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Science News Archive April 2019


Page 8 of 44

Drug overdoses in young people on the rise

Death rates from drug poisoning in American adolescents and young adults rose significantly over the last decade, mainly fueled by opioid-related deaths. The estimated costs of these deaths were $27.1 million in medical costs, $8.5 billion in work loss costs, and $26.5 billion for quality-of-life loss in 2015.

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.

New lens system for brighter, sharper diffraction images

The new focusing system overcomes the space charge effect, allowing for improved resolution and brighter diffraction data. The team's advanced design uses quadrupole magnets to tune the electron beam, enabling on-the-fly adjustments and optimal beam quality.

Following a healthy plant-based diet may lower kidney disease risk

A new study found that consuming a nutrient-rich plant-based diet may help protect against chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. Participants with the highest adherence to a healthy plant-based diet had a lower risk of developing CKD compared to those with low adherence.

MRC researchers discover how eating feeds into the body clock

Researchers identified insulin as a primary signal that helps communicate meal timing to the body clock, driving daily physiological rhythms. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting insulin signaling and emphasize the importance of meal timing for maintaining healthy body clocks.

Healthy aging entails reorganization of function in prefrontal brain areas

Researchers analyzed 82 studies on working memory mechanisms in adults of different age groups. Meta-analyses showed that brain function decreases agreement with aging, suggesting functional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex. This changes may be a sign of compensatory function or increased variability in older adults.

How cortisol affects exposure therapy for anxiety disorders

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that administering cortisol after exposure therapy does not reinforce positive outcomes in anxiety disorders. The study, which tested arachnophobics, showed that patients who received cortisol were more likely to relapse when encountering a spider in a different context.

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.

Scientists discover what powers celestial phenomenon STEVE

Researchers found STEVE's source region in space and identified two mechanisms that cause it, with the reddish arc caused by heating of charged particles higher up in the atmosphere. The picket fence is powered by energetic electrons streaming from space thousands of kilometers above Earth, creating a unique aurora-like phenomenon.

The cellular source of fat tissue formation

Researchers have identified several classes of adipocyte progenitor cells that give rise to fat tissue in mice and humans. The discovery provides insight into the complex mechanisms underlying fat tissue formation and highlights the importance of targeted approaches to prevent metabolic diseases.

The FASEB Journal: Pericytes may improve muscle recovery

Researchers found that pericyte transplantation can facilitate full regrowth of muscle fibers in skeletal muscle following limb immobilization. Pericytes play a crucial role in regulating muscle mass, particularly in the context of recovery from disuse atrophy.

New approach to easier ice removal

Researchers have created a new method of ice removal using materials designed with low interfacial toughness, reducing the amount of force required for detachment. This approach can be applied to large surfaces like wind-turbine blades and airplane wings, minimizing catastrophic failure.

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.

Researchers reveal key to targeting dormant cancer cells

A team of scientists has uncovered the unique set of genes that keep some cancer cells dormant, which may reveal new therapeutic targets for multiple myeloma and other cancers. The study found that dormant cancer cells have a similar transcriptome signature to immune cells but are only 'switched on' when located next to osteoblasts.

Extracting something from nothing: A bright glow from empty space

A new study reveals that charged particles can emit bright flashes of gamma rays by interacting with the quantum vacuum, challenging a long-held assumption about the nature of empty space. The researchers used high-powered lasers and strong magnetic fields to create conditions where Cherenkov emission could occur in vacuum.

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.

Researchers detail marine viruses from pole to pole

Researchers have cataloged over 200,000 ocean viruses, expanding our understanding of their impact on the environment and climate change. The study found high viral diversity in the Arctic Ocean, which may serve as an 'unrecognized cradle' of biodiversity.

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.

Bringing information into the cell

Researchers at PSI have produced the most detailed image to date of a type of membrane protein involved in signal transmission. They discovered that this protein inhibits itself, preventing overproduction of cAMP, an important secondary messenger in cell signaling.

Six factors may predict invasive breast cancer recurrence after DCIS diagnosis

Researchers identified six factors associated with increased risk of invasive breast cancer recurrence after ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosis. These factors include African-American race, premenopausal status, and high histological grade. The study's findings aim to reduce overtreatment of low-risk DCIS cases.

Gonorrhoea cases on the rise across Europe

The number of gonorrhoea cases in the EU/EEA has risen by 17% in 2017, with over 240 cases per day, largely due to antibiotic resistance. The majority of cases are reported among men who have sex with men, and women are increasingly affected as well.

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.

Biomimicry of basic instinct

Chemical engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that mimics feeding, fighting, and fleeing responses in microbial particles. The system uses catalyst-coated sheets to create chemical gradients, allowing particles to respond to their environment and interact with each other.

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.

WINTHER trial results

The WINTHER trial successfully matched personalized therapy to 35% of patients with advanced cancer, showing improved overall survival for those with a high degree of matching. The trial's strategy employed RNA expression testing to tailor treatment based on gene expression differences between tumors and normal tissues.

Dengue research in the Philippines evolving over time

Researchers reviewed 60 years of dengue literature to identify trends and knowledge gaps in the Philippines. The study found that the number of dengue publications increased, but there are still gaps in basic laboratory research and newer intervention measures.

'13 Reasons Why' and young adults' risk of suicide

Researchers found that viewers who watched the entire second season of '13 Reasons Why' were less likely to report recent self-harm and thoughts of ending their lives compared to those who didn't watch at all. Young adults, particularly students, showed increased risk for future suicide when watching only part of the series.

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.

How to take the 'petro' out of the petrochemicals industry

A new research paper proposes an alternative technology - renewable electrosynthesis - to replace fossil fuels in the production of chemicals, plastics, clothing, and fertilizers. The process uses CO2 from the air, renewable electricity, and innovative catalysts to create carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative products.

Holy Pleistocene Batman, the answer's in the cave

Researchers from James Cook University analyzed 40,000-year-old bat faeces for clues about the landscape's past biodiversity. The study supports the corridor theory, suggesting a savanna corridor divided the former continent of Sundaland.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists unlock new role for nervous system in regeneration

Researchers at Tufts University have created a computational model that explains how fragments of flatworms determine which end should form a tail and which should form a head. The model predicts the outcomes of genetic, pharmacological, and surgical manipulations, such as worms with two heads or two tails.

Magnets can help AI get closer to the efficiency of the human brain

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a process to use magnetics with brain-like networks to program and teach devices to better generalize about different objects. The technology has the potential to improve object recognition tasks, enabling robots to distinguish between thousands of products in a store.

Inequality gap grew before the Great Recession and after, study finds

A study found that individuals with lower socioeconomic status faced more severe financial hardships during the Great Recession, including loss of a home or bankruptcy. The researchers also discovered widening socioeconomic disparities in economic distress, even before the recession occurred.

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.

Human encroachment alters air quality over Amazon rainforest

Researchers found elevated ozone levels 30-50% higher than baseline conditions in the Amazon rainforest downwind of the city. Human activities release nitrogen oxides and VOCs that mix with plant-emitted gases, producing chemicals affecting regional air quality and climate.

Tech fixes can't protect us from disinformation campaigns

Disinformation campaigns targeting American citizens during the 2016 election and other countries' efforts to spread fake news highlight the need for a psychological approach. Researchers propose using online games, emotional dampening tools and addressing political conditions to combat disinformation.

Wristbands do a health check while you work out

A wearable system developed at KAUST can detect glucose and lactate levels in sweat, providing insights into blood sugar problems and oxygen deficiencies. The device uses a stretchy patch with MXene-based electrodes that can be repeatedly swapped out for improved detection accuracy.

NASA finds a more circular Tropical Cyclone Lorna

Tropical Cyclone Lorna appears to be consolidating and strengthening with a more circular shape, according to NASA data from the Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is expected to move southeast while reaching hurricane strength, before becoming extra-tropical after three days.

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.

Royal Academy of Engineering technology chair for Strathclyde professor

Professor Keith Mathieson's appointment will enhance his research into technologies interfacing with the brain to advance treatments for brain disorders, dementia, and sight loss. He aims to develop a retinal prosthetic device capable of restoring near-normal vision to patients with degenerative retinal conditions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

College-age males at bars, parties more likely to be sexually aggressive

A study by Washington State University researchers found that college men who frequently attend parties or go to bars are more likely to be sexually aggressive compared to those who don't. The combination of alcohol and the setting where drinking takes place had a major impact on reported aggressive tactics used.

How to combine 'leg day' with running

James Cook University scientists found that ignoring recovery between endurance and resistance training can impair endurance development. The team suggests prioritizing recovery periods and adjusting training variables such as intensity and volume to minimize fatigue between modes of training.

The first laser radio transmitter

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have successfully transmitted data wirelessly using a semiconductor laser for the first time. The breakthrough enables the creation of ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi, paving the way for faster wireless communication.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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