Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2019


Page 9 of 38

Study finds that teens are using a highly potent form of marijuana

A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that nearly one in four Arizona teens have used marijuana concentrate, a highly potent form of marijuana. The study also discovered that teens who used concentrates had more risk factors for addiction, including lower perceived risk of harm and peer substance use.

Childhood cancer survivors at elevated risk of heart disease

Researchers found a threefold increase in cardiac events and tenfold increased risk for heart failure among childhood cancer survivors compared to cancer-free peers. Modifiable risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic disorders contribute to the elevated heart disease risk.

Novel method identifies the right individual exosomes

Researchers at Uppsala University and Vesicode AB have developed a novel proximity-dependent barcoding assay (PBA) to map surface protein complements on individual exosomes. The method enables large-scale screens for biomarkers in disease, providing a new tool for early detection and prognosis.

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.

Spontaneous brain fluctuations influence risk-taking

Research at University College London found that minute-to-minute fluctuations in human brain activity, linked to dopamine levels, impact decision-making. When the brain's dopaminergic midbrain is in a state of low activity, individuals are more likely to choose risky options.

Deep transformations needed to achieve the SDGs

The article proposes six major transformations to achieve SDGs, focusing on education, gender, energy decarbonization, sustainable food, digital revolution, and others. These transformations require deep, deliberate changes in resource use, infrastructure, institutions, technologies, and social relations.

Northern white rhino eggs successfully fertilized

A team of scientists has successfully fertilized seven out of ten northern white rhino eggs using ICSI and frozen sperm from two bulls. The eggs were matured at Avantea in Italy, marking a critical milestone in the BioRescue program aimed at saving the species from extinction.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Japanese trees synchronize allergic pollen release over immense distances

Researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that Japanese cedar and cypress trees' pollen dispersal patterns synchronizes across Japan, with strong phase synchronization in eastern regions. This discovery can help improve pollen forecasting, crucial for managing allergic rhinitis symptoms.

New scientific model can predict moral and political development

Researchers developed a scientific model predicting public opinion changes on moral issues by analyzing the connection between moral positions and arguments. The model shows that opinions supported by fairness and harm arguments gain ground over time, while classical grounds like loyalty or authority lose support.

Researchers use AI to plot green route to nylon

The NYU Tandon team discovered a way to improve the efficiency of organic electrosynthesis, a process that can easily integrate with renewable energy sources. By applying artificial intelligence to optimize the reaction, they achieved a 30% improvement in adiponitrile production.

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.

Remodeling unhealthful gut microbiomes to fight disease

Researchers developed molecules that can change unhealthful gut microbiomes into more healthful ones in mice, reducing cholesterol levels and inflammation. The study could lead to new treatments for chronic diseases related to diet.

Mammalian diets and human-modified landscapes

Research using stable isotopes shows that some mammals thrive on agricultural products in modified landscapes, while others rely on forest resources. Habitat loss from agriculture may pose conservation challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable land-use practices.

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.

Disappearing act: Device vanishes on command after military missions (video)

Researchers have developed a polymer that self-destructs upon activation, using low-temperature stability to break apart quickly. The material has been used in a rigid-winged glider and nylon-like parachute fabric for airborne delivery, and its potential applications include environmental sensors and building materials.

Effects of pollution on hair fibers

Researchers analyzed human hair fibers from polluted areas in China and found increased degradation with higher PAH levels. Exposure to UV radiation further damaged contaminated fibers, suggesting a toxic combination.

Strike three

A team of researchers has discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism that accelerates cystogenesis in polycystic kidney disease (PKD), leading to rapid cyst growth and kidney failure. The study suggests that increasing water intake and avoiding certain foods may slow the progression of ADPKD.

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.

Graphene-based wearables to prevent mosquito bites

Researchers developed graphene-based films that protect skin from mosquitoes by impeding their ability to detect molecular attractants. These wearable patches offer a potential solution for preventing insect bites without conferring mechanical puncture resistance.

$1.75 million X-ray tool is first of its kind in the US

Binghamton University has acquired a $1.75 million HArd X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy system, the third of its kind worldwide and first outside Europe. This HAXPES system allows researchers to analyze materials without disassembling them, providing detailed information about chemical and electronic structures.

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.

New way to bump off ticks: Dry up their saliva (video)

Scientists discover two compounds that can dry up tick saliva, reducing feeding and potentially limiting pathogen transmission. The treatment effectively kills ticks within 12 hours, a significant timeframe for pathogen transmission.

A 2 nm sized nanomachine able to spin and transfer its rotational energy

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology created a 2 nm sized nanomachine capable of spinning and transferring its rotational energy, outperforming natural nanomachines. The machine's ability to rotate in different directions and convert thermal energy into movement shows great promise for faster molecular transfer.

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.

Native approaches to fire management

A Stanford-led study found that incorporating traditional techniques into current fire suppression practices could help revitalize American Indian cultures, economies, and livelihoods. The approach increased the production of high-quality stems needed to make culturally significant items up to 10-fold compared with untreated shrubs.

Delivery method for CRISPR editing of breast cancer

Researchers created a deformable nanolipogel-based delivery system for CRISPR knockout of oncogene Lcn2, reducing tumor growth by 77% in human and mouse models. The delivery method shows promise as a precise therapeutic tool for treating triple-negative breast cancer.

A new way to make valuable chemicals

Researchers developed a new process to form high-value chemicals called amides by coupling carbon and nitrogen bonds in an electrochemical reaction. This breakthrough enables the production of useful substances in various industries, including pharmaceuticals.

Monster tumbleweed: Invasive new species is here to stay

A new study confirms that the gigantic tumbleweed Salsola ryanii is a hybrid with doubled pairs of its parent plants' chromosomes, resulting in exceptional growth vigor. This discovery suggests that polyploidy may have an evolutionary advantage, allowing the plant to thrive and expand its territory.

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.

Tiny RNA provides big protection after a heart attack

A recent study found that boosting levels of tiny RNA miR322 can reduce heart muscle death by 40% after a heart attack. The research suggests that miR322 regulates the enzyme FBXW7, which tags cells for elimination, and its overexpression can protect the heart from damage.

Universal algorithm set to boost microscopes

A team of scientists at EPFL developed an algorithm that can estimate a microscope's resolution from a single image, boosting image quality and enabling optimized imaging conditions. The algorithm has been made available as an open-source plugin, allowing researchers to directly obtain the estimate and optimize their microscopes.

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.

Flame retardants -- from plants

Researchers have identified potentially less toxic and biodegradable flame retardants from plants, which could replace hazardous organohalogen compounds. The new substances, derived from gallic acid and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, perform as well as many existing flame retardants on the market.

Optical neural network could lead to intelligent cameras

The UCLA researchers have significantly increased the system's accuracy by adding a second set of detectors to the system, representing each object type with two detectors rather than one. The new design takes advantage of parallelization and scalability of optical-based computational systems.

Dangerous wild grass will be used in batteries

Researchers from NUST MISIS have successfully turned hogweed into a material for supercapacitors, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable alternative for energy storage. The processing technology involves treating the plant stems with hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide to create a porous structure suitable for electrodes.

Saving sage-grouse by relocation

Researchers relocated sage-grouse from Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to Washington state to boost populations. However, it took about a year for the birds to settle in and reproduce effectively. The study shows that relocation can be a viable tool in conserving threatened species like sage-grouse.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Beaver reintroduction key to solving freshwater biodiversity crisis

A recent study published in Diversity and Distributions found that beaver-built ponds have a higher biodiversity than other wetlands in the same region, with 50% more species. This research suggests that reintroducing beavers to their native habitat could benefit wider biodiversity and help solve the freshwater biodiversity crisis.

From cradle to grave: postnatal overnutrition linked to aging

Researchers found that postnatal overnutrition in mice leads to premature epigenetic aging in pancreatic islets, increasing the risk of diabetes. Early life overnutrition accelerates DNA methylation changes, resembling those of middle-aged mice, and contributes to impaired glucose regulation.

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.

Hi-tech bacteria gene tool could prove productive, study finds

Researchers developed a new gene activation method that targets previously difficult-to-activate genes in bacteria, including those involved in infections and industrial applications. This technique has the potential to revolutionize the production of useful products with high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Transcriptional landscape of neonatal heart regeneration

A study identified genes associated with heart regeneration in neonatal mouse hearts. Genes related to immunity and developmental programs were found to promote regeneration. Enhanced post-MI regeneration was observed in mouse hearts overexpressing the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3.

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.

Runaway mitochondria cause telomere damage in cells

A new study found that damaged mitochondria can pollute cells with reactive oxygen species, causing telomere damage and genetic instability. The researchers developed a technology to trigger this reaction, which ultimately led to the discovery of telomere fragility and breakage.

This high-tech stick can predict your risk of heart problems

A hand-held device measures heart disease biomarkers from saliva to predict risk of heart disease, failure or heart attack. The technology has been validated in the lab with high accuracy and could help millions of potential victims take preventative steps.

Australian researchers reveal new insights into retina's genetic code

A team of Australian scientists has created the world's most detailed gene map of the human retina, providing unprecedented insights into its genetic signals. This will help future research understand the factors that enable cells to function normally and identify the genetic 'mistakes' causing vision loss and blindness.

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 diabetes can increase cancer risk

Researchers found that high blood sugar levels in diabetes can cause DNA damage and reduce its repair, increasing the risk of certain cancers. The study suggests that controlling blood sugar levels could be an effective way to reduce cancer risk in diabetics.

Chocolate muddles cannabis potency testing

Researchers found that altering sample preparation conditions in chocolate samples can significantly impact cannabis potency test results. They discovered that the matrix effect of chocolate's fat content is suppressing the signal for Δ9-THC, which could have major implications for producers and consumers of cannabis-infused edibles.