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Science News Archive December 2019 - Page 27


Page 27 of 36

As China rapidly adopts clean energy, use of traditional stoves persists

A McGill-led study found that people's reluctance to give up traditional stoves is linked to factors like age, education, and self-reported health. The study highlights the need for better understanding of household motivations to encourage a successful transition to clean energy.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Finance·DateDec 5, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2019
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.

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2019

Your food may help make stickier, safer glues for laptops, packaging, furniture

Researchers at Purdue University have created high-performance, tunable adhesives using compounds found in foods like nuts and fruits. These nontoxic and degradable adhesives could replace carcinogenic formaldehyde-based glues in furniture and other household items, improving health and environmental sustainability.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Sustainable Systems·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateDec 5, 2019

Kidney patients report positive experiences with novel approach to dialysis access

A new study reports high patient satisfaction with a minimally invasive approach to creating vascular access for kidney patients requiring hemodialysis. The Ellipsys Vascular Access System showed nearly all dialysis access sites remained functional after two years, significantly improving upon surgically created fistulas.

SourceDowling & Dennis PR·JournalThe Journal of Vascular Access·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceBrigham Young University·DateDec 5, 2019

Animals that evolved in low-disturbance areas more 'sensitive' to modern disruption

Animal species from low-disturbance environments are more sensitive to modern forest fragmentation, according to a study of global datasets. The researchers found strong support for the extinction filter hypothesis, suggesting that species adapted to high disturbance areas may be more resilient to new disturbances.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 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.

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...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 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.

St. Michael's Hospital study examines the relationship between sugars and heart health

A new study led by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that different types of sugars showed varying associations with cardiovascular disease. Higher intake of total or fructose-containing sugars was linked to increased death from cardiovascular disease, while higher sucrose intake was associated with decreased mortality.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateDec 5, 2019

A robot and software make it easier to create advanced materials

A Rutgers-led team has created an automated system to produce polymers, enabling the rapid creation of unique materials with special properties. This innovation aims to improve human health through various applications such as drugs and regenerative medicine.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 5, 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.

Taming chronic inflammation may reduce illness, save lives

Chronic inflammation is linked to 50% of all deaths worldwide, causing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more. Identifying new biomarkers for early diagnosis and better treatment can help reduce chronic disease and improve health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalTheranostics·DateDec 5, 2019
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.

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.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Viral Hepatitis·DateDec 5, 2019

Preterm birth linked to increased rates of diabetes in children and young adults, with certain effects stronger in females

New research reveals a significant association between preterm birth and an increased risk of developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and young adults. Women born preterm are particularly at higher risk, with a 30% increase in type 2 diabetes risk and a 60% increase in type 1 diabetes risk compared to their male counterparts.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateDec 5, 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.

New early Cretaceous mammal fossils bridge a transitional gap in ear's evolution

New fossil species Origolestes lii sheds light on transitional gap in mammalian ear evolution. The discovery provides a crucial reference point for understanding the decoupling of jaw and hearing systems, paving the way for improved hearing and chewing capabilities in future mammals.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceKobe University·JournalDNA·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 5, 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.

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.

SourceRice University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateDec 5, 2019

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 5, 2019