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Science News Archive December 2019


Page 27 of 36

How extreme environmental conditions affect the human brain

Researchers found changes to the dentate gyrus, an area of the hippocampus responsible for spatial thinking and memory, in participants who spent 14 months in Antarctica. Cognition tests showed effects on both spatial abilities and selective attention.

Designing workplaces with sound disturbances in mind

Scientists investigate how architectural aspects of workplace design change the way sound, including music and conversation, affect workers. Researchers found that 50 dBA of conversation or music coming from behind bothered individuals less than 60 dBA of similar noise coming from the side.

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.

Technique shows how individual cancer cells react to drugs

A new technique called sci-Plex profiles gene expression in thousands of individual cells when a sample is perturbed, offering a global view of cellular responses. The results suggest that it could be scaled to thousands of samples to target diverse biochemical pathways.

Ecology: Wildfire may benefit forest bats

A study in Scientific Reports found that wildfire severity can increase bat diversity and richness, while pyrodiversity enhances occupancy rates for certain species. The authors suggest that bats may be resilient to increasing wildfires, which could impact conservation strategies.

Graphene takes off in composites for planes and cars

Researchers developed graphene-integrated composites to improve strength and properties of fibre-reinforced composites. These materials can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and lightning strikes, making them suitable for aerospace and automotive industries.

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.

Wind and water

Research finds that torrential rains are more severe after a hurricane has weakened to a tropical storm. This counterintuitive finding highlights the importance of considering weakening storms in disaster preparedness plans.

Ratcheting up NBA rookie salaries may incentivize athletes to finish college

A new salary structure proposes locking in salary gains as athletes advance toward graduation, offering drafted freshmen 60% of the current NBA rookie salary base. This system aims to entice most other college players to graduate before entering the NBA, improving player preparedness and the overall labor market.

New study hints at complex decision making in a single-cell organism

A freshwater protist exhibits a hierarchy of avoidance behaviors, suggesting it can change its response to an environmental irritant. The study confirms that single cells can exhibit relatively complex decision-making processes, making evolutionary sense given their apex predator status in aquatic environments.

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.

Three types of cells help the brain tell day from night

Researchers at Salk Institute discover intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in humans, which respond to blue light and help establish healthy day-night cycles. The study's findings may lead to 'smart' lights that prevent depression, foster sleep, and maintain circadian rhythms.

Forest fragmentation hits wildlife hardest in the tropics

A new study reveals that forest fragmentation has a greater impact on wildlife in tropical regions, where species are less adapted to disturbances. The research suggests that conserving habitat and minimizing edge creation is crucial for preserving biodiversity in these areas.

Biochemical model enhances power to predict MicroRNA targeting

Researchers developed a biochemical model that reveals novel insights into microRNAs and enables accurate prediction of their effects on genetic expression. The model explains nearly half the variability in miRNA-mediated silencing and greatly surpasses correlative models.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Rats are more social than we thought

Researchers discovered that rats can use empathy to sense danger and react accordingly, showing a more interactive process than previously thought. By observing the emotions of other rats, they can prepare for potential threats, with less scared bystanders reducing fear in demonstrators.

Chronic disease prevention could ease opioid crisis

A study from the University of Georgia found that over 90% of opioid-related hospitalizations are among patients with two or more chronic diseases, highlighting the association between chronic disease and opioid misuse. Researchers argue that prioritizing chronic disease prevention could alleviate the opioid epidemic.

Bystanders can help more cardiac arrest victims survive

Bystanders play a crucial role in saving cardiac arrest victims, with early emergency care by bystanders reducing the chance of survival by 7-10% per minute. Recognizing signs of cardiac arrest and performing CPR, including using an automated external defibrillator (AED), can significantly increase survival rates.

Mount Sinai receives $1 million grant for prostate cancer research

The Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at Mount Sinai has received a $1 million grant from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to fund the Prostate Cancer Program. The program aims to advance immunotherapy and personalized genomic vaccine trials aimed at treating prostate cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

More than a watchdog

New research shows that nerve cells in the gut regulate gut immunity, maintain homeostasis, and provide active protection against infection. Gut neurons activate pain-sensing neurons to release neurochemicals slowing M cell differentiation and boosting SFB microbes, which guard against Salmonella invasion.

Fighting bacterial infection with drug-eluting medical devices

Researchers developed a mathematical model to explore interactions between bacteria and drug-eluting medical devices. The model indicates that successful therapy depends on a balance between the drug's action and bacterial proliferation, influenced by coating properties and porosity.

Water animation gets easier thanks to BYU professors

Researchers at Brigham Young University have created a new method called fluid carving to speed up the animation process for fluids. This technique allows animators to tweak and change animations on the fly without having to re-simulate entire sequences.

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.

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.

Next generation of CAR-T cells possible

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new approach to programming CAR-T cells that can prolong their activity and increase their effectiveness against human cancer cells. The technique uses ATAC-Seq to understand what happens when T cells become exhausted, and modifying CAR-T cells to restore balance in...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Finding meaning in 'Rick and Morty,' one burp at a time

A researcher analyzed the frequency and acoustics of belching while speaking in 'Rick and Morty' to uncover latent linguistic meaning. The study found that burps tend to rumble at a low 300 hertz, jitter 4% more than normal speech, and shimmer 15% more.

Modern technology and old-fashioned legwork solve science mystery

Researchers at Dartmouth College and Harvard Medical School have confirmed that single-cell eukaryote Stentor roeseli can make complex decisions, demonstrating avoidance behavior and a hierarchy of responses to stimulus. The study uses modern technology to recreate an early experiment that was debunked decades ago.

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.

Machine learning, imaging technique may boost colon cancer diagnosis

A new imaging technique combining machine learning and optical coherence tomography detects precancerous and cancerous tissue with 100% accuracy, according to a pilot study. The technology may assist traditional colonoscopy by providing real-time, non-invasive imaging for deeper precancerous polyps and early-stage cancers.

Anti-hepatitis medicine surprises

A new study found that an existing antiviral treatment is effective against both the hepatitis C virus and potentially fatal complications such as reduced liver functioning and cirrhosis. The treatment also improves cognitive function, with patients experiencing improved reaction times.

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.

Preterm births more likely when dads live in lower income areas

A new study links early preterm birth to dads' lifetime socioeconomic status, with fathers from lower-income neighborhoods facing three times higher rates of preterm birth. This finding highlights the importance of considering both parents' socioeconomic factors in reducing preterm birth rates.

Rats exchange information about danger in a reciprocal fashion

In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that rats can transfer information about danger to each other in both directions, influencing their responses to threats. The study suggests that this reciprocal exchange of information could enhance the detection of danger within groups, similar to cross-species eavesdropping.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Obesity surgery improves the heart

A study presented at EuroEcho 2019 found that bariatric surgery significantly improved subclinical heart function, reversing abnormal heart structure and function in obese individuals. The surgery also led to improvements in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, resulting in a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Gene expression regulation in Chinese cabbage illuminated

Researchers at Kobe University discovered that histone modification H3K27me3 plays a vital role in regulating gene expression in Chinese cabbage, particularly in vernalization. The study found that H3K27me3 modifies gene expression during plant tissue development and represses gene activity.

Mouse study shows nerve signaling pathway critical to healing fractures

A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that a protein signal stimulates the generation of vital nerve cells throughout injured areas, crucial for bone repair. Without this signaling pathway, bone formation is hampered, leading to significant reductions in blood vessel formation and mineralization of new bone.

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.

Brain differences detected in children with depressed parents

A new study reveals structural brain differences in children at high risk for depression due to parental history of depression. The right putamen region was found to be smaller in these children compared to those without a family history of depression.

Gulf Coast corals face catastrophe

A new study by Rice University researchers warns that coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico are on the brink of collapse due to rising temperatures and ocean acidification. The study found that even reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement's targets may not be enough to preserve the reefs.

Cancer treatment for patients with HIV

A study found that cancer treatments in HIV patients were linked to decreased immune system health (lower CD4 counts) and higher mortality rates. Nearly 200 patients with both conditions were analyzed, providing valuable insights into the effects of cancer treatment on individuals with HIV.