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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 5 of 40

Immunizing quantum computers against errors

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to encode qubits in trapped-ion mechanical oscillators, which could lead to more efficient quantum error correction. By exploiting the properties of periodically arranged oscillatory states, they can detect and correct errors with high precision.

Family businesses should prepare for the unexpected if next generation to succeed

Modern family businesses should prioritize equipping all members for the unexpected, rather than focusing on internal relationships. The study's findings highlight the importance of interactive socialization, where younger family members network with external stakeholders and peers to bring new skills and knowledge into the business.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Radiation contamination at a crematorium

A recent study reports radiation contamination at an Arizona crematorium following treatment of a patient with a radioactive drug. The contamination was detected on equipment and in the operator's urine, raising concerns about potential health effects.

Right- or left-handed? Gene expression tells the story of snail evolution

Researchers at Shinshu University found that a gene influencing snail shell coil direction also plays a key role in snail evolution, potentially leading to the creation of new species. The study reveals that genetic expression levels can determine handedness in snails, with reduced expression resulting in reversed handedness.

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.

Hospital-to-home transition care may not help patients with heart failure

A study led by McMaster University found that providing additional health-care services to help heart failure patients transition from hospital to home does not improve their outcome. Despite this, patients receiving the intervention reported improvements in discharge preparedness and quality of life.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UK prejudice against immigrants amongst lowest in Europe

A recent study found that around 15% of people in the UK would object to having immigrants as neighbors, similar to other rich EU countries. The analysis also showed that tackling one form of prejudice improves tolerance towards all groups.

Climate rewind: Scientists turn carbon dioxide back into coal

Researchers have developed a new technique that can efficiently convert CO2 from gas into solid particles of carbon at room temperature. This breakthrough could transform our approach to carbon capture and storage, offering a more sustainable alternative to current technologies.

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.

Exposing flaws in metrics for user login systems

Researchers found that 94% of recent authentication systems have flaws in their reported performance metrics, leading to potential security consequences. A novel solution proposes combining two metrics to measure the success of user login systems.

Researchers uncover mechanism behind DNA damage control

The study reveals that gene transcription is equally important to DNA damage response, with activated transcription facilitating DNA repair and limiting abnormal transcripts. Cells become hypersensitive to DNA damage-inducing agents when the RBM7-P-TEFb axis is interfered with.

Medications: As many as needed, as few as possible!

Professor Marjan van den Akker is appointed as endowed chair for polypharmacy and health services research, focusing on frequent disease combinations and their medical treatment. She aims to improve care for patients with multimorbidity by developing and evaluating interventions.

Stopwatch set for milestone marathon in 2032

Monash University expert predicts a 10% chance of breaking the two-hour mark in May 2032. The study suggests that elite female athletes face potential barriers, leading to a 'world record drought' since Paula Radcliffe's 2:15.25 mark in 2003.

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.

Radiation-resistant E. coli evolved in the lab give view into DNA repair

Researchers created a lab-grown population of E. coli bacteria that became resistant to ionizing radiation through genetic mutations and enhanced DNA repair mechanisms. This breakthrough could lead to the development of radiation-resistant bacteria for environmental clean-up, cancer therapy protection, and astronaut protection in space.

Why do innocent people plead guilty?

A UMass Lowell researcher explores the human dynamics behind plea deals, finding that over 95% of US criminal charges are resolved by guilty pleas. Her new NSF grant-funded project aims to reduce false guilty pleas and improve justice system services for defendants, using a computer simulation to test variables affecting plea decisions.

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 breakthrough in understanding a severe child speech impediment

Researchers have identified anomalies in the dorsal language stream of the brain connected to speech in children with apraxia. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for children with the debilitating disorder, which affects their ability to form social relationships and quality of life.

Study traces the origins of Chikungunya in Brazil

Researchers analyzed blood samples collected between March 2016 and June 2017, identifying 40 samples positive for Chikungunya virus. The study suggests the virus may have circulated as early as 2012 and was likely imported from Central Africa.

You recognize your face even when you don't 'see' it

A study published in Psychological Science found that participants' brains automatically attended to their own faces, even when they were instructed not to. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity and confirmed that the phenomenon occurs with more complex stimuli like faces, which require detailed analysis to recognize.

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.

Why a common antibiotic treating diarrhea is failing

A billion different ways for C-diff to become resistant to metronidazole have been identified. Genetic changes linked to heme levels are thought to be a key factor contributing to this resistance. Researchers are now working to identify new drug targets to combat the growing threat of C-diff, a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis.

Earning a bee's wings

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that honey bees produce distinct cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles based on age, which affects their social recognition and interaction with other bees within the colony. This study sheds light on the complex mechanisms of nestmate recognition in social insects.

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.

How power-to-gas technology can be green and profitable

Hydrogen production based on wind power can already be commercially viable today. Economists at TUM, University of Mannheim and Stanford University have described an economically viable path to renewables-based hydrogen production. The study shows that flexible production facilities can make this technology a key component in the trans...

Inherited mutations may play a role in pancreatic cancer development

A retrospective study found that inherited mutations in pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in patients with specific precursor lesions. The study analyzed DNA from 315 patients and found a higher likelihood of invasive pancreatic cancer in those with inherited mutations.

Online intervention shows promise in HIV prevention

A new online intervention tool shows promise in decreasing sexual risk-taking and promoting HIV/STI prevention behaviors among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The My Desires & Expectations (myDEx) tool was pilot-tested in a randomized trial and found to improve HIV prevention behaviors and emotional decision-m...

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.

New method uses AI to screen for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

A new method uses AI to screen for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) by analyzing eye movements, providing an affordable and efficient way to detect the condition. The tool has the potential to reach millions of children worldwide who may be at risk, reducing secondary cognitive and behavioral disabilities.

Artificial intelligence could predict spread of melanoma

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University and Texas Southwestern Medical Center developed AI-powered technology to identify melanoma cells with metastatic potential. The technology uses quantitative live cell histology to record video of cells and analyze their appearance and behavioral patterns.

Maasai farmers only kill lions when they attack livestock

Researchers from the University of Exeter found that lion killing by Maasai farmers increases when lions are identified as culprits of livestock death. This study challenges the common belief that lion killing is a retributive act caused by general loss of livestock.

Safety of overlapping surgeries

A comprehensive analysis of over 60,000 surgical procedures found that overlapping surgeries do not significantly increase the risk of post-surgical complications and patient death in most cases. However, patients deemed high risk due to age and preexisting medical conditions, as well as those undergoing coronary artery bypass graft su...

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.

Is kidney failure a man's disease?

A new analysis shows that men are affected by kidney failure much more often than women, with a 2.7 times higher incidence in older patients. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing blood pressure through exercise and losing weight, may help prevent kidney function decline.

Duke-NUS researchers discover the secret to bats' immunity

A research team identified molecular and genetic mechanisms allowing bats to host multiple viral pathogens without suffering diseases. Bats have a unique ability to limit inflammation, which may be key to their long lifespans and virus reservoir status.

Indigenous knowledge, key to a successful ecosystem restoration

A recent study highlights the crucial role of indigenous knowledge in restoring degraded ecosystems. Indigenous communities have contributed significantly to ecological restoration through traditional practices such as anthropogenic burning and rotational swidden cultivation systems, resulting in highly biodiverse ecosystems.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Electrically-heated silicate glass appears to defy Joule's first law

Researchers at Lehigh University have discovered that electrically-heated silicate glass can exhibit highly inhomogeneous temperature profiles, melting near the anode while remaining solid elsewhere. This phenomenon challenges classical Joule's law and has implications for the fabrication and manufacturing of glass and ceramic materials.

New research initiative will power up Europe's battery revolution

A large-scale research initiative called Battery 2030+ aims to invent the batteries of the future, providing European industry with cutting-edge technologies. The project will focus on establishing an acceleration platform for discovering new battery materials using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

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.

Zoonoses: Antimicrobial resistance shows no signs of slowing down

The European Union's antimicrobial resistance report reveals that antimicrobials used to treat diseases transmitted between animals and humans are becoming less effective. Antimicrobial resistance has increased in Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria, making it difficult to treat severe cases.

Signals from distant lightning could help secure electric substations

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a technique to detect potential cyber attacks on electric substations using signals from distant lightning. By analyzing radio frequency signals emitted by substation components, security personnel can authenticate the authenticity of the signals and prevent malicious actors...