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Science News Archive December 2019


Page 24 of 36

Giving common antibiotic before radiation may help body fight cancer

Researchers found that vancomycin alters the gut microbiome to improve the function of dendritic cells, which can help the immune system fight tumors more effectively. The approach has potential implications for a wide variety of cancer types and could lead to a new treatment strategy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Speedy and precise multicolor imaging of biomolecules now possible

Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that allows for fast and precise tracking of biological molecules using gold, silver, and gold-silver alloy nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables the visualization of molecular movements in unprecedented detail, opening up new avenues for understanding cellular processes.

Microcapsules for targeted drug delivery to cancer cells

Scientists at Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University create a method of targeted drug delivery to cancer cells using microcapsules made of polymeric compounds and gold nanorods. The technology allows for precise treatment of tumors without harming healthy tissues.

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.

How planets may form after dust sticks together

Researchers found that particles in microgravity develop strong electrical charges and stick together, forming large aggregates. This process helps explain how asteroids and planets form in outer space. The study also identifies new approaches for controlling fine particle aggregation in industrial processing.

Seahorse breeding project aims to reverse species decline

A unique breeding project at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is designed to save the native White's Seahorse species in Australia. The project, led by Robbie McCracken, has successfully bred and raised six babies, with plans to release them into the wild next year.

Predicting a protein's behavior from its appearance

Researchers developed MaSIF, a machine learning-driven method to predict protein interactions and biochemical activity based on surface appearance. The algorithm analyzes chemical and geometric properties of proteins, creating a unique 'fingerprint' for each, enabling the prediction of behavior patterns.

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.

Loss of tropical Pacific glaciers

The last known tropical glaciers in the West Pacific Warm Pool are at risk of disappearing within a decade. The study found that the Puncak Jaya glaciers in Indonesia lost around 1.05 meters of ice per year between 2010 and 2015, with thinning rates increasing five-fold during strong El Niño events.

New clues to the link between ALS and type 2 diabetes

A study by Karolinska Institutet researchers identifies a molecular mechanism linking ALS and type 2 diabetes, where immunoglobulin G antibodies target calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells, leading to cell death. The findings suggest altered humoral immunity may be a generalized phenomenon for other neurodegenerative diseases.

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.

Aspirin may no longer be effective as cardiovascular treatment

A recent review found that aspirin no longer provides a net benefit for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer, despite its long history of reducing heart attack risk. Aspirin use has decreased in recent years due to the emergence of statins and improved cancer screening technology.

Increasing food intake by swapping mitochondrial genomes

Researchers linked genetic variation in fruit fly mitochondrial genomes to changes in food intake, providing a new tool for studying human metabolic traits. The study used the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel and identified specific haplotypes associated with increased food consumption.

Climate change and fishery employment

Climate variability between 1996 and 2017 caused a significant decrease in county-level fishing employment in New England, with an estimated 16% decline. The study highlights the regional impact of climate change on fisheries and suggests that climate may influence fishing employment.

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.

Ultrafast stimulated emission microscopy of single nanocrystals in Science

Scientists at ICFO have created a new microscopy technique that allows them to study the dynamics of individual quantum dots without degrading the samples or relying on fluorescent labels. By using laser pulses to promote QDs into excited states, they can image and track the evolution of charged particles within the nanoscale.

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.

BU study finds new factors linked to suicide

A new study from Boston University School of Public Health found that physical illness and injury increase the risk of suicide in men, but not women. The study used machine learning and health data from Denmark to identify complex factors that may predict suicide.

Researchers identify 'Achilles' heel' of drug-resistant superbug

The discovery of LiaX, a secret protein that alerts bacteria to antibiotic and immune system attacks, opens doors for future treatment options against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The protein's activation causes restructuring of the bacterial cell, preventing antibiotics from destroying it.

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.

Review Commons, a pre-journal portable review platform

Review Commons, launched by ASAPbio and EMBO Press, enables high-quality pre-journal peer review of manuscripts from the life sciences. This platform empowers authors to make informed decisions on paper submission and expedites submission to affiliate journals without restarting reviews.

Explaining the tiger stripes of enceladus

Scientists have discovered that the unique tiger stripes on Enceladus are caused by tidal forces from Saturn's gravity, which release pressure and prevent the cracks from freezing shut. This allows water to erupt from the fissures, creating a regular spacing pattern.

A sustainable new material for carbon dioxide capture

A new bio-based hybrid foam material has been developed to capture carbon dioxide, offering high efficiency and low operating costs. The material combines zeolites with gelatine and cellulose to create a durable and lightweight substance with excellent CO2-adsorbing properties.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How Enceladus got its stripes

The study investigates the physical forces acting on Enceladus that allow the tiger stripe fissures to form and remain in place. The researchers found that the fissures could have formed on either pole, but the south pole's unique deformation led to their formation.

Spying on hippos with drones to help conservation efforts

Researchers used drones to estimate hippo numbers in the Okavango Delta, northern Botswana, and found the method to be just as effective as traditional land surveys. The drone's bird's-eye perspective allowed for accurate counting of individual hippos, even when they were crowded together.

Road salt pollutes lake in one of the largest US protected areas, new study shows

A new study by the Ausable River Association and Adirondack Watershed Institute reveals that road salt runoff into Mirror Lake prevents natural water turnover, posing a risk to its ecology. The researchers found that high levels of surface-water chloride have created anoxic conditions, limiting habitat availability for native lake trout.

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.

Acoustic focusing to amass microplastics in water

A new device uses acoustic focusing to gather microplastics in water, promising a practical solution to the pollution problem. The device collects particles of different sizes and types with high efficiency, showing promise for future improvements.

CMAJ priorities for 2020: Editor-in-chief Andreas Laupacis -- editorial

CMAJ's new editor-in-chief, Andreas Laupacis, outlines three priorities for the journal: publishing research relevant to Canadian physicians, expanding nonresearch sections, and increasing patient involvement. He plans to visit universities and healthcare professionals across Canada to gather ideas on improving healthcare.

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.

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.

Electronics integrated to the muscle via 'Kirigami'

A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a donut-shaped kirigami device for EMG recordings, reducing device displacement on large deformable muscle surfaces. The device enables accurate and robust signal acquisition, offering potential for prosthesis control in amputees.

Proton-hydrogen collision model could impact fusion research

A new theoretical model predicts how protons will collide with hydrogen atoms in high-energy collisions, validating some previous conclusions while revealing discrepancies. The model has the potential to advance our understanding of plasma behavior and its application in realizing clean energy sources.

Bridge protection in catastrophic earthquakes

Researchers at University of Technology Sydney developed a novel ground anchor technology to protect bridges against catastrophic earthquakes. The system uses high-tensile capacity steel cables, embedded into the ground behind the bridge, to deliver incredible strength and energy dissipation.

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.

Climate change and the threat to global breadbaskets

A study by IIASA researchers found that the risk of simultaneous breadbasket failures due to climatic extremes has increased over time, with potential consequences for food price spikes and famine. The analysis suggests a need for more efficient allocation of resources to contingency plans and strategic crop reserves.

Have your health and eat meat too

Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a new version of the Mediterranean diet incorporating lean pork, which delivers cognitive benefits while catering to Western tastes. The Med-Pork diet outperforms low-fat diets in delivering higher cognitive processing speeds and emotional functioning.

Research shows ramping up carbon capture could be key to mitigating climate change

A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports suggests that increasing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research estimates that there is enough space in the world's nearshore continental margins to store 6-7 gigatons of CO2 annually by 2050, and tha...

Green hydrogen: Research to enhance efficiency

A team of researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has gained new insights into water electrolysis, aiming to enhance the environmental impact of hydrogen-based technologies. The findings offer a possible starting point for improving the efficiency of this process.

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.

Has physics ever been deterministic?

Researchers propose an alternative view of classical physics, suggesting that the future of an object is genuinely random after a certain number of interactions. This challenges the traditional view of determinism in classical physics and opens up new insights on the relationship between classical and quantum physics.

UArizona Health Sciences seeks new way to understand human aging

The study aims to understand how infectious, psychological and physical stressors impact the immune system, lifespan and aging process in humans. By using domestic mice co-housed with lab mice, researchers hope to develop new insights into guarding against reactivation of cytomegalovirus late in life.

Megadroughts fueled Peruvian cloud forest activity

A new study found that megadroughts in the Andes led to widespread deforestation and maize farming in the Laguna de los Cóndores region. However, as climate conditions normalized, forests reclaimed the area, and sediment samples showed an improvement in water quality.

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.

Co-addiction of meth and opioids hinders treatment

A large study of 799 people found that methamphetamine use was associated with more than twice the risk for dropping out of treatment for opioid-use disorder. Meth users often experience challenges in daily life, including homelessness and difficulty saying no to drug dealers.

A tech jewel: Converting graphene into diamond film

Researchers have successfully converted large-area bilayer graphene into the thinnest possible diamond-like material, F-diamane, under moderate pressure and temperature conditions. This flexible and strong material has potential for industrial applications in nano-optics and nanoelectronics.

The Arctic atmosphere -- A gathering place for dust?

A multi-wavelength lidar provides data on fine dust in the central Arctic during polar night, revealing several layers of dust from human sources and forest fires. The data indicate that the upper atmosphere is more polluted in winter than previously assumed.