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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 4 of 40

UTSA funded to develop accident tolerant nuclear fuels

Researchers at UTSA are working on new accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) that will limit overheating and reduce the risk of radioactive leaks. The goal is to replace conventional fuel with a more durable material, enabling nuclear plants to better withstand accidents.

Facial recognition software to identify Civil War soldiers

A free software platform called Photo Sleuth uses crowdsourcing to identify faces in Civil War-era photos, with over 85% of proposed identifications being correct. The database now contains over 4,000 registered users and more than 8,000 photos, making it a valuable tool for historians and genealogists.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists discover predictors that determine toxic fats in the liver

A team of researchers has identified biomarkers in the blood that can predict the accumulation of toxic fats in the liver, a sign of early fatty liver disease. The discovery has the potential to lead to a blood test to detect those at risk of advanced fatty liver disease and could represent a new approach in precision medicine.

New mechanism of bone growth discovered

A study published in Nature reveals that bone growth in mice follows the same principles as cell production in blood and other tissues. The discovery suggests that bone growth may be more dynamic than previously thought, with cells generated from a stem-cell like progenitor cell.

Fast, flexible ionic transistors for bioelectronic devices

Researchers have developed biocompatible ion-driven transistors that can record high-quality neural signals, suitable for advanced data processing. The transistors' channel is made from fully biocompatible materials, enabling efficient communication with neural signals.

CVIA special issue on women's heart health to coincide with 'The Heart Truth'

This CVIA special issue addresses the #1 threat to women's health, cardiovascular disease, with a focus on overlooked topics and fresh perspectives. Key findings include novel imaging modalities for diagnosing stable ischemic heart disease in women and psychosocial stressors uniquely affecting female cardiovascular risk.

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.

Light wakes up freshwater bacteria

Researchers discovered that freshwater bacteria grow faster in daylight and use blue light absorption mechanisms to regulate growth. The study suggests that these bacteria have special genes that allow them to sense light and adjust their metabolism accordingly.

Return of the wolves: How deer escape tactics help save their lives

Research found that mule deer shift to higher, steeper elevations away from roads and toward brushy terrain when faced with wolves. White-tailed deer stick to normal behavior, sprinting across open terrain with good visibility. The changes may affect hunting opportunities and ecosystem dynamics.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Engineers make clear droplets produce iridescent colors

Engineers at MIT and Penn State University developed a model predicting the color of droplets given specific structural and optical conditions. The team found that total internal reflection allows hemispherical droplets to produce color through interference effects, which are stronger in small droplets.

Capturing carbon from the air

Negative-emission technologies (NETs) that capture carbon dioxide from the air could address about 30% of needed reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions. Scientists estimate that NETs face challenges on cost-effectiveness and disposal methods.

A gentle method for unlocking the mysteries of the deep brain

Scientists successfully demonstrated that electroencephalography can be used to accurately study activity in the deep areas of the brain. This breakthrough technique may lead to better understanding and treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

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.

Ancient extinct sloth tooth in Belize tells story of creature's last year

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has discovered that a giant sloth found in Belize, which lived around 27,000 years ago, had a diverse diet that shifted between wet and dry seasons. The study reveals that the creature adapted to its environment by relying on plants more available during dry periods.

Batmobile with cruise control

Scientists at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research investigate energy requirements and travel speeds of migrating Nathusius' bats. Bats are found to travel at the speed where their range reaches a maximum, enabling them to cover long distances with minimal energy expenditure.

Over 40 percent of GPs intend to quit within five years: New survey

A new survey of 929 GPs found that workload is the most significant issue, with 51% reporting longer hours than in 2014. The survey also revealed a worsening crisis in general practice, with many GPs feeling demoralized and looking towards retirement or reducing their hours.

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.

New continuity of care tracking method for GPs

A simple method to measure continuity of care has been developed, showing benefits for patients, including lower mortality rates. The new St Leonards Index tracks continuity on a monthly basis in practices with personal patient list systems, aiming to help GPs improve continuity and patient care.

A new method for precision drug delivery: Painting

Researchers at Washington University have developed a new method for precise drug delivery using cavitation dose painting, which combines focused ultrasound with ultrasound therapy to target specific locations in the body. This technique uses passive cavitation imaging to predict where a drug goes and how much is delivered.

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.

How young adults experience pain affects self-injury, Rutgers study finds

A Rutgers study found that young adults who engage in non-suicidal self-injury intentionally inflict physical injury to elicit pain and relieve emotional distress. The researchers discovered that participants with high negative emotions and less pain during injuries were more likely to repeat the behavior.

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.

3,500 years of shellfish farming by indigenous peoples on the Northwest coast

Researchers have developed guidelines for accurately dating ancient clam gardens, revealing that Indigenous peoples on the Northwest coast have been harvesting shellfish for at least 3,500 years. The study provides new methods for tracking mariculture trends through time, supporting long-term food security practices.

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.

What controls the tips of our chromosomes?

A study published in EMBO Journal has discovered the key aspect of regulating telomeres, which are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. The research team found that the protein complex CST is responsible for maintaining telomeres, and a chemical modification regulates its S component, allowing telomere duplication and elongation.

Now you see heat, now you don't

Researchers have fabricated a film using DuPont Kevlar fibers and polyethylene glycol that absorbs heat and releases it slowly, making objects invisible to thermal cameras. The composite film performs comparably to other stealth films but is simpler and cheaper to make.

Complex medication regimens create challenges for home health care

A NYU study has identified medication management challenges faced by home health care providers, including communication breakdowns and fragmented systems of care. The researchers found that medication errors, such as taking the wrong drug or dose, were common among high-risk patients living alone.

Ice-free Arctic summers could happen on earlier side of predictions

A new study predicts the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in the summer as early as 2030, with climate models suggesting a shift towards an ice-free Arctic on the earlier side of forecasts. The study used long-term temperature cycles in the tropical Pacific to narrow the uncertainty range of when the first ice-free Arctic summer will occur.

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.

Directed evolution builds nanoparticles

Scientists from EPFL used directed evolution to modify DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes, creating nanoparticles that emit stronger optical signals. After only two cycles of evolution, they achieved a 56% increase in signal strength.

Colon cancer growth reduced by exercise

Research published in The Journal of Physiology suggests that exercise may play a role in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells. After high-intensity interval training (HIIT), growth was reduced and inflammation increased, indicating a potential anti-cancer effect. This study highlights the importance of regular physical activity...

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.

New study indicates early-term infants can succeed at breastfeeding

Researchers found no significant difference in breastfeeding duration between early-term and full-term infants, suggesting that healthy premature babies can have successful breastfeeding outcomes. The study included 2,700 pairs of mothers and infants and monitored them from birth to 12 months or until breastfeeding ceased.

Improving ecosystems with aquatic plants

Researchers discovered that growing littoral zone species like arrow arum, blue-eyed grass, golden club, and lemon bacopa using standard containers, substrates, and controlled-release fertilizer can provide high-quality plants with good growth. These methods can benefit large-scale plant production and bolster ecosystem improvements.

Do soccer players have an increased risk of ALS?

A preliminary study found that professional soccer players are nearly twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population, with some developing the disease 21 years earlier than expected. The study also suggests that genetics, traumatic events, and heavy physical exercise may play a role in the increased risk.

Risk remains low despite rise in global shark attacks

A new study finds that shark attack rates have doubled over the past 20 years in highly populated regions like the US East Coast and Southern Australia. However, the overall risk of a shark attack is still extremely low, with one in several million chances

Technology assessment: Artificial intelligence in the medical sector

The project aims to analyze realistic applications of AI in medicine, exploring opportunities and challenges. This includes effective therapies against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia, as well as preventive interventions in the human germline using genome editing methods like CRISPR-Cas.

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.

A water-splitting catalyst unlike any other

Scientists have discovered a new iron-nickel catalyst that surpasses the performance of existing nickel-iron oxide catalysts in oxygen evolution reactions. The unconventional catalyst produces an efficient electrolyzer with reduced voltage requirements.

Getting to the core of underwater soil

Scientists are working to map and understand underwater soils, which affect commercial, recreational, and transportation activities. Data collected provides insights into soil properties and their importance in habitats and ecosystems.

First semi-identical twins identified in pregnancy

Researchers have identified the world's first semi-identical twins during pregnancy using genetic testing. The Brisbane twins share only a proportion of their father's DNA, making them a unique case of sesquizygotic twins.

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.

Oldest frog relative found in North America

A team of paleontologists has discovered the oldest known frog fossils in North America, dating back to the Late Triassic period around 216 million years ago. The fossils, found in Arizona, provide new insights into the ecosystems of the time and highlight the importance of microfossil collection and analysis.

'Upcycling' plastic bottles could give them a more useful second life

Researchers at NREL create a recycling process that upcycles PET plastic into high-value composite materials, reducing energy consumption by 57% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The new material combines reclaimed PET with bio-based molecules to produce fiber-reinforced plastics.

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.

Detecting cyanide exposure

Researchers have identified a new biomarker, ATOEA, that accurately detects cyanide exposure and persists in the body longer than the toxic compound. This breakthrough enables faster diagnosis and treatment of cyanide poisoning.