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Science News for January 2, 2019


Study identifies genetic mutation responsible for tuberculosis vulnerability

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that makes people vulnerable to tuberculosis, a condition affecting one in five people globally. The mutation, TYK2, increases the risk of developing TB by disrupting the immune system's ability to fight mycobacteria, making individuals more susceptible to infection.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience Immunology·DateJan 2, 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.

Physicists uncover new competing state of matter in superconducting material

A team of researchers has discovered a long-lived new state of matter in an iron pnictide superconductor, which reveals collective behaviors that compete with superconductivity. The discovery was made using laser-induced spectroscopy techniques, allowing for real-time observation of electron pairings and fluctuations.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 2, 2019

MGHfC study details development of functional skills in persons with Down syndrome

A new study from MGHfC and colleagues in the Netherlands investigated the development of functional skills in persons with Down syndrome. The results indicate that most people with Down syndrome can walk, speak clearly, and maintain personal hygiene by certain ages, with some improvements possible into adulthood.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateJan 2, 2019

See invisible into HER catalysis

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have developed an advanced characterization technique to study the realistic structure of catalysts in water electrolysis. The team used operando synchrotron radiation XAFS technology to identify the atomic-level structure and dynamic evolution of active sites in cobalt...

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJan 2, 2019

Surrey AI predicts cancer patients' symptoms

Researchers developed two machine learning models to predict cancer patients' symptoms like depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. The models accurately predicted the severity of these symptoms throughout treatment, suggesting a potential improvement in quality of life for cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 2, 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.

Feisty hummingbirds prioritize fencing over feeding

Male hummingbirds have evolved stiff, hard-tipped bills for fighting, prioritizing fencing over efficient feeding. These unique bills compromise nectar sipping ability.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalIntegrative Organismal Biology·DateJan 2, 2019

Computer model shows how to better control MRSA outbreaks

A new computer model simulates the spread of MRSA infections in hospitals and community settings, revealing hidden transmission dynamics and predicting patient infection risks. The model estimates that up to 61% of hospital-acquired MRSA infections are imported from the community.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·DateJan 2, 2019

A catalytic flying carpet

Researchers at Pitt develop a two-dimensional, shape-changing sheet that wraps, flaps and creeps in a reactant-filled fluid. The team introduces a coating of catalysts on the flexible sheet, initiating motion and reconfiguration through catalytic chemical reactions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 2, 2019

Study sheds light on the function of a long-mysterious PCSK9 mutation

A recent study found that a long-mysterious PCSK9 mutation leads to heart disease by disrupting the interaction between PCSK9 and the LDL receptor. The researchers discovered that a specific sugar chain, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, plays a crucial role in this interaction.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateJan 2, 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.

Meta-analysis highlights important challenges in cognitive processing for adults with ASD

A comprehensive meta-analysis of adults with autism found significant impairments in four key domains: theory of mind, emotion perception and knowledge, processing speed, and verbal learning and memory. The study highlights the importance of a broader approach to treating autism in adults, including non-social cognitive domains.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 2, 2019

Work-family conflict hits home

Researchers found that children's health is less negatively affected when parents have control over their work lives. Autonomous parents are better able to regulate themselves and their parenting, leading to healthier outcomes for their children. This suggests that workplaces can play a role in promoting job autonomy to support families.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·DateJan 2, 2019

Long term ag change impacts stream water quality

Researchers found that sediment levels declined over the study period, while phosphorus levels increased after an initial decline. Nitrogen levels also decreased, indicating potential benefits to local freshwater ecosystems and the Gulf of Mexico.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJan 2, 2019

Painful intercourse in women improved with fibromyalgia drug

A Rutgers study found that Gabapentin reduces pain and improves sexual desire and satisfaction in women with vulvodynia, a condition characterized by stinging, burning, or itching at the vaginal entry point.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 2, 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.

How does the brain learn by talking to itself?

Researchers decipher how brain's cortex processes sensory information and optimizes synaptic connections through feedback systems. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of perceptual learning and its potential applications in computerized learning systems and artificial intelligence.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuron·DateJan 2, 2019

Controlling neurons with light -- but without wires or batteries

A new optogenetic system allows for precise control of light intensity and frequency, enabling independent stimulation of multiple brain areas. The device is powered by external magnetic fields and causes no adverse effects, with potential implications for medical devices like pacemakers.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·JournalNature Electronics·DateJan 2, 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.

Two possible new ways to treat silent seizures in children

A recent study characterizes silent seizures in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome and identifies the thalamus as a potential target to stop them. The researchers developed two new strategies to prevent non-convulsive seizures, which can disrupt consciousness and occur hundreds of times daily in affected children.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 2, 2019

Ground breaking new saliva diagnostic test to help eliminate malaria

ERADA's Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic and Asexual Rapid Test (SMAART) detects a unique biomarker from female parasites circulating in an infected individual. Early detection of malaria is crucial to eradication, as carriers are the reservoir that leads to infection and transmission.

SourceMontpellier PR·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 2, 2019

NIH study implicates hyperactive immune system in aging brain disorders

A NIH study suggests that hyperactive immune systems may contribute to the development of age-related brain disorders. Altering a key gene involved in early brain development led to increased autophagy failure and subsequent immune system attack on dopamine-releasing neurons, causing neurodegenerative damage.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 2, 2019

Board independence protects firms from corporate misconduct

A meta-analysis of nearly 80,000 firms across 20 countries found that independent audit committees offer the strongest protection against corporate misconduct. The study also showed that national corruption can undermine the effectiveness of board independence variants in curbing misconduct.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of Management·DateJan 2, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Our social judgments reveal a tension between morals and statistics

People tend to criticize others for using statistics to make judgments, yet they apply the same statistical approach when making their own judgments. The study found that participants viewed others' statistically-based judgments as unfair, inaccurate, and unintelligent.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 2, 2019

Study details poverty, lack of health insurance among female health care workers

A recent study by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Perelman School of Medicine found that 18% of employed women in healthcare work for low wages, with nearly half earning less than $15/hour. The research suggests that raising the minimum wage to $15/hour could decrease poverty rates among female healthcare workers by up to 50%.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 2, 2019

No compelling evidence for health benefits of non-sugar sweeteners

A comprehensive review of 56 studies found no statistically significant differences in health outcomes between those consuming non-sugar sweeteners and those not consuming them. Non-sugar sweeteners were associated with slightly less weight gain, but the evidence was low-quality.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 2, 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.

A 'pacemaker' for North African climate

Researchers found the Sahara desert's climate swung between lush and arid conditions every 20,000 years, synchronized with monsoon activity. The study used sediment cores to analyze dust deposits and rare isotopes of thorium, revealing a 20,000-year beat that contradicts previous ice age cycle explanations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 2, 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.

To head off late-life depression, check your hearing

A new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery found that elderly individuals with age-related hearing loss had more symptoms of depression. The study analyzed data from 5,239 Hispanic participants and found a significant association between hearing loss and depressive symptoms.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateJan 2, 2019

Tackling key questions of Ordovician subdivision and correlation in China

The study analyzed the criteria and remaining issues in Ordovician System subdivision and correlation in China, identifying problems with boundary definition, stage durations, and isotopic dating. It also highlighted the importance of precise age determination for petroleum exploration and development in China.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateJan 2, 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.

Machine learning award powers Argonne leadership in engine design

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory are using machine learning algorithms to optimize engine simulations, significantly reducing design time and increasing accuracy. The project aims to create a more efficient and emissions-free combustion process, with potential applications in the automotive industry.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateJan 2, 2019

'A way cool way to be': Study offers new insights into children with autism

Researchers from Brigham Young University successfully conducted structural and functional MRI scans of 37 children and adolescents with autism, including those with low verbal and cognitive performance, without sedation. The study found that the brains of individuals with autism exhibited decreased activity between hemispheres and hig...

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMolecular Autism·DateJan 2, 2019

Engineers, zoologists reveal how gulls 'wing morph' for stable soaring

Researchers have discovered how gulls configure their wing shape to stabilize flight by adjusting elbow joints. This technique could inform the design of future aircraft, including fixed-wing drones that can coast on thermal updrafts.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJan 2, 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.

Sex differences identified in deadly brain tumors

A recent study has found that standard treatment for glioblastoma is more effective in women than men, with tumor growth velocity showing a steady decline after treatment. The researchers identified distinct molecular signatures of the disease in men and women, which could lead to sex-specific treatment strategies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 2, 2019

Mystery of Yemen cholera epidemic solved

The strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yemen was estimated to come from Eastern Africa and entered the country through human migration. Genomic data analysis has enabled researchers to estimate the risk of future outbreaks and inform targeted interventions.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 2, 2019

China's war on particulate air pollution is causing more severe ozone pollution

Researchers found that a reduction in PM 2.5 concentrations in eastern China has led to an increase in ground-level ozone pollution, particularly in large cities. The study suggests that extra efforts are needed to reduce NOx and VOC emissions to stem the tide of ozone pollution.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2019

Fewer monarch butterflies are reaching their overwintering destination

A new research study reveals that half of the monarchs in southern Florida originated from the American Midwest, challenging the long-held assumption of their core breeding range. This finding raises questions about the shrinking overwintering population in Mexico and suggests alternative migration routes.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalAnimal Migration·DateJan 2, 2019
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.

New mouse model reminiscent of Leigh syndrome sheds light on mechanisms of neurodegeneration

A new mouse model has revealed the crucial role of PARL in maintaining mitochondrial respiratory chain function and structural integrity. The study found that mice lacking PARL display symptoms reminiscent of Leigh syndrome, highlighting the importance of understanding the protein's mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2019

Trying to quit smoking? New research suggests higher levels of nicotine may help

A new study published in the journal Addiction found that allowing smokers to determine their own nicotine intake while quitting can lead to higher success rates. The results suggest that most smokers can tolerate doses four times higher than those normally recommended, making them more likely to stay smoke-free.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAddiction·DateJan 2, 2019

Seagrass saves beaches and money

Researchers found that seagrass beds are effective in holding sediment on beach foreshores, reducing erosion. The study's results suggest that healthy seagrass beds can be a sustainable option for coastal defense, opening opportunities for new protection schemes.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalBioScience·DateJan 2, 2019

Heart cell defect identified as possible cause of heart failure in pregnancy

A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals that a functional heart cell defect may be the underlying cause of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare form of heart failure. The research found that levels of STAT3 protein were higher in PPCM patients' heart cells than in healthy women, and that a defect in releasing growth factors was ...

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalCirculation·DateJan 2, 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.

Tiny, implantable device uses light to treat bladder problems

A team of neuroscientists and engineers has developed a tiny, implantable device that can detect overactivity in the bladder and use light to tamp down the urge to urinate. The device works in laboratory rats and may one day help people with incontinence or frequent urination needs.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 2, 2019

Storage wars

Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 2, 2019

Lipo-protein apheresis and PCSK9-inhibitors

A combination therapy with PCSK9-inhibitors and lipoprotein-apheresis (LA) is proposed as a potential treatment for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemic (HoFH) patients. LA has potent therapeutic effects on inflammation and related mediators.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateJan 2, 2019

Quantum chemistry on quantum computers

Researchers from Osaka City University have developed a novel quantum algorithm to perform full configuration interaction calculations suitable for predicting chemical reactions, overcoming the exponential/combinatorial explosion of traditional methods. This breakthrough enables practical applications of quantum chemistry on quantum co...

SourceOsaka City University·JournalACS Central Science·DateJan 2, 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.

Medicare's bundled payment experiment for joint replacements shows moderate savings

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School found that Medicare's bundled payment model for hip and knee replacement surgeries resulted in a 3.1% reduction in costs, with $812 in savings per procedure. The model also reduced the use of skilled nursing care after hospitalization.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 2, 2019

'Rippling' under pressure

Researchers at Drexel University have discovered a buckling phenomenon in layered materials when subjected to pressure, which could revolutionize the way we study deformation. The 'ripplocations' observed in experiments with cards and metals demonstrate non-linear elastic behavior that precedes material failure.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJan 2, 2019

Scavenging molecule provides long-term protection against nerve agents in rodents

A new bioscavenger molecule has been developed to protect against toxic nerve agents, providing up to five days of protection and near-total safety against sarin. The therapy represents a major breakthrough in the field and could have translational potential for medical and military applications.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 2, 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.