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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 37


Page 37 of 40

Retreating snow line reveals organic molecules around young star

Astronomers using ALMA have detected complex organic molecules around the young star V883 Ori, similar to those found in comets in our Solar System. The distribution of these molecules has a ring-like structure with a radius of 60 au, which is twice the size of Neptune's orbit.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 4, 2019

The web meets genomics: a DNA search engine for microbes

The Bitsliced Genomic Signature Index (BIGSI) allows researchers to identify antibiotic resistance genes and mutations in real time, making vast amounts of genomic data discoverable. This enables the study of disease dynamics, understanding of bacterial ancestry, and prediction of drug resistance.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 4, 2019

More than 100 new gut bacteria discovered in human microbiome

A study has discovered and isolated more than 100 completely new species of bacteria from healthy people's intestines, creating the most comprehensive collection of human intestinal bacteria to date. This will help researchers worldwide to investigate how our microbiome keeps us healthy and its role in disease.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 4, 2019

US Pacific Northwest forest preservation

A study evaluating the impact of the 100-year Northwest Forest Plan found that old-growth forests are declining due to increased fires, while regenerating habitats are increasing in some regions. Despite these findings, the authors recommend continued conservation efforts for old-growth habitats.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 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.

Demand for long-acting contraception rose sharply after 2016 election

A study found that rates of intrauterine device and implant insertions increased by 21.6% in the 30 days after the 2016 election compared to the same time period in 2015. This increase is attributed to women's concerns about losing contraceptive coverage under the Trump administration.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 4, 2019

Culprit found for honeybee deaths in California almond groves

New research identifies insecticide combinations that are lethal to honeybees and their larvae, leading to a recommendation to stop using these chemicals during almond bloom. The study's findings have already led to changes in industry practices, with many growers backing off insecticide use.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInsects·DateFeb 4, 2019

Obesity-related cancers rising in young adults in the US

A new study finds rates are increasing for six of 12 obesity-related cancers in younger adults in the US, with steeper increases in progressively younger ages. Excess body weight is a known carcinogen associated with more than a dozen cancers and suspected in several more.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 4, 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.

Engineers harvest heart's energy to power life-saving devices

A team of engineers at Dartmouth College has developed a dime-sized invention that converts the kinetic energy of the heart into electricity, powering implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators. The new technology could potentially replace batteries with surgery, reducing complications and costs.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateFeb 4, 2019

Time parents spend with children key to academic success

A large study found that parental time has a powerful impact on educational achievement. The longer a parent is absent, the less impact their education has on their child's success. Mothers' education levels have a stronger effect than fathers', particularly in larger families where mothers spend more time with children.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateFeb 4, 2019

Policy statements on the effects of media overlook scientific complexity

A scholarly review found that policy statements on media effects frequently oversimplify complex issues, relying on biased evidence and exaggerated claims. The study evaluated 24 policy statements from professional organizations and identified widespread citation bias, false consistency, and overgeneralization.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalAdvances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science·DateFeb 4, 2019

Harvesting wild genes gives crops renewed resistance to disease

A global alliance of researchers has pioneered a new method to rapidly recruit disease-resistance genes from wild plants for transfer into domestic crops. The technique, called AgRenSeq, promises to transform the development of disease-resistant varieties for the global food supply.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 4, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mapping oesophageal cancer genes leads to new drug targets

Cancer researchers have mapped oesophageal adenocarcinoma genes in unprecedented detail, unveiling more than half as potentially targetable by drugs already in trials for other cancers. This breakthrough could lead to personalized therapies and improved treatment options for patients.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 4, 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.

Peering under the hood of fake-news detectors

Researchers developed a deep-learning model that detects fake news by analyzing language patterns, finding favoritism towards exaggerations in false stories. The model achieved high accuracy in distinguishing fact from fiction, particularly when tested on novel topics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Pika survival rates dry up with low moisture

Research reveals that pika populations decline at lower elevations with high vapor-pressure deficit, while mid-elevation pikas face cold stress. High-elevation pikas thrive with sufficient snow cover, promoting healthy reproduction and population growth.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateFeb 4, 2019

How private households can stall economic growth

A study by the University of Bonn shows that growing income uncertainty among private households can lead to an economic downturn. This is because households may hoard money, reducing demand and negatively impacting the economy. Government investments can stabilize the economy by making it more attractive for households to spend.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEconometrica·DateFeb 4, 2019

Creativity and collaboration between arts and sciences

Researchers explore how arts and sciences collaboration can lead to increased discovery and innovation. A study found that patent production is correlated with metal- and wood-working practices among STEM professionals.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

The Milky Way in a twist

Astronomers have created a 3D picture of the Milky Way's outer regions using variable stars. The team found that the galaxy's S-like stellar disk is warped in a progressively twisted spiral pattern.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 4, 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.

Sex differences in metabolic brain aging

PET scans reveal female brains are metabolically 3-4 years younger than males, affecting resilience to neurodegeneration. Sex differences in metabolic brain aging may influence later life outcomes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

New clues discovered to lung transplant rejection

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that may prevent antibody-mediated rejection in lung transplants. They found that giving immunosuppressive drugs can help the lungs survive and induce growth of lymph node-like structures within the grafts, which contain cells that dampen immune responses.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 4, 2019

Boosting glutamate reduces anxiety in monkeys

Researchers found that increasing glutamate levels in the hippocampus normalized anxious monkeys' threat responses, with effects dependent on area 25. This study suggests targeting the brain region and its connection to reduce anxiety.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateFeb 4, 2019

Patients with facial pain report most benefit from self-care techniques

A new study by NYU College of Dentistry suggests that self-care techniques, such as jaw exercises and warm compresses, should be the first line of treatment for muscle-related temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The study found that patients with TMD reported significant improvement in their pain from these non-medication treatments.

SourceNew York University·JournalClinical Oral Investigations·DateFeb 4, 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.

The Milky Way is warped

Astronomers have created the first accurate 3D map of the Milky Way, revealing it is warped and twisted, with young stars in the outer regions.

SourceScience in Public·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 4, 2019

Study: Fatal opioid-related car crashes in Maryland hold steady over decade

Researchers found no significant increase in opioid-involved fatal crashes in Maryland from 2006 to 2017. A new approach defined by limiting analysis to those who died at the scene with opioids in their systems versus those who died later revealed this steady trend.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateFeb 4, 2019

Dung beetles navigate better under a full moon

Researchers at Lund University found that dung beetles are sensitive enough to hold their course during full moon nights despite light pollution. They use polarized light as their most important compass reference.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 4, 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.

A gut feeling for mental health

A population-level study identified specific gut bacteria linked to depression and found that a wide range of gut bacteria can produce neuroactive compounds. The study used faecal microbiome data from 1,054 individuals and validated its results in independent cohorts.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature Microbiology·DateFeb 4, 2019

In the February Health Affairs: Telemedicine in Latin America

A study analyzing hospital survey data from nine Latin American countries found that telemedicine use varies greatly among hospitals. Selected health organization characteristics, national policy, and culture are driving forces behind telemedicine expansion.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateFeb 4, 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.

MERMAIDs reveal secrets from below the ocean floor

A team of researchers used floating robotic seismometers to image the interior of the planet and discovered a mantle plume under Galapagos, suggesting an alternative explanation for the Earth's constant temperature over 4.5 billion years. The findings hint at the importance of mantle plumes in regulating the Earth's heat budget.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 4, 2019

New disease surveillance tool helps detect any human virus

A new computational method called CATCH enables scientists to design molecular probes that can capture genetic material of various microbes, including viruses. This approach has been successfully tested in detecting low-abundance viruses like Zika, improving the detection of viral content in clinical samples.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Gap between corporate earnings, non-financial measures affects forecasting

A study by North Carolina State University found that companies with large differences between their earnings and non-financial measures are less likely to forecast their annual earnings. This divergence can lead to inaccurate forecasts, as companies may overestimate their actual performance.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Management Accounting Research·DateFeb 4, 2019
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.

Argonne researchers develop new method to reduce quantum noise

Researchers have developed a new technique to recover lost information in quantum systems by repeating experiments with slightly different noise characteristics. This method effectively reduces quantum noise without the need for additional hardware.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review A·DateFeb 4, 2019

Earthquake with magnitude 7.5 in Indonesia: An unusual and steady speed

Researchers analyzed the Sulawesi island earthquake to identify its propagation speed of 4.1 km/s, which falls between seismic wave speeds. The study's findings suggest that steady rupture at unexpected speeds can occur on damaged rocks and may enhance cascading effects.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 4, 2019

NW Forest Plan 25 years later: Wildfire losses up, bird populations down

Birds associated with older forests in the Pacific Northwest are declining faster than those in early-seral ecosystems, despite conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of continuing to protect and restore old-growth habitats as wildfires become more frequent.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019
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.

Biotechnology to the rescue of Brussels sprouts

A team of European researchers has identified multiple genes that are resistant to Albugo candida, a disease causing white rust in Brassicaceae family plants. The discovery was made using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant and has the potential to design new genetic improvement strategies for different cultivated crop species.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

CEOs profit from issuing negative news releases ahead of stock option grant dates

Researchers found that CEOs who release more negative news before their executive stock option grant date see significant gains. The study suggests that CEOs underpaid compared to peers and with discretion are more likely to manipulate the system. To guard against further gaming, additional regulation and governance are recommended.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateFeb 4, 2019

Mother's age, race, weight affect hormone concentrations in pregnancy, Rutgers study finds

A Rutgers study found that hormone concentrations in early fetal development are significantly affected by maternal age, body mass index, and race. Older mothers, heavier women, and those of African descent had distinct hormone profiles, with potential implications for future health risks such as breast and ovarian cancer.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateFeb 4, 2019

Women's brains appear three years younger than men's

A new study finds that women's brains are metabolically three years younger than men's of the same age, which may contribute to their greater mental sharpness in later years. The researchers used PET scans and machine-learning algorithms to measure brain metabolism and calculate each person's brain age.

SourceWashU Medicine·DateFeb 4, 2019

Why charismatic, introduced species are so difficult to manage

Researchers say that scale is a key contributor to conflicts involving introduced-species management, particularly for charismatic species. These imbalances in public perception influence the way those organisms are managed, leading to difficulties in enacting policies aligned with ecosystem behavior and species invasions.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateFeb 4, 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.

Drug target identified for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian, breast cancer

A new study has identified a pair of genes that can mimic the effects of BRCA proteins, potentially making tumor cells susceptible to PARP inhibitors. The researchers found that targeting these genes could improve treatment options for people with breast or ovarian cancer caused by BRCA defects.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Enlarged prostate could actually be stopping tumor growth, simulations show

A new study suggests that enlarged prostates could impede tumor growth in prostate cancer patients. Computer simulations found that the mechanical stresses from an enlarging prostate keep tumors small. The findings challenge traditional treatments that involve downsizing the prostate.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

Electrical activity in prostate cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Seville have characterized the normal electrical activity in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, showing a low-frequency pattern between 0.1 and 10 Hz. This study aims to explore the relationship between electrical patterns and cell proliferation, with potential applications for medicine delivery.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalSensors·DateFeb 4, 2019

Research shows teens too low on sleep, activity, and too high on screen time

A study of nearly 60,000 US adolescents found that only 1 in 20 meet national recommendations for sleep, physical activity, and screen time. The research highlights the need for doctors to advise parents on parenting style and home environment to promote healthier lifestyles.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateFeb 4, 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.

New progress toward chip-based ghost imaging

A new, low-cost chip-based light-illuminating device enables fast and practical ghost imaging for applications like biomedical imaging and LIDAR. The device uses a compact optical phased array to generate random speckle patterns, allowing for higher sensitivity and faster imaging than traditional methods.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 4, 2019

Graphene biosensor could provide early lung cancer diagnosis, research shows

Researchers from the University of Exeter have developed a new graphene biosensor that can detect molecules of common lung cancer biomarkers. The device has the potential to revolutionize existing electronic nose devices and provide an early-stage lung cancer diagnosis through a convenient and reusable breath test.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNanoscale·DateFeb 4, 2019

Physicists uncover the topological origin of surface electromagnetic waves

Researchers from RIKEN discover that surface electromagnetic waves have a purely topological origin, similar to quantum topological states. This finding explains why these waves appear at interfaces where medium parameters change sign, providing new insights for plasmonics, metamaterials, and topological quantum systems.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 4, 2019

Rust never sleeps

Researchers at PNNL use APT to trace oxidation-reduction reactions and create the first 3D atomic maps of iron oxide crystals. These 'atomic maps' reveal a dynamic iron cycle, showing iron atoms filling in potholes on crystal surfaces and driving growth.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

75 CDTs announced by UKRI to develop the skills needed for UK

The UK has invested £446 million in CDTs, which will equip the next generation of doctoral level researchers with skills needed for tackling global challenges. Industry partners have also contributed £386 million, with 1,400 project partners involved in the programme.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateFeb 4, 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.

The Caucasus: Complex interplay of genes and cultures

A recent genetic study published in Nature Communications analyzed genome-wide data from 45 individuals in the North Caucasus region, revealing a complex interaction between populations from the Eurasian steppe and the Caucasus Mountains during the Bronze Age. The study shows that despite harsh mountain terrain, groups living throughou...

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 4, 2019