Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 1, 2019


The delicate balance of treating growing but brittle bones

Researchers at Hokkaido University found that inhibiting a bone receptor protein called Siglec-15 can increase bone mass and strength without impairing growth in young rats. This suggests that anti-Siglec-15 therapy could be an alternative treatment for juvenile osteoporosis, potentially with an ideal safety profile.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBone·DateFeb 1, 2019

How plants cope with iron deficiency

Plant biologists at HHU and WWU have discovered a key mechanism that enables plants to regulate their responses to iron deficiency, ultimately controlling iron uptake in roots and seed storage. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant biology and agricultural research.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 1, 2019

Access to human big data to accelerate research and improve patient care

Researchers will have access to a virtual cohort of 1.4 million individuals through the Common Infrastructure for National Cohorts in Europe, Canada and Africa (CINECA). The project aims to accelerate disease research and improve treatment effectiveness by analyzing genetic, physical and lifestyle data.

SourceSimon Fraser University·DateFeb 1, 2019

Blood test for specific metabolites could reveal blocked arteries

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a blood test that can detect early changes in blood flow to the heart by identifying five specific metabolites. The test shows promise as an alternative or complement to current stress tests, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and efficient treatment plans.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 1, 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.

Women who wear Muslim garments in court are viewed as more credible witnesses

A study by Lancaster University and Memorial University found that women who wear the hijab or niqab while testifying in court are perceived as more credible than uncovered women. The researchers suggest several possible explanations for this bias, including the idea that religious garments signal honesty and dispel common rape myths.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCanadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement·DateFeb 1, 2019

When mucus can be key to treating colon and airway diseases

Scientists have discovered proteins that regulate mucin production in the body, which could lead to new treatments for diseases such as asthma and colorectal cancer. The study also found a calcium sensor protein that controls the thickness of the mucus layer in the colon.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 1, 2019

Gene therapy cassettes improved for muscular dystrophy

Newer versions of gene therapy cassettes deliver better performance, increasing muscle strength and protecting against contraction-induced injuries in animal models. The treatment, micro-dystrophin, has been restructured to enhance its functionality.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 1, 2019

GI leaders recognized by AGA's prestigious recognition awards

The American Gastroenterological Association has announced the 2019 recipients of the annual recognition awards, honoring outstanding contributions to the field of gastroenterology. The award winners include John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF; Harry B. Greenberg, MD; and Timothy C. Wang, MD, AGAF.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateFeb 1, 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.

Site of care may affect patients' access to palliative treatment

Patients treated at minority-serving hospitals have only about two-thirds the odds of receiving palliative care compared to those receiving care at typical hospitals. The study found that racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive end-of-life palliative care than their counterparts, regardless of race or ethnicity.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 1, 2019

New tools in transportation

The AFLEET Tool and its online version enable fleet managers to compare the costs and benefits of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, optimizing their purchasing decisions. With over 8,000 users, the tool is based on Argonne's GREET model and provides a comprehensive and easier way to make informed decisions.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateFeb 1, 2019

Supercomputing helps study two-dimensional materials

By combining experimental results with simulations, researchers can gain insights into the atomic structure of 2D materials like graphene. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient batteries and other electronics.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalNature·DateFeb 1, 2019

Microbes help make the coffee

Studies show that lactic acid bacteria positively impact coffee fermentation, yielding fruity notes and enhancing flavor. Microbial communities also affect the build-up of fermentation-related metabolites on coffee beans, influencing overall quality.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 1, 2019

Breaching the horizons: Universal spreading laws confirmed

Researchers at IBS confirmed wave spreading mechanisms in a cloud of quantum particles, extending computational horizons from one day to 60 years. They used novel toolbox and Discrete Time Quantum Walks for fast simulations, revealing subdiffusive cloud spreading up to record timescales.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 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.

Microbes hitched to insects provide a rich source of new antibiotics

Researchers found that insect-borne microbes often outperformed soil bacteria in stopping antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. A new antibiotic, cyphomycin, was discovered from a Brazilian fungus-farming ant and showed effective antimicrobial action without toxic side effects.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 1, 2019

Fiber composition in rice coproducts revealed in Illinois study

A University of Illinois study characterizes the chemical composition of fiber in rice and rice coproducts, which could lead to diet interventions for improved digestibility. The primary carbohydrates found were arabinoxylans, with varying ratios between arabinose and xylose influencing functionality.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAnimal Feed Science and Technology·DateFeb 1, 2019

A new toolkit for studying how 'PARP' activity boosts cancers

Scientists developed a new method to study ADP-ribosylation, a process linked to cancer growth and other diseases. The ELTA technique enables researchers to attach molecular beacons to ADP-ribose molecules, allowing for detailed studies on how this process affects cells in health and disease.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 1, 2019

Variations in seafloor create freak ocean waves

Researchers at Florida State University have found that abrupt variations in the seafloor can cause massive destruction from rogue or freak waves. The study, published in Physical Review Fluids, reveals that these extreme events follow a gamma distribution, a mathematics function that defies traditional bell curve patterns.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateFeb 1, 2019

'Quiet' light

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have successfully created a chip-scale laser that emits light with a fundamental linewidth of less than 1 Hz, quiet enough to move demanding scientific applications to the chip scale. This breakthrough uses stimulated Brillouin scattering to produce extremely quiet light and has significant implications ...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 1, 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 UC study may help guide treatment of pediatric anxiety

A comprehensive analysis of medications prescribed for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders found SSRIs to be the most effective and best-tolerated treatment. The study examined over a dozen medications from 22 randomized controlled trials, providing guidance for clinicians in selecting evidence-based medication treatments.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateFeb 1, 2019

Straightforward biosynthesis of functional bulk nanocomposites

Researchers create scalable method to grow cellulose nanofibrils and co-deposit nanoscale building blocks, resulting in bulk nanocomposites with high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. This breakthrough enables potential industrial applications for functional bulk nanocomposites.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 1, 2019

How predatory plankton created modern ecosystems after 'Snowball Earth'

The discovery of ancient molecules, including bisnorgammacerane, reveals that predatory plankton played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of modern ecosystems. This finding suggests that massive predation helped 'clear' out bacteria-dominated oceans and create space for algae, paving the way for more complex lifeforms to evolve.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 1, 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.

Innovative GEDI instrument now gathering forest data

GEDI, a NASA instrument, is collecting data on forests using its waveform-based measurement technique to analyze the shape of returned light signals. This allows scientists to obtain three-dimensional structure information, useful for mapping wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 1, 2019

Protecting those on the frontline from Ebola

Researchers at MUSC created an online software package to train health care workers using simulation in safe Ebola disease response, increasing knowledge of effective prevention by up to 19% and reducing critical errors. The program aims to reduce the number of critical errors and risky actions committed when treating an Ebola patient.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalHealth Security·DateFeb 1, 2019

Everything in moderation

A study by UC Santa Barbara found that moderate fertilizer and irrigation treatments resulted in the best biomass yields and carbon storage for prairie grasses. This approach also minimized competition with food crops and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest a more tailored, ecologically friendly approach to biofuel productio...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 1, 2019

Newly identified messenger molecules could help protect survival of neurones

Scientists have discovered new messenger molecules, miR-494-3p, that regulate genes involved in maintaining neuron health. The study found that introducing this micro-RNA into astrocyte-motor neuron cultures significantly improved neuron survival rates, potentially leading to new therapies for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalEBioMedicine·DateFeb 1, 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.

Enzyme warps space to break the cell's speed limit

Researchers discovered rhomboid enzymes can move quickly through cell membrane by warping surroundings, allowing them to glide rapidly across. This ability enables them to scour the membrane for targets to cut, providing real-time signals to other cells.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateFeb 1, 2019

SFU researchers find new clues to controlling HIV

A team of researchers has identified a connection between infection control and how well antiviral T cells respond to diverse HIV sequences. This study suggests that individual T cells differ widely in their ability to recognize peptide variants, which may be clinically significant in controlling HIV infection.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 1, 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.

Virtual lens improves X-ray microscopy

Researchers at PSI develop a new method that uses a small but efficient lens to create high-resolution images of X-ray microscopes, providing absorption and phase contrast information. This technique has the potential to reveal material properties and improve image quality for biological samples.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 1, 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.

Current generation via quantum proton transfer

Researchers from NIMS and Hokkaido University discovered that proton transfer in electrochemical reactions is governed by the quantum tunneling effect, revealing a novel physical process. This breakthrough may accelerate basic research leading to highly efficient electrochemical energy conversion systems based on quantum mechanics.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 2019

Antarctic meltwater streams shed light on longstanding hydrological mystery

Scientists discovered that Antarctic meltwater streams retain their chemical composition regardless of flow rate, with high levels of chemical weathering being the primary mechanism. This finding has implications for understanding stream behavior and predicting water quality changes in temperate watersheds.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 1, 2019

KIT National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease one step further toward healthy respiratory organs

The KIT National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease has secured funding for its second phase, which will focus on developing domestic respiratory disease products. The center will utilize a one-step solution combining inhalation testing with toxicology evaluation and clinical studies to evaluate product efficacy.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateFeb 1, 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.

ATS publishes new clinical guideline on home oxygen for children

The American Thoracic Society has developed a new clinical practice guideline for home oxygen therapy in children with chronic hypoxemia. The guideline makes specific recommendations for treating various respiratory and pulmonary conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and interstitial lung disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 1, 2019

Palm oil not the only driver of forest loss in Indonesia

A new study by Duke University reveals that Indonesia's deforestation rate is changing, with wildfires, mining, and small-scale farming playing a larger role than previously thought. This shift highlights the need for policymakers to adjust their conservation policies and practices to account for the varied causes of forest loss.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 1, 2019

Common e-cigarette chemical flavorings may impair lung function

Two common e-cigarette chemical flavorings, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, have been linked to impaired lung function by altering gene expression related to cilia production. This study suggests that even low levels of these chemicals can be hazardous, highlighting the need for stricter safety standards.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 1, 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.

No sweat? That's an issue for home-schooled children

A Rice University study of home-schooled children aged 10-17 found that many fall short of daily exercise goals despite participating in organized activities. The researchers recommend increasing unstructured physical activity time to ensure children meet their fitness needs. Parents are encouraged to provide more opportunities for out...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology·DateFeb 1, 2019

Crunching the data: New liver cancer subtypes revealed immunologically

A research team at Tokyo Medical and Dental University classified hepatocellular carcinoma into three distinct subgroups based on mutation patterns, gene expression, and immune system characterization. The findings suggest that each subgroup has a unique clinical profile, enabling targeted treatment approaches.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateFeb 1, 2019

Optimized binding cavity

Researchers developed a designer enzyme with an unnatural aniline side chain, increasing its activity by a factor of 90. Directed evolution led to variants with higher conversion rates, showing the potential for this method in producing highly effective enzymes.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 1, 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.

Lettuce show you how to restore oil-soaked soil

Researchers at Rice University have fine-tuned a pyrolysis technique to remove petroleum contaminants from soil, restoring its fertility. The method uses gentle heat to preserve the soil's essential clays, eliminating 99.9% of total petroleum hydrocarbons and 94.5% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

SourceRice University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 1, 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.

Simulating meteorite impacts in the lab

Researchers used X-ray diffraction to track dynamic processes in feldspar minerals during simulated meteorite impacts. The results show that structural changes occur at varying pressures depending on the compression rate, highlighting a need for further investigation to understand impact conditions.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 1, 2019

The future of minority health and health disparities research is here

A two-year science visioning process has identified thirty specific research strategies to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. The NIH Strategic Plan on Minority Health and Health Disparities will be guided by these strategies, enabling a coordinated research approach to promote equal opportunities for all populations.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 1, 2019

Magnetic teeth hold promise for materials and energy

Researchers have discovered the genetic puzzle behind a mollusk's ability to produce magnetite nanomaterials. The study found that specific proteins are involved in transforming raw materials into magnetite, which could lead to the development of next-generation electronics and energy sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 1, 2019

Walking for health benefits just got easier to track

Researchers found that walking about 100 steps per minute constitutes moderate intensity and vigorous walking begins at about 130 steps per minute. A simple guideline provides walkers with a concrete way to track their activity level without relying on exercise devices or complicated calculations.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateFeb 1, 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.

Why are you and I and everything else here?

Researchers are searching for an explanation for the imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe. One theory suggests that this imbalance is a fundamental aspect of the cosmos, existing from the beginning of time. Physicists are investigating possibilities to extend the standard model of physics to include this phenomenon.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 2019

Keeping the peace when mom and grandma disagree on feeding the kids

A new study highlights the importance of involving all family members in nutrition education programs for children. Researchers found that many mothers face conflicting advice from older female relatives on feeding their babies, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. To balance family harmony and healthy diets, mothers use strategi...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research·DateFeb 1, 2019

Butterflies thrive in grasslands surrounded by forest

A study of 32,000 butterflies found that semi-natural grasslands with surrounding forests support the highest number of butterfly species, while agricultural fields have limited resources. The results highlight the importance of preserving landscapes with diverse habitats to ensure the survival of pollinators.

SourceLinköping University·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateFeb 1, 2019