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Science News Archive January 2019 - Page 28


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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalTrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 10, 2019
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.

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.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2019

New research shows that women with IBD are at greater risk of mental illness

A new study published in the journal Gut found that women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing mental illness after giving birth. The study analyzed healthcare data from over 200,000 pregnant women and found that more than one-fifth had a new-onset mental health diagnosis.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalGut·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 10, 2019

African-Americans may live longer after liver transplant if their donors are the same race

Researchers analyzed national data and found that African-American transplant recipients lived 4.75 years longer on average if their livers were donated by someone of the same race. The study suggests a possible way to improve survival rates for this patient population, which typically faces poorer outcomes with liver cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 10, 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.

The science is clear: with HIV, undetectable equals untransmittable

The U=U concept has been scientifically established, showing that people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV through sex. Large clinical trials and cohort studies validate the concept, which can help control the HIV pandemic and reduce stigma.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJAMA·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 10, 2019

AI approach outperformed human experts in identifying cervical precancer

A new AI algorithm has been developed to analyze digital images of the cervix and identify precancerous changes, outperforming human experts in accuracy. The approach has the potential to transform cervical cancer screening, especially in areas with limited resources.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalOptica·DateJan 10, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

SourceLancaster University·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJan 10, 2019

New guideline recommendations for the treatment of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis

The American Gastroenterological Association publishes a new clinical guideline for managing patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. The guidelines recommend the use of oral and topical 5-aminosalicylates, rectal corticosteroids, and oral budesonide to promote high-quality care. However, the use of biologic therapies and imm...

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 10, 2019
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJan 10, 2019

Early development of memory for space and time

Researchers observed newborn rats navigating environments to understand brain development of episodic memory. The hippocampus plays a critical role in turning experiences into memories.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 10, 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.

Unusual supernova opens a rare window on the collapse of a star

Astronomers have observed a rare supernova that provides a unique glimpse into the physics of black hole or neutron star creation. The object, known as AT2018cow, is thought to be the formation of an accreting black hole or neutron star.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

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.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 10, 2019

Social and environmental costs of hydropower are underestimated, study shows

A new study reveals that large dams in developing countries ignore climate change impacts, displacement of communities, and economic damages. The researchers argue that these effects should be factored into the total cost of hydropower projects.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 10, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Using genetics of human fat cells to predict response to anti-diabetes drugs

A Penn study reveals that individual genetic variation can predict how well patients respond to certain anti-diabetes drugs, including thiazolidinediones. The researchers identified a specific genetic variation associated with increased cholesterol levels in response to rosiglitazone treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournalism Studies·DateJan 10, 2019

Saving energy by taking a close look inside transistors

Researchers at FAU developed a simple yet accurate method to find interface defects in silicon carbide transistors. This allows for improved and shorter innovation cycles in developing more energy-saving power electronics.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalCommunications Physics·DateJan 10, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThorax·DateJan 10, 2019

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.

SourceMedical Research Council·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2019