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Science News Archive April 2019 - Page 44


Page 44 of 44

Uncovering the secrets of ancient rock art using 'X-ray vision'

Scientists have developed a non-invasive technique using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to study the layers of paint in rock art. This allows for the analysis of pictographs without causing damage to the artwork, revealing complex patterns and elemental makeup of pigments.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateApr 1, 2019

Crop yield in maize influenced by unexpected gene 'moonlighting'

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified a relationship between maize crop yield and genetic activity associated with the RAMOSA3 gene. The discovery suggests that the gene may be 'moonlighting' with a hidden activity controlling branching.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 1, 2019

URI researcher calculates temperature inside moon to help reveal its inner structure

A University of Rhode Island scientist has determined the temperature at the boundary of the Moon's core and mantle, finding it to be between 1,130 and 1,470 degrees Celsius. This discovery will help create a temperature profile through the Moon, allowing researchers to better understand its internal structure, composition, and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Tobacco use makes precancerous cells that fertilize cancer growth

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found that tobacco use creates a field of precancerous cells that fertilize nearby cancer cells, enabling them to grow and resist therapy. The research suggests that these precancerous cells provide fuel through EGFR ligands, allowing cancer cells to bypass PI3K inhibition.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateApr 1, 2019

New study measures UV-filters in seawater and corals from Hawaii

Researchers analyzed 13 UV filters, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, in seawater, sediment, and coral tissues near Hawaiian coral reefs. The study found low concentrations of oxybenzone, but no octinoxate, and revealed surfactant degradation products in seawater that may impact corals.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

UTSA researcher studies bias in prosecutor filing trends

Federal prosecutors declined to pursue cases in about one quarter of all instances, with violent and drug cases being more likely to be dropped. The study found differences in decisions based on defendant characteristics, such as gender and race, as well as offense types.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateApr 1, 2019

Putting a new spin on Majorana fermions

Physicists propose a novel method to produce robust Majorana fermions in magnetic materials with different phase boundaries. This could lead to the creation of stable qubits for quantum computers, addressing limitations of current technology. The team plans to experimentally verify their findings using engineered systems.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 1, 2019

Marine protected reserves do more than restore fish

Research reveals marine reserves increase predation rates, protecting predators that were heavily fished by humans, leading to greater impacts on prey species. The analysis highlights the importance of considering ecological processes in reserve design and management.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEcology·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

A bald gene find­ing

A recent study found a gene variant in the SGK3 gene causing hairlessness in Scottish Deerhounds. The defect results in puppies born with thin fur that loses all their hair in weeks. This discovery may also provide insights into human non-hormonal baldness, as the SGK3 gene is also associated with early hair loss and baldness.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalHuman Genetics·DateApr 1, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

It is not necessary to understand a technology in order to improve it!

A team of researchers found that the creation of effective technologies depends on cultural processes, such as copying and iteration, rather than individual understanding. This challenges the traditional view that humans' intelligence is the primary driver of technological innovation.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 1, 2019

Just an hour of weekly walking staves off disability

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that an hour of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help older adults maintain their independence and reduce the risk of mobility disability by 85%. The study also showed that this amount of exercise can lower the risk of activities of daily living disability by almost 45%.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

Hunting practices and seaduck harvesting

A study analyzed biomarkers in bird feces from pond sediment cores to reconstruct seaduck population changes throughout the 20th century. The analysis revealed long-term declines in seaducks across colonies facing high hunting pressure, likely linked to Inuit community relocation and gun introduction.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Novel strategy fights back bacterial antibiotic resistance

Researchers discover how bacteria evolve mutations that confer antibiotic resistance and find a way to inhibit this process with FDA-approved drug edaravone. The study reveals that low doses of ciprofloxacin induce DNA breaks, leading to mutations in bacterial populations.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 1, 2019

More than one in 10 Canadians want to be in an open relationship

A study by University of British Columbia researchers found that one in ten Canadians prefer open relationships, with 12% reporting this as their ideal type. Despite the prevalence, stigma and difficulty discussing preferences may deter individuals from pursuing these relationships.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateApr 1, 2019

Research brief: Largest study of childhood cancer after IVF

The largest study of childhood cancer after IVF found that IVF babies are at a higher risk of certain cancers, particularly hepatic tumors. The study did not find any association between IVF and an increased risk of other specific cancers.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 1, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Compression-only CPR increases survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

A Swedish review of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data shows compression-only CPR increased six-fold and doubled the chance of survival, compared to no CPR. Bystander CPR rates nearly doubled over an 18-year period, with patients receiving standard or hands-only CPR being two times more likely to survive 30 days.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 1, 2019

Syracuse engineer receives top NSF career award for work in soft materials

Teng Zhang's NSF CAREER Award will support his research on interface mechanics in soft materials, aiming to develop better materials for wound healing, biological joint diagnosis, and underwater adhesives. The award also enables educational outreach and the integration of modeling simulation tools into Syracuse University's curriculum.

SourceSyracuse University·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Mental health disorders rife in post-conflict areas

A new study has found that 58% of people displaced following the civil war in Sri Lanka have suffered from mental health problems. The research, led by Dr Shannon Doherty at Anglia Ruskin University, also highlights the significant unmet mental health needs in the region.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateApr 1, 2019

Rise of religion pre-dates Incas at Lake Titicaca

Researchers have uncovered ancient ritual offerings near Lake Titicaca that pre-date the arrival of the Incas by several centuries. The findings suggest a more complex and ambitious spiritual system among the Tiwanaku people, who developed in the area between 500-1,100 AD.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Pitt research reveals how immune cells help tumors escape body's defenses

A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers has identified a previously unknown mechanism used by tumors to suppress the immune system. The study found that tumors use two types of immune cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), to release inhibitory cytokines, which activate a protein called BLIMP1 and disable killer T cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 1, 2019

Edible antibodies to treat and prevent gastrointestinal disorders

Scientists have developed edible antibodies that can survive digestion and reach the gut, offering an alternative to traditional treatments. The technology has potential applications in fighting gut infections, treating inflammatory disorders, and preventing diarrhea in pigs and humans.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Gilteritinib improved survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia

A phase III clinical trial found gilteritinib superior to standard chemotherapy in improving overall survival for patients with relapsed or refractory AML harboring a FLT3 mutation. Gilteritinib's relatively low toxicity enables outpatient management, shifting the treatment paradigm.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateApr 1, 2019

Face-to-face workshops increase household preparedness for disaster

A UCL-led study found that engaging households in evidence-based face-to-face workshops increases long-term disaster preparedness. Households that received training showed significant improvements in safety measures such as securing objects and having functioning smoke detectors.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Climate change threat to dolphins' survival

A recent study found that climate change can have long-lasting negative impacts on dolphin populations, with a 12% decrease in survival rate following a heatwave in Shark Bay, Western Australia. The researchers also observed fewer births among female dolphins, which persisted for at least six years.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 1, 2019

How to ice-proof the next generation of aircraft

Scientists have discovered a new method to control icing on next-generation aircraft using plasma actuators. The technology can transfer heat locally while mixing well with incoming airflow, preventing stress on composite materials. Researchers tested three configurations of actuators in high-speed cameras and infrared thermal imaging.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 1, 2019

Single agent umbralisib effective for relapsed slow-growing lymphoma

A Phase II trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center showed umbralisib to be an effective treatment for patients with relapsed marginal zone lymphoma, achieving a 55% partial or complete response rate. The drug was well-tolerated, with a 71% progression-free survival after one year.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Skyrmions could provide next generation data storage

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a way to combine multiple skyrmions into 'skyrmion bags' that can store and transfer data more efficiently. This breakthrough technology has the potential to increase data storage capacity, reduce power consumption, and pave the way for next-generation computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 1, 2019

Ethical questions raised on body donation after medically assisted death

The use of medically assisted death (MAID) has resulted in ethical concerns over body donations to anatomy programs in Canada. McMaster University's head of anatomy, Bruce Wainman, argues that guidelines are needed to ensure respectful treatment of MAID donors and avoid pressuring vulnerable individuals into donation.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAnatomical Sciences Education·DateApr 1, 2019

Same properties, lower cost

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a technique to transform copper into a material that mimics properties of gold and silver. The new medium, made of copper nanoparticles, has applications in the production of electronic devices and is suitable for environmentally friendly printing technologies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 1, 2019
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.

Intestinal bacteria can be used to predict occurrence of colorectal cancer

Researchers found signature of 16 disease-related microbial species associated with colorectal cancer and identified Fusobacterium nucleatum and choline trimethylamine-lyase gene in fecal samples. The study paves the way for non-invasive predictive tests for different populations.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019