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Science News Archive August 2019


Page 14 of 38

Scientists probe how distinct liquid organelles in cells are created

Membrane-less organelles (MLOs) are liquid droplets made from proteins and RNA that facilitate storage and biochemical activity within cells. The study found that MLOs are highly sensitive to the level of divalent cations, with fluctuations in these ions profoundly tuning their liquid properties.

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.

Patient charges mean young people visit doctor less

A study published in the European Journal of Health Economics found that young adults in Sweden reduce their primary care visits by 7% when they turn 20 and start paying SEK 100 for each visit. Women from low-income groups are most affected, with a 14% decrease in visits.

China's two-child policy has led to 5.4 million extra births

A study published in The BMJ found that China's universal two-child policy resulted in an additional 5.4 million births, with a significant increase in births to older mothers and multiparous mothers. However, the policy's impact on premature births was not significantly increased.

Parasite needs chemical (lipid/nutrient) in cat intestines for sex

Researchers discovered that Toxoplasma gondii requires linoleic acid to complete its sexual phase of life, a nutrient found at high levels in feline intestines. The finding may lead to the development of treatments to reduce the spread of toxoplasmosis from cats to humans.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Women more likely to have 'typical' heart attack symptoms than men

Research funded by the British Heart Foundation has challenged a long-held medical myth that women experience unusual heart attack symptoms. According to the study, both men and women present with similar key symptoms, such as chest pain and nausea, highlighting the need for awareness of common warning signs.

UH engineer offers proposals to improve nation's electric grid

A UH engineer offers two winning proposals to the US Department of Energy to enhance the nation's electric grid, focusing on accommodating variable renewable energy generation. His projects include reconfiguring transmission networks and upgrading energy management systems with microgrids.

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.

$20 million grant awarded to Maine institutes for DNA-based ocean monitoring

The project aims to develop a cutting-edge, DNA-based toolset to monitor aquatic life in coastal waters and support sustainable fisheries, protect vulnerable species, and manage climate change impacts. eDNA techniques will provide a comprehensive view of marine life and validate the approach as an important tool for ecosystem management.

Germany and United Kingdom are popular destinations

A study by University of Göttingen researchers found that Germany and UK are the most popular destination countries for EU internal migration. The analysis showed that richer countries attract more immigrants, and neighboring countries have a high rate of movement between them.

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.

Ocean temperatures turbocharge April tornadoes over Great Plains region

New research finds that unusual ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic can increase April tornado occurrences over the Great Plains. Climate researchers discovered a link between ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions that enhance thunderstorms and tornado-favorable environments.

Physical activity at any intensity linked to lower risk of early death

A large study published in The BMJ found that even light physical activity reduces the risk of early death, with more intense activity having a greater impact. The study analyzed data from over 36,000 adults and found that spending 9.5 hours or more sedentary per day increases the risk of death.

A hallmark of superconductivity, beyond superconductivity itself

Researchers at Rice University discovered electron pairing in ultrapure lanthanum strontium copper oxide (LSCO) samples at temperatures well above the critical threshold for superconductivity. The finding suggests two energy scales exist, one where pairs form and another where they exhibit collective behavior.

Promising gene replacement therapy moves forward at Ohio State

Researchers at Ohio State University have made significant breakthroughs in gene replacement therapy for Niemann-Pick type A disease, demonstrating its safety and therapeutic effects in nonhuman primates and mouse models. The treatment has shown a 'bystander effect', preventing motor and memory impairment and increasing survival rates.

Speed identified as the best predictor of car crashes

Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that speeding is a strong predictor of car crashes, while hard braking and acceleration had no statistically significant links. The analysis used data from 28 million trips and suggests that insurance companies should look at speed when assessing driver risk.

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.

Most patients willing to share medical records for research purposes

A survey of over 1,800 participants found that more than 67% were willing to share all items with researchers from their home institution, while fewer shared with other institutions. The way preferences are elicited also affects sharing, with opt-out forms resulting in greater sharing per item.

New technique could streamline design of intricate fusion device

A new mathematical technique developed by Caoxiang Zhu at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory can help simplify the design of stellarators, reducing construction time and costs. The method identifies irregular magnetic fields produced by stellarator coils, allowing for the creation of more stable plasmas.

Music charts are increasingly short-lived

Researchers found that music chart statistics have changed significantly since the 1990s, with albums now having shorter lifetimes. The diversity of charts has doubled or tripled, and albums either reach the top immediately or never make it.

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.

Study shows hazardous patterns of prescription opioid misuse in the US

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that 88% of past-12-month prescription opioid users used the drugs only as prescribed by a physician, while 4% misused them. Prescription-only misusers were more likely to be depressed and have higher rates of substance use disorder and benzodiazepine misuse.

New efficient method for urine analysis may tell us more

Researchers at Aarhus University have successfully developed a new method for analyzing urine samples, making it cheaper and more accurate. The approach uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with a contrast agent to identify and quantify small molecule compounds in urine.

Nordic Bronze Age attracted wide variety of migrants to Denmark

The study analyzed skeletal remains from 37 localities across present-day Denmark, revealing a shift in human mobility at the beginning of the Nordic Bronze Age. Migrants came from diverse regions, including southern Scandinavia, the Italian Alps, and Cornwall in south England.

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.

'Key player' identified in genetic link to psychiatric conditions

Researchers at Cardiff University have identified the CYFIP1 gene as a potential cause of abnormalities in brain structure seen in psychiatric conditions. The study found that the deletion of this gene leads to thinning of the insulation around nerve cells, disrupting communication between brain regions.

Antibiotics exposure linked to increased colon cancer risk

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that taking a single course of antibiotics may boost the risk of developing colon cancer a decade later. The study, published in the journal Gut, highlights the need for judicious use of antibiotics and careful stewardship.

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.

Measuring the charge of electrons in a high-temp superconductor

Researchers detected a large concentration of electron pairs outside key temperature and energy ranges in a copper-oxide material, sparking hope for improving the superconducting properties of cuprates. By leveraging this knowledge, scientists may be able to enhance superconductivity by tweaking parameters or searching for other materi...

Yale study uses real-time fMRI to treat Tourette Syndrome

A Yale study has trained adolescents with Tourette Syndrome to control their tics through real-time fMRI, achieving significant symptom reductions. The technique, called rt-fMRI-NF, involves monitoring brain activity in real time and adjusting it towards healthier patterns.

New pharmaceutical target reverses osteoporosis in mice

Duke researchers identify biochemical receptor that can reverse bone degradation caused by osteoporosis, offering new potential treatment option. The study found that activating the adenosine receptor A2B can halt and even reverse bone deterioration in mouse models of osteoporosis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

127-year-old physics problem solved

Researchers have solved a 127-year-old physics problem regarding the Kelvin angle in boat wakes, finding that the traditional assumption is not always true. The study reveals that boat wakes can have a different angle and even be off-center when affected by shear flow or other environmental factors.

In cystic fibrosis, lungs feed deadly bacteria

A new study suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in cystic fibrosis lungs due to an abundance of succinate, a byproduct of cellular metabolism. This excess succinate fuels the growth of the bacteria and promotes chronic infections.

Why initial UTIs increase susceptibility to further infection

Initial urinary tract infections can cause long-lasting changes to the bladder's immune response, making it more prone to future infections. The study found that targeting TNF-alpha or other inflammatory responses may help prevent or alleviate recurrent UTIs.

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 men on top when it comes to life expectancy

A new study measures life expectancy based on historical mortality conditions, revealing Australian men live to 74.1 years, surpassing other countries like Japan and the Nordic nations. This achievement is attributed to Australia's long history of stability and high standard of living, which have contributed to better health outcomes.

Meaningful PTSD symptom decrease may lower type 2 diabetes risk

A study by Saint Louis University found that clinically meaningful PTSD improvement is associated with a 49% lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes. The researchers also discovered that in patients with both PTSD and depression, improvement in both conditions may be necessary to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes.

Health records pin broad set of health risks on genetic premutation

A study published in Science Advances found that individuals carrying the FMR1 gene premutation are at risk for a wide range of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea. The research analyzed electronic health records of nearly 20,000 individuals and identified an astonishing range of symptoms affecting FMR1 ca...

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.

Study reveals E. coli's secret weapon in launching infections

Researchers discovered that EspG protein prevents E. coli from forming pedestals in intestinal cells, allowing the bacteria to anchor and grow. This finding offers new possibilities for treating diarrheal diseases caused by pathogenic strains of E. coli.

Origin of massive methane reservoir identified

Researchers have discovered a vast reserve of methane in the Earth's oceanic crust, formed through chemical reactions involving seawater and olivine. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding the origins of life beyond our planet.

A battery-free sensor for underwater exploration

The MIT team has created a submerged system that harnesses the vibration of 'piezoelectric' materials to generate power, transmit data, and receive signals without batteries. This technology enables long-term underwater sensing for climate change research, marine life tracking, and potential applications on other planets.

Selfie versus posie

Researchers at Washington State University found that individuals who post more selfies are viewed as less likeable, more insecure, and less open to new experiences. On the other hand, those who share more posed photos are seen as higher in self-esteem, more adventurous, and having better social skills.

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.

Risk of psychotic disorders has disease-specific brain effects

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that relatives of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have unique brain abnormalities, despite symptom overlap. The findings suggest that familial risk for these disorders influences brain development already early in life.