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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 19 of 40

Is quantum computing scalable?

Quantum computing aims to break cryptography and speed up database search, but scaling is a significant challenge. Researcher Debbie Leung discusses the ingredients required for accurate quantum computing operations and recent progress with error-correcting codes.

Drug combination may become new standard treatment for advanced kidney cancer

A phase 3 clinical trial found that a combination of two drugs, including an immunotherapy agent, significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to a standard treatment. The results suggest that the new treatment may become a new standard for first-line treatment for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.

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.

Large-scale window material developed for PM2.5 capture and light tuning

A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China has developed a simple solution to fabricate large-area Ag-nylon flexible transparent windows for high-efficiency PM2.5 capture. The material shows excellent mechanical stability and can be used as both a thermochromic smart window and a high-efficiency PM2.5 filter.

Tiny fibers create unseen plastic pollution

Synthetic fibers from polyester and nylon release microplastics into the environment, contaminating plants and animals in oceans. Biosynthetic fibers, derived from natural proteins, can replace synthetic fibers and provide recyclable and biodegradable alternatives.

Stable ischemic heart disease in the older adult

The article highlights the need for a practical approach to defining the elderly population and provides an evidence-based review of diagnostic and therapeutic implications of advanced age in ischemic heart disease. This knowledge gap affects risk-benefit ratios of pharmacotherapies and percutaneous coronary interventions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Diagnosing 'art acne' in Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings

A multidisciplinary team from Northwestern University has diagnosed metal soaps as the cause of destructive pimple-like protrusions in precious works of art. The tool enables researchers to monitor and understand what conditions make the protrusions grow, shrink or erupt.

Diabetes mellitus and stable ischemic heart disease

Diabetes mellitus increases risk of stable ischemic heart disease, with trial data showing no benefit from nuclear stress tests or cardiac computed tomography. Revascularization for SIHD also does not reduce mortality or myocardial infarction rates in diabetic patients without symptoms.

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.

Study: No race or gender bias seen in initial NIH grant reviews

A new study published in Nature Human Behavior found no evidence of racial or gender bias in the initial review phase of National Institutes of Health grants. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed over 400 reviewer responses and found that reviewers were focused on the grant applications themselves, rather than ...

Study finds children with autism more likely to face maltreatment

A recent study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that children with autism spectrum disorder are at a higher risk of being reported to the Child Abuse Hotline. The study revealed that over 17% of children with ASD had been reported for maltreatment, compared to 7.4% of children without ASD.

The scientific tooth fairies of San Francisco

Research by Thomas Boyce, a CIFAR Fellow, shows that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds have higher levels of cortisol in their saliva and more cavity-causing bacteria around their gums. His study aims to understand why some children struggle and how all can thrive, as explored in his new book The Orchid and the Dandelion.

CVIA special issue on stable ischemic heart disease

This special issue of Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications Journal covers key aspects of stable ischemic heart disease, including contemporary management strategies and epidemiology. The collection of reviews and commentary provides insights into the latest research and clinical practices for this condition.

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.

Spare 10 minutes to make science leap forward

A new citizen science project, 'Science Scribbler - Virus Project', aims to train AI to identify virus particles by having people of all ages view screens and locate virus particles. This will help automate data segmentation processes, dramatically speeding up scientists' ability to understand research data in days rather than weeks.

Researchers discover anti-laser masquerading as perfect absorber

Researchers have discovered that a material designed to absorb all light of a specific color demands the waves be synchronized as well. By adjusting parameters, they were able to create a coherent perfect absorber with two overlapping modes, increasing versatility and flexibility in tailoring the material's properties.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Novel app uses AI to guide, support cancer patients

A novel mobile application called MyPath uses AI to provide personalized guidance and support to breast cancer patients in rural Georgia. The app adapts to each stage of a patient's journey, offering relevant resources and suggestions based on their medical data and changing needs.

Scholar to talk about household water insecurity

Sera Young, a Northwestern University anthropologist, has developed the first scale to measure household water insecurity, a universal need bounded by disciplinary and geographic silos. The 12-question HWISE Scale will transform how we understand the prevalence, causes, and consequences of water insecurity on maternal and child health.

'Seeing' tails help sea snakes avoid predators

Researchers discovered that some Australian sea snakes can sense light on their tail skin, prompting them to withdraw their tails under shelter. This unique ability, found in only six species of sea snakes, helps protect their vulnerable paddle-shaped tails from predators.

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.

Surprise findings turn up the temperature on the study of vernalization

Researchers have discovered that vernalization is influenced by both cold and warm conditions, with a wider temperature range than previously thought. The study found that warmer temperatures can trigger an 'extreme vernalization response', leading to unique gene expression patterns in certain wheat cultivars.

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 friendly extortioner takes it all

Scientists found that a strategy called 'extortion' is unbeatable, as it alternates between cooperation and egoism to force opponents to cooperate. This tactic can lead to significant gains for the 'extortioner', even when competing against cooperative players.

Solid-state catalysis: Fluctuations clear the way

Scientists have found that local fluctuations on a solid-state catalyst's surface create opportunities for reactant molecules to diffuse and undergo desired reactions. The findings, published in Science, reveal that even with densely packed adsorbed particles, molecular mobility is possible due to periodic changes in particle density.

Getting behind the wheel on opioids: could be a road to tragedy

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that driving while on prescription opioids significantly increases the risk of fatal motor vehicle crashes. The study analyzed data from over 18,000 fatal car crashes and found that drivers who tested positive for prescription opioids were more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.

Linking sensing to signaling during plant immunity

EDS1 protein partners with PAD4 and SAG101 to promote reprogramming of gene expression and localized cell death, carrying out a crucial link between recognition and resistance in plant immunity. A key surface on EDS1 enables its functions, promoting salicylic acid accumulation and blocking bacterial virulence molecules.

Intervention can boost rates of exclusive breastfeeding

New research from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine shows that interventions in West Africa can significantly increase rates of exclusive breastfeeding. The study found that women who received support reported being 70% more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who did not receive the intervention.

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.

Lithium-air batteries can store energy for cars, houses and industry

Researchers from São Paulo and the UK presented advances in new battery development to address increasing demand for energy storage. Lithium-air batteries have great potential for use in transportation, power distribution networks, and can store energy for up to 24 hours at a low cost.

The Lypla1 gene impacts obesity in a sex-specific manner

Researchers discovered a sex-specific obesity locus for the Lyplal1 gene, finding that females have a higher mitochondrial activity and produce more brown adipose tissue, reducing fat mass and insulin resistance. In contrast, males exhibit low mitochondrial activity and increased weight and insulin resistance.

Preserved leaves reveal 7,000 years of rainfall and drought

Researchers reconstructed past rainfall patterns in south-east Queensland using preserved paper-bark tea tree leaves from North Stradbroke Island, finding a generally wet period around 5000-6000 years ago. The study suggests that the probability of a drought worse than the Millennium Drought may be as much as 10 times higher.

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.

New study shows hidden genes may underlie autism severity

A recent study by CU Anschutz researchers has implicated a complex unexamined gene family in autism severity, suggesting that this underexplored area of the human genome may hold key insights into the disorder and potentially lead to new clinical therapies.

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.

Researchers find genetic vulnerability to menthol cigarette use

Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with an increased preference for menthol cigarettes, specifically in African-American smokers. The MRGPRX4 gene variant is five to eight times more frequent among menthol cigarette users, suggesting a potential underlying factor for the higher use of these products among this population.

Happy as a pig in muck?

A study published in PLoS ONE found that the type of pen a pig is shown in significantly affects how it is perceived by consumers. Straw bedding is rated as more natural and animal-friendly than concrete floors. The results suggest that even happy or sad expressions do not change perceptions of well-being.

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.

Brain discovery explains a great mystery of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System identified a potential explanation for the death of specific brain cells seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The discovery suggests that naturally occurring gene variation, called 'somatic mosaicism,' may be responsible for this selective vulnerability.

Live better with attainable goals

A study of over 970 participants found that perceiving personal goals as attainable is crucial for later cognitive and affective well-being. Life goals also hold predictive power for specific domains, such as social relationships and health.

Blood clot discovery could pave way for treatment of blood diseases

Researchers have developed a new technique to simultaneously measure blood clotting and the formation of free radicals, shedding light on their role in blood vessel damage and disease development. The discovery could lead to better treatments for conditions like heart disease, stroke, and vascular dementia.

Tide gauges capture tremor episodes in Cascadian subduction zone

Researchers used hourly water level records from tide gauges to detect episodic tremor and slip patterns in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The study found that these events occurred every 14.6 months between 1996 and 2011, but not during the pre-GPS era, suggesting a potential change in the pattern over time.

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.

What rising seas mean for local economies

A new study found that high-tide flooding is already impacting businesses' experiences and profits, with downtown Annapolis losing 3,000 visits in 2017 due to flooding. Rising seas are expected to increase flooding days by 2035, affecting 170 coastal communities.

Immune stimulant molecule shown to prevent cancer

A research team at the University of Louisville discovered that SA-4-1BBL boosts CD8+ and CD4+ T cells to target tumors for destruction. The molecule protects healthy mice from various cancer types when exposed to tumor cells, showing promise in cancer immunoprevention.

NASA catches Tropical Cyclone Gelena's post-tropical transition

NASA's Aqua satellite provides visible image of Tropical Cyclone Gelena transitioning into a subtropical storm, characterized by asymmetric wind patterns and cloud top warming. The storm is expected to continue moving through the Southern Indian Ocean over the next day until it dissipates.

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.

Elk avoid beetle-killed forest areas

New research finds elk in Wyoming's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest avoid beetle-killed areas during summer months. Elk strongly avoid these areas due to the need to expend significant amounts of energy to walk over downed logs and cool themselves.

Biologists identify honeybee 'clean' genes known for improving survival

Researchers at York University have identified a group of genes controlling hygienic behavior in honeybees, which helps to limit the spread of harmful mites and bacteria. These genes are associated with improved colony survival and may be used to breed healthier colonies through selective breeding programs.

Why some brain tumors respond to immunotherapy

Research reveals that patients with specific MAPK mutations are more likely to respond to immunotherapy drugs in glioblastoma. The study also found that tumors with PTEN mutations were less responsive to treatment, suggesting new targets for treatment development.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.