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Science News Archive December 2019


Page 2 of 36

A fragile balance

Researchers found that changes in deep-water circulation occurred around 7,000 years ago, influencing CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This discovery highlights the importance of studying past climate change and suggests future climate change could lead to increased CO2 release from Southern Ocean.

Fin-to-limb transition in vertebrate evolution

A study on pectoral fin rays of ancient fish species uncovers key structural changes enabling fins to give rise to limbs. The transformation is marked by the appearance of digits, reducing dermal fin rays and fin webs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Buried impact crater in southern Laos

Researchers have identified a possible buried impact crater in southern Laos as the origin of ancient tektites found across one-tenth of Earth's surface. The crater is believed to have formed approximately 790,000 years ago, with geochemical analysis and dating techniques supporting this claim.

NASA finds heavy rain potential in tropical storm Sarai

NASA analyzed Tropical Storm Sarai's cloud top temperatures to determine its strength and identify areas of heavy rain potential. The analysis showed coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as -81 degrees Celsius, indicating strong storms capable of creating heavy rain.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Using deep learning to predict disease-associated mutations

A research team from HKU developed a novel deep learning approach to predict disease-associated mutations in metal-binding sites. The approach uses spatial features and physicochemical sequential features to train a model, achieving an AUC of 0.90 and accuracy of 0.82.

Diet has rapid effects on sperm quality

A new study by researchers at Linköping University found that a diet rich in sugar can rapidly affect sperm motility and quality. After two weeks of consumption, the sperm motility of all participants became normal, suggesting a close link between diet and fertility.

On nitroglycerin, cardiovascular homeostasis and...bam, migraine!

A study found that nitroglycerin infusion triggers abnormal cardiovascular responses in migraine patients, including higher heart rates and reduced stroke volume. The findings suggest a systemic susceptibility to the vasodilatory effects of nitroglycerin, possibly due to enhanced sensitivity to nitric oxide.

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.

Evolution: Revelatory relationship

A new study supports the idea that hydrogen played a crucial role in the emergence of eukaryotes, the first nucleated cells. The research suggests that the Lokiarchaeota, an enigmatic group of microorganisms, use hydrogen for metabolism, providing evidence for the 'hydrogen hypothesis' of eukaryote evolution.

Children born preterm are more likely to be placed outside the home

A population study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that preterm children are at least one and a half times more likely to be placed outside the home than full-term counterparts. The likelihood of placement is highest during early childhood, with no difference observed after age 5.

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.

New insights into the earliest events of seed germination

Researchers discovered that thiol redox switches play a central role in enabling energy release efficiently during seed germination. These molecular switches kick-start mitochondrial energy metabolism, allowing seeds to conserve stored energy reserves for years or even centuries.

Gender norms affect attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women globally

A global study found that attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women vary greatly across countries, with gay men consistently rated more negatively. The researchers identified three exceptions where negative attitudes were not correlated with gender norms, including China, India, and South Korea.

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.

Eye changes from spaceflight compared to simulated weightlessness

A study investigated eye changes in astronauts during long space missions and those experiencing simulated weightlessness from 30 days of bed rest. The results showed similarities between the two conditions, providing new insights into spaceflight's effects on vision.

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.

Paving the way for spintronic RAMs: A deeper look into a powerful spin phenomenon

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel strategy to exploit spin-related phenomena in topological materials, achieving a giant unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance ratio of over 1%. This breakthrough could lead to the development of spintronics and outperform current storage devices with improved power cons...

Finally, machine learning interprets gene regulation clearly

Researchers have developed a custom artificial neural network that can analyze molecular signals controlling gene function, enabling biologists to understand complex mechanisms of gene regulation. This breakthrough enables the creation of machine learning algorithms that reflect common concepts in biology.

High BMI may improve cancer survival

Researchers found that patients with high body mass index (BMI) responded better to atezolizumab, a common immunotherapy treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This unexpected result may lead to further investigation into the potential link between BMI and inflammation in cancer treatment outcomes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Russia's physical culture scene

Despite a slight increase in physical activity among Russian men and women, the country's working population remains under European health standards. Most people engage in exercise or sports for less than 30 minutes, three times a week, with financial constraints and laziness being major barriers. The study also found that city dweller...

Seeing the new Star Wars? Be careful what you wish for

A new study found that people who went into the movie with low expectations actually had lower overall enjoyment, contrary to those who expected less but were pleasantly surprised. Researchers surveyed 441 participants before and after seeing The Last Jedi and found that negative bias can drag down even positive reactions.

NASA-NOAA satellite finds development of Tropical Cyclone Sarai

Tropical Storm Sarai has formed near Fiji, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph) and a band of thunderstorms wrapping into its low-level center. The cyclone is expected to intensify as it passes southwest of Fiji, with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicting steady intensification to 65 knots.

Imaging to examine brain architecture association with mood, attentional symptoms

Researchers found that specific patterns of brain connectivity were associated with the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder. By examining brain architecture at age 7, the study identified potential links between brain development and later mental health symptoms in children.

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.

Hematopoietic stem cell marker: A key player in the ontogeny of hematopoiesis

Researchers at Osaka University discovered that ESAM, a surface marker for hematopoietic stem cells and vascular endothelial cells, is crucial for the development of definitive hematopoiesis, especially adult-type erythropoiesis. The study found that ESAM-deficient mice had impaired hematopoiesis-supporting ability.

How can groups apologize sincerely? It's going to cost them

A study by Kobe University found that group apologies perceived as more genuine when costly to the organization, similar to individual apologies. The research used fMRI brain scans and participant ratings to determine that costly apologies activated key brain regions associated with cognitive empathy and intention processing.

A better testing method for patients with Parkinson's disease

Researchers propose a new computational analysis method that uses keystroke time series data to detect early stages of Parkinson's disease. The method, based on fuzzy recurrence plots, is less physically demanding than traditional testing methods and shows encouraging results.

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.

Inputs to the motor cortex make dexterous movements possible in mice

Research in mice reveals the motor cortex needs continuous feedback to generate dexterous movements, unlike other neural circuits that can operate with sustained input. The study found blocking incoming signals or disrupting rhythmic patterns impaired grasping skills, highlighting the importance of precise timing and signal processing.

Researchers map malaria parasites proliferate in human blood cells

A comprehensive interaction network map reveals how Plasmodium falciparum traffics between human host cells, transforming red blood cells into rigid forms that hinder oxygen transportation. This understanding paves the way for further study and discussion on the molecular mechanism of severe malaria.

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.

Intermittent fasting: live 'fast,' live longer?

A review article published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that intermittent fasting can improve blood sugar regulation, increase resistance to stress, and suppress inflammation. Studies have shown that this adaptation may trigger a slower metabolic process, which can lead to weight loss and reduced belly fat.

Brain-like functions emerging in a metallic nanowire network

A research team created a neuromorphic network composed of metallic nanowires, exhibiting electrical characteristics similar to human brain functions. The team found that the network's fluctuation-based functionalities mimic memorization, learning, and forgetting processes.

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.

First sighting of Larsonella pumilus fish in Japan

Researchers have discovered a new species of goby, Larsonella pumilus, off the coast of Okinawa, revealing insights into its habitat and relationships with other deep-sea fish. The discovery was made at a depth of 214 meters, making it the deepest recorded finding of the species.

Bacteria can 'outsmart' programmed cell death

Certain bacteria, such as Shigella, use lipopolysaccharides to block caspases and prevent apoptosis, allowing them to multiply intracellularly. This strategy is essential for their survival and spread within the human body.

Why isn't there a vaccine for staph?

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that T cells play a critical role in protecting against staph infections. The study suggests activating untapped immune cells and immunizing infants before birth to block toxin effects. This new approach shows promise for developing an effective staph vaccine.

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.

New technology allows control of gene therapy doses

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have developed a molecular switch that enables precise control of gene therapy doses. The technique involves embedding an RNA molecule called a hammerhead ribozyme into the genes used in gene therapies, allowing doctors to regulate the dosing level.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Full noncontact laser ultrasound: First human data

Researchers have developed a noncontact laser ultrasound technique that generates and detects sound waves on the skin surface using eye- and skin-safe lasers. This method produces images with centimeter depths, comparable to clinical ultrasound, and shows sensitivity to tissue features currently detected by conventional ultrasound.

A molecular map of the brain's decision-making area

Researchers created a molecular 3D-map of nerve cells targeted by opioids in striatum, dividing it into subregions with spatiomolecular code. This knowledge may contribute to an increased understanding of normal reward processes and the effects of addictive substances on decision-making.

Lasers learn to accurately spot space junk

Researchers developed a system to accurately detect space debris in Earth's orbit using laser ranging telescopes and neural networks. The new algorithm significantly improves the success rate of space debris detection, allowing for safer spacecraft maneuvers.