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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 23


Page 23 of 40

Bigger teams aren't always better in science and tech

A new analysis of 65 million projects found that smaller teams are more likely to introduce new ideas to science and technology, while larger teams often develop and consolidate existing knowledge. This challenges recent trends in research policy and funding toward big teams.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019
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.

SIOP recognizes Seymour Adler for lifetime professional achievement

Dr. Seymour Adler has made a significant impact on people at work, organizations, and the practice of I-O psychology through his innovative methods in selection and talent management. His work extends to performance management, leadership development, and talent risk mitigation processes.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Organizational Psychology·DateFeb 13, 2019

Polymers pave way for wider use of recycled tires in asphalt

New polymer additives have been found to increase the storage stability of asphalt rubber, making it more suitable for producing rubber asphalt. This material has shown cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits in U.S. states that currently use ground tire rubber as a component of asphalt mixes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnergy & Fuels·DateFeb 13, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cryofixation and electron tomography reveals novel compartment in arbuscular mycorrhiza

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown compartment within the symbiotic cortical root cells of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The periarbuscular space now appears to be a complex network of membranes linking the plant cytoplasm to regions adjacent to the fungus, suggesting an efficient exchange of nutrients and molecules.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 13, 2019

UMN study provides new insight into use of cell replacement therapies to treat muscular dystrophies

A University of Minnesota Medical School research breakthrough highlights the potential of cell therapies for treating muscular dystrophy. The study identifies the molecular signature of muscle stem cells generated in vitro and their transformation upon transplantation into mice with muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019

First-of-their-kind 3D experiments shed new light on shape memory alloys

Shape memory alloys are underutilized in commercial applications due to limited understanding of their internal microstructures. Researchers used novel 3D X-ray microscopy techniques to visualize these structures, revealing surprising results that shed light on decades-old areas of contention in SMA micromechanics. The study's findings...

SourceColorado School of Mines·JournalScripta Materialia·DateFeb 13, 2019

The first walking robot that moves without GPS

AntBot, a new robot developed by CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, replicates the navigation capabilities of desert ants using polarized light and optical sensors. The robot can explore its environment and return to its base with precision, covering distances of up to 14 meters.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 13, 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.

Safe consumption sites: Study identifies policy change strategies and challenges

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health explores the experiences of early efforts to establish safe consumption sites in five US communities. The research highlights key lessons learned, including the importance of engaging diverse community partners and securing political champions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateFeb 13, 2019

Light and sound gauge the temperature of deep tissues

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new photoacoustic imaging technique that can quickly and accurately measure the temperature of deep tissues. This breakthrough has significant implications for thermal-based therapies in cancer treatment.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptica·DateFeb 13, 2019

New painkiller lasts longer, is less addictive than morphine

Researchers have developed a new nano-painkiller that bypasses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to be effective in treating intense pain without severe side effects. The new approach uses Leu-enkephalin-based nanoparticles that target peripherally located opioid receptors with lower abuse potential than morphine.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 13, 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.

DDT exposure tied to breast cancer risk for all women through age 54

A six-decade-long study found that all women exposed to high levels of DDT before age 54 are at increased breast cancer risk. The timing of first exposure matters, with early infancy and puberty linked to premenopausal cancer and later childhood and adolescence to postmenopause diagnosis.

SourcePublic Health Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 13, 2019

Platelet doppelgängers tackle thrombosis and cancer metastasis

Researchers created platelet decoys that prevent blood clots and combat cancer spread, offering a promising new therapy. The fast-reversible approach could one day treat life-threatening bleeding in emergencies or surgical settings.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2019

VUMC researchers, supercomputing effort reveal antibody secrets

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used sophisticated gene sequencing and computing techniques to analyze antibody-producing white blood cells. They found a surprisingly high frequency of shared clonotypes, which could aid in developing universal vaccines and treatments.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 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 therapy for aggressive blood cancer discovered

Researchers identified a critical vulnerability in AML patients with CEBPA mutations, where functional inhibition of the MLL1 complex leads to cell death. Targeting this complex could potentially release a block in normal blood cell maturation and restore healthy blood cells.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalLeukemia·DateFeb 13, 2019

Verbal autopsies capture more accurate burden of disease in Uganda

A study conducted in rural Uganda found that verbal autopsy interviews performed by community health workers provided more accurate data on deaths than traditional health facility-dependent surveillance methods. The results showed that many deaths were not reported due to incomplete or inaccurate patient registration at health facilities.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2019

New clue in curious case of cassowary casque

A team of Australian scientists has discovered that the cassowary's distinctive helmet-like structure acts as a thermal window to regulate body temperature. The research provides new insights into the bird's ability to cope with high temperatures, and may have implications for our understanding of dinosaur physiology.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2019
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.

SIOP recognizes Kurt Kraiger for distinguished teaching career

Kurt Kraiger, a renowned educator with over 38 years of experience, has been honored with the Distinguished Teaching Contributions Award from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). He has taught at various levels, including MBA, HR master's, and executive education students.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Organizational Psychology·DateFeb 13, 2019

New research findings could be key to improving outcomes for some brain cancers

A genetic mutation in glioma tumors makes them resistant to radiation treatment, but a new study suggests that currently available drugs can restore sensitivity. This breakthrough could lead to extended survival and improved treatment options for patients with low-grade gliomas.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study helps solve mystery of how sleep protects against heart disease

Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism between the brain, bone marrow, and blood vessels that appears to protect against hardening of arteries when sleep is healthy. Disrupted sleep leads to increased inflammation and atherosclerosis in mice, highlighting the importance of quality sleep for cardiovascular health.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019

Increased depression and suicidal behavior risk for young cannabis users

A new international study reveals that adolescent cannabis use can harmfully alter mental health, even in teenagers without pre-existing depressive symptoms. The risk is particularly elevated in North America, where adolescents have higher rates of cannabis use compared to peers in other developed countries.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 13, 2019

DDT exposure tied to breast cancer risk for all women through age 54

A six-decade-long study found that all women exposed to high levels of DDT are at increased risk for breast cancer before age 54, with the timing of cancer risk depending on when they were first exposed. Women exposed in infancy and early childhood were most likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 13, 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.

Broad regional accents are a barrier to social mobility, research finds

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Bath and Manchester found that broad regional accents can be a barrier to social mobility in the UK. Many teachers reported feeling pressure to modify their accents to sound more professional, leading to a mismatch between speaker and listener regarding accent in the workplace.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalSociological Research Online·DateFeb 13, 2019

Climate change increases potential for conflict and violence

Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood of violence through three indirect effects: increased irritability, economic instability, and eco-migration leading to intergroup conflicts. These factors can create a perfect storm for political violence, civil wars, or wars between nations.

SourceIowa State University·JournalCurrent Climate Change Reports·DateFeb 13, 2019

A trailblazer

Elisabeth Gwinn, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has been awarded the AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for her decades-long commitment to mentoring underrepresented students in physics. Her work has transformed her department and improved the lives of countless students.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateFeb 13, 2019

SIOP recognizes David P. Baker for lifetime professional achievement

David P. Baker PhD has been recognized for his significant contributions to the practice of industrial and organizational psychology. His work on team training programs in high-risk environments, including TeamSTEPPS, has had a major impact on people at work, organizations, and the field.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Organizational Psychology·DateFeb 13, 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.

Newly discovered turtle species is facing extinction

A new species of softshell turtle, Pelodiscus variegatus, has been discovered in northeastern Indochina. The species is characterized by dark blotches on its shell and has a critically endangered conservation status due to its limited range and high exploitation rates.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateFeb 13, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Stereotypes of romantic love may justify gender-based violence

A qualitative analysis of Física o Química reveals that Spanish teens internalized stereotypes and myths of romantic love that justify male violence against women. The study found that audiences reflected in gender stereotypes and romantic inequalities.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalJournal of Youth Studies·DateFeb 13, 2019

In disasters, Twitter influencers get out-tweeted

Research on Twitter use during natural disasters highlights the importance of targeting average users with meaningful networks to spread life-saving information. Average Twitter users with small local networks increase their activity more than those with larger networks in disaster situations.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2019

Should we screen people for irregular heartbeat?

Screening for irregular heartbeat has been proposed as a potential solution to reduce stroke risk, but experts disagree on its effectiveness. Mark Lown suggests that trained clinicians can accurately identify positive cases, while Patrick Moran raises concerns about the lack of evidence on screening's benefits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 13, 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.

Exercise gives older men a better brain boost

A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with better brain function in older men. The research team discovered that higher fitness levels were linked to improved cognitive skills, including executive function and focus.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateFeb 13, 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.

Gender and cultural bias exists against teachers at university level

A study by the University of New South Wales found that male teachers are more likely to receive higher scores than female teachers in certain subjects. The research, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed over 525,000 student experience surveys and found bias against female teachers from non-English speaking backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2019

Getting a grip on human-robot cooperation

Researchers at Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and Australian Centre for Robotic Vision unveiled guiding principles for grasp type choice during object handover, facilitating human-robot cooperation. The study demonstrates that humans intuitively leave handles unobstructed to facilitate subsequent tasks.

SourceSant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 13, 2019

MRI and computer modeling reveals how wrist bones move

A recent study published in the Journal of Biomechanics used advanced MRI techniques to track wrist bone movement in 18 individuals, revealing gender-based differences. The researchers found that while individual left and right wrists are similar, there are distinct differences between male and female wrists.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Biomechanics·DateFeb 13, 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.

Shedding light on the pathway to put the traumatic past behind

Scientists have identified a brain pathway that underlies an effective therapy for sustainably reducing traumatic memories. The study found that alternating bilateral sensory stimulation (ABS) induces a persistent fear reduction by activating the superior colliculus and mediodorsal thalamic nucleus pathways, which suppresses fear expre...

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019

More data, more land reclamation success

A new study found that collecting soil data at short intervals can increase the success of land reclamation, leading to faster regeneration and lower costs. By fine-tuning fertilizer and lime applications based on soil pH levels, teams achieved significant cost savings, especially in mountainous areas.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateFeb 13, 2019

Mount Sinai research program awarded $12.5 million NIH grant to continue to study the role of hormones in menopause and aging biology

Researchers from Mount Sinai will investigate the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in regulating bone mass, body composition, and fat deposits during aging and menopause. The program aims to develop an FSH-blocking antibody for preventing and treating osteoporosis and obesity.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2019