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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 15 of 40

New insight on potent HIV antibody could improve vaccine design

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how HIV antibodies adapt to viral changes, identifying a crucial mutation that enables them to target diverse virus strains. This finding has significant implications for developing effective HIV vaccines.

Establishing the molecular blueprint of early embryo development

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have generated a comprehensive molecular map of gastrulation in mice, revealing the genetic activity of over 100,000 embryonic cells. This discovery provides critical information on how mammalian embryos develop during gastrulation and paves the way for new understanding of organ formation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lesbian and bi women at increased risk of being overweight

New research from the University of East Anglia found that lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to heterosexual women. Gay men, on the other hand, are less likely to be overweight but at risk of being underweight, which is linked to various health problems.

Understanding peppers and chilis from around the world

A multinational review of peppers/chilis (Capsicum species) explores various aspects, including taxonomy, genetic resources, cytogenetic studies, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis. The crop's global production, cultivation, and economic value are also examined.

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.

Dietary fiber helps clump material in your gut

A new study from Caltech reveals that dietary fiber plays a role in clumping gut particles, which may affect drug absorption and microbial populations. Longer fibers promote physical aggregation of particles, providing a potential mechanism for controlling particle behavior in the gut.

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.

Keeping heavy metals out of beer and wine

Researchers tested three types of food-grade diatomaceous earth used to filter beer and wine, finding that all contained arsenic and smaller amounts of lead and cadmium. Altering filtering conditions or washing the DE before use reduced arsenic transfer.

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.

'Butterfly-shaped' palladium subnano cluster built in 3-D

Researchers build a 2D nanosheet and link it together to form a stable 3D 'butterfly-shaped' palladium cluster with potential industrial applications. The cluster's unique shape is stabilized by chemical linkers, enabling precise control of its function.

Exercise in morning or afternoon to shift your body clock forward

A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that exercising at 7 am or between 1 and 4 pm advances the body clock to an earlier time, while exercising between 7 and 10 pm delays it. This research has implications for counteracting jet lag and shift work.

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.

Renewable energy generation with kites and drones

A new software tool has been developed to analyze Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) that utilize lightweight kites or large drones. This innovation offers a cost-effective way to harness wind energy at high altitudes, where traditional wind turbines are not feasible.

Plants can skip the middlemen to directly recognize disease-causing fungi

Researchers found that multiple variants of the same resistance gene can bind dissimilar pathogen proteins in distantly related plant species, enabling direct recognition of disease-causing fungi. This discovery has significant implications for generating disease-resistant crops and could lead to rationally designed synthetic receptors.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ancient 'night' marsupial faced four months of winter darkness

Paleontologists discovered a new species of marsupial, Unnuakomys hutchisoni, which lived during the Late Cretaceous Period about 69 million years ago. The tiny creature, weighing less than an ounce, adapted to survive four months of winter darkness in the Arctic Circle.

Visualizing mental valuation processes

A new computer model has been developed to map mental valuation processes in the brain, enabling accurate predictions of food choices. The model takes into account individual valuations and efficiency principles, allowing for the prediction of decision behavior.

Food allergies and multiple sclerosis: study reveals a new link

A new study found that multiple sclerosis patients with food allergies experienced a higher rate of disease activity and increased likelihood of new lesions compared to those without food allergies. The association highlights the potential role of the gut in MS immune dysregulation.

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.

Beyond the bulkheterojunction

A novel concept proposes a lateral alternating multilayered junction for organic solar cells, enabling long-distance carrier transport and extraction. The structure shows promising results with high exciton-collection efficiency, paving the way to exceed conversion efficiency of 20%.

Prenatal forest fire exposure stunts children's growth

Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.

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.

New model mimics persistent interneuron loss seen in prematurity

Research at Children's National Hospital created a novel preclinical model that mimics persistent interneuron loss in preterm human infants. The study identified specific interneuron subtypes as potential therapeutic targets to prevent or lessen neurodevelopmental risks.

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.

Potential link between vitamin D deficiency and loss of brain plasticity

Research at University of Queensland suggests a connection between vitamin D levels and brain structure, finding that low levels disrupt perineuronal nets in the hippocampus. This disruption leads to reduced cognitive function and potentially contributes to disorders like depression and schizophrenia.

LOFAR radio telescope reveals secrets of solar storms

A team of scientists used LOFAR data to study a massive solar storm on September 10, 2017, revealing that particles accelerate simultaneously in multiple locations. This discovery may help improve space weather forecasting and mitigate potential effects on communication, navigation, and power grids.

NASA set to demonstrate X-ray communications in space

X-rays have shorter wavelengths than infrared and radio waves, enabling tighter beams and less energy consumption. The demonstration aims to increase interest in the technology, which could enable more efficient data transfer rates for deep space missions.

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.

Polymer twin: New implant imitates bone structure

Scientists developed a new hybrid bone implant combining the properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The implant's unique structure allows for improved strength, elasticity, and affordability.

Putting the brakes on aging

A new gene therapy using CRISPR/Cas9 targets the accumulation of toxic proteins in progeria syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The therapy improves health and life span in mice, providing insight into molecular pathways involved in accelerated aging.

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.

Common acid reflux medications linked to increased kidney disease risk

Researchers found patients taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were 28.4 times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to those taking histamine-2 receptor antagonists. PPIs were also linked to higher rates of acute kidney injury, end-stage renal disease, and unspecified kidney impairment.

Climate goals of the Paris Agreement: Impact of land use

A recent study by KIT and University of Edinburgh finds that previous measures to reduce greenhouse gases through land use change are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's climate goals. The study suggests that countries must find quick, yet realistic solutions to sustainably change human land use to mitigate climate change.

Ocean acidification harms cod larvae more than previously thought

A new study published in Global Change Biology reveals that high CO2 concentrations cause significant harm to Atlantic cod larvae, leading to underdeveloped gills and developmental delays. The findings contradict previous assumptions that larvae could adapt to acidic conditions through acclimation of parental generations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Untangling the where and when of walking in the brain

Scientists used a split-belt treadmill to study mouse locomotor learning and found that the brain separates spatial and temporal components of movement. The findings show similarities with human learning and suggest potential therapeutic approaches for people with asymmetric walking patterns.

Robots track moving objects with unprecedented precision

A novel system developed at MIT uses RFID tags to help robots home in on moving objects with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The system, called TurboTrack, can locate tagged objects within 7.5 milliseconds, on average, and with an error of less than a centimeter.

Citizen scientists invited to join quest for new worlds

The Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project re-launches with a call to volunteer citizen scientists to discover planets and brown dwarfs in the outer reaches of the Solar System. Citizen scientists have already discovered over 1,000 cold nearby brown dwarfs using images from NASA's WISE mission.

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.

Seeing the unseeable

Scientists at Cardiff University used x-ray crystallography and computer simulation to study the binding of viruses to cells. They found that adenoviruses can bind weakly to a different entry receptor called CAR, previously undiscovered mechanism.

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.