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Science News Archive January 2019


Page 28 of 37

How dangerous is microplastic?

Researchers have found microplastics in lakes, rivers, food supplies, and beverages, raising concerns about their impact on human health. Dr. Natalia Ivleva's work focuses on analyzing and quantifying microplastic particles using advanced spectroscopic methods.

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.

Men and women remember pain differently

Research confirms men and women remember pain differently, with men recalling earlier painful experiences and being stressed by later pain. Blocking memories of previous pain alleviates the stress response, suggesting a potential treatment approach for chronic pain sufferers.

Termites mitigate effects of drought in tropical rainforest

A co-led study by HKU researchers found that termites increase leaf litter decomposition, nutrient heterogeneity, and soil moisture during drought periods. The presence of termites helps protect tropical rainforests from the negative effects of drought.

Targeting an RNA-binding protein to fight aging

Researchers identified a link between the RNA-binding protein PUM2 and age-related decline in cellular function. Targeting PUM2 restored mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, leading to improved mitochondrial function and increased lifespan.

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.

Learning about the impact of multiple symptoms in older adults

Research found that 75% of older adults had at least one symptom, with nearly half having two or more. Symptoms increased with age, education level, and chronic conditions, leading to weaker grip strength, slower walking, and increased falls and hospitalizations risk.

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.

Giving Cas9 an 'on' switch for better control of CRISPR gene editing

Researchers have designed a new Cas9 enzyme, ProCas9, that can be controlled by specific enzymes present in cells or viruses. This allows for more accurate and precise gene editing with added security. The technology has potential applications in treating diseases and improving crop resistance to viral pathogens.

Birth of a black hole or neutron star captured for first time

A Northwestern University-led team captures the moment a star collapsed to form a compact object, such as a black hole or neutron star. The team used multiple imaging sources and a comprehensive approach to study the object's makeup, finding evidence of hydrogen and helium.

Oceans are warming even faster than previously thought

Recent ocean heating observations provide further evidence that global warming is accelerating, with the top 2,000 meters of oceans predicted to rise 0.78 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, contributing to sea level rise and extreme weather events.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Madariaga virus spreads to Haiti

The Madariaga virus has been identified in eight children in Haiti, with symptoms resembling dengue fever infection. Researchers suggest the virus was introduced to Haiti from Panama between 2012 and 2015, raising concerns about its potential spread to other Caribbean or North American regions.

CRISPR study reveals new immune system regulators

Scientists have created a retroviral CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing library to explore the regulation of mouse T cells, mapping the most important genes for controlling T helper cells and identifying several new regulatory genes. This could help develop new treatments to activate the immune system.

How forest termites protect tropical forests from drought

Forest termites play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem function during droughts by decomposing organic matter, mixing soil nutrients, and regulating moisture. Their increased activity during drought helps buffer important soil processes critical for tropical forest survival.

Far-ranging fin whales find year-round residence in Gulf of California

Researchers have discovered that fin whales may live in the Gulf of California year-round, with a resident population estimated to be between 100 and 700 individuals. The study suggests that the gulf provides an ideal habitat for the whales, allowing them to exploit a rich food source and potentially breed and calve.

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.

More stable light comes from intentionally 'squashed' quantum dots

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory developed a new method to intentionally 'squash' colloidal quantum dots, creating dots capable of stable, blink-free light emission. This approach suppresses spectral fluctuations in single-dot emission and results in spectrally narrow light with highly stable intensity.

Chirality in 'real-time'

Scientists have created a system to probe biomolecules' chiral properties in real-time, providing insights into their biological function. The setup allows for the detection of enantiomers at picosecond resolution, overcoming previous limitations.

Fish farmers of the Caribbean

UC Santa Barbara researchers estimate the Caribbean can produce over 34 million metric tons of seafood annually, exceeding current production by two orders of magnitude. The region's vast ocean space makes it an attractive location for offshore mariculture, with some areas showing promise for commercial farming.

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.

Cancer comorbidities reduce clinical trial participation, new SWOG study shows

A new SWOG Cancer Research Network study found that cancer patients with comorbidities such as hypertension or asthma are less likely to participate in clinical trials. The study suggests that allowing patients with manageable comorbidities to join trials could increase treatment opportunities for thousands of patients.

How missing appointments increases the risk of death

A large study found that missing general practice appointments is associated with an increased risk of death, especially among patients with long-term mental health conditions. Patients with more health conditions had a higher risk of missing appointments and dying within the year.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Cartilage could be key to safe 'structural batteries'

Researchers created a damage-resistant rechargeable zinc battery with a cartilage-like solid electrolyte, extending flight time by 5 to 25 percent in drones. The batteries can withstand hard impacts and stabbing without losing voltage or starting a fire.

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.

Company partners with UTA Research Institute to help emergency responders

The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute is collaborating with Newcastle Manufacturing to create a network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with lights. The goal is to support emergency responders in nighttime operations, potentially reducing the risk of accidents and improving response times.

2D materials may enable electric vehicles to get 500 miles on a single charge

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed 15 new types of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides that can act as catalysts in lithium-air batteries. These materials enable batteries to store up to 10 times more energy and charge faster, potentially increasing electric vehicle range to 400-500 miles on a single charge.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Bacteria help discover human cancer-causing proteins

A team of researchers used bacteria to identify human proteins that cause DNA damage when overproduced, leading to cancer. The study found 284 human protein relatives linked to cancer more often than random sets of proteins.

How drugs can minimize the side effects of chemotherapy

A team of researchers at the University of Zurich has determined the three-dimensional structure of the receptor that causes nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer chemotherapy. They found that effective drugs like EmendTM and AkynzeoTM alter the receptor's structure, allowing for long-lasting attachment and effective treatment.

Climate change intensifies war of the birds

Researchers found that climate change leads to increased aggression between great tits and pied flycatchers, resulting in higher mortality rates for flycatchers. Great tits' earlier arrival due to warmer temperatures gives them an advantage over flycatchers, leading to more conflicts.

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.

Foundation funding changes international reporting

A study by University of East Anglia researchers found that foundation funding alters how journalists work, reducing news output and favoring outcome-oriented content. Foundations require evidence of their impact, incentivizing longer-form pieces aimed at specialist audiences.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Spintronics 'miracle material' put to the test

Physicists at the University of Utah have built two devices using perovskite to demonstrate its potential in spintronics. The materials' properties bring the dream of a spintronic transistor one step closer to reality.

Treat vitamin D deficiency to prevent deadly lung attacks

A study led by Queen Mary University of London found that vitamin D supplements reduced the risk of potentially fatal lung attacks in COPD patients with low vitamin D levels. The use of supplements led to a significant reduction in moderate/severe exacerbations, with no benefit seen for patients with higher vitamin D levels.

New role for brain's support cells in controlling circadian rhythms

A new study reveals that astrocytes can lead the tempo of the body's internal clock and control daily behavior patterns in mammals. The discovery could pave the way for new treatments to manage circadian rhythm disruptions related to health conditions like jet lag, sleep disorders, and dementia.