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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 28


Page 28 of 38

When working with animals can hurt your mental health

Research highlights the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide among veterinarians due to animal suffering and economic challenges. Integrating well-being education into veterinary curricula is proposed to address this issue.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 9, 2019

Analysis of medical aid in dying in Oregon, Washington

The study examined 3,368 medical aid in dying prescriptions from Oregon (1998-2017) and Washington (2009-2017), finding that most patients were insured, non-Hispanic white individuals with cancer. The primary reasons for pursuing medical aid in dying were loss of autonomy, impaired quality of life, and loss of dignity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 9, 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.

Health effects of eating marijuana is subject of a new study

Researchers at Indiana University found that mice voluntarily consumed edible THC, resulting in decreased activity and lower body temperatures. The study's findings have implications for understanding the health effects of marijuana edibles on humans.

SourceIndiana University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateAug 9, 2019

Smuggling route for cells protects DNA from parasites

Cells use a molecular safety mechanism to smuggle genetic information molecules around the cell, which are then used to recognize and shut down parasites. This discovery provides new insight into how animal genomes defend themselves against DNA parasites and reveals a previously unknown RNA transport route.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCell·DateAug 9, 2019

Mental health specialists boost vets' access to outpatient services

A Veterans Health Administration program significantly improved access to mental health and primary care services for veterans with behavioral health needs. The initiative resulted in 11% more mental health visits, 40% more primary care visits, and a 9% higher average annual cost per patient.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·DateAug 9, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Bone strength could be linked to when you reached puberty

A new study from the University of Bristol has linked puberty timing to bone strength, finding that teens who mature later may catch up on bone density but continue to have lower bone density into adulthood. The study suggests that late-maturing individuals may be at increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 9, 2019

Cyborg organoids offer rare view into early stages of development

Researchers at Harvard have grown simplified organs with fully integrated sensors, offering a rare view into early stages of organ development. The cyborg organoids can monitor the electrophysiological activity of cells for up to 90 days, providing insights into how individual cells interact and synchronize during development.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 9, 2019

Conservative treatment with a sling can replace surgery for shoulder fractures

A comprehensive study from Aarhus University finds that conservative treatment with a sling is as effective as surgery for shoulder fractures. The study involved 88 patients over 60 who were either treated with surgery or a sling, and found no significant difference in function, pain, or quality of life between the two groups.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 9, 2019
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.

Single-cell sequencing reveals glioblastoma's shape-shifting nature

A recent study using single-cell sequencing has revealed that glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer, can shift among four distinct cell types, each requiring separate targeted therapy. The findings indicate a need for combination treatments and provide new insights into the cancer's plastic nature.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell·DateAug 9, 2019

Artificial intelligence could yield more accurate breast cancer diagnoses

A new AI system developed at UCLA has shown promising results in accurately reading biopsies and diagnosing breast cancer. The system outperformed human pathologists in distinguishing between ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and atypia, a type of abnormal cell associated with higher breast cancer risk.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 9, 2019

Abundant screen time linked with overweight among children

A recent study found that excessive screen time in Finnish children is associated with both overweight and abdominal obesity. The research, based on data from over 10,000 children aged 9-12, suggests a strong link between sedentary screen use and weight gain.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 9, 2019
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.

Enhancing the quality of AI requires moving beyond the quantitative

Researchers suggest that AI engineers should adopt a broader approach, including qualitative methods, to better understand how AI harms emerge and to avoid documented pitfalls. By integrating social sciences in AI development, they aim to create more democratic and socially just technologies.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateAug 9, 2019

Teens feel pressured to get pregnant

A new study found that nearly one in eight female adolescents between ages 14 and 19 experienced reproductive coercion, a form of abuse where a woman is pressured to become pregnant against her wishes. The study also highlights the need for clinicians to understand how to spot relationship abuse in younger patients.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateAug 8, 2019

Hubble's new portrait of Jupiter

The new image shows Jupiter's trademark Great Red Spot and a more intense color palette in the clouds than seen in previous years. The colorful bands result from differences in atmospheric pressures and ice cloud thickness.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 8, 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.

Pairing prediction and production in AI-informed robotic flow synthesis

Researchers present an integrated strategy for computer-augmented chemical synthesis, successfully yielding 15 different medicinally related small molecules. Their AI-informed, robotically controlled platform has the potential to greatly improve the synthesis of complex molecules, reducing manual labor and increasing scalability.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019

Researchers discover oldest fossil forest in Asia

Researchers have uncovered the oldest fossil forest in Asia, spanning 250,000 square meters and featuring lycopsid trees with branchless trunks. The discovery provides insights into the early evolution of plants and their adaptability to coastal environments.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 8, 2019

Pupillary response to glare illusions of different colors

A study published in Acta Psychologica found that subjects' pupils constricted significantly when viewing a blue glare illusion, outperforming other colors. The research team hypothesized that the human visual system relies on ecologically-based predictions to interpret visual input, and this effect is unique to glare illusions.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalActa Psychologica·DateAug 8, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Persistent plume

Scientists studied a massive wildfire smoke plume that lasted for nearly nine months, providing an ideal opportunity to test climate models. The findings show that black carbon was key to the plume's rapid rise and persistence, challenging previous nuclear winter studies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019

New perovskite material shows early promise as an alternative to silicon

Researchers at OIST have discovered a new configuration of the inorganic perovskite material CsPbI3, which efficiently creates electricity and has been stabilized in a way that competes with industry-leading materials. The material's conversion efficiency was increased from 15% to 18% after treatment with choline iodide.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019

Why does El Niño decay faster than La Niña?

A study by Prof. Renhe Zhang and colleagues found that El Niño decays faster than La Niña due to asymmetrical zonal wind anomalies in the equatorial western Pacific. The negative sea surface temperature anomaly associated with La Niña events persists for more than a year, resulting in a longer duration.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 8, 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.

Graphite intercalation compounds may offer keys to prolonging battery life

Researchers studied H2SO4-GIC to monitor stage transitions and observed a difference in mechanisms between natural flake graphite-based and HOPG-based GICs. The findings advance the field of graphene and have potential applications in Li-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and single-layer graphene production.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateAug 8, 2019

Electromagnetic fields may hinder spread of breast cancer cells

Researchers at Ohio State University found that low-intensity electromagnetic fields reduce the ability of specific breast cancer cells to migrate and spread. The study used a lab model to mimic the body environment and discovered that certain drug therapies can enhance the effects of electromagnetic fields on blocking cancer cell meta...

SourceOhio State University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 8, 2019

UBC-developed sensor provides next-generation ice detection

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a new sensor that can detect the precise moment when ice begins to form on a surface, using microwave resonators. The device has high sensitivity, low power consumption, and is easy to fabricate, making it ideal for improving airline safety and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateAug 8, 2019

Puzzling shapes: Unlocking the mysteries of plant cell morphology

Researchers at McGill University used computer simulations and microscopy to show that pectin and cellulose play a crucial role in sculpting epidermal leaf cells. The study suggests that mechanical forces drive plant cell growth, leading to unique shapes like the jigsaw puzzle-like pattern of leaf skin.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 8, 2019
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.

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.

Out of this world: An alumna's dream comes true

Brittany Seto, a UC Riverside alumna, interned at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is now working on Mars projects. The university has set a record for the number of UCR undergraduates interning at JPL, with 22 students participating in the FIELDS program.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 8, 2019

Controlling the shape-shifting skeletons of cells

Researchers at Caltech have designed a method to study and manipulate the cytoskeleton in test tubes, shedding light on how cells control movement. By using light-activated proteins, they can control when and where asters form, allowing for the development of new tools for molecular biology and chemistry.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2019

The world's smallest stent

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for producing highly detailed structures measuring less than 100 micrometres, enabling the creation of the world's smallest stent with shape-memory properties. The stent has shown promising initial findings and could potentially open the door to minimally invasive surgery.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateAug 8, 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.

Is giant cell arteritis associated with race?

A recent study by Anna M. Gruener et al., published in JAMA Ophthalmology, investigated the association between giant cell arteritis and race. The researchers found a significant association between the disorder and certain ethnic groups, with increased risk observed in African Americans, Hispanics, and individuals of mixed ancestry.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateAug 8, 2019

Data analysis tool to help scientists make sense of mouse's calls

A new computer tool can reveal valuable insights into rodents' communication patterns and is more reliable than existing methods. The system analyses audio recordings of ultrasonic vocalisations to determine different types of sounds, standardizing interpretations for direct comparisons.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 8, 2019

Great Scots! 'It's' a unique linguistic phenomenon

Researchers found that Scots dialects allow for specific types of contractions, such as 'Here it's!' or 'There it's!', which shed light on speakers' understanding of language structure. These patterns suggest that speakers have an unconscious knowledge of grammatical differences between sentences.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·DateAug 8, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Oil rigs could pump CO2 emissions into rocks beneath North Sea

Research suggests reusing oil rigs as CO2 storage sites could be 10 times cheaper than decommissioning. This scheme would store natural gas production emissions and help combat climate change by locking away CO2.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control·DateAug 8, 2019

Using recent gene flow to define microbe populations

Researchers developed a simple measurement of gene flow to define microbe populations, separating co-existing microbes in genetically and ecologically distinct groups. This approach identifies parts of the genome that show different adaptations, enabling pinpointing of populations associated with health conditions like Crohn's disease.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateAug 8, 2019
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.

A key piece to understanding how quantum gravity affects low-energy physics

A new study has provided a solid theoretical framework to discuss modifications to the Unruh effect caused by microstructure of space-time. The researchers found that thermal response for particle detectors can happen without a thermal state, contradicting an extended belief.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 8, 2019

Researchers identify type of parasitic bacteria that saps corals of energy

A new genus of bacteria has been identified as a major contributor to coral decline, siphoning energy from corals and making them more susceptible to disease. The study found that the bacterial genus is globally associated with many different coral hosts and has genes that enable it to parasitize its hosts for amino acids and ATP.

SourceOregon State University·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateAug 8, 2019

Having a parent, sibling, or child with blood cancer increases one's own risk

New data from the largest population study to date reveal that having a family member with blood cancer significantly raises an individual's risk of diagnosis. The study found increased risks for certain hematologic malignancies, with the highest relative risks observed in specific subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood·DateAug 8, 2019
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.

Depression is the single largest predictor of substance use during pregnancy

A recent study published in the Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine found that depression is the single largest driver of substance use during pregnancy. Pregnant women with depression were 2.6 times more likely to use cannabis and twice as likely to smoke cigarettes and use alcohol while pregnant.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalJournal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2019

Rethinking seizures associated with cardiac disease

Mutations of a gene implicated in long QT syndrome trigger seizures due to its direct effects on neurons and glia, independent from heart function. This discovery challenges the assumption that seizures are secondary outcomes of cardiovascular disease.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 8, 2019

Moffitt researchers identify subtypes of squamous cell lung cancer

Moffitt researchers identified three subtypes of squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) with distinct genetic, chromosomal, and protein alterations. The inflamed subtype is characterized by immune cell infiltration and higher PD-1 levels, while the redox subtype has altered oxidation-reduction signaling pathways. These subtypes did not correl...

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2019

Using lasers to visualize molecular mysteries in our atmosphere

Scientists have developed a new technique to visualize gas-liquid collisions using lasers, enabling the study of fundamental molecular interactions. The method captures individual frames of molecular movement, revealing the rough surface of liquids and their impact on atmospheric chemistry.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateAug 8, 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.