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Science News Archive January 2019


Page 14 of 37

An icy forecast for ringed seal populations

A new mathematical model predicts a 50-99% decline in ringed seal populations by 2100, primarily driven by insufficient snow on the ice. This decline will lead to smaller juvenile populations and reduced survival rates for adults.

Should we rename low-risk cancers?

The debate centers on renaming ultra-low risk cancers to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatments. Experts recommend recalibrating thresholds for cancer diagnosis to categorize very low risk cancers as benign, reducing anxiety and improving patient outcomes.

A muscle protein promotes nerve healing

Researchers discovered that a muscle protein called LIM protein (MLP) can promote nerve healing by stabilizing structures in growth cones. Blocking or suppressing MLP's function reduces nerve cells' ability to grow axons.

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.

High-protein rice brings value, nutrition

Researchers developed high-protein rice lines with increased yield and improved grain quality, providing a solution to global protein deficiencies. The 'Frontière' line has a 53% higher protein content than original rice varieties, making it suitable for various applications such as specialty food products.

Climate change tipping point could be coming sooner than we think

A new study published in Nature reveals that the land's capacity to trap carbon may be declining due to changes in soil moisture, potentially accelerating global warming. The research highlights the urgent need for improved modeling of vegetation response to water stress and land-atmosphere coupling.

Suicide deaths among incarcerated youth

Research finds no significant difference in mental health conditions between incarcerated and community youth who died by suicide. However, study highlights environment as a potential contributor to increased suicides among incarcerated youth. Practical recommendations include timely suicide assessments and targeted prevention programs.

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.

Childhood lead exposure linked to poor adult mental health

A study of people who grew up in the era of leaded gasoline found that higher blood lead levels at age 11 were associated with signs of mental illness and difficult personality traits by age 38. Participants exposed to higher levels of lead as children were rated as more neurotic, less agreeable, and less conscientious than their peers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why you should be concerned about Oprah Winfrey when introducing an innovation

A new study by Bocconi University finds that large individual investors' national culture plays a crucial role in determining the stock return of innovation. The researchers identified six dimensions of Hofstede's framework that contribute to innovativeness, with high individualism and low masculinity being key factors. Understanding t...

Heart disease risk begins in the womb

A new study finds that offspring whose mothers had complicated pregnancies may be at greater risk of heart disease later in life. The research suggests that the prenatal environment can directly influence long-term cardiovascular health. Antioxidant therapy during pregnancy could potentially protect against heart disease in offspring.

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.

Breastmilk sugars differ in pregnant women on probiotics

Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that pregnant women taking probiotics can change the complex sugars in human breastmilk, known as HMOs. This discovery could lead to future studies on how diet and other factors influence HMO composition and potentially prevent food allergies.

Erasing memories associated with cocaine use reduces drug seeking behavior

New research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that disrupting memories associated with environmental cues and cocaine use significantly reduces drug-seeking behavior in rats. This breakthrough may lead to developing more effective therapies to prevent relapse, such as targeting specific memories strengthened b...

When bad financial advisers happen to good people

A study reveals that one in thirteen financial advisers have a misconduct-related disclosure on their record, resulting in costly consequences for the industry. Repeat offenders make up approximately one-quarter of all misconduct cases, highlighting the need for increased market transparency and stricter penalties.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists boost stability of low-cost, large-area solar modules

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a new perovskite solar cell design that improves stability and scalability, enabling the creation of low-cost, large-area solar modules. The devices achieved an efficiency of over 20% and demonstrated their viability for commercialization in the near future.

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.

UTSA wins global cyber security challenge

The University of Texas at San Antonio has developed a framework using deep neural networks to classify and detect malware. This system was recognized as the top prize winner in the AICS 2019 Challenge sponsored by Crowdstrike Foundation and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, showcasing UTSA's expertise in cybersecurity.

The feminization of men leads to a rise in homophobia

Researchers at UNIGE found that the feminization of men leads to an increase in homophobia as some men assert their manhood by stressing heterosexuality and rejecting homosexuality. The study suggests that this rise in homophobia is mainly among traditional men, who struggle with the decline of the anti-feminine norm.

New method uses ultraviolet light to control fluid flow and organize particles

Researchers develop a simple and inexpensive method using ultraviolet light to gather and organize particles in liquids, enabling precise control of fluid flow and potential applications in sensing, drug delivery, and nanotechnology. The method shows promise for sorting particles by size and moving uphill toward the light source.

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.

Green fluorescence from reef-building corals attracts symbiotic algae

Researchers discovered that corals emit green fluorescence, attracting symbiotic dinoflagellates and potentially aiding coral recovery after bleaching. This biological signal enhances the chances of meeting new symbionts, suggesting a possible mechanism for corals to recover from heat stress-induced losses.

Dengue immunity may be protective against symptomatic Zika, study finds

A new study found that prior dengue virus infection in children may be protective against symptomatic Zika virus infection. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, involved over 3,000 children aged 2-14 years and showed that those with a history of dengue infection had a lower risk of being symptomatic when infected with Zika.

Jefferson lab scientist awarded distinguished lectureship

Cynthia Keppel, a Jefferson Lab scientist, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2019 Distinguished Lectureship Award on the Applications of Physics. She is recognized for her pioneering work in proton therapy and her ability to communicate complex physics concepts to non-expert audiences.

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.

Creating attraction between molecules deep in the periodic table

Scientists at McGill University have successfully created strong, stable attractions between heavier elements in the periodic table, using halogen bonds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials resistant to water and humidity, revolutionizing fields such as electronics and pharmaceuticals.

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.

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.

Keeping astronauts healthy during deep space missions

A team of researchers led by Michigan State University's George Mias will use molecular signatures to detect illnesses before they happen in astronauts. By monitoring an individual's wellness baseline and detecting early patterns of deviation, the team aims to provide treatment in advance of any outward symptoms.

Dry inland waters are underrated players in climate change

Recent studies found that dry inland waters play a significant role in the global carbon cycle, emitting around 0.2 gigatonnes of CO2 annually. Freshwaters also act as carbon sinks when water levels are high, but emit gases when they dry out. The team suggests reservoirs as potential targets for reducing CO2 emissions from inland waters.

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.

Widely available food in US workplaces: Perk or hazard?

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that nearly a quarter of employed adults obtain high-calorie foods at work. The CDC investigated food acquisition habits through the Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey, which revealed that these foods often don't align with the Dietary Guidelines f...

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.

To halt malaria transmission, more research focused on human behavior needed

A recent review article suggests that understanding human behavior is crucial to preventing malaria transmission. Researchers found that while bed nets have been effective, they only work when people sleep under them, and there are gaps in knowledge about when and where people are exposed to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes at night.

Plants blink: Proceeding with caution in sunlight

A new study found that plants adjust photosynthesis in response to rapid light changes using a sensory-like regulation system. The findings suggest that plants have evolved to prioritize long-term stability over short-term efficiency in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Annals of Family Medicine media tip sheet

New research found that respiratory tract infections in children can persist for up to three weeks, with symptoms lasting longer in younger children and those with lower respiratory tract symptoms. The study also suggests that repeated flu vaccine immunization may enhance long-term protection against respiratory illness.

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.

Improved plastics recycling thanks to spectral imaging

Researchers have developed a method using near infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics to sort different types of plastic and those with varying flame retardants. This technique enables efficient recycling of plastics, reducing the amount dumped into the environment.

WSU sociologist sees environmental support slip under Democratic presidents

A WSU sociologist's analysis of over 20,000 people's opinions reveals that environmental support declines with age and has minimal impact from cohort, but is significantly affected by presidential politics. Republican voters tend to oppose Democratic environmental policies, while supporting them when a Democrat is in office.