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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 18


Page 18 of 38

Glacial meltwater consumes carbon dioxide

Researchers discovered that glacial meltwaters in Canada are a net carbon dioxide sink due to consumption of CO2 in mineral weathering. This finding suggests that glacial meltwaters globally may also act as unrecognized sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019
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.

Uncertainty in emissions estimates in the spotlight

Researchers investigated uncertainty in greenhouse gas emissions estimates, highlighting seven key issues that dominate current understanding. They emphasized the need for a holistic systems view and communicating uncertainties to policymakers and the public.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change·DateAug 19, 2019

How ergonomic is your warehouse job? Soon, an app might be able to tell you

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed an algorithm that can monitor factory and warehouse workers' behavior in real-time, providing risk scores and suggestions for improving ergonomics. The app will alert workers to high-risk actions and provide feedback on how to modify their behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateAug 19, 2019

Practice, task performance, and age

A large-scale study of online task-switching game users reveals that practice enhances relevant task activation time, yet has little effect on deactivation time. Older adults benefit from extensive practice, with improved performance comparable to younger individuals.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

Variation in the shape of speech organs influences language evolution

Research at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics found that slight variations in vocal tract anatomy impact vowel pronunciation, while cultural transmission amplifies these differences. This study sheds light on individual variation in speech and its role in shaping languages.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateAug 19, 2019
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.

Lab-based dark energy experiment narrows search options for elusive force

Researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham have tested the possibility of a fifth force acting on single atoms, finding no evidence for its existence. This rules out popular theories of dark energy that modify the theory of gravity, leaving fewer places to search for the elusive force.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 19, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Insomnia tied to higher risk of heart disease and stroke

Research reveals insomnia is tied to a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and ischemic stroke. Genetic variants for insomnia were found to be associated with significantly higher odds of these conditions, emphasizing the importance of addressing sleep disorders.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateAug 19, 2019

Brain representation of written words

A study with 24 participants aged 18-30 used fMRI scans to map brain areas involved in reading written words in two artificial alphabets. The results showed a hierarchy of brain regions, with posterior regions encoding letter position within words and left mid-to-anterior regions processing phonological and semantic information.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

Football scores a health hat-trick for 55- to 70-year-old women with prediabetes

A new study from the University of Southern Denmark shows that football is a surprisingly efficient type of physical training for female prediabetes patients, resulting in broad-spectrum improvements in cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal fitness. The exercise intensity and effects were similar in women and men, with impressi...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateAug 19, 2019

Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in children with IBD

A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveals that children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The study found that approximately 17% of children with IBD were given a psychiatric diagnosis, compared to 12% of healthy children and 10% of siblings.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 19, 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.

Increasing blood pressure medications at hospital discharge may pose serious risk

A study by UCSF researchers found that intensifying antihypertensives at hospital discharge may increase falls, fainting and acute kidney injury without long-term benefits. Patients who received intensified medications had a higher risk of readmission and medication-related serious adverse events within 30 days.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 19, 2019

Researchers find hurricanes drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders

Researchers at McMaster University found that extreme weather events like hurricanes can drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders in storm-prone regions. Colonies with more aggressive foraging responses produce more egg cases and have more spiderlings survive into early winter after tropical cyclones.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 19, 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.

Facts and stories: Great stories undermine strong facts

Stories undermine strong facts by disrupting people's ability to process information in an elaborated manner. When facts are weak, stories embedded within them lead to greater persuasion than facts alone, but when facts are strong, the opposite effect occurs.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 19, 2019

Burning invasive western juniper maintains sagebrush dominance longer

A study published in Ecology and Evolution found that prescribed burns of invasive western juniper increase the time native mountain sagebrush remains dominant by 44 percent compared to cutting juniper back. This approach can provide better long-term habitat for endangered sage-grouse.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateAug 19, 2019

Single event or epidemic?

Long-term data analysis reveals non-infected regions have a higher risk of infection due to seasonal changes in movement patterns. The study emphasizes the importance of focusing on specific individuals, seasons and areas to prevent future outbreaks.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateAug 19, 2019

Facial recognition technique could improve hail forecasts

Scientists trained a deep learning model to recognize features of individual storms that affect hail formation and size, improving prediction accuracy by up to 10%. The study highlights the importance of considering a storm's entire structure in hail forecasting.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateAug 19, 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.

Genetic risk is associated with differences in gut microbiome

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that children with high genetic risk of developing type 1 diabetes have distinct gut microbiomes compared to those with low risk. The research suggests a link between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, highlighting the importance of the gut flora in autoimmune disea...

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 19, 2019

The substance found in brown coal can help combat viruses

Scientists from Skoltech identified substances with antiviral activity in humic substances extracted from brown coal, highlighting the potential of natural compounds for creating new drugs. The study's results show that flavonoids and polyphenols may be responsible for virucidal activity.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 19, 2019

NIH study in mice identifies type of brain cell involved in stuttering

A recent NIH study using a mouse model of stuttering identified the loss of astrocytes as a critical brain cell type involved in the disorder. The research found that this loss was most prominent in the corpus callosum, a part of the brain that bridges the two hemispheres. This discovery could lead to novel interventions for stuttering...

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

Skeleton formation in early animals

Researchers discovered that crystallization by particle attachment (CPA) is a common skeletal formation mechanism among diverse animal taxa. This structure was found in some of the oldest known calcium carbonate skeleton fossils, dating back 500 million years or older.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019
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.

Personality traits and entrepreneurship

A study surveyed 1,334 entrepreneurs and startup employees, finding that entrepreneurs exhibit high affinity for financial risk and self-efficacy. Inventor employees rated themselves lowest, while CEO/leaders fell in the middle, with high-risk tolerance predicting participation in a $2,000 gift card drawing.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

A laser-driven programmable non-contact transfer printing technique

Researchers developed a novel laser-driven programmable non-contact transfer printing technique that eliminates temperature increases and enables precise assembly of micro-scale objects. This innovation opens up engineering opportunities in flexible electronics, paper-based electronics, bio-integrated electronics, and MicroLED displays.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 19, 2019

Traumas change perception in the long term

Traumatized individuals exhibit altered brain activity in response to touch stimuli, leading to a greater social distance towards strangers. The study suggests potential therapeutic avenues for retraining stimulus processing.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 19, 2019

Potential treatments for citrus greening

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a potential treatment for citrus greening, a devastating disease affecting the US citrus industry. By studying a symbiotic bacterium, they found 130 compounds that can inhibit the spread of the disease without harming beneficial bacteria.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019
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.

Microorganisms build the best fuel efficient hydrogen cells

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered the proton transfer pathway in nickel-iron hydrogenase, crucial for microorganism energy production. The study provides insights into designing biofuel technologies using nature's model.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 19, 2019

Plant size and island habitats

Researchers tested the 'island rule' on plant species colonizing islands in the Southwest Pacific and found that their stature and leaf area followed the rule. However, plant seed size did not conform to the rule, suggesting a more nuanced relationship between island habitats and organismal traits.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

The curious history of the rise and fall of twin beds

Twin beds were initially adopted for their supposed health benefits in the late 19th century, later becoming a symbol of modernity among middle-class couples. Despite this, their popularity waned by the 1960s as attitudes towards intimacy and hygiene shifted.

SourceLancaster University·DateAug 19, 2019

Abiotic methane in fluid inclusions

Researchers discovered abiotic methane in fluid inclusions worldwide, potentially as a major source of methane on Earth. The finding suggests that micro-inclusions may also provide hydrogen and methane elsewhere in the Solar System.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

Common origin identified could bring tooth regeneration potential closer

Researchers have discovered a common origin shared by teeth and taste buds in fish with regenerative abilities. This finding holds potential for bioengineering and dental therapeutics as it suggests that oral organs can be manipulated to express characteristics of different tissue types.

SourceKing's College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Brookhaven completes LSST's digital sensor array

Brookhaven National Laboratory has completed a 3.2 gigapixel digital sensor array for the LSST camera, enabling the capture of the most complete images of our universe. The team successfully built and shipped the final raft to SLAC, marking the end of a 16-year project.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateAug 19, 2019

Challenging the totipotency of a zygote

Researchers propose a revised alternative model of mammalian cellular totipotency, highlighting the distinction between genetic and epigenetic aspects. The study's findings suggest that while zygotes are genetically totipotent, they lack epigenetic totipotency and can reprogram to a totipotent state.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateAug 19, 2019

SwRI scientists co-author Edwards Aquifer memoir

The book, titled "The Edwards Aquifer: The Past, Present and Future of a Vital Water Resource", compiles research on the aquifer's characterization, hydrogeologic structure, and effects of climate and urbanization. Understanding the aquifer's limitations is key to preserving the resource for future generations.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateAug 19, 2019
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.

Need a mental break? Avoid your cellphone, Rutgers researchers say

Using a cellphone to take a break during mentally challenging tasks depletes the brain and impairs performance. Participants who took phone breaks completed puzzles more slowly and accurately than those with no breaks or those taking paper breaks.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Addictions·DateAug 19, 2019

Birch tar production and Neanderthal technology

Neanderthals produced birch tar as a simple, sticky substance for tool attachment. The method involves burning birch bark next to river cobbles in an oxygenated environment, yielding a useable amount of tar within hours.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2019

Antacid helps tuberculosis bacteria to survive

Researchers discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces a unique type of antacid that prevents phagosomes from fusing with lysosomes, allowing the bacteria to survive. The mechanism involves the production of 1-tuberculosinyladenosine, an acid that reduces acidity and hinders immune cell digestion.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 19, 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.

Researchers develop tools to help manage seagrass survival

A new study has developed statistical tools to help manage seagrass habitats, which provide shelter, food, and oxygen for at-risk species. The research provides key monitoring and management designs to maximize seagrass resilience to human activities.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateAug 18, 2019

'Hidden' data exacerbates rural public health inequities

A recent study found that rural communities in the Northwest face significant health disparities and lack access to timely data. The SHARE-NW project is working to identify and visualize data to help address these issues and promote health equity.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateAug 18, 2019

Empathy for perpetrators helps explain victim blaming in sexual harassment

Research finds that men's greater empathy for male perpetrators is a consistent explanation of variability in victim blame, highlighting the dark side of empathy. The studies highlight the damaging consequences of media focus on male perpetrators' point of view, which can lead to increased victim blaming.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateAug 18, 2019

Paper filter from local algae could save millions of lives in Bangladesh

A team of scientists has developed a locally growing algae species that can be used to extract cellulose nanofibers, forming paper sheets with tailored pore size for effective virus and bacteria removal. The filter has demonstrated excellent efficiency in lab and real-life tests.

SourceUppsala University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateAug 18, 2019

Shedding light on how the human eye perceives brightness

Researchers isolated melanopsin cell functions and demonstrated their importance in perceiving visual environment. The study showed that melanopsin plays a crucial role in detecting light intensity, contributing to a new understanding of the biology of the eye.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 17, 2019
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.

Each cell is a small world: the microbiome of ciliates has been studied

Researchers investigate the microbiome of Stentor coeruleus and find a distinct bacterial community associated with the ciliate. The study reveals that different ciliates can host unique bacterial populations, highlighting the importance of further research into protistan microbiomes.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 16, 2019