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Science News Archive August 2019


Page 32 of 38

Fighting a mighty weed

Scientists are racing to find solutions as Palmer amaranth develops resistance to multiple herbicides, outcompeting crops for resources. The weed's ability to thrive and produce new generations of resistant plants poses significant threats to crop yields.

Observation-driven research to inform better groundwater management policies

A new study reveals that higher rainfall does not necessarily equate to higher groundwater recharge, and that aridity and episodicity play a crucial role in determining groundwater replenishment. The research also finds that some sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing declining groundwater levels due to drying climate trends.

BU researchers: 'Set' of gun laws needed to reduce gun violence

A Boston University study finds that laws restricting who can have a gun are most effective in reducing firearm homicides, with different laws more effective in urban and suburban/rural areas. Universal background checks and stringent concealed carry laws show promise in reducing urban and suburban/rural rates.

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.

Spinning towards robust microwave generation on the nano scale

Spin-torque oscillators, used to generate microwaves, are unstable when connected in series due to random fluctuations that can suppress or destroy the oscillations. The new study suggests alternative methods for robust microwave generation on the macro scale.

Cancer in the oldest old: The fastest growing age group in the US

Adults aged 85 years and older account for the fastest-growing age group in the US, with higher cancer incidence rates but lower screening and treatment rates. The most common cancers among this population are lung, breast, prostate, and colorectum, but late-stage diagnosis and poorer survival outcomes are also reported.

Sorting out who needs a pill sorter

A new study has found that pharmacies are giving out twice as many pill organisers as ten years ago, which can cause harm to some patients. The research team developed guidelines for healthcare teams to identify patients who may benefit from using a pill organiser or alternative solutions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Physicians call for an end to conversion therapy

Conversion therapy practices cause significant harm, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and economic burdens. Physicians advocate for education reform to better identify patients who underwent or may be undergoing conversion therapy.

Marijuana legalization reduces opioid deaths

A new study published in Economic Inquiry reveals that marijuana access leads to significant reductions in opioid-related deaths. The research found a decrease of 20-35% in annual opioid mortality rates following recreational marijuana legalization in the US.

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.

NZ big bird a whopping 'squawkzilla'

The new bird, Heracles inexpectatus, is twice the size of the critically endangered kakapo and dwarfs its modern cousins. Fossil records show that it weighed around 7 kg and had a massive beak capable of cracking most food sources.

NASA sees Flossie now a remnant low pressure area

Flossie has weakened into a remnant low-pressure area, with scattered areas of cold clouds in thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures reaching -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The system is moving northwestward and expected to dissipate by Wednesday.

Tariffs lead to creative supply chains

A Michigan State University team applied metacoupling to analyze socioeconomic and environmental interactions in global soybean trade. The results show that Chinese demand for foreign soybeans affects not only Brazil but also neighboring countries like Paraguay and Argentina.

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.

NASA satellite finds strong storms circling Lekima's center

NASA's Aqua satellite images show a ring of strong thunderstorms around Lekima's center, with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots. The storm is expected to strengthen into a typhoon and pass over Taiwan before dissipating off China's east coast.

Sleep interrupted: What's keeping us up at night?

A large longitudinal sleep study found that evening use of nicotine and alcohol within four hours of bedtime was associated with disrupted sleep. In contrast, caffeine consumption did not have a significant impact on sleep parameters. The study's findings suggest that promoting the restriction of evening nicotine and alcohol use may im...

NASA finds heavy rain in new tropical storm Krosa

NASA's GPM satellite detected heavy rainfall east of Tropical Storm Krosa's center, falling at a rate of 50 mm/hour over open ocean. The storm was moving northwest and had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph) before strengthening into a typhoon.

New award will honor Winslow Briggs' legacy of mentorship

The American Society of Plant Biologists will establish a mentorship award in honor of legendary plant scientist Winslow Briggs. The award recognizes outstanding commitment to mentoring and supporting next-generation scientists, with the inaugural recipient to chair a symposium at the ASPB annual conference.

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.

Manipulating brain cells by smartphone

A team of researchers has developed a soft neural implant that can be wirelessly controlled using a smartphone, enabling chronic chemical and optical neuromodulation. The device uses replaceable drug cartridges and powerful low-energy Bluetooth for prolonged periods.

Raising the standard for psychology research

A new standard, BIDS, allows researchers to compare and combine studies in an apples-to-apples way. This enables the sharing and analysis of large brain imaging datasets, improving the field's ability to understand brain function.

Kappa opioid receptor influences naltrexone's effects on drinking alcohol

Researchers identified a link between the kappa opioid receptor and naltrexone's effectiveness in reducing craving and consumption in heavy drinkers. The study suggests that individuals with more kappa opioid receptors may not respond to naltrexone treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.

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.

Dead planets can 'broadcast' for up to a billion years

Scientists have identified the best candidate white dwarfs to hunt for exoplanet cores, which can survive for over 100 million to a billion years. The researchers plan to use radio telescopes to detect radio waves emitted by the cores, potentially leading to breakthrough discoveries.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Most seniors with dementia live at home, despite pain, anxiety, poor health

Researchers found that older adults with moderately severe dementia living at home have more chronic conditions, pain, and anxiety than those in nursing homes. However, they also reported higher rates of falls, depression, and poor health. The study emphasizes the importance of improving home-based medical care for these patients.

The limits of rainforest growth

A new study by TUM researchers suggests that rainforest growth limits are being tested due to insufficient phosphorus. Trees can only absorb additional carbon dioxide if phosphorous is available, leading to a potential 50% decrease in CO2 absorption under increased atmospheric pressure.

Striped glow sticks

Scientists have developed a new strategy for constructing photonic heterostructure crystals with tunable properties, which can absorb and transmit photons. These crystals, in the form of striped rods, exhibit unique fluorescence behavior and serve as a prototype for a logic gate.

APOE variants' effect on mortality studied in 38,000

A new study of 38,537 persons suggests that the rare APOE-ε2 variant is associated with prolonged survival, contrasting with the more widely studied APOE-ε4 variant. The findings could lead to novel preventive and treatment options for healthy aging and longevity.

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.

Blood pressure monitoring may one day be easy as taking a video selfie

Researchers developed a transdermal optical imaging system that uses facial videos to predict blood pressure with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to become an accessible and convenient method for monitoring blood pressure, particularly for individuals who may not follow traditional cuff-based devices.

Industrial fishing behind plummeting shark numbers

Researchers found that sharks are much rarer in habitats closer to people and fish markets, with a significant drop in average body size. The study suggests that industrial fishing is the main driver of this decline, which has major implications for ocean ecosystems.

NASA finds tropical storm Francisco in the Korea strait

NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Storm Francisco in the Korea Strait, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms capable of heavy rain. The storm is located about 33 nautical miles north-northeast of Busan, South Korea, and is expected to move north and then northeast through the Sea of Japan.

Ionic thermal up-diffusion boosts energy harvesting

Scientists have discovered that ionic thermal up-diffusion can significantly improve the efficiency of nanofluidic salinity gradient energy harvesting by promoting selectivity and suppressing ion concentration polarization. This innovative approach enables the creation of tunable ionic voltage sources, leading to enhanced power output.

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.

Thyme essential oil in corn starch particles combats Aedes aegypti larvae

Researchers developed a novel, biodegradable larvicide system using thymol from thyme essential oil, which is effective against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The system uses microcapsules made of corn starch particles to control the release of larvicide, making it suitable for small water containers and reducing environmental harm.

How brain cells pick which connections to keep

Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute identified the gene and protein CPG15 that enables brain cells to select permanent synapses based on experience-driven neural activity. Without CPG15, mice exhibit slower learning and reliance on circuit architectures that haven't been refined by experience.

Thyroid screening may not be needed in all youth with psychiatric disorders

A University of Cincinnati study found that abnormal thyroid function is present in just over 6% of psychiatrically hospitalized youth. The research suggests that targeted screening should focus on patients with a family history of thyroid disease, recent weight gain, or treatment with specific medications.

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.

How can robots land like birds?

The study, published in eLife, reveals that birds adapt their grip by wrapping their toes and curling their claws to stick the landing. Researchers aim to apply this knowledge to develop more nimble flying robots with bimodal capabilities.

Natural gas storage research could combat global warming

A team led by Dr. Mert Atilhan and Dr. Cafer Yavuz developed a new porous polymer that can store natural gas more effectively than current methods. This breakthrough material has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by storing cleaner-burning fuels, such as natural gas, instead of coal or oil.

Guacamole lovers, rejoice! The avocado genome has been sequenced

The avocado genome has been sequenced, shedding light on its ancient origins and providing a foundation for future improvements to farming. The study reveals that the popular Hass avocado inherited about 61% of its DNA from Mexican varieties and about 39% from Guatemalan ones.

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.

Robotic cane shown to improve stability in walking

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering developed a robotic cane that provides light-touch assistance in walking, improving stability and balance. The device, called CANINE, acts as a mobile assistant to track a person's gait and provide support, resulting in narrower strides and increased gait stability.

New hormone injection aids weight loss in obese patients

A new hormone injection has shown promising results in aiding weight loss and improving blood glucose levels in obese patients. The treatment, which involves infusing three specific hormones, led to an average weight loss of 4.4kg and near-normal blood glucose levels in patients.

OU microbiologists provide framework for assessing ecological diversity

A University of Oklahoma team has developed a mathematical framework for quantitatively assessing ecological diversity in dynamic communities. The framework, which considers both deterministic and stochastic forces, provides a robust tool for ecologists to evaluate the relative contribution of these forces.

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.

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.

'Weaponized interdependence' wields economic networks as political weapons

Research in International Security reveals how powerful states exert leverage over key products and services to coerce other nations, challenging traditional globalization narratives. This phenomenon of 'weaponized interdependence' has significant implications for international relations and global economic networks.