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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 17 of 40

Lupus strongly linked to imbalances in gut microbiome

Researchers at NYU Langone Health have found a strong link between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an abnormal mix of bacteria in the gut. The study showed that patients with SLE had significantly higher levels of Ruminococcus gnavus bacteria in their guts, which triggered immune reactions and disease flares.

Dose of vitamin C helps gold nanowires grow

Rice University scientists have developed a method to produce valuable gold nanowires from short particles using vitamin C. The process, which is fully controllable and reversible, allows for the production of nanowires of any desired length, making them suitable for sensing, diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic applications.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists create new map of brain's immune system

Researchers created a high-resolution map of the brain's immune system, showing that all microglia have the same core signature but adapt differently depending on their function. This discovery is significant for understanding brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.

Gene therapy durably reverses congenital deafness in mice

Scientists have successfully restored auditory synapse function and hearing thresholds to a near-normal level in adult mice with DFNB9 deafness. The breakthrough uses an AAV-based gene therapy approach that can be used to produce otoferlin and durably correct the profound deafness phenotype in mice.

Quarrying of Stonehenge 'bluestones' dated to 3000 BC

A new UCL-led study has pinpointed the exact locations of two quarries in Wales that supplied the bluestones to Stonehenge. The discovery reveals how the stones were quarried and transported, challenging a popular theory about their transportation method.

GraphON: Conductive coatings and materials breakthrough

GraphON is a conductive coating that can be manufactured cheaper and easier than comparable products, with greater control over performance. It has potential uses in electrostatically dissipative coatings, electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical heating and conductive coatings.

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.

Graphene 'sandwich' key to new electronics

Researchers from Graphene Flagship partner DTU developed a graphene 'sandwich' by encasing graphene with insulating hexagonal boron nitride, allowing them to achieve higher electrical currents and control the material's properties. This breakthrough enables the creation of nano-electronics with small dimensions.

Travelers use hotels' loyalty programs to get instant perks and rewards

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that hotel loyalty programs cater to different traveler types, with frequent business travelers prioritizing convenience and good customer reviews over room level. Leisure travelers, on the other hand, seek instant rewards through these programs.

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.

New project seeks enhanced lung disease care in Appalachia

The UVA Health System is launching a program that uses telehealth to connect primary care providers in Appalachia with specialists to improve lung disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Residents in the region have higher-than-average rates of lung cancer and COPD, and limited access to subspecialty physicians.

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.

In the blink of an eye: Team uses quantum of light to create new quantum simulator

A team led by Professor Ebrahim Karimi creates a new quantum simulator that uses the properties of light to simulate periodic and closed structures in nature. The experiment reveals fundamentally different physics between ring-shaped and line-shaped systems, opening opportunities for developing efficient photonic-based quantum computers.

How to make the push-up work for you

A modified push-up exercise called 'push-up plus' strengthens the serratus anterior muscle, which connects the rib cage to the shoulder blade. This study found that different hand positions and orientations activated various muscle groups, making it an effective exercise for athletes and individuals with specific needs.

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.

Micro-control of liver metabolism

Researchers at TIFR have identified molecular mechanisms that allow the liver to adapt to nutrient intake after fasting. These 'fed-microRNAs' inhibit protein synthesis, maintaining blood glucose levels. The study's findings offer potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

Study finds inadequate FDA oversight of prescribing of fentanyl products

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the FDA and manufacturers failed to review prescribing records to prevent inappropriate use of potentially lethal fentanyl products. Despite a monitoring program in place, widespread misuse was discovered among cancer patients.

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.

The global impact of coal power

Research reveals that power plants in India take the highest toll on human health due to particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions. The study also highlights the need for upgrading or shutting down outdated coal power plants to mitigate global warming and air pollution.

Study says attacks on infrastructure in Gaza and West Bank exact human cost

A new report by Duke University researchers highlights the dire impacts of Israel's targeting of agricultural, water, and energy infrastructures in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on human welfare and livelihoods. The study shows that these attacks often result in significant degradation of civilian infrastructure and economy.

Terahertz wireless makes big strides in paving the way to technological singularity

Researchers at Hiroshima University have successfully developed a single-chip transceiver that can transmit or receive digital data at 80 gigabits per second (Gbit/s) using terahertz (THz) technology. The breakthrough could potentially enable ultra-high-speed wireless communications, supporting the development of artificial superintell...

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.

Brain represents optical illusion as delayed reality

Researchers confirm that the human brain and monkeys perceive the Pinna-Brelstaff figure's rotating rings similarly, with a delay of around 15 milliseconds. This finding supports Jan Purkinje's theory that illusions contain visual truth and sheds light on how our brains handle perception vs reality.

CRISPR gene editing makes stem cells 'invisible' to immune system

Scientists have developed a new technique using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to create pluripotent stem cells that can avoid rejection by the immune system. These 'universal' stem cells can be manufactured more efficiently than individualized cells and bring promise to regenerative medicine.

A shared past for East Africa's hunter-gatherers

Genomic analysis reveals East Africa's hunter-gatherers diverged from a shared ancestry around 20,000 years ago, driven by infectious disease and dietary adaptations. This study provides insight into the genetic diversity of African populations, shedding light on the role of diet and disease in shaping human evolution.

Hot great white sharks could motor but prefer to swim slow

A team of researchers found that hot great white sharks can swim at high speeds when commuting between islands, but prefer slower speeds when hunting for fat seal snacks. The study suggests that the warm-blooded lifestyle of these sharks allows them to conserve energy by using a 'sit-and-wait' strategy.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Grasses can acquire genes from neighboring plants

A recent study found that grasses can acquire genes from at least nine donor species, including those involved in photosynthesis and disease resistance. This mechanism allows certain plants to adapt quickly to environmental changes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The secret life of batteries

Researchers are working on developing faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles by understanding how lithium ions distribute within the electrode. They used X-rays to create a micron-scale movie of lithium distribution, revealing inhomogeneous movement similar to people spreading out in a room.

Has screen time increased for young children and on what screen?

Screen time in young children has significantly increased since a 1997 study, with most of it spent watching TV. The study tracked daily screen time among American children under 6 years old and found that total screen time among toddlers increased by nearly 2 hours per day.

Heavy smoking can damage vision, Rutgers researcher finds

Researchers found significant changes in smokers' ability to discriminate contrast levels and colors compared to non-smokers. The study suggests that cigarette smoke's neurotoxic chemicals may cause overall color vision loss and visual processing impairments.

International research collaboration computes climate past, present, and future

Researchers from Canada and Germany used a supercomputer to simulate climate trends in Quebec and Bavaria from 1950 to 2100, providing insights into severe flooding dynamics under changing climate conditions. The study's results showed good agreement with historical climate data, confirming the predictive power of the simulations.

Great white shark genome decoded

The study found that the great white shark's genome contains a plethora of genetic changes indicating molecular adaptation in genes with important roles in maintaining genome stability, DNA repair, and DNA damage tolerance. These adaptations could be behind the evolutionary success of large-bodied and long-lived sharks.

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.

Primary care physician supply and life expectancy

A study analyzing U.S. population data from 2005 to 2015 found that a higher number of primary care physicians is associated with better life expectancy. The total number of primary care physicians increased, but their distribution across counties decreased, particularly in rural areas, leading to lower per capita supplies.

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.

Microalgae as natural detector of environmental safety

Scientists propose using microalgae biomarkers to detect environmental pollution, which is triggered by oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. The use of microalgae as an indicator can provide early warnings of environmental problems.

Mapping brain circuits in newborns may aid early detection of autism

Researchers have developed a new map of newborn babies' brains that could provide a reference tool for studying typical brain development and neurological disorders. The study used noninvasive MRI scans to reveal complex brain architecture, offering potential biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder at birth.

Tuberculosis: Commandeering a bacterial 'suicide' mechanism

Researchers have identified a toxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that kills the bacteria if not neutralized by an antidote protein. This 'suicide' mechanism can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes to combat tuberculosis, which is a major cause of death worldwide.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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