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Science News for December 30, 2019


Phosphate for life's origin in carbonate-rich lakes

Researchers propose that phosphate-rich lakes can support life due to concentrated phosphates. Carbonate-rich lake environments provide the necessary conditions for biomolecule formation, overcoming a major obstacle to life's origin.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Arup SenGupta awarded second Fulbright research fellowship

Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned expert in water technology, has received the second Fulbright research fellowship to collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology in Guwahati. His work focuses on implementing Hybrid Ion Exchange Nanotechnology (HIX-Nano) to transform wastewater into usable water.

SourceLehigh University·DateDec 30, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Learning from the bears

A team of scientists studied grizzly bears' muscles during hibernation and found that they produce non-essential amino acids, which can stimulate cell growth. This discovery could lead to the development of new methods to prevent and treat muscle atrophy in humans.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 30, 2019

Scientists link La Niña climate cycle to increased diarrhea

A study finds La Niña is associated with cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and higher flooding in Botswana, leading to a 30% increase in under-5 diarrhea incidence. This could lead to an early-warning system to prepare for periods of high diarrhea cases.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 30, 2019

Direct-to-consumer fertility tests confuse and mislead consumers, Penn study shows

A new study from Penn Medicine found that direct-to-consumer hormone-based fertility tests for women are both empowering and confusing. The tests, which estimate egg supply or 'ovarian reserve,' are marketed as an accessible option for investigating fertility status but do not predict natural conception.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateDec 30, 2019

Combining neurologic and blood pressure drugs reduces breast tumor development in mice

Researchers found that combining valproic acid and hydralazine reversed some aspects of breast cancer in offspring of high-risk mice, but increased risk in those not fed a high fat diet during pregnancy. The study suggests potential implications for breast cancer risk in humans, particularly related to prenatal exposure to certain chem...

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 30, 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.

How fish fins evolved just before the transition to land

Research on fossilized fish from the late Devonian period details the evolution of fins as they began to transition into limbs. The study used CT scanning to examine fin shape and structure, constructing digital 3D models that allowed researchers to infer how fins worked and changed.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Pharmacies leave customers hanging when it comes to disposing of antibiotics and opioids

A study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that fewer than half of California pharmacies provided correct disposal instructions for antibiotics and opioids. Only 10% followed the FDA's recommended takeback programs. Improving disposal practices requires better education and expanded programs to ensure patient safety.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 2019

Life could have emerged from lakes with high phosphorus

A new study finds that certain lakes with high concentrations of phosphate could have supplied the key ingredient for life to emerge on early Earth. The discovery solves a long-standing problem in origin-of-life research and suggests that lakes with carbonate-rich waters may have played a crucial role in creating life.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Long-dormant disease becomes most dominant foliar disease in New York onion crops

Stemphylium leaf blight has emerged as the most dominant foliar disease in New York onion crops, causing lesions that lead to loss of green leaf area and potentially affecting bulb size and quality. The re-emergence of SLB is attributed to fungicide resistance, leading to its removal from commercial production.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Disease·DateDec 30, 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.

How cells learn to 'count'

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that specialized cells use a process more common in non-mammalian species to create hundreds of cilia, challenging the long-held assumption that deuterosomes play a central role. This discovery could lead to new treatments for cilia-related disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 30, 2019

Himalayan glacier lake outburst floods

Researchers estimate that glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) could reach peak discharges of up to 15,600 cubic meters per second, posing a major threat to rivers and communities in the region. The study highlights the importance of monitoring lake levels and historic outbursts in determining GLOF hazard.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Pacific infiltration of Southern Ocean

Research reveals Pacific Ocean infiltration into the Southern Ocean around 6,000-7,000 years ago, possibly due to weakened westerly winds. This finding may signal potential impacts of climate change on the region.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

The growing Tibetan Plateau shaped the modern biodiversity

Recent fossil discoveries revealed three evolutionary patterns on the Tibetan Plateau: local endemism, out-of-Tibet dispersal, and intercontinental exchange. These patterns reflect the biological responses to tectonic uplift and its impact on biota globally.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateDec 30, 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.

When automotive assembly plants close, deaths from opioid overdoses rise

A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that closing of local automotive assembly plants is associated with an increase in opioid overdose deaths. The study highlights fading economic opportunity as a driving factor in the national opioid epidemic.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 2019

Strategies to generate larger pores in metal-organic frameworks

Recent methodologies for generating hierarchical porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reviewed. Techniques such as template, etching, and construction of composites enable the creation of multi-level pore structures. These advancements facilitate improved mass transfer and guest diffusion in MOF-based applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateDec 30, 2019

The mysterious case of the ornamented coot chicks has a surprising explanation

A new study reveals that American coot chicks' bright orange and red feathers are a result of maternal effect, with mothers putting more carotenoid pigments in later eggs. This trait helps parents choose the most colorful chick, which receives preferential feeding and has a higher chance of survival.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Fewer than half of California pharmacies provide correct drug disposal info

A recent study found that only 11% of California pharmacies have a drug take-back program, and even fewer provide accurate information on safe disposal methods. The lack of clear guidelines can lead to misuse and accidental poisonings, highlighting the need for improved education and resources.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 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.

Persistent organic pollutants in mother's blood linked to smaller fetal size

Researchers found that pregnant women exposed to persistent organic pollutants had slightly smaller fetuses than those who were not exposed. The study analyzed ultrasound scans and blood samples from over 2,200 pregnant women, finding a significant association between exposure to POPs and reduced fetal growth.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 30, 2019

Better anchor roots help crops grow in poor soils

Researchers at KAUST identified a key metabolite called anchorene that regulates plant anchor roots and promotes water and nutrient uptake. Increasing anchorene levels in deficient soil can rescue root growth in crops, increasing yields.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 30, 2019

NASA tracks Tropical Storm Sarai moving away from Fiji

Tropical Storm Sarai continues to move further away from Fiji and towards Tonga, with rough surf, tropical storm force winds, and heavy rains expected for both islands. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts the storm will curve to the northeast and pass just north of Tonga and Niue over the next several days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 30, 2019

Drivers of plant population growth

Researchers analyzed 208 plant species across various environmental factors, finding that all three factor types have similar effects on plant performance. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when predicting future biodiversity changes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 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.

Brain network activity in preterm infants

Researchers used MRI to assess neural activity in preterm infants and adults, finding similar patterns of interindividual variability in brain network activity. The study suggests that age-related increases in brain network variability may be linked to cortical maturation and expansion.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Harnessing hot carriers for high efficiency solar cells

Researchers at KAUST have developed a way to prolong hot carrier lifetime in 2D perovskite solar materials, potentially increasing solar energy efficiency. The approach involves tuning the structure of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites to suppress hot carrier cooling mechanisms.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 30, 2019

Unhappy revolutionaries

The study analyzed the correlation between happiness levels and Arab Spring protests, finding that countries with lower happiness levels were more likely to experience unrest. The researchers also discovered that GDP per capita had a weaker correlation with protest activity than initially thought.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalCross-Cultural Research·DateDec 30, 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.

How puffins use tools

Researchers observed two instances of puffin tool use: one on Skomer Island in 2014 and another on Grimsey Island in 2018. Puffins used wooden sticks to dislodge parasites or scratch their chests, which may have been more effective than using their beaks.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Negative emotion and tobacco use

Four studies involving over 12,000 participants reveal a nuanced link between negative emotion and tobacco use. Sadness is reliably associated with current smoking and relapse rates, as well as impatience and puff volume.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Juvenile ornamentation in American coots

A study by Bruce E. Lyon and Daizaburo Shizuka found that juvenile ornamentation in American coots helps parents determine which chicks will benefit most from care and nutrition. The researchers discovered that later-hatched, redder chicks received preferential treatment and increased food portions from their parents.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019
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.

Geomagnetic imprinting in fruit flies

Researchers studied geomagnetic imprinting in fruit flies using laboratory experiments. They found that the flies can learn and remember a magnetic field associated with a specific location and transmit this information to their offspring.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

More Chinese scientists in America are going back home

A growing number of Chinese researchers are returning to their homeland, contributing significantly to China's rising scientific prowess. Studies have shown that these foreign-trained researchers publish more high-impact research and collaborate with international partners upon their return.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience and Public Policy·DateDec 30, 2019

Replacing one gas with another helps efficiently extract methane from permafrost

Researchers at Skoltech and Heriot-Watt University developed a method to extract methane from permafrost hydrates by injecting flue gases, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Arctic. The new technology also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by forming hydrates that replace original methane hydrates.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 30, 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.

Altruistic behavior and pain

Researchers discovered that altruistic individuals experience less physical pain than controls. Brain activity scans revealed a correlation between altruism and decreased pain activity in the brain's medial prefrontal cortex.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

Bioelectric stimulation to clear skin lesions

Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) delivers nanosecond pulsed electric fields to cells and tissues, inducing cell death in epidermal or dermal lesions without causing scarring. Researchers used NPS to treat skin lesions, including seborrheic keratosis and warts caused by human papilloma virus.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBioelectricity·DateDec 30, 2019

Short or long sleep associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis

A study found that people who sleep 4 hours or less double their risk of pulmonary fibrosis and those who sleep 11 hours or more triple their chance. The researchers attribute this to the body clock and suggest targeting it as a potential target for treating the disease.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 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.

Individualized physical therapy reduces incontinence, pain in men after prostate surgery

A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that individualized physical therapy can effectively reduce urinary incontinence and pain in men after prostate surgery. The approach focuses on relaxing tight pelvic muscles rather than strengthening weak ones, leading to improved outcomes for 87% of patients.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalInternational Urology and Nephrology·DateDec 30, 2019

Flu vaccines and cancer immunotherapy in mice

Researchers found that injecting seasonal flu vaccines into tumors in mice increased systemic immune responses and sensitivity to treatments. The results suggest that antipathogen vaccines may find additional benefit as cancer immunotherapies, potentially converting cold tumors to 'hot' states.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 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.

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019