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Science News Archive December 2019 - Page 10


Page 10 of 36

Research provides new design principle for water-splitting catalysts

A new study by Brown University researchers reveals that the hydrogen atoms bound to platinum at high activity regions are actually inert bystanders, not participating in the reaction. Instead, they sit atop platinum atoms and meet up with each other to form H2 gas, making platinum reactive.

SourceBrown University·JournalACS Catalysis·DateDec 18, 2019

Global urban growth typified by suburbs, not skyscrapers

The study found that suburban expansion is the predominant pattern in cities worldwide, driving inefficient and unsustainable development. Notable exceptions exist in East and Southeast Asia, where high-rise construction is on the rise.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 18, 2019

A self-healing sweat sensor (video)

Researchers have developed a self-healing sweat sensor that can withstand vigorous exercise and quickly repair itself if damaged. The device, in the form of a headband, accurately tracks electrolyte concentrations in sweat, providing valuable insights into a person's health.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateDec 18, 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.

New clues on dark matter from the darkest galaxies

Researchers analyzed rotation curves of low-surface-brightness galaxies to discover a universal relationship describing dark matter's distribution. This result consolidates clues on dark matter's presence and behavior, opening up new scenarios for interactions with bright matter.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 18, 2019

Chemicals in vaping flavors cause widespread damage to lung tissue

Research reveals that flavored e-liquids trigger inflammation, genetic damage, and dysfunction in the lungs, increasing long-term health risks. The study identifies over 40 chemicals in seven flavors, many of which are known to be harmful if inhaled.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 18, 2019

Study reveals molecular features of anxiety in the brain

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital develop a computational approach to study anxiety, uncovering over 209 genes with varying activity across anxiety categories. The study identifies new targets for drug development, including genes related to synaptic plasticity, hormones, and G-protein coupled receptors.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateDec 18, 2019

A soft robotic insect that survives being flattened by a fly swatter

DEAnsect, a soft robotic insect, is equipped with dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) that enable it to move forward through vibrations. The insect is lightweight and quick, allowing it to navigate different terrain types, including undulating surfaces.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Robotics·DateDec 18, 2019
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.

SMU develops efficient methods to simulate how electromagnetic waves interact with devices

Researchers at Southern Methodist University have developed a more efficient algorithm to simulate the interaction of electromagnetic waves with devices, reducing simulation time from days to hours. This breakthrough has significant implications for various scientific fields, including biology, astronomy, and military applications.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·DateDec 18, 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.

If the world can capture carbon, there's capacity to store it

A new study demonstrates that there's more than enough suitable storage for captured carbon dioxide on the world's continental shelves to meet IPCC goals. The research suggests that developing enough CO2 injection wells over a relatively short period is manageable and can help achieve emissions cuts of up to 13% by 2050.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 18, 2019

Scientists find way to supercharge protein production

Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a method to supercharge protein production up to a thousandfold, which could significantly increase the production of protein-based drugs, vaccines, and biomaterials. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency in various industries.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2019

BU chemists develop new biodegradable adhesive

Boston University researchers have developed a biodegradable adhesive that can effectively stick to various surfaces, replacing traditional plastic adhesives. The adhesive's formula is easily adaptable to suit industrial and medical applications.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2019
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Study: Obesity could affect brain development in children

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children with higher BMI tend to have a thinner cerebral cortex, especially in the prefrontal area. This may help explain the correlation between obesity and decreased executive function, such as working memory.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 18, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

NASA's Webb telescope to search for young brown dwarfs and rogue planets

The James Webb Space Telescope will study the smallest, faintest residents of NGC 1333, distinguishing between objects that form like stars and those that form like planets. The team aims to identify cluster members as puny as Jupiter for the first time ever, shedding light on their origins and the star formation process.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 18, 2019

Genes and family are biggest predictor of academic success, study suggests

A new study from the University of York found that parents' socioeconomic status and children's inherited DNA differences are powerful predictors of educational achievement. Children with high genetic propensity for education but poor backgrounds had limited access to higher education, while those with low genetic propensity but afflue...

SourceUniversity of York·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateDec 18, 2019

Improved 3D nanoprinting technique to build nanoskyscrapers

The new method enables the creation of tall-and-narrow nanostructures with controllable dimensions, including transparent nanoelectrodes with high optical transmission and tunable conductivity. Researchers achieved this by adding 'table salt' to the polymer solution, improving electrostatic attraction between nanofibers.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 18, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Star fruit could be the new 'star' of Florida agriculture

Researchers are exploring how cover crops can enhance the sustainability of star fruit farms in Florida. By incorporating cover crops like sunn hemp and velvet bean into their practices, farmers can improve soil organic matter and reduce the need for synthetic inputs.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateDec 18, 2019

Injecting 'solar cells' into the body to regenerate brain cells

Associate Professor Menglin Chen's team has created a light-controlled neural stimulating scaffold inside the body using nanofibers coated with photovoltaic nanomaterials. This non-genetic method can locally stimulate cells electrically and has shown regenerative effects on neural model cells.

SourceAarhus University·DateDec 18, 2019

Depression and suicide risk linked to air pollution

A new analysis found that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution are more likely to experience depression or die by suicide. Reducing global average exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could result in a 15% reduction in depression risk worldwide.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateDec 18, 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.

Pattern of heavy alcohol drinking may damage heart tissue

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association finds that heavy drinking can cause subclinical heart damage, increasing levels of blood biomarkers associated with inflammation and cardiac wall stretch. Heavy drinkers are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease than non-problem drinkers.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 18, 2019

Are herpes virus infections linked to Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report no link between increased levels of herpes virus and Alzheimer's disease, contrary to a previous study. The team also provides a new statistical and computational framework for analyzing large-scale sequencing data.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateDec 18, 2019

Engaging with the arts linked to longer life

A study of over 6,000 UK adults aged 50+ found that regular engagement with the arts was associated with a lower risk of death. The more frequently people participated in arts activities, the greater the protective effect, with those attending arts events once or twice a year having a 14% lower risk of dying.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 18, 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.

First images of an 'upgraded' CRISPR tool

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a new gene editing tool called INTEGRATE, which uses cryo-electron microscopy to capture high-resolution images of the complex in action. The tool appears to work by targeting DNA for accurate insertion of genetic payloads without introducing DNA breaks.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2019

Australian desalination plant attracts fish

A large desalination plant in Sydney, Australia, has been found to attract certain species of fish, increasing their abundance at the discharge site. The researchers suggest that turbulence caused by high-pressure release of salty solution may be responsible for this effect.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 18, 2019

Immune to influence

Researchers from the University of Konstanz conducted an experimental study on how vaccination arguments propagate in online chains. The study found that existing vaccination beliefs are resilient to radicalization and do not become more extreme even when exposed to opposing views. This has significant implications for public health, h...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalVaccine·DateDec 18, 2019

Zika vaccine protects fetus in pregnant monkeys

An experimental Zika DNA vaccine VRC5283 reduced virus levels and improved fetal outcomes in pregnant rhesus macaques. The results suggest the vaccine may prevent transmission to humans as well.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 18, 2019
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.

Researchers apply temperature gradients to grow and move liquid crystals

Texas A&M University researchers discovered that applying a small temperature difference to zirconium phosphate particles initiates their liquid crystallization. The team found that varying temperatures can move liquid crystals by creating a temperature gradient, opening new doors for applications beyond common liquid crystal uses.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 18, 2019

NASA's GISMO instrument maps inner Milky Way, sees cosmic 'candy cane'

The Goddard-IRAM Superconducting 2-Millimeter Observer (GISMO) instrument has mapped the inner Milky Way, revealing a feature resembling a cosmic 'candy cane' with two prominent radio filaments. The image showcases the galaxy's central zone, highlighting areas of star formation and high-speed electron spirals.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 18, 2019

Shigella strain resistant to all oral antibiotics circulating in Victoria

A highly contagious intestinal bacteria, Shigellosis can cause 190 million cases of diarrhoea globally each year. In Victoria, a drug-resistant Shigella strain has emerged, making treatment with oral antibiotics impossible, requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics instead.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 18, 2019

Storing medical information below the skin's surface

Researchers have developed a novel way to record patient vaccination history by storing data in a pattern of invisible dye delivered under the skin. The dye remains stable for at least five years and can be detected using a specially equipped smartphone, promising to improve vaccine administration in developing nations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 18, 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.

UTA developing better bridge inspections

UTA researchers create a non-contact testing system to inspect bridges without disrupting commuters. The system uses sensors mounted on a moving platform to detect mechanical waves and map hidden damage, enabling more accurate maintenance plans.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateDec 18, 2019

Fluorescence spectroscopy helps to evaluate meat quality

Scientists developed a new method to evaluate meat quality using fluorescence spectroscopy, which is precise in classifying meat into standard quality categories. The method detects specific compounds that emit light of a specific frequency range, agreeing with the assumption that connective and adipose tissue make meat more tender.

SourceSechenov University·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·DateDec 18, 2019

Different mutations in a single gene can wreak many types of havoc in brain cells

A study found that different mutations in a single gene can cause various problems in brain cells. Researchers discovered that even healthy proteins may interfere with mutant proteins' actions, leading to irregular neuronal firing. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding each mutation for personalized medicine.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 18, 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.

Close to half of US population projected to have obesity by 2030

By 2030, nearly half of US adults are expected to have obesity, and more than a quarter will have severe obesity. The study predicts that several states will have obesity rates close to 60%, with severe obesity becoming the most common BMI category among low-income adults.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 18, 2019

Mealworms safely consume toxic additive-containing plastic

A new Stanford study shows that mealworms can eat Styrofoam containing toxic chemicals without building up harm in their bodies. The worms' guts concentrate and remove these additives through biodegradation, making them a promising source of protein-rich feedstock for other animals.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 18, 2019

Teen overdoses from anxiety drug rising

A national study found a significant rise in teens taking and overdosing on benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed anxiety medications. The rate of exposure among adolescents increased by 54% between 2000 and 2015, with nearly half of all reported exposures documented as intentional abuse or misuse.

SourceRutgers University·JournalClinical Toxicology·DateDec 17, 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.

Genetic test could aid quest to reveal causes of rare diseases

A new genetic test approach may help diagnose Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and other rare diseases by identifying mutations that trigger muscle-wasting conditions. The study identified over 20 new mutations linked to the condition, which affects around one in 100,000 people worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalEBioMedicine·DateDec 17, 2019

How cells get moving

A research team has identified essential proteins for archaeal motility and its structure, revealing a complex protein complex that enables archaella to swim. The discovery provides insights into the unique mechanism of archaeal movement, distinct from bacterial flagellum-based locomotion.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateDec 17, 2019

Taking an X-ray of an atomic bond

Researchers have developed a new technique to study electron behavior in atomic bonds using resonant x-ray reflectivity. This method allows for the measurement of individual elements' contributions to their shared bond, providing insights into the degree of covalent and ionic bonding.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 17, 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.

How immune cells switch to attack mode

Macrophages change their metabolism drastically after coming into contact with bacteria, triggering an inflammatory response. This process involves the activation of Toll-like receptors, which leads to histone acetylation and changes in gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalImmunity·DateDec 17, 2019

Disruption of glycine receptors to study embryonic development and brain function

A new function for glycine receptors during embryonic development has been identified through collaborative research at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. The study found that glycine receptor alpha-4 facilitates the early development of fertilized eggs, maintaining embryo quality and litter size in mice.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalReproduction·DateDec 17, 2019

NASA's SDO sees new kind of magnetic explosion on sun

Scientists observe a new type of magnetic explosion, known as forced reconnection, triggered by a solar eruption. This discovery confirms a decade-old theory and may help predict space weather and understand the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 17, 2019

Obesity may alter nearly 70% of routine blood tests in children

A new study found that over 24 routine blood tests are affected by childhood obesity, including liver function tests and inflammation markers. This discovery could help doctors better interpret test results and provide more accurate diagnoses.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 17, 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.