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Science News Archive January 2019 - Page 5


Page 5 of 37

Exercise may improve thinking skills in people as young as 20

A study found that aerobic exercise improved executive function and increased brain thickness in participants between 20-67 years old. Regular exercise was shown to slow or prevent age-related decline in thinking skills, with significant benefits observed at both young and older ages.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 30, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

HIV hidden in patients' cells can now be accurately measured

Researchers can now measure hidden, inactive HIV in patients' cells using a new genetic technique developed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This allows scientists to track progress depleting the latent reservoir of HIV, a crucial step towards finding a cure.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2019

Novel autism mouse model based on an epigenetic gene developed

Researchers have created a novel mouse model that demonstrates how epigenetic changes can negatively impact a key gene involved in neurodevelopment and behavior. The study provides direct causal evidence linking this gene to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJan 30, 2019

E-cigarettes more effective than nicotine replacement therapies, finds major trial

A clinical trial found e-cigarettes to be almost twice as effective as nicotine replacement treatments in helping smokers quit. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, involved 886 smokers and found that e-cigarette users were more likely to achieve abstinence and experience a reduction in smoking urges.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 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.

Waterproof graphene electronic circuits

Researchers have discovered that integrating graphene with metal in circuits reduces contact resistance impact from humidity, enabling more efficient sensors. This breakthrough could lead to significant cost reduction and better environmental monitoring.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 30, 2019

Some gut cells slow down metabolism, accelerate cardiovascular disease

Researchers discovered that specific gut cells, intraepithelial T lymphocytes, limit the availability of hormones that speed up metabolism, leading to slowed metabolic rates and increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. The study's findings could pave the way for new therapeutic avenues to treat related conditions.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2019

Women less likely to receive specialized medical evaluations after stroke

Research on hospitalized women with ischemic stroke found they were less likely than men to be evaluated by stroke specialists and receive specialized diagnostic tests. Women had a 6% lower likelihood of intracranial vessel imaging, 10% lower cervical vessel imaging, and 8% lower monitoring for heart-rhythm irregularities.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJan 30, 2019
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.

Superinsulators to become scientists' quark playgrounds

Researchers have created a theory describing the behavior of superinsulators, which shares properties with quarks. The discovery may lead to experiments that provide conclusive evidence for quark confinement and asymptotic freedom, revolutionizing our understanding of fundamental particles.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalCommunications Physics·DateJan 30, 2019

Opioid epidemic fueling a rise in infection-related stroke

Researchers found a significant increase in infection-related stroke hospitalizations from 1993 to 2015, with the greatest increases seen in women and young people. The study suggests that addressing the opioid epidemic is crucial in reducing this public health problem.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJan 30, 2019

Combined SPECT and cardiac MR imaging can help guide ventricular tachycardia ablation

Researchers found that combining iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) SPECT imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps identify specific subsets of heart tissue more prone to arrhythmias. This approach enables physicians to achieve improved VT suppression and shorter procedure times.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 30, 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.

Study reveals how brain tumors escape the effects of antiangiogenic drugs

A study by MGH researchers reveals that brain tumors use existing blood vessels to resist anti-angiogenic drugs, leading to compression and stimulation of angiogenesis. The study suggests targeting vessel co-option before using anti-angiogenic drugs could be an effective strategy for glioblastoma treatment.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2019

Industrial chemicals pass from mother to fetus throughout pregnancy

A study published in Environment International found that PFAS substances, commonly used in consumer products, accumulate in fetal tissue throughout pregnancy. The study also revealed higher levels of these chemicals in male fetuses than female, highlighting the need for further research on their effects.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalEnvironment International·DateJan 30, 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.

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin receives 2019 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to biomedical engineering, including the development of biocomposite interference screws and soft tissue implants that have transformed orthopedic therapies. He has also played a key role in shaping US technology policy and mentoring minority scientists.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateJan 30, 2019

ARS microscopy research helps unravel the workings of a major honey bee pest

A new study published in PNAS shows that Varroa mites do not feed on honey bee blood, but rather on the fat body tissue. This discovery has significant implications for controlling the pest and could lead to more effective pesticides and treatments.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2019

Stroke survivors' beliefs seem to reduce blood pressure

Researchers found that stroke survivors who believe they can protect themselves from having another stroke have significantly lower blood pressure. The study revealed nearly 78% of adults agreed they could protect themselves, leading to a 6.44 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJan 30, 2019

A 'greener' way to take the bitterness out of olives

Scientists create new process to remove phenolic compounds from olives, making them more palatable without destroying beneficial compounds. The method uses Amberlite macroporous resin and recovers intact olive phenolics for high-value ingredients.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 30, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Prairie strips transform farmland conservation

Prairie strips have been shown to significantly reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase beneficial insect populations. By converting a small portion of a crop field to prairie, farmers can lower their financial costs while creating numerous ecological benefits.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateJan 30, 2019

Discovery of blood vessel system in bones

Researchers have identified a previously unknown blood vessel system in bones, which supplies bones with oxygen and nutrients. The 'trans-cortical vessels' connect bone marrow to the bloodstream, allowing immune cells to quickly reach the source of inflammation.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJan 30, 2019

Highly sensitive method to detect potential cancer biomarker

A highly sensitive method for detecting cancer biomarkers in exosomes has been developed using molecular imprinting technology. The device, created by Kobe University researchers, can detect about 150 exosomes in 10 microliters and achieves unprecedented high-sensitivity detection of 6 picograms per milliliter.

SourceKobe University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 30, 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.

UAlberta scientists first to pinpoint a cause of pigmentary glaucoma

Researchers pinpointed the premelanosome protein (PMEL) gene as the cause of pigmentary glaucoma, a condition that affects 150,000 people in North America. The study found that mutations in this gene lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJan 30, 2019

Measuring stress around cells

Researchers developed sensors to map cell-generated forces in 3D tissues, finding that small tensions can balance large compressive loads. This insight could help understand developmental processes and develop novel tissue-engineering strategies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2019

Going for an MRI scan with tattoos?

A systematic prospective study investigated the safety of MRI scans for individuals with tattoos. Researchers found that the risk of side effects is very small and that most participants did not experience any adverse reactions. The study's results provide valuable information on safety guidelines for research and clinical environments.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 2019

ESA tipsheet for Jan. 31, 2019

The ESA releases new research on the Great Barrier Reef, where sharks are declining despite protected areas. The study suggests that illegal fishing is a major factor, while stricter regulations have led to fish population recovery in the Northeast Atlantic.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJan 30, 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.

MIT robot combines vision and touch to learn the game of Jenga

The MIT robot uses a soft-pronged gripper, force-sensing wrist cuff, and external camera to see and feel the tower and its individual blocks. It learns from visual and tactile feedback, and adapts its moves in real-time to avoid toppling the tower.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateJan 30, 2019

How transcription factors explore the genome

Researchers at EPFL discovered that different TFs vary greatly in their ability to scan the genome, with some being highly efficient while others are less effective. The study found that TFs that associate with mitotic chromosomes are more efficient in finding specific binding sites and regulating gene expression.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2019

Two windows into the brain

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 30, 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.

New quantum system could help design better spintronics

Researchers created a new testing ground for quantum systems to study spin current decay and its effects on spintronics. This breakthrough may lead to advances in computing and electronic devices that use spin instead of electrons' charge.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Expression of stop bands in forward volume spin waves

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology demonstrate stop bands in forward volume spin waves, a breakthrough for next-gen spin wave ICs. By combining magnetic insulators with metals, they suppress noise and express fundamental spin wave phenomena.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJan 29, 2019

Researchers wild about zigzags

A team of researchers from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg has successfully synthesized large, stable pieces of zigzag-shaped graphene using a novel method. The process delivers high yields and is suitable for large-scale production, paving the way for further investigation into the material's electronic properties.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Long-necked dinosaurs rotated their forefeet to the side

Researchers analyzed dinosaur footprints in Morocco to understand how long-necked dinosaurs moved forward. The results showed that the animals could switch between orienting their forefeet forward or sideways as needed, with smaller individuals able to rotate them more easily.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateJan 29, 2019
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.

Train harder, for less time

A six-week high-intensity resistance training program improved insulin sensitivity by 16% and increased muscle size and strength in overweight men. The study suggests that short sessions of exercise to exhaustion are equally effective as longer sessions, making it a time-efficient way to improve health outcomes.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateJan 29, 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.

Why large forest fires may not be a big threat to some endangered animals

Researchers found that certain endangered owl species continued to persist and even flourish after large forest fires, with stable occupancy rates observed. The study suggests that fire may enhance conditions for rodent populations, which are a crucial prey source for the owls, offsetting any negative effects on nesting habitat.

SourceOxford University Press USA·DateJan 29, 2019

Cardiff University researchers shed light on development of gastric cancer

Cardiff University researchers have identified a specific Fzd receptor called Fzd7 as the predominant Wnt receptor responsible for stem cell function in the stomach and intestine. Deleting this receptor makes gastric cells unable to divide and grow, providing a potential new therapeutic route for gastric cancers.

SourceCardiff University·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 29, 2019

Investigators study effect of switching insulin medications

Researchers found a small increase of 0.14 percent in hemoglobin A1c levels after switching from analogue to human insulin, which falls within expected biological variation. The switch was not associated with serious hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events and improved economic outcomes for patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateJan 29, 2019

Columbia engineers translate brain signals directly into speech

Researchers create system that can reconstruct words a person hears with unprecedented clarity using speech synthesizers and artificial intelligence. The breakthrough could help people who cannot speak, such as those living with ALS or recovering from stroke, regain their ability to communicate with the outside world.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 29, 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.

Study: Collaborative video games could increase office productivity

A recent study found that team video gaming increased effectiveness of newly-formed teams by 20% after just 45 minutes. Researchers played Rock Band or Halo 4 with coworkers, who saw a significant increase in actual performance on subsequent tasks.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction·DateJan 29, 2019

Scientists identify a new 'watchdog' that controls intestinal bacteria

A study by researchers at the CNIC reveals a new mechanism in intestinal bacteria regulation that prevents inflammation and promotes mutual benefit. The findings suggest that certain bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, strengthen the intestinal barrier through interaction with receptor Mincle.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalImmunity·DateJan 29, 2019

Research sheds light on body clock and links to mental health and disease

A large-scale genomic analysis reveals the inner workings of the body clock and its link to mental health and disease. Being genetically programmed to rise early may lead to greater well-being and a lower risk of schizophrenia and depression, while morning people are found to have lower risk

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 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.

'More unites us than divides us' say researchers

A recent study suggests that people from diverse backgrounds share more in common than previously thought, challenging divisive narratives. The research highlights the importance of highlighting similarities over differences to promote social cohesion.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 29, 2019

R-E-S-P-E-C-T? LGBT views on police legitimacy and authority

A new study by Florida Atlantic University explores LGBT perceptions of police legitimacy and authority, finding that procedural justice and legitimacy are positively related. However, lesbian women reported lower levels of legitimacy compared to other groups due to compound minority stress from sexism and homophobia. The study adds em...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·DateJan 29, 2019

Many suffering children in Somaliland need surgery, but most of those needs go unmet

A Baylor University study highlights the need for expanding access to surgery for children with conditions that can be corrected through surgery. The research found that nearly 250,000 children in Somaliland are unable to access necessary treatment due to lack of access to healthcare and financial constraints.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJan 29, 2019