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Science News Archive August 2019


Page 21 of 38

Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) vol 4, issue 2 publishes

The latest issue of Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications features a wide range of papers on various cardiovascular topics. These include studies on selective coronary angiography following cardiac arrest and systemic vasculitis as an underestimated cause of malignant hypertension. The journal also covers reviews on epicardial co...

One in five awaiting new hip suffering extreme pain, study shows

A recent study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that nearly 20% of people waiting for hip replacements suffer from extreme pain or discomfort. The study also revealed that knee replacement patients face similar struggles, with 12% reporting severe health issues.

Discovery could pave the way for disease-resistant rice crops

Researchers have identified a specific rice immune receptor that can trigger immune reactions in response to multiple fungal proteins, paving the way for disease-resistant rice crops. Gene-editing technologies could be used to precisely insert genes into rice plants, overcoming issues with linkage drag and enhancing disease resistance.

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.

Immune cells drive gallstone formation

Researchers discover that sticky meshworks of DNA and proteins extruded by neutrophils act as the glue that binds together calcium and cholesterol crystals during gallstone formation. Inhibiting NETs reduces gallstone growth in mice, offering new strategies for treating gallstone disease.

National narcissism rears its head in study of WWII

A study by Washington University researchers found that people ascribe an inflated weight to their country's contribution to WWII. Russians view the war differently, listing D-Day as a 'relief' for Soviet forces rather than a pivotal moment.

How buildings can cut 80% of their carbon emissions by 2050

Researchers suggest that reaching an 80% reduction in building CO2 emissions by 2050 requires highly energy-efficient technologies, new operational approaches, and electrification of fossil fuel-based systems. The study identifies two promising avenues for reducing emissions: energy-saving retrofits and smart software optimization.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Climate change 'disrupts' local plant diversity, study reveals

Research from the University of York suggests that climate change is disrupting local plant communities, leading to increases in species richness in certain areas. The study analyzed over 200 studies and found that rapid changes in rainfall are driving these local diversity increases.

Simulation of the future in the Grimsel rock laboratory

Scientists are simulating nuclear waste disposal in the Grimsel rock laboratory to explore the stability of the geotechnical barrier bentonite. The research team inserted a small barrier system into a natural flow system and observed its behavior over four years, finding that the radionuclides moved but remained near the barrier.

Data assimilation method offers improved hurricane forecasting

A new approach developed at Penn State's Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques can accurately forecast the intensity and trajectory of Hurricane Harvey. The method uses data from the GOES-16 satellite and Penn State's all-sky radiance technique, which more accurately models hurricanes.

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.

Study finds lack of racial diversity in cancer drug clinical trials

A recent study found that fewer than eight per cent of cancer drug trials included participation from all four major races in the US between 2008 and 2018. Black and Hispanic patients were particularly underrepresented, with rates of 22 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

Mapping the brain landscape for Alzheimer's disease using artificial intelligence

A team of researchers led by Brittany Dugger will study donated post-mortem brain tissues from diverse individuals with Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican heritage to define the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease in Hispanic cohorts. The goal is to develop specific disease profiles and improve prevention and treatment.

Tweaked CRISPR in neurons gives scientists new power to probe brain diseases

Researchers at UCSF and NIH create a new CRISPR technique that allows them to systematically alter gene activity in human neurons, enabling the study of neurological diseases. They discovered that housekeeping genes behave differently in neurons and stem cells, suggesting that these differences may play important roles in disease.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

When the cardiology patient ends up in the oncology care ward

A new study found that off-service patient placement contributes to a 23% longer hospital stay and a higher chance of being readmitted within 30 days. The research also reveals that this practice leads to nearly 4,000 additional patient-days per year.

Deep-earth diamonds reveal primordial rock source in Earth's mantle

Researchers analyzed helium isotopes in super-deep diamonds to find evidence of pristine reservoirs of primordial rock material beneath the upper mantle. The study suggests that these reservoirs occasionally infiltrate the transition zone and mix with subducting material, creating diverse isotopic compositions.

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.

Screening for cervical spine risk factors could reduce CT scans by half

A new prospective study of over 4,000 children found that screening for cervical spine risk factors can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary CT scans. The study identified seven key risk factors that can aid clinicians in deciding which children need imaging, with the potential to spare hundreds of children from cancer annually.

The relationship between mean platelet volume and in-hospital mortality in geriatric patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Geriatric patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention have higher in-hospital mortality rates if they have a high mean platelet volume. This is also associated with higher Gensini scores, creatinine concentrations, and lower HDL cholesterol levels.

New pain organ discovered in the skin

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new sensory organ in the skin that detects painful mechanical damage, such as pricks and pressure. This discovery changes our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of physical sensation and may be significant in the understanding of chronic pain.

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.

New study shows how autism can be measured through a non-verbal marker

A Dartmouth-led research team has identified a non-verbal neural marker of autism, which shows individuals with autism are slower to dampen neural activity in response to visual signals. The findings offer an objective way to potentially diagnose autism and were found to be independent of intelligence.

Age-related illness risk for people living with HIV

A recent study found that people living with HIV have a significantly elevated risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and coughs, heart disease, pregnancy mortality and sepsis, anemia, and bone fractures. The review combined data from 20 observational studies to examine 55 different illnesses.

Stronger graphene oxide 'paper' made with weaker units

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing strong and weak graphene oxide flakes can create stronger paper, improving the material's durability. The finding sheds light on a general problem in materials engineering and has implications for other two-dimensional materials.

Drug accelerates blood system's recovery after chemotherapy, radiation

Researchers have developed a drug that speeds up blood stem cell regeneration after exposure to radiation, accelerating the recovery of cancer patients. The new compound, DJ009, lifts molecular 'brakes' on blood stem cells, enabling them to recover faster and reducing the risk of infections.

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.

Winning coaches' locker room secret

A study of hundreds of basketball half-time speeches found that negative coaches' emotions at halftime led to higher scores in the second half. While expressing positive emotions can motivate, negative emotions can also drive performance, but only up to a point.

Modified lactides promise new implementations in pharmacology and catalysis

The study introduced macrocyclic rigid structures that improve polymer properties, allowing for the creation of hybrids with biopolymers and self-assembling capabilities. These hybrids were applied in prototypes of chemical and biochemical sensors, offering good prospects for creating new smart drugs and systems.

Does opioid maintenance treatment during pregnancy harm newborns?

A new study found no harm to newborns from opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) during pregnancy compared with no treatment. The growth parameters of newborns were similar in the OMT and comparison groups, supporting the prescription of OMT drugs to pregnant women with opioid use disorders.

New study reveals unique dietary strategy of a tropical marine sponge

A new study at the University of Hawaii found that a tropical marine sponge obtains essential nutrients from its symbiotic bacteria, not from filtering seawater. This discovery provides insight into the biology of sponges and highlights the importance of marine microbes in their diet.

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.

Brain molecule identified as key in anxiety model

Researchers from the University of California, Davis and the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified neurotrophin-3 as a key molecule in anxiety models. Boosting this molecule reduced anxiety-related behaviors in nonhuman primates.

Sequential, concurrent multitasking is equally hard for men, women

A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that women and men perform equally when required to switch attention between tasks or perform two tasks simultaneously. Multitasking imposes a substantial cost on both speed and accuracy for both men and women, with no difference between the two groups in the magnitude of the cost.

New proteomics technique gives insights into ubiquitin signalling

Researchers have developed a new 'ubiquitin clipping' technique to study protein modifications, revealing branched ubiquitin chains are common and could impact diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The technique enables detailed experimentation, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential drug targets.

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.

Revolutionizing the CRISPR method

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new CRISPR-Cas method that can modify up to 25 target sites within genes in a single step. This technology enables targeted, large-scale cell reprogramming by systematically modifying entire gene networks, with potential applications in basic research and cell replacement therapy.

NIH's All of Us Research Program recaps progress and next steps

The All of Us Research Program has made strong progress in advancing precision medicine by collecting diverse participant data. The program aims to include 1 million or more people from diverse communities, with over 230,000 participants enrolled and 80% from underrepresented groups.

UTA helping to develop database to track educator sexual misconduct

Researchers are creating a database to catalog teacher misconduct cases in Texas, aiming to inform policymakers with empirical data on educator sexual misconduct. The database will include employment and certification data, shedding light on patterns among offender educators.

New drug shows encouraging survival in pancreatic cancer

A phase 1 clinical trial found that combining AZD1775, a Wee1 inhibitor, with radiation and gemcitabine resulted in better-than-expected overall survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The median overall survival was 22 months, surpassing previous results for the same treatment combination.

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.

Aerobic exercise programs may improve endurance, walking after stroke

Stroke survivors who completed group-based aerobic exercise programs showed significant improvements in aerobic endurance and walking speed. Participants with mild movement impairments benefited the most, with average distances walked during a six-minute test being almost half the size of a football field.

App allows inspectors to find gas pump skimmers faster

Researchers developed an app called Bluetana that uses Bluetooth signature detection to identify gas pump skimmers. It has been shown to discover more skimmers and have a lower false positive rate than existing apps, allowing inspectors to quickly locate the devices without manual inspections.

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.

New drug targets early instigator of Alzheimer's disease

A new small molecule drug, DYR219, targets the early instigator of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting DYRK1 kinase. This approach delays amyloid plaque formation and improves cognitive performance in hybrid mice bred to develop AD-like symptoms.

Arnold Berliner Award 2019 goes to Martin Nyffeler

Martin Nyffeler's study calculates the significant ecological role of insectivorous birds in consuming herbivorous insects and other arthropods. The research reveals that forest birds are major consumers of arthropod biomass, with an estimated 400-500 million tons of prey consumed annually.

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.

In the shadow of the dinosaurs

The newly discovered Clevosaurus hadroprodon is the oldest known fossil of its kind in Gondwana, dating back to around 237-228 million years ago. Its unique dentition features a mix of primitive and derived teeth, challenging current understanding of sphenodontian evolution.

Compost key to sequestering carbon in the soil

Researchers found that adding compost and cover crops to organic-certified systems increased soil carbon content by 12.6% over a 19-year period, outperforming the international '4 per 1000' initiative. This approach stores more carbon than previously calculated, highlighting the importance of balancing diet for microorganisms in soils.

Nanoparticle therapy targets lymph node metastases

A new nanoparticle delivery tool targets metastatic cancer cells in lymph nodes, leading to improved survival rates and reduced tumor growth. The therapy, called iCluster, effectively treats cancer at primary tumor sites as well as distant lymph node metastases.

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.