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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 8


Page 8 of 40

Climatic factors and decline of Cahokia

Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Horseshoe Lake adjacent to Cahokia settlement, finding a correlation between climate shifts and population decline. Climate changes, including decreased summer precipitation and flooding, stressed Cahokia's agricultural system, contributing to its depopulation.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Researchers identify possible role of Foxp1 protein in control of autoimmune diseases

The study reveals that Foxp1 is essential for the proper functioning of Treg cells, which play a crucial role in regulating immune responses. The findings suggest that targeting Foxp1 could lead to the development of therapies that selectively modulate Treg cell activity, offering new hope for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 25, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pink or brown?

New research finds humans struggle to accurately classify snail shells due to differences in colour perception. A study using spectrometry reveals distinct clusters for brown, pink, and yellow snails, providing a baseline measure for future studies on animal colour and genetics.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalHeredity·DateFeb 25, 2019

Ancient wetlands and global carbon cycle

Researchers used over 1,000 records and a global ecosystem model to reconstruct peatland dynamics. They found peatlands expanded during warm periods and were buried during glacial expansion, providing potential long-term carbon storage.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Laser drill leads to world record in plasma acceleration

Researchers at DESY achieved a world record in plasma acceleration using a laser drill, accelerating electrons to an energy of 7.8 billion electron volts. The technique uses a laser pulse to drill through a plasma, confining the beam and enabling the acceleration of particles hundreds of times stronger than conventional accelerators.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 25, 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.

Artificial lung cancer tissue could help find new drug treatments

Researchers at U of T Engineering created a 3D hydrogel to mimic lung cancer environments, selectively allowing cancer cells to invade. This technology enables rapid screening of hundreds of potential drugs for their ability to fight invasive cancers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 25, 2019

Cool adaptations to the cold

Researchers found that icefish have evolved transparent blood, increased energy production, and specialized proteins to protect against cold damage. These adaptations enable them to thrive in Antarctica's frigid waters.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 25, 2019

Documenting and decoding the dynamics between work and pain

A special issue of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation explores the dynamics between work and pain. The study found that presenteeism, repetitive work, and job stress are linked to chronic pain, with psychological symptoms intensifying physical ones.

SourceIOS Press·JournalWork·DateFeb 25, 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.

New chimpanzee culture discovered

Researchers document a new 'behavioral realm' in Eastern chimpanzees of the Bili-Uéré region, characterized by novel tool use and expanded food processing technologies. This discovery sheds light on the likely incipient traditions of early hominin ancestors and highlights the importance of studying intact ape cultures.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalFolia Primatologica·DateFeb 25, 2019

Predicting how forests in the western US will respond to changing climate

Researchers found that tree growth is constrained more by climate than competition for resources in harsh conditions, but not under mild conditions. The study provides important insights into how forest growth will respond to changing climate and could inform land management strategies.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEcology Letters·DateFeb 25, 2019

Oxygen-tracking method could improve diabetes treatment

Researchers at MIT have developed a way to measure oxygen levels of pancreatic islet cells over long periods, enabling them to predict which implants will be most effective in treating diabetes. This breakthrough could lead to better designs for artificial pancreas systems.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Nitrogen-fixing trees 'eat' rocks, play pivotal role in forest health

Red alder trees have been found to tap nutrients from bedrock through their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This process accelerates rock dissolution, releasing mineral nutrients that allow plants and trees to grow. The study highlights the importance of nitrogen-fixing trees in sustaining forest ecosystems.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 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.

Gradual demise of Angkor

Researchers found fire, forest disturbances, and soil erosion decreased in the 14th century, indicating a gradual decline in land-use intensity. The moat was covered with floating vegetation by the end of the 14th century, indicating it was no longer maintained.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Limits to water availability

A study by Joep Schyns et al. estimates limits to green water availability due to limited annual rainfall, affecting global food and production systems. The analysis reveals that green water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in regions with low rainfall.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Money-savers focus attention -- and eyes -- on the prize

A new study from Duke University reveals that patient savers quickly choose the higher amount, screening out irrelevant factors, and making decisions with minimal analysis. The research aims to provide strategies for improving financial literacy and promoting savings.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 25, 2019

High-powered fuel cell boosts electric-powered submersibles, drones

A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a high-power fuel cell that operates at double the voltage of commercial fuel cells, powering unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft at significantly lower cost.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Energy·DateFeb 25, 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.

Childhood environments and mental health

A Danish study of 943,027 individuals found that growing up in areas with abundant vegetation was associated with a lower risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that incorporating natural environments into urban spaces can improve the mental health of urban residents.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Discovery of colon cancer pathway could lead to new targeted treatments

Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered a novel therapeutic target, CYP monooxygenase pathway, that could prevent or treat colon cancer. The study found that certain fatty acid metabolites, such as epoxyoctadecenoic acids (EpOMEs), increase inflammation and tumor growth in the colon.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 25, 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.

India's integrated child development program increases educational attainment

The study found that men aged 15-54 years and women aged 15-49 years exposed to the ICDS program during their first three years of life completed 0.1-0.3 more grades of schooling than those not exposed. This significant long-term benefit highlights the importance of early-life interventions in improving educational outcomes.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalEconomic Development and Cultural Change·DateFeb 25, 2019

Plants' drought alert system has unlikely evolutionary origin: underwater algae

Researchers discovered that plants' built-in drought detection system has an unlikely origin: freshwater-dwelling streptophyte algae. This signaling pathway, which triggers plants' drought defenses, has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years and exists across most plant lineages.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

An educational program designed to lessen the risk of falls in children

A pioneering educational programme aims to reduce the risk of falls in children by teaching safe and protective techniques, simulating falls in PE classes. The programme responds to WHO demands and has been shown effective in schools, with interest from universities worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateFeb 25, 2019

Is the most effective weight-loss strategy really that hard?

A new study published in Obesity found that successful weight losers spent an average of just 14.6 minutes per day on dietary self-monitoring, confirming the reality of its effectiveness rather than the perceived time-consuming nature. The most predictive factor was logging in three or more times a day with consistency.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalObesity·DateFeb 25, 2019
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.

Bacteria walk (a bit) like we do

Scientists have developed a microscopy method that directly observes bacterial filaments, revealing a new mechanism by which bacteria interact with surfaces. The study shows that type IV pili movements are coordinated through sequential control of pilus extension and retraction, enabling efficient movement across surfaces.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Microbiology·DateFeb 25, 2019

'Star Wars' characters' costumes reflect shift from power to romance

A study examines how costume changes in Star Wars female leads Padmé and Leia parallel shifts in their positions of power and romantic relationships. The researchers argue that these changes contribute to the objectification of women through costume design, highlighting the importance of considering the portrayal of women in media.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFashion and Textiles·DateFeb 25, 2019

Cognitive functioning and childhood affluence

Research suggests that childhood affluence may hinder cognitive development in adulthood, as those with the most advantageous conditions experience stronger cognitive decline over time. This study analyzed data from 24,066 individuals and found a paradoxical relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive aging.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 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.

Migrants face a trade-off between status and fertility

Researchers found that evacuees who returned to their homes after initial evacuation had more children, while those who stayed in western Finland had fewer. Those who intermarried with the host population increased their social status, but were less likely to have children.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 25, 2019

You probably don't have a penicillin allergy

Researchers debunked a common misconception that millions of people have an antibiotic allergy. Studies show that only 10% of reported allergies are true, and many lose their allergy over time.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 25, 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.

Elucidation of molecular-targeted drug resistance mechanism by lung cancer cells

Researchers found that lung cancer cells acquire resistance to molecular-targeted drugs by transforming epithelial characteristics into mesenchymal ones, leading to reduced miR-200c expression. Sequential treatment with an HDAC inhibitor and a next generation molecular-targeted drug overcomes this resistance, offering new potential for...

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 25, 2019

Migrating blue whales rely on memory more than environmental cues to find prey

Researchers found that blue whales align their migration timing with historical averages of krill production, rather than responding to current prey patches. This suggests that blue whales rely on memory to locate stable, high-quality foraging sites, which could make adaptation to climate change more difficult.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Salisbury Award launched by National Foundation for Cancer Research

The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) has launched the Salisbury Award, a new program aimed at supporting translational cancer research. The award will provide funding and resources to researchers with early-stage projects deemed to have the best combination of novel and impactful technology.

SourceNational Foundation for Cancer Research·DateFeb 25, 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.

High CO2 levels can destabilize marine layer clouds

A new study suggests that high CO2 levels above 1,200 ppm could lead to the loss of low-level clouds, resulting in a 8-Kelvin temperature increase globally. The researchers used a small-scale model to simulate cloud instability and found that once the clouds vanish, they do not reappear until CO2 levels drop significantly.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 25, 2019

Health literacy can promote older people's health

A new study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research found that high health literacy can be a resource in old age, leading to better physical functioning, fewer illnesses, and improved health ratings. The study also highlighted the importance of evaluating media health information's reliability.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research·DateFeb 25, 2019

Face it -- our faces don't always reveal our true emotions

Researchers challenge decades-old research on emotional intelligence, finding that context is crucial for reading emotions. Study participants accurately identified characters' emotions from background and interactions, not just facial expressions.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 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.

A gene involved in ADHD could be related to addictive substance use

A study of 2,700 patients with ADHD found that variations in the LPHN3 gene increased the risk of nicotine dependence by 40%. The findings suggest a link between ADHD and addictive substance use, highlighting the need for new genetic tools to prevent addictive behaviors in people with ADHD.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateFeb 25, 2019

Brain cells involved in insomnia identified

Researchers have identified specific brain cell types, areas and biological processes linked to the genetic risk of insomnia, a major step towards understanding its mechanisms. The study found that over 100 genes contribute to insomnia, with some influencing the functionality of axons and specific cell types in the frontal cortex.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 25, 2019

New targets for ischemic drugs found

Researchers investigate opioid receptors' effect on cardioprotection against coronary disease and find that certain subtypes have a special role in adapting to oxygen lack. The study suggests new targets for developing ischemia prevention drugs, with promising results.

SourceAKSON Russian Science Communication Association·JournalPhysiological Research·DateFeb 25, 2019

Estrogen made by neurons important to making memories

Neurons in both males and females produce estrogen, which is essential for synaptic plasticity and memory. Research shows that mice lacking estrogen have impaired spatial reference memory and recognition memory.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateFeb 25, 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.

Live long and prosper: Mongooses enjoy lifelong benefits of 'silver spoon effect'

A new study shows that banded mongoose pups who receive consistent care in their first three months of life have a life-long advantage, including increased fitness and reproductive success. This 'silver spoon effect' is particularly beneficial for female pups, with more care leading to higher reproductive success.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateFeb 25, 2019

Ancient rocks provide clues to Earth's early history

Researchers have discovered evidence of significant ocean oxygenation before the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), which occurred around 2.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding of oxygen accumulation, suggesting it may have extended over large regions of the ocean and even reached the sea floor.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 25, 2019

Researchers discover 'chromosome scanner' that protects against cancer

A new study from the University of Copenhagen has identified a key mechanism behind the repair of human DNA damage, which can lead to cancer. The researchers have discovered a protein called BARD1 that acts like a 'scanner' to launch the flawless DNA repair system.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateFeb 25, 2019

Mothers with children taken into out-of-home care at risk of poor prenatal care in next pregnancies

A Canadian study found that mothers whose first child was taken into out-of-home care were more likely to have inadequate or no prenatal care during subsequent pregnancies. These women are also more likely to face barriers such as substance use disorders and poverty, highlighting the need for accessible and nonjudgmental prenatal care.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 25, 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.

£7 million funding to grant XMaS wish

The XMaS facility will receive a £7.2million upgrade to enhance its capabilities for studying materials' atomic and microscopic structures. This will support research into various fields, including energy storage, climate change, and healthcare.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateFeb 25, 2019

Rapid normalization of changing weather

A study using Twitter data found that people tweet more about unusual temperatures, but comment less when those temperatures recur. The study suggests that major warming from climate change may not be perceived as remarkable due to a rapidly adjusting normal baseline.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019