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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 36


Page 36 of 38

NCSA collaborates with NGA to create the world's most powerful geospatial system

The collaboration will produce digital elevation models (DEM) of the entire Earth, leveraging Blue Waters' domain expertise in optimizing workflows and applications. The project aims to create an ecosystem for geospatial modeling, allowing researchers to assess various research areas with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateAug 2, 2019

Change the bias, change the behavior? Maybe not

A recent meta-analysis of research on implicit bias found that changing people's biases may not necessarily lead to changes in related behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reviewed 492 studies and found no evidence of a causal relationship between biased thinking and behavior.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 2, 2019

New stem cell combination could help to repair damaged hearts

Researchers have found that a combination of heart muscle cells and supportive epicardial cells can improve heart function, allowing transplanted cells to survive longer and restore lost heart tissue. The study offers new hope for treating heart failure with an alternative therapy.

SourceBritish Heart Foundation·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 2, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In medicine, young women continue to pay a higher price for family

A new study reveals that young women in medicine are disproportionately affected by family responsibilities, with 40% stopping or reducing their work hours compared to male doctors. The research highlights the need for hospitals and workplaces to provide support systems, such as on-site childcare and flexible work arrangements, to help...

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 2, 2019

Agile untethered fully soft robots in liquid

Scientists at Huazhong University of Science & Technology have created a bio-inspired untethered fully soft robot in liquid that can actuate using environmental energy gradients. The robot achieves an impressive speed of 7 times higher than the best reported value for untethered soft robotic fish.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 2, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Building a better chemical building block

The National Science Foundation awards $354,954 to Dr. Giannis Mpourmpakis' research on dehydrogenation of alkanes on metal oxides. This breakthrough could enable more efficient and cost-effective chemical production using abundant natural gas reserves.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateAug 2, 2019

Synthesizing single-crystalline hexagonal graphene quantum dots

Researchers at KAIST have developed a novel synthesis method for single-crystalline hexagonal graphene quantum dots, which emit stable blue light. The team successfully created homogeneous nucleation of graphene quantum dots through a single-phase reaction.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 2, 2019

Machine learning helps predict if storms will cause blackouts

A Finnish research team developed a machine learning approach to predict storm severity, using data from power outages and storm characteristics. The algorithm achieved promising results in predicting class 0 no-damage storms and class 3 damaging storms, with plans to refine the model for winter storms.

SourceAalto University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateAug 2, 2019

Researchers create first-ever 'map' of global labor flow

Researchers at Indiana University created the first global map of labor flow in collaboration with LinkedIn, revealing skills and industries in high demand across the U.S. and globally. The study also identified growing industries such as pharmaceuticals and oil and gas, while others like retail and telecommunications are declining.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 2, 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.

Arctic study to shed light on organisms key to the food chain

A team of scientists will conduct a scientific cruise to the Arctic Ocean to understand the behavior of copepods, small crustaceans that are a vital source of food for fish and other species. The research aims to shed light on how climate change affects the Arctic food chain, with implications for ecosystem dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·DateAug 2, 2019

Reverse engineering the fireworks of life

Researchers at Princeton University successfully built microtubules from scratch, revealing the branching pattern that enables cell growth and reproduction. Their study, published in eLife, provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these cellular structures.

SourcePrinceton University·DateAug 2, 2019

NASA sees tropical storm Flossie headed to central pacific ocean

Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to cross into the Central Pacific basin later today, carrying maximum sustained winds of near 70 mph and a minimum central pressure of 993 millibars. Gradual weakening is anticipated over the weekend, with further decline in forward speed expected through early next week.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 2, 2019

Unexpected nut eating by gorillas

Western gorillas in Gabon have been observed cracking open nuts with their teeth, despite their lack of adaptations for hard object consumption. The study reveals that gorillas may be capable of more dietary breadth than previously thought, with implications for understanding human ancestors' diets based on tooth shape.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateAug 2, 2019

A wearable device so thin and soft you won't even notice it

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a multifunctional ultra-thin wearable electronic device that can be worn on human skin without being noticed. The device has potential applications in healthcare and robotics, allowing it to automatically collect information and relay it back to the wearer.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 2, 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.

Making a case for returning airships to the skies

Airships could increase the feasibility of a 100% sustainable world by reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The study proposes using airships to transport cargo and hydrogen, leveraging the jet stream for energy and reducing the need for liquefaction.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateAug 2, 2019

3D miniature livers lead the way to patient-specific drug discovery

A team of researchers has developed a method to establish multicellular human liver organoids that show liver tissue characteristics down to the gene and protein scale. The livers were triggered with liver diseases, such as steatohepatitis, and showed increased levels of fibrosis indicators.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 2, 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.

OU professor recipient of DOE Early Career Research Program funding

Bin Wang, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been awarded a five-year grant to develop an all-optical process for chemical transformation with high efficiency and selectivity. His research aims to control light-driven reactions at the molecular level using computational modeling.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateAug 2, 2019

Music was form of resistance for women during Civil Rights Movement

New research from Penn State suggests that freedom songs sung by Black women helped empower them to lead others when formal leadership positions were unavailable. These songs, which originated in the 1920s or earlier, were altered to reflect the struggles of the time and became a powerful form of resistance.

SourcePenn State·JournalBlack Theology·DateAug 2, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Knowing where the center of a space is helps inform spatial awareness

A Dartmouth study reveals that the rat brain uses center-bearing, center-distance cells, and head-direction cells to process spatial information and provide a sense of direction. The postrhinal cortex is thought to be responsible for this process, similar to the human parahippocampal cortex.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2019

Caterpillars of the peppered moth perceive color through their skin

Researchers discovered that caterpillar larvae can perceive background color independently of their eyes and change their body color accordingly. This adaptation helps them match their surroundings, potentially reducing the risk of predation by birds. The study sheds light on how lepidopteran larvae protect themselves from predators.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 2, 2019

Efficient, interconnected, stable: New carbon nanotubes to grow neurons

Researchers at Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati have developed self-standing carbon nanotubes that can modulate the growth and activity of nerve cells. These innovative materials show promise for repairing spinal injuries by creating biosynthetic hybrids.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 2, 2019

Study estimates frailty, prefrailty among older adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the rate of new cases of frailty and prefrailty among older adults, with a high risk of progressing to frailty. The study combined results from 46 observational studies involving nearly 121,000 non-frail adults from 28 countries.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 2, 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.

Socially active 60-year-olds face lower dementia risk

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that increased social contact at age 60 is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing dementia later in life. Social engagement may help develop cognitive reserve and reduce the risk of dementia.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 2, 2019

Research reveals bittersweet truth of how bee-friendly limonoids are made

A team of researchers from the John Innes Centre and Stanford University has uncovered new genes that encode the high-value chemistry of limonoids. The discovery opens the door to metabolic engineering, allowing for large-scale production of limonoid pharmaceuticals and possible development of insect-resistant crops.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2019

Study identifies way to enhance the sustainability of manufactured soils

A new study suggests combining biomass with waste materials can improve the sustainability of manufactured soils by reducing nutrient loss. The research found that adding biochar reduces essential nutrient retention, improving conditions for plant growth and lowering fertiliser reliance.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 2, 2019

Seabirds are threatened by hazardous chemicals in plastics

Scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that hazardous chemicals from plastics ingested by seabirds accumulate in their tissues. The study detected additives such as UV stabilizers and brominated flame retardants in 4.6% and 2.1% of seabird samples, respectively.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateAug 2, 2019

A new lens for life-searching space telescopes

University of Arizona researchers have developed a new lens technology that can collect more light and search for signs of life on 1,000 exoplanets. The Nautilus telescope array will be powerful enough to characterize planets from 1,000 light years away, providing valuable insights into the complexity of exo-earths.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateAug 2, 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.

Finding new knowledge in history -- evaluating seven decades of ex situ seed regeneration

Researchers at Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research analyzed historical phenotypic data from the Federal Ex situ Gene Bank to develop statistical models leveraging maximal information from available datasets. The study provides blueprint strategies for correlated dataset preparation, complementing passport inform...

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalScientific Data·DateAug 2, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Surgery simulators are key to assessment of trainees

A new study from McGill University uses machine learning-guided virtual reality simulators to accurately assess the capabilities of neurosurgeons. The researchers found that these AI-powered tools can predict the level of expertise with 90% accuracy, enabling more efficient and effective mentorship.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA·DateAug 2, 2019

US and China should collaborate, not compete, to bring AI to healthcare

Experts Eric Topol and Kai-Fu Li argue that international collaboration outweighs confrontation in the development of artificial intelligence for healthcare. They critique the forced divestiture of iCarbonX as misguided and highlight the need for access to clinical data to compete in AI health.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 2, 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.

'Wildling' mice could help translate results in animal models to results in humans

Researchers developed a new mouse model called 'wildling,' which acquired microbes and pathogens from wild mice while maintaining laboratory genetics. The study found that wildlings mirrored human immune responses, were stable in their microbiota, and predicted human immune responses with accuracy.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalScience·DateAug 1, 2019

Unmasking the hidden burden of tuberculosis in Mozambique

A post-mortem study in a Mozambican hospital reveals that tuberculosis (TB) cases were often missed by clinicians and traditional autopsy methods. The study found that 28% of patients had the disease at the time of death, with a higher prevalence among HIV-positive adults.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateAug 1, 2019

Middle-school Latino children report more depressive symptoms after family member arrested

A study found that Latino seventh graders who experienced an immigration-related arrest of a family member reported more severe levels of depression. The level of depressive symptoms increased further when a student had one or both undocumented parents. Researchers stress the need for school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalCultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology·DateAug 1, 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.

Black male educators sound alarm regarding lack of diversity in P-12 classrooms

A white paper from University of Phoenix and NNSTOY highlights the critical need to increase Black male educator representation to improve student learning. The shortage has negative implications for culturally and academically enriched education, leading to lower dropout rates, improved test scores, and a more positive view of schooling.

SourceUniversity of Phoenix·DateAug 1, 2019

Microbiome diversity builds a better mouse model

A new study created lab mice by implanting embryos from laboratory animals into wild mice, resulting in a model that accurately predicts human response to drugs. This novel approach has the potential to improve translational research value for immunology, potentially preventing failed clinical trials.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 1, 2019

'Fake news,' diminishing media trust and the role of social media

A study by University of Houston researchers found that people in sub-Saharan Africa perceive exposure to disinformation is high, while trust in national media and social media is low. This lack of trust can lead to uninformed choices and decreased ability to make good judgments.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAfrican Journalism Studies·DateAug 1, 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.

3D printing new parts for our broken hearts

Researchers have developed a new 3D bioprinting technique using rapid changes in pH to create complex collagen-based cardiac structures. The method, called FRESH v2.0, can print tissue architectures up to 10 micrometers resolution and accurately reproduce patient-specific anatomical structures.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 1, 2019

New blood test can detect rejection by antibodies after kidney transplant

Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a non-invasive biomarker for detecting kidney transplant rejection symptoms after a transplant due to antibody-mediated rejection. The new blood test can identify patients with rejection symptoms earlier and more accurately than current methods, which often rely on invasive biopsies.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalEBioMedicine·DateAug 1, 2019

A novel graphene-matrix-assisted stabilization method will help unique 2D materials to become a part

Researchers from Russia and Japan have developed a new stabilization method for unique 2D copper oxide materials using graphene, allowing them to exhibit stable rectangular atomic structures. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of spintronics devices, as these materials show promise in this field.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateAug 1, 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.

Light for the nanoworld

Researchers have developed a new method to create quantum light sources in atomically thin material layers, which will pave the way for optical circuits and potentially lead to applications such as quantum sensors, transistors, and secure encryption technologies.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2019