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Science News for February 22, 2019


Studying species interactions using remote camera traps

Researchers developed a framework to detect species interactions using camera trap data, highlighting the need for standardized data collection and collaboration. The study found that many records are needed to produce trustworthy results, but standardization can achieve this by combining datasets from multiple studies.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateFeb 22, 2019

NASA-NOAA satellite provides wide view of Tropical Cyclone Oma

The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite provided a wide view of Tropical Cyclone Oma in the Southern Pacific Ocean, capturing its massive size and weakening signs. The storm's elongation is a sign of weakening due to northeasterly winds pushing clouds and thunderstorms into the southern quadrant.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 22, 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.

Study: With Twitter, race of the messenger matters

Researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that tweets from white and black Twitter users can influence young people's views on the issue. While participants looked longer at messages from white users, they rated black users as more credible in self-reported data.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·DateFeb 22, 2019

UCF study finds high IQs won't be enough to prevent ecological disasters

A UCF study found that high general intelligence is not enough to stop ecological disasters, highlighting the importance of social intelligence in managing shared resources. The research used a digital game to simulate an ecosystem and found that teams with high social intelligence were more effective at optimizing resource use.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2019

Geographic distribution of opioid-related deaths

The study analyzed data on over 351,000 opioid-related deaths from 1999 to 2016, revealing a significant increase in mortality rates in the eastern United States. Synthetic opioids were found to be driving these increases, prompting policymakers to reconsider their strategies for reducing opioid-related deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 22, 2019

Could blockchain ensure integrity of clinical trial data?

UCSF researchers created a blockchain-based system to ensure the integrity of clinical trials data, creating an immutable audit trail that makes tampering visible. The system allows for real-time reporting of adverse events and protects data from corruption.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2019

Understanding high efficiency of deep ultraviolet LEDs

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that terraced steps in AlGaN-based LED fabrication increase efficiency by forming micropaths of electric current. This process enhances the conversion of electrical energy to optical energy, paving the way for more efficient LEDs.

SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 22, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

HIV infections in US could be reduced by up to 67 percent by 2030, study finds

A new study predicts that meeting national HIV prevention goals could substantially reduce new HIV infections in the US by 67 percent by 2030. Implementing innovative models for delivering HIV care and prevention interventions, as well as sufficient investments to bring them to scale, are crucial to achieving this goal.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateFeb 22, 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.

Food allergies: A research update

A new paradigm shift in food allergy treatment is on the horizon, allowing children to gradually reintroduce forbidden foods and reducing long-term anxieties. Researchers and clinicians will provide support as families navigate these new treatments and manage psychosocial concerns related to daily life.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateFeb 22, 2019

Exploring the global landscape of quantum technology research

A collection of articles from leading researchers worldwide provides an unprecedented view of the global quantum technology landscape. The articles discuss the history of supporting research in quantum technology, the timing of heavy investment, and future outlooks for each region.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·DateFeb 22, 2019

Antarctic flies protect fragile eggs with 'antifreeze'

Belgica antarctica flies secrete a clear jelly around their eggs, acting as temperature and humidity buffer. The gel helps the eggs survive Antarctica's temperature fluctuations and dryness, allowing them to thrive in the continent's extreme environment.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateFeb 22, 2019

Researchers engineer a tougher fiber

North Carolina State University researchers created fibers that combine rubber's elasticity with metal's strength, resulting in a tougher material. The fibers can stretch up to seven times their original length before failure while absorbing energy, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics and textiles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2019
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.

A quantum magnet with a topological twist

Researchers at Princeton University observed exotic electronic properties in kagome magnets, including negative magnetism and flat-band electrons. The study used state-of-the-art scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to explore the behavior of electrons in a kagome-patterned crystal.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 22, 2019

US patient advocacy groups received majority of pharma donations in multi-country study

A new study found that US-based patient advocacy organizations received 74% of total contributions from the world's 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in 2016. The study highlights inconsistent reporting and disclosure across countries, impeding transparency of pharma contributions to patient advocacy groups.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 22, 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.

Are the French lousy at languages? Not if there's noise!

Researchers found French participants successfully detected English sentence accent with a 90% success rate, rivaling native speakers. They used both local and distributed cues, unlike Finnish and Dutch speakers who relied on their mother tongue cues.

SourceCNRS·JournalLanguage and Speech·DateFeb 22, 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.

Revealing the role of the mysterious small proteins

Researchers from the Center for Genomic Regulation developed a method to predict and classify these tiny proteins using bioinformatics tools, discovering they account for 16% of bacterial genomes. The small proteins play a crucial role in antimicrobial responses, microbiota balance, and may be overlooked in complex organisms.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateFeb 22, 2019

Machines whisper our secrets

A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has developed a method to reconstruct what a researcher is doing with a DNA synthesizer by recording its sounds. The technique uses machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in the sound signals and can detect the type of DNA being produced with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateFeb 22, 2019

Captured carbon dioxide converts into oxalic acid to process rare earth elements

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a carbon dioxide scrubber that converts captured CO2 into oxalic acid, a naturally occurring chemical used in the processing of rare earth elements. The technology has shown promising results, reducing emissions to below two percent and demonstrating potential for US produ...

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateFeb 22, 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.

Treatment to a T? Taking a 'BiTE' out of lung cancer

Researchers at Osaka University have found a correlation between T cell activity in lung tumors and blood, predicting the efficacy of immune system-targeting therapy. This breakthrough enables non-invasive diagnosis and personalized treatment planning for lung cancer patients.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 22, 2019

Why a blow to the chest can kill or save you

Researchers create experimental device to mimic realistic chest impacts, testing its effect on bioengineered heart tissue. Contrary to previous studies, they found that even very rapid strains had no effect on the propagation of electrical impulses.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 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.

The ancient people in the high-latitude Arctic had well-developed trade

The ancient people of Zhokhov Island in the High Arctic exchanged objects, including obsidian, through fairs. They practiced reindeer and polar bear hunting, with evidence suggesting a well-developed transport system that connected them to mainland territories.

SourceAKSON Russian Science Communication Association·JournalAntiquity·DateFeb 22, 2019

A tasty Florida butterfly turns sour

In a study published in Communications Biology, viceroy butterflies living in northern Florida have evolved to produce a foul-tasting chemical, making them unpalatable to predators. This discovery challenges traditional mimicry theories and suggests a continuum between Batesian and Mullerian mimicry.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 22, 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.

NASA-NOAA satellite analyzes Typhoon Wutip

Typhoon Wutip's eye is located about 105 miles north of Faraulep and 230 miles south of Guam, moving northwest at 15 mph. Cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than 70F/56.6C indicate heavy rainfall potential.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 22, 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.

Physician well-being improving, but burnout risk remains

A national survey of physicians found that burnout is improving, but the risk remains high, particularly due to electronic health record demands. Physicians report reduced emotional exhaustion and improved satisfaction with work-life integration, but more organizational change and research are needed to sustain this trajectory.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateFeb 22, 2019

More water resources over the Sahel region of Africa in the 21st century under global warming

Scientists from Institute of Atmospheric Physics found a strong relationship between historical precipitation biases in South Asia and the western North Pacific and future Sahel precipitation projections. The study reveals a 109% increase in Sahel summer precipitation and a 119% increase in available water resources due to global warming.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Climate·DateFeb 22, 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.

Scientists reveal impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen discharge on nitrogen transport in global rivers

The study found that anthropogenic nitrogen discharge significantly increased DIN in US rivers due to fertilizer use, while European rivers were affected by point source pollution. The total anthropogenic impact on Pacific Ocean export has risen from 10% to 30% over the past 20 years.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 22, 2019

Topological defects could be key to future nano-electronics

Emerging research on topological structures and their potential applications in nanotechnology and nanoelectronics is reviewed in Nature Materials. Topological defects, such as domain walls, can exhibit intrinsic properties and significantly affect material properties.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 22, 2019

A 'joint' problem: Investigating marijuana and tobacco co-use

Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that marijuana and tobacco co-users with a close link between their use were more dependent on tobacco and smoked more cigarettes per day. This study highlights the need for personalized cessation programs to address the unique challenges faced by co-users.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalAddictive Behaviors·DateFeb 22, 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.

Older biologic age linked to elevated breast cancer risk

Researchers used DNA methylation to estimate biologic age and found that women with older biologic ages had higher breast cancer risks. The study suggests that biologic age may be tied to environmental exposures, potentially serving as an indicator of disease risk.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 22, 2019

Scientists find routine allomaternal nursing in an Old World monkey

Researchers found widespread allomaternal nursing behavior in golden snub-nosed monkeys, where most infants were nursed by one or two additional adult females. This behavior enhanced infant survivorship and supported kin selection and reciprocity hypotheses, expanding our understanding of allomaternal nursing in primates.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2019

Scientists unravel genetic basis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Finns

A nationwide study published in ESC Heart Failure has identified four major mutations causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Finland. The study found that 40% of patients carried a specific or likely mutation, while 20% were carriers of a rare gene mutation with unknown role.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalESC Heart Failure·DateFeb 22, 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.

New 2019 guidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation

The 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Rhythm Society Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation provide updated management strategies for patients with AFib. The guidelines emphasize the use of new blood thinners and lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and physical act...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCirculation·DateFeb 22, 2019

Stopping inflammation from becoming chronic

Researchers developed a cell model to investigate anti-inflammatory drug efficacy in both acute and resolving phases of chronic inflammation. The model reveals that conventional drugs can impair the resolution phase, leading to prolonged inflammation.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 22, 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.

New research prize for best doctoral thesis on cancer

Nicholas Valerie receives a $50,000 prize for his thesis on NUDT5 and NUDT15 enzymes, demonstrating novel functions in oxidized nucleotide metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets. The discovery could lead to the development of targeted inhibitors to potentiate cancer therapy.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·DateFeb 22, 2019

Illinois researchers are first to count growth factors in single cells

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technology platform that digitally counts growth factor binding in individual cells. This breakthrough allows for direct cause-and-effect relationships between growth factors and cell behavior, leading to a better understanding of cell signaling and resistance to cancer treatme...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2019

Finding keyholes in metals 3D printing

New research from Carnegie Mellon University and Argonne National Laboratory has identified how and when gas pockets form in 3D printing, leading to cracks and failures. The study developed a methodology to predict gas pocket formation, which could improve the consistency of finished products.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2019
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New MRI sensor can image activity deep within the brain

MIT researchers have developed a new MRI-based detection method for intracellular calcium signaling, enabling precise measurements of neural activity. This breakthrough allows scientists to link neural activity with specific behaviors and could lead to further research on brain function and diagnostics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2019

Disability progression in multiple sclerosis linked to income, education

A new study from the University of British Columbia found that neighbourhood income and education level are associated with an increased risk of disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis. The research suggests that modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, could be involved in this relationship.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 22, 2019

Potential of strategic partnerships to form a Health Equity Network of the Americas (HENA)

The Health Equity Network of the Americas (HENA) aims to address persistent health inequities in the region by fostering intersectoral partnerships. HENA's approach focuses on increasing knowledge of effective practices, promoting adoption of policies and programs, and ensuring successful implementation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEthnicity & Disease·DateFeb 22, 2019

Virtual reality a promising tool for reducing fears and phobia in autism

A new pilot study found that autistic adults showed real-life improvement after a virtual reality treatment combining graded exposure to fear and anxiety-producing experiences. The approach, which included cognitive behavioral therapy, aimed to minimize anxiety and promote functional improvement in individuals with autism.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAutism in Adulthood·DateFeb 22, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Good dog? Bad dog? Their personalities can change

Dogs' personalities change over time due to various factors, including age and environmental influences. Research found that older dogs are harder to train, while younger ones exhibit more excitable behavior. Owners with positive personality traits report more responsive dogs.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 22, 2019

Doctor-affiliated PACs fund political candidates who oppose firearm safety policies

A new study found that doctor-affiliated PACs contribute more money to politicians who oppose evidence-based firearm safety policies than those who support them. The findings contradict the advocacy efforts of individual physicians and organizations, highlighting a disconnect between their public health goals and political contributions.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 22, 2019

How diabetes causes muscle loss

Elevation of blood sugar levels triggers muscle atrophy by increasing KLF15 protein abundance, slowing down its degradation via WWP1. This leads to diabetes-induced skeletal muscle mass decline.

SourceKobe University·JournalJCI Insight·DateFeb 22, 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.