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Science News Archive January 2019


Page 19 of 37

How the human brain works during simultaneous interpretation

The study used EEG and ERP to assess neural activity during simultaneous interpretation of continuous prose. The results showed that interpreters work in a dynamic mode of redistribution of attention, with increased cognitive resources engaged for working memory when lagging behind the speaker.

New survey identifies the social influences in people attending A&E

A recent survey of 3,500 households in the North West UK found that 31% had attended A&E in the past year, with age being a significant factor. Other key predictors included lack of employment and poor housing conditions, which increased attendance rates by 38% and 34%, respectively.

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.

Emperor penguins' first journey to sea

Researchers tracked juvenile Emperor penguins for up to 6 years, revealing they initially swim far north to learn how to dive before heading south to the sea ice zone. The study highlights the unique connection between diving behaviors and the thermocline layer in the ocean.

Resist! TAK1 enables endothelial cells to avoid apoptosis

A study published in Developmental Cell reveals that TAK1 preserves endothelial cell survival in an inflammatory environment, suggesting its potential as a target for anti-angiogenic therapy. The researchers used a unique mouse model to show that TAK1 is essential for endothelial cell survival during inflammation and injury.

This computer program makes pharma patents airtight

Researchers in Poland and South Korea have developed a computer program that suggests synthetic strategies to circumvent patent-protected aspects of essential drugs. The software, called Chematica, uses mechanistic rules to identify new retrosynthetic pathways, allowing for the generation of alternative yet economical starting materials.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Blocking hormone uptake burns more fat

A new study reveals that blocking the uptake of a hormone called norepinephrine in fat cells increases metabolism and burns stored fat. The discovery highlights the importance of beige fat tissue, which plays a key role in thermogenesis and regulating body temperature.

AAAS and Subaru of America announce winners of children's book awards

The AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes for Excellence in Science Books recognize outstanding science writing and illustration for children. The winners include Elizabeth Suneby, Elizabeth Rusch, Roma Agrawal, and Mary Kay Carson for their books on sustainable science, asteroid research, building design, and hands-on science.

Scientists learn how common virus reactivates after transplantation

A new study finds that antibodies produced by B cells play a dominant role in controlling cytomegalovirus reactivation in people with compromised immune systems. The discovery challenges long-held theories and could pave the way for safer therapies to protect patients from life-threatening infections.

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.

More animal species under threat of extinction, new method shows

A new systematic approach to assess animal extinction risk has found that 20% of previously unassessable species are likely threatened. The method, designed by Luca Santini and colleagues, is more efficient than traditional methods and provides an early warning system for species at risk.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Russian scientists creating new tools for diagnosing cancer

Researchers at Ural Federal University have synthesized multi-purpose fluorophores that can track the absorption of medications in the body, helping diagnose cancer. The technology has far-reaching implications for pharmaceuticals and environmental analysis, offering a low-cost and sustainable alternative to traditional methods.

New blood tests for TB could accelerate diagnosis and save the NHS money

A new rapid blood test for tuberculosis (TB) has been found to be substantially more accurate than existing tests, enabling doctors to quickly detect or rule out TB infection. The test, developed at Imperial College London, could save the NHS over £2 million per year by stopping the use of existing, inadequate tests.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Body-painting protects against bloodsucking insects

Researchers found that body-painting provides protection against bloodsucking insects, with white stripes repelling them more effectively. The discovery is based on experiments using plastic models and may have ancient origins, as similar markings were found on Neanderthal cave walls.

Zika and Chikungunya viruses: Diagnostic pitfalls

Researchers highlight diagnostic pitfalls in Zika and Chikungunya virus detection, particularly for Zika, where false positives can have fatal consequences. Combined testing methods offer higher reliability, with sensitivity improved through the use of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) as a marker.

Gene therapy blocks peripheral nerve damage in mice

Scientists have developed a gene therapy that blocks axon destruction in mice, suggesting a therapeutic strategy to prevent the loss of peripheral nerves in multiple conditions. This breakthrough could help prevent peripheral neuropathy, a disease affecting 20 million people in the US, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

What happened 4,000 years ago in the Urals?

Researchers are studying Bronze Age activity in the Urals to understand demographic processes and settlement structures. They are analyzing palaeogenetic techniques, archaeological excavations, geophysical surveys, material culture, and archaeobotany to find answers about population genetics, cultural transformation, and demography.

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.

Models of life

Researchers at TUM created artificial cell assemblies that can communicate and trigger complex reactions like RNA production, mimicking biological organisms. The system achieves spatial differentiation and is a step towards tissue-like synthetic materials.

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.

Saturn hasn't always had rings

A recent study using Cassini data estimates Saturn's ring mass to be around 40 percent of the moon Mimas' mass, indicating a relatively young age for the rings. The discovery also provides insight into Saturn's internal structure and atmospheric circulation patterns.

A study shows an increase of permafrost temperature at a global scale

A recent study reveals that permafrost temperatures have risen globally, with continuous permafrost warming by 0.39°C and discontinuous permafrost by 0.20°C between 2007 and 2016. This increase in permafrost temperature has severe consequences, including the release of carbon dioxide and methane, which speed up global warming.

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.

UCLA scientists create a renewable source of cancer-fighting T cells

Researchers at UCLA create mature T cells capable of killing tumor cells from pluripotent stem cells using artificial thymic organoids. This breakthrough technique has the potential to lead to new approaches to cancer immunotherapy and create a virtually unlimited supply of T cells.

Many hepatitis infections go undiagnosed in cancer patients

A large study of cancer patients reveals a significant proportion are undiagnosed with acute and chronic hepatitis B and C. The findings suggest that universal screening for these viruses may be warranted to prevent life-threatening complications and improve treatment outcomes.

Complex molecules emerge without evolution or design

Researchers discovered a new class of complex folding molecules that form spontaneously without evolution or design. The molecules' unique structure suggests that complexity can emerge on its own, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of molecular folding and the origin of life.

How molecules teeter in a laser field

Researchers from MBI report on an experiment using attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to study the interaction of molecules with a laser field. They found that infrared fields affect weak core-to-Rydberg transitions more strongly than core-to-valence transitions, and that Rydberg states dominate XUV absorption.

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.

Stress fracture? Your foot hitting pavement wasn't the main problem

Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that wearable sensors measure the wrong thing, focusing on foot impact rather than muscle contraction forces. They discovered a strong correlation between ground reaction forces and tibial bone loading was false, and only combined data from multiple sensors can estimate bone stress accurately.

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.

Orchards in natural habitats draw bee diversity, improve apple production

A new study by Cornell University researchers found that orchards surrounded by natural habitats draw a broader selection of bee species, leading to improved apple production. This is because bees from different species exhibit unique behaviors when pollinating flowers, affecting fruit development and quality.

Measuring AI's ability to learn is difficult

A recent study from the University of Waterloo found that measuring AI's ability to learn is challenging due to the complexity of tasks. The researchers discovered that no mathematical method can determine whether an AI-based tool can handle a task or not, even with precise task descriptions.

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.

Findings on eye-signal blending re-examines Nobel-winning research

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have made significant findings on how the brain processes visual information from both eyes. Contrary to previous Nobel Prize-winning research, they discovered that the brain combines dual signals in milliseconds, not later stages of processing.

Size matters -- To livebearer fish, big fins are a big deal

In a new study, researchers found that male livebearer fish evolved larger dorsal fins for fighting before using them in courtship displays to attract females. This evolution went hand-in-hand with the enlargement of the male dorsal fin, leading to rapid evolution in some species.

Scientists accidentally engineer mice with unusually short and long tails

Researchers have created mice with unusually short and long tails through genetic engineering, revealing key roles for the Lin28 and Hox13 genes in regulating tail development. The study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms controlling tail formation and has potential implications for understanding developmental and pathol...

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.

Coming soon: A blood test for Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers have made significant progress towards developing a blood test for Alzheimer's disease, with sensitive assays able to detect smaller amounts of peptides that form when amyloid breaks down. A reliable blood test could aid in diagnosis and help identify participants for clinical trials, potentially leading to better treatments.

New risk score far more effective for diabetes diagnosis

Researchers have developed a new risk score that takes into account genetic information to identify babies at high risk of type 1 diabetes. The score is nearly twice as efficient as existing methods and also effective at predicting type 1 diabetes in adults, helping with early diagnosis and treatment.

Nanoparticle breakthrough in the fight against cancer

Researchers at UNIST developed a novel targeted drug delivery system using protein corona shield, achieving 10 times greater therapeutic efficacy in preventing unwanted protein adsorption. The system demonstrated lower toxicity and excellent tumor-targeting ability in mouse models of cancer.

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.

Futuristic bike-inspired furniture displayed at Dubai Design Week 2018

The Graduate School of Creative Design Engineering at UNIST showcased its innovative 'stool.D' design, combining technology and art to create a functional and stylish piece. The stool features LED lights that provide visual feedback with pedaling speed, promoting exercise while sitting.

Reinforcement learning expedites 'tuning' of robotic prosthetics

Researchers developed an intelligent system for 'tuning' powered prosthetic knees using reinforcement learning, allowing patients to walk comfortably in minutes. The system adapts 12 control parameters to address prosthesis dynamics, such as joint stiffness, during the entire gait cycle.