revealed that many products contained illicit anabolic steroids not accurately listed on the label.

Detecting eye and brain disease earlier

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago are developing functional optical coherence tomography and OCT angiography to study minute changes in the retina indicating early stages of brain diseases. The technique, led by Xincheng Yao, aims to detect neurovascular coupling changes that precede clinical symptoms.

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.

Advance boosts efficiency of flash storage in data centers

Researchers have designed a new flash-storage system called LightStore that modifies SSDs to connect directly to a data center's network, enabling more efficient data storage operations. In experiments, the system was found to run twice as efficiently as traditional storage servers and required less than half the physical space.

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.

New family of glass good for lenses

Penn State researchers develop a novel zinc germanosilicate glass with high transparency, UV shielding, and favorable forming properties, making it an ideal material for lens applications. The new glass composition overcomes roadblocks associated with achieving high refractive index, such as crystallization and toxicity.

Sunscreen application has better face coverage than SPF moisturizers

A study published in PLOS ONE found that SPF moisturizer users incompletely cover their eyelid regions during application. The researchers compared sunscreen and moisturizer application and found significantly better coverage with sunscreen. This highlights the importance of using sunscreen for optimal sun protection.

Thirteen new ant species discovered in Hong Kong

A team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong has added 13 new species to the existing list of ants, including three miniature trap-jaw ants and five non-native species. These discoveries highlight the importance of monitoring insect populations in Hong Kong and beyond.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ushering in ultrafast cluster electronics

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a computational approach to predict the behavior of clusters of molecules, enabling faster electronic devices with on/off switching and reversible conductivity. This method could lead to the creation of cluster molecular electronics, a new field of science.

Insect-deterring sorghum compounds may be eco-friendly pesticide

Researchers found that flavonoids, produced by sorghum plants to defend against insect feeding, are effective in repelling corn leaf aphids. The compounds are not present in the phloem but in epidermal cells, where they can be taken up by insects and lead to their demise.

Coral study traces excess nitrogen to Maui wastewater treatment facility

A new study connects excess nutrients in West Maui's coastal waters to a sewage treatment facility that injects treated wastewater into the ground. The researchers developed a procedure for analyzing nitrogen isotopes in coral skeletons, providing a 40-year record of changes in nitrogen sources over time.

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.

California's current earthquake hiatus is an unlikely pause

A new study published in Seismological Research Letters found that California's current 100-year earthquake hiatus is highly unlikely, occurring at a 0.3% chance over the past 1000 years. The researchers analyzed long paleoseismic records and concluded that the gap isn't a statistical fluke, but rather an exceptional event.

Study finds lower death rates for TAVR centers that do more procedures

A study by Duke University Medical Center found that hospitals performing the highest volume of TAVR procedures have significantly lower mortality rates compared to those performing fewer procedures. This relationship held true even after accounting for the learning curve and individual proceduralist performance.

Children benefit from living near conservation zones

Living near protected areas designated by IUCN can have a positive impact on children's wealth levels, reducing poverty by 17% compared to those far away. Children also experience improved growth outcomes, with higher height-for-age scores and lower risk of stunted growth.

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 pioneer new low-temperature chemical conversion process

Scientists have identified a way to convert cyclohexane to useful products at lower temperatures, reducing the need for energy and minimizing unwanted byproducts. The new catalysts work at temperatures as low as 100°C, protecting intermediate products from further conversion.

Is adenosine the missing link in restless leg syndrome?

A study identified a common mechanism implicating adenosine in RLS symptoms, including periodic limb movements and enhanced arousal. Targeting the downregulation of the adenosine A1 receptor may be a promising therapeutic strategy for RLS.

New study questions effects of reintroducing top predators

Researchers question the predictability of ecosystem changes when apex predators are reintroduced, citing climate change and invasive species as complicating factors. The study's findings have big implications for wildlife conservation in places like Yellowstone National Park.

Global warming disrupts recovery of coral reefs

New research reveals that global warming has made it difficult for coral reefs to recover, with a 89% decline in adult corals and a 93% drop in coral replenishment. The study's findings indicate that the Great Barrier Reef's resilience is now severely compromised by global warming.

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.

It's a one-way street for sound waves in this new technology

Yale researchers have developed a new technology that allows sound to flow in one direction, enabling the control of acoustic resonators. This discovery offers possibilities for enhancing electronic devices that use these resonators. The technology also enables the controlled flow of heat from one object to another.

Doing more with less in the study of plant chemical defense

Researchers developed a new technique to measure plant biochemical responses using small tissue samples, reducing the need for large sample sizes and increasing experimental efficiency. This approach allows for more nuanced and high-resolution understanding of plant defense mechanisms.

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.

Lithuanian researchers created special food for elderly patients

Researchers created a special food for elderly patients with swallowing difficulties, improving nutritional state and health indicators in just 10 days. The food is rich in unsaturated fat, vitamins, and minerals, making it easily consumable for those with swallowing issues.

Sleeping pill use linked to greater need for blood pressure medications

A study of 752 older adults found that using sleeping pills regularly was associated with an increasing number of blood pressure medications over time. The association held true regardless of sleep duration, quality, or other factors, suggesting that sleeping pill use may indicate a future need for greater hypertension treatment.

Fellowship to further international research links in Huntington's disease

A UK researcher has been awarded a fellowship to collaborate with Chinese scientists on a novel treatment strategy for Huntington's disease. The project aims to establish sustainable research links between the UK and China, with the goal of accelerating the development of an effective therapy for this devastating neurological disorder.

Optical tweezers achieve new feats of capturing atoms

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new method for trapping single atoms using optical tweezers, achieving an unprecedented 90% success rate. This breakthrough enables the efficient assembly of atom grids, a crucial step towards harnessing quantum computing power.

Study looks to iron from microbes for climate help

A new study proposes using iron powder produced by bacteria to stimulate growth of phytoplankton in the ocean, which can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This approach aims to supplement decreasing carbon emissions and mitigate climate change by fertilizing microscopic ocean plants.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

The screen interval for high cardiovascular disease risk should be individual

A study suggests that individualized screening intervals can effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk by detecting high-risk individuals more timely. The researchers found that the current 5-yearly screenings are unnecessarily frequent for low-risk individuals and insufficiently frequent for intermediate-risk individuals.

Tipping the scales

A team from TUM has successfully marked proteins with ubiquitin in a targeted manner, paving the way for exploring the inner workings of this vital regulatory system. The discovery may lead to a better understanding of protein function and its impact on diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Lung disease bronchiectasis associated with high frequency of allergy

A recent study found that patients with lung disease bronchiectasis often display sensitivity to airborne allergens, with a particular role for fungi. The discovery highlights the importance of examining bronchiectasis patients for allergies, as existing treatments can prevent worsening of the disease.

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.

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.

Hepatitis C-infected hearts and lungs safely transplanted

Researchers successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected hearts and lungs, detecting no signs of the disease and good outcomes for patients treated with a short course of antivirals. The study found that nearly all patients cleared the virus within two weeks, and graft survival was comparable to non-HCV positive donors.

Polysulfide donors strongly suppress inflammatory responses

Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a new polysulfide donor that strongly suppresses inflammatory responses. The compound artificially increases reactive sulfur species in cells, leading to reduced inflammation and improved survival rates in mice with endotoxin shock.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

High-tech material in a salt crust

Scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich simplify production of MAX phases, a desirable material class. The new method uses a salt crust to protect raw material from oxidation at high temperatures, making industrial-scale production possible.

Creating blood vessels on demand

Scientists discover a new population of immune cells that can aid in regenerative processes, enabling the creation of stable blood vessels.

Is your melanoma hot enough for immunotherapy?

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study identifies a possible way to predict which melanomas are hot and cold for immunotherapy. Tumors with specific genetic changes in the NF-kB signaling pathway are more likely to respond to anti-PD1 immunotherapies, suggesting a potential biomarker for treatment prediction.

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.