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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 4 of 44

Study reveals hip and knee replacement performance in England and Wales

Researchers analyzed 4,442 hip implants and 947,686 knee replacements to find that some implants have excellent results with low failure rates, while others perform poorly. The study provides a comprehensive benchmark for joint replacement surgery, enabling patients to discuss their options with surgeons.

A simple solution to a complex problem

A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has discovered a transport protein in mycobacteria responsible for absorbing L-arabinofuranose, a crucial nutrient. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics and treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.

Readmission penalties for safety net hospitals drop under new rules

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program saw a 4 percentage point reduction in penalties across all hospitals and a 14 percentage point reduction in penalties for safety net hospitals. Researchers found the greatest impact on nonteaching, physician-owned hospitals in rural regions.

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 polymer films conduct heat instead of trapping it

MIT engineers have developed thin polymer films that conduct heat better than many metals, including steel and ceramic. The films, which are thinner than plastic wrap, exhibit high thermal conductivity due to the untangled molecular structure of polyethylene.

Suicide rates spike nationally among youth after '13 Reasons Why' release

A recent study found a significant increase in youth suicide deaths following the release of '13 Reasons Why,' highlighting the need for responsible reporting on suicide. The series' portrayal of suicidal behavior has been criticized for potentially promoting simplistic explanations and glorifying the decedent.

Same brain cells active during sleep and exploration in mice

Researchers have found that melanin-concentrating hormone neurons are active during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and when exploring novel objects in mice. This suggests these cells may facilitate memory formation through single-cell activity patterns.

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.

Ag census reveals first reports of kiwiberry production in the northeast

For the first time since 1840, farmers in several Northeast states are reporting kiwifruit production operations, with two producers in New Hampshire self-reporting kiwifruit production. The increase in kiwiberry operations is attributed to growing consumer interest, an established valuation of local produce, and a unique culture of di...

Plant cells eat their own ... membranes and oil droplets

Researchers found that autophagy helps build and break down plant oils by delivering fatty acids from membrane recycling to lipid droplets. By manipulating this process, scientists may be able to drive up oil accumulation in bioenergy crops.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Prestige of current affiliation shapes scientific productivity

Research finds that current affiliation's prestige shapes the scientific productivity of early-career faculty, not past training environment. Faculty at more prestigious institutions produce significantly more scholarly output than those at less prestigious institutions.

Record solar hydrogen production with concentrated sunlight

Researchers at EPFL's LRESE have developed an enhanced photo-electrochemical system that can efficiently produce hydrogen using concentrated solar irradiation. The device has achieved a 17% conversion rate and is stable, with the ability to handle stochastic dynamics of daily solar irradiation.

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.

Decoupled graphene thanks to potassium bromide

Graphene decoupling with potassium bromide leads to improved electrical properties, closing the gap to pure graphene. This method reduces damage and contamination during transfer, enabling defect-free production.

Are coffee farms for the birds? Yes and no

Research reveals coffee plantations host nearly as many bird species as forests, with shaded areas providing double the number of forest specialist birds. However, overall bird populations decline, highlighting the need for large primary forest reserves for conservation.

The last chance for Madagascar's biodiversity

A team of scientists has identified five priority measures for Madagascar's new government to prevent species and habitats being lost forever. Investing in protected areas and local community tenure over natural resources are key strategies to address the country's biodiversity crisis.

Surgery shown to improve walking for children with cerebral palsy

A new surgical procedure has been shown to improve movement and quality of life for children with cerebral palsy. The selective dorsal rhizotomy procedure involves cutting sensory nerves to relieve stiffness and pain. The study provided convincing evidence that the procedure helps children, with no significant health risks identified.

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.

An important function of non-nucleated sperm

A research team has identified the Sex-lethal gene as essential for the formation of apyrene sperm, a type of non-nucleated sperm found in some animals. Apyrene sperm are required for eupyrene sperm migration in female organs, indicating their importance in fertilization.

Researchers find ice feature on Saturn's giant moon

A team of researchers led by Caitlin Griffith discovered a mysterious linear ice corridor on Titan's surface, which suggests the presence of past volcanic activity. The find sheds new light on Titan's unique atmospheric chemistry and potential for life

Food packaging claims mislead consumers with ideas of health

Research reveals that front-of-pack food claims on breakfast cereals can be uncorrelated with actual nutritional quality, yet still influence consumers' perceptions of taste, healthiness, and fattening consequences. The study identifies four distinct types of claims and their effects on consumer choices.

Study scrutinizes credibility of weight management blogs by most

A new study assesses the credibility of nine popular UK weight management influencers' blogs, finding that most failed to meet basic standards for transparency, evidence-based references, and nutrition guidance. Only one influencer met all the criteria, while those without nutritional qualifications scored lowest.

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.

Details of the history of inner Eurasia revealed by new study

Researchers analyzed DNA from 763 individuals across the region, finding three distinct east-west genetic groupings correlating with ecological zones. The study reveals previously unknown genetic connections and shifts in ancestry over time, shedding light on human migration and cultural transfer in inner Eurasia.

Widespread brain connections enable face recognition

A study found that a wider network of brain regions than previously thought is engaged in remembering a familiar face, linking the 'face network' with social, visual, and auditory circuits. This integration predicts facial memory performance.

Susceptibility to disease develops during childhood

Researchers identify five classes of early immune-system programming, linking childhood experiences to chronic inflammatory diseases and psychiatric disorders in adulthood. The study found that children with resilient immune systems were better protected against both conditions.

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.

Fleming's method in miniature

Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a new technique, nanoFleming, to rapidly test for antibiotic activity in microorganisms. The method has identified 11 novel peptides with improved efficacy or resistance-bypassing properties.

AmorChem | Champions of the 2019 KNOCK OUT!

GlycoNet researchers Drs. Alexey V. Pshezhetsky and Christopher Cairo have been awarded half a million dollars to advance research on human neuraminidase inhibitors for treating cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. The funding will support the development of novel treatments for these complex diseases.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

House hunting is a struggle for mixed-race families

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that mixed-race couples with children are more likely to move to racially diverse neighborhoods, but often settle for less affluent areas. These couples face challenges in finding neighborhoods that balance affordability with diversity and access to quality education.

For certain invasive species, catching infestation early pays off

A global meta-analysis reveals that invasive species can cause significant declines in native populations, especially when they reach higher trophic levels. Early detection becomes critical to prevent long-term damage. Strong policies are needed to prevent novel introductions and manage early stages of invasion.

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.

Ecological structure of mammal communities across time

A study analyzes mammalian communities across 98 biomes, finding that vegetation type strongly influences ecological structure. The ecospace of extinct communities overlapped with extant ones, but lacked frugivores and granivores.

Breast cancer in young women: Good outcomes with advised therapy

Studies presented at ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 found that young women with breast cancer tend to have more aggressive tumour subtypes, including triple negative and HER2 positive types. However, proper treatment according to guidelines resulted in good survival rates and local recurrence outcomes.

Tel Aviv university study paves way for innovative treatment of epilepsy

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a homeostatic mechanism that regulates brain activity in neural circuits, paving the way for new treatments of epilepsy. A commonly used medication for multiple sclerosis may also be effective in suppressing seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome.

Magma is the key to the moon's makeup

Researchers at Yale University and Japan offer an explanation for the moon's composition, suggesting that magma played a key role in its formation. The new model suggests that 80% of the moon is made up of proto-Earth materials, contradicting previous theories that suggested the impactor was responsible.

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.

Squid skin inspires creation of next-generation space blanket

Researchers created a next-generation space blanket that regulates body temperature using metal 'islands' similar to cephalopod skin, allowing infrared radiation to escape when stretched. The material is ultra-lightweight, durable, and has potential applications in clothing and building insulation.

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.

Inhaled hydrogen could protect the brain during heart-lung bypass

A new study suggests that adding hydrogen to respiratory gases could further protect babies' brains during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The treatment, combined with hypothermia, reduced seizures, tissue injury and chemical markers of brain damage in animal models.

Astronauts might soon grow SPACE tomatoes

Researchers are tweaking tiny tomato plants to increase photosynthesis and make them suitable for growing on the International Space Station. The goal is to create a crop that can feed astronauts and potentially support future space colonies.

Partitioning of porous materials

Scientists have developed a fast and versatile two-in-one synthetic strategy to partition pores in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), resulting in highly efficient adsorbents. The new pore-space-partitioned MOF shows better gas uptakes than unpartitioned materials, particularly for ammonia uptake with high packing density.

Ohio collaborative improves care of opioid-exposed infants

The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative initiative improved the care of opioid-exposed infants by reducing pharmacological treatment duration and length of hospital stay. The project, which monitored 9,648 infants from 2014 to 2018, saw a decline in the proportion requiring treatment from 48% to 42%.

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.

What makes memories stronger?

Studies in rats reveal that highly demanding and rewarding experiences result in stronger memories due to replay processes in the hippocampus. This finding provides new insights into memory consolidation, which could lead to treatments that strengthen memories and better understand memory decline in diseases like dementia.

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.