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Science News Archive January 2019 - Page 6


Page 6 of 37

Long-term unemployment linked to increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome

Research from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found a significant association between long-term unemployment and higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Rural counties plagued by unemployment had significantly higher rates of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome compared to urban areas.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateJan 29, 2019

Study identifies biomedical potential of bivalves

A new study reveals the biomedical potential of bivalves as model organisms for medical research. Researchers identify promising avenues for treating diseases such as cancer and developing new pharmaceuticals, as well as improving bone growth and repair.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalDevelopmental & Comparative Immunology·DateJan 29, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Does the 'buddy system' approach to weight loss work?

A new study published in Marketing Science found that the 'buddy system' approach to weight loss can be effective, with top performers inspiring others to lose weight. However, individual results vary and depend on the impact of peer comparisons.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateJan 29, 2019

NIH scientists explore tick salivary glands as tool to study virus transmission, infection

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have discovered that flaviviruses reproduce in specific locations within tick salivary gland cultures. This finding could explain why virus transmission occurs so quickly, and may help identify transmission pathways that can be blocked with a countermeasure.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalmBio·DateJan 29, 2019

Scientists discover an immune 'clock' that controls infections and cardiovascular disease

Researchers at CNIC discovered a daily cycle that regulates neutrophil activation, protecting against infection but potentially causing damage to the cardiovascular system. The study suggests that manipulating this clock could lead to new treatments for patients at risk of cardiovascular events or infections.

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

Care following opioid overdoses in West Virginia falls short

A study suggests that only about 10 percent of people who had non-fatal opioid overdoses in West Virginia received treatment in the aftermath. This missed opportunity to prevent future fatal overdoses is particularly concerning given the state's high overdose death rate.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·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.

Doctors are prescribing opioids for shorter duration, lower doses in children

Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found opioid prescribing for pediatric patients declined in shorter treatment durations and lower doses between 2013 and 2017. The rate of prescribing remained consistent, however, with a bias towards females, ethnic minorities, and public insurance patients.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalPain Medicine·DateJan 29, 2019

Antireflection coating makes plastic invisible

A new process creates a graded index Teflon-air film that eliminates reflections, making transparent plastics nearly invisible. The technology has practical applications in solar panels, eyeglasses, and virtual/augmented-reality headsets.

SourcePenn State·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 29, 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.

Sleep, mood affect how 'in control' older adults feel

Researchers found that sleep, mood, and stress impact older adults' perceived competence and locus of control. Positive emotions and good sleep efficacy improve control beliefs, while negative affects and stressful events decrease them.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateJan 29, 2019

Opioid addiction effects on bones is subject of NIJ research grant

Researchers studying opioid addiction effects on bones are exploring how it impacts microscopic bone structures used to estimate age-at-death. Opioids upset the balance of bone remodeling towards more destruction and less formation of bone, leading to severely compromised age-at-death estimates.

SourceUniversity of Akron·DateJan 29, 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.

Do women with breast cancer have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation?

A new study published in HeartRhythm found that women with breast cancer have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation within three years following their cancer diagnosis compared to other women of the same age. The risk is higher for younger patients, with more than doubled incidence in those under sixty years old.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeartRhythm Case Reports·DateJan 29, 2019

Set of genes predicts severity of dengue, Stanford study reports

A Stanford study has identified a set of 20 genes that predict the severity of dengue fever, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment. The researchers used gene expression data from hundreds of patients to develop a predictive model that can identify patients at risk of severe disease.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 29, 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.

Movable microstructures from the printer

Scientists create new 3D printing process using stimulus-responsive polymers, enabling printed objects to change shape under external signals. The technology has potential applications in biology, biomedicine, and microfluidic systems.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Anemones are friends to fish

A study by University of Delaware researchers reveals that larger-bodied fish, like juveniles, associate with anemones for protection, while smaller species partner with them throughout their lives. This mutualistic relationship is driven by predation and helps fish avoid predators in ocean reefs.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 29, 2019

Cattle urine's planet-warming power can be curtailed with land restoration

A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that cattle urine releases more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, when spilled on degraded land compared to healthy pasture. Land restoration and conservation efforts can mitigate this impact by improving forage grasses, rotational grazing, and adding shrubs and trees.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 29, 2019

River levels tracked from space

Researchers at TUM developed a model to compute water level impacts on river sections by extreme weather events, enabling extrapolation of almost any location in the entire river system. Statistical methods linked satellite data from repetitive and SAR altimetry satellites.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateJan 29, 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.

China not 'walking the walk' on methane emissions

New research reveals China's coal mining regulations have not reduced methane emissions, despite a goal to remove or convert 5.6 million metric tons of methane from mines by 2015. Methane emissions instead rose by about 1.1 million metric tons per year between 2010 and 2015.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Study: Faster weight loss no better than slow weight loss for health benefits

A study published in the Journal of Obesity found that losing weight quickly versus slowly does not provide additional health benefits, with improvements in metabolic health being similar regardless of rate. The focus should be on achieving sustained weight loss at a safe pace of one to two pounds per week.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Obesity·DateJan 29, 2019

China's regulations unsuccessful in curbing methane emissions

A Johns Hopkins study shows China's regulations on gas releases from its coal mines have been ineffective in reducing methane emissions. Methane emissions rose by approximately 1.1 teragrams each year from 2010 to 2015, accounting for 11-24% of the world's total increase.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Communications·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.

Drug shows promise to treat diet-induced osteoarthritis

A drug derived from omega-3 fatty acids has been found to reduce osteoarthritis inflammation caused by a high-fat diet, according to researchers at Queensland University of Technology. The study also identified another effective treatment option, clodronate liposomes.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 29, 2019

Study examines barriers to exercise experienced by dialysis patients

A study examining barriers to exercise among dialysis patients reveals that fatigue and weakness are major obstacles. Patients would like to improve their energy, strength, and quality of life through exercise, with most preferring aerobic and resistance training at home.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 29, 2019

Streaming chill vibes? Spotify data says the season is the reason

A study from Cornell University analyzed 765 million Spotify streams to discover how music intensity varies by season, hemisphere, and chronotype. Researchers found that people in western cultures prefer more arousing music, while those in Asia prefer relaxing music.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 29, 2019

UBC research examines living well while dying

Researchers found that terminally ill cancer patients who have hope, positivity and family support can live well during advanced stages. The study identified a five-phase iterative process involving struggling, accepting, living with the illness, sharing the experience, and reconstructing life.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalQualitative Health Research·DateJan 29, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study finds alcohol, space, and time influence young people's sexual encounters

A study conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health found that alcohol use intersects with spatial dimensions, influencing young people's likelihood of using condoms. Young people prefer convenient spaces for sex after drinking, but may engage in 'rushed' sex due to cost constraints.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateJan 29, 2019

New findings about anti-malaria drug

A recent study has uncovered the molecular basis for artemisinins' effect on inhibitory neurotransmission, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological diseases. The research reveals that artemisinins target gephyrin, a protein involved in regulating inhibitory neurotransmission.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNeuron·DateJan 29, 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.

Newborn babies have inbuilt ability to pick out words, study finds

A study published in Developmental Science reveals that newborn babies are born with the ability to identify words in continuous speech. The researchers used Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to measure brain activity and discovered two mechanisms that enable infants to pick out individual words from a stream of sounds.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 29, 2019

Superconductors: Resistance is futile

Researchers have discovered that immobile charge carriers play a crucial role in superconductivity, acting as a 'glue' to pair mobile charge carriers and enable zero resistance. The study reveals the delicate balance between mobile and immobile charge carriers is key to understanding high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 29, 2019

Engineering a cancer-fighting virus

Researchers engineered a virus that selectively targets and kills cancer cells, surpassing another viral treatment currently in use. The modified adenovirus, dl355, replicates more efficiently in cancer cells than normal cells, resulting in higher cancer cell kill rates.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalOncology Reports·DateJan 29, 2019

National study compares options for treating fecal incontinence

A national study is comparing three FDA-approved treatments for fecal incontinence: biofeedback therapy, inert injectable compounds, and pacemaker stimulation. The five-year study aims to determine which treatment is most effective and safe for patients with moderate to severe fecal incontinence.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateJan 29, 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.

Earthquake in super slo-mo

A 2-month lasting ultra-slow earthquake occurred south of Istanbul, coinciding with moderate-sized seismicity at shallow depth. The study sheds light on the interaction between aseismic slow deformation and seismically released energy, enhancing regional seismic risk assessment for the densely populated city.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJan 29, 2019

Listeners get an idea of the personality of the speaker through his voice

A study by Cristina Baus and Albert Costa found that listeners across languages can quickly assess a speaker's personality based on their voice. The researchers discovered that people form rapid impressions based on two main dimensions: valence (trustworthiness, warmth) and strength (dominance, aggressiveness).

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 29, 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.

Earth's continental nurseries discovered beneath mountains

Researchers at Rice University found that arclogites, leftover dross from volcanic activity, are responsible for the missing niobium in continental crust. This discovery provides crucial information about how continents form and grow, shedding light on Earth's history and making it more livable.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Could artificial intelligence improve patient care in the NHS?

A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that machine learning can provide an equally accurate and reliable prognosis for patients with cardiovascular disease, compared to traditional methods. The use of genetic programming reduces bias and human error, allowing complex associations to be made transparent to clinicians.

SourceCardiff University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 29, 2019
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.

The inaugural issue of Ethics & Human Research, January -- February 2019

The inaugural issue of Ethics & Human Research explores new challenges in US human subjects research, including the impact of single-IRB mandates and genome editing. The journal also examines the need for local knowledge in multisite studies and highlights the difficulties countries face in adhering to international ethical standards w...

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalEthics & Human Research·DateJan 29, 2019

Protecting the field of dreams

University of Utah engineers create low-power sensors that can detect organic compounds emitted by corn plants when attacked by insects or weeds. These sensors will alert farmers to potential threats, potentially increasing crop yields and reducing damage to biomass production.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateJan 29, 2019

Research into outdoor and protective clothing seeks to shake off fluorochemicals

New research demonstrates effective alternatives to harmful fluorochemicals used in durable water repellents, providing excellent rain protection and long-term ecological benefits. The study shows that non-fluorinated alternatives are a viable option for all cases where stain repellency is not essential.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateJan 29, 2019

Plastic pollution causes mussels to lose grip

A new study found that microplastics reduce mussels' ability to attach themselves, potentially threatening their survival and the stability of ocean ecosystems. Mussels produce fewer byssal threads, which are essential for attachment, after exposure to non-biodegradable microplastics.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateJan 29, 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.

Giving high school students the tools to question classic literature

A new study suggests that teaching classic literature can be a tool for social justice, rather than just promoting cultural literacy. Iowa State University professor Jeanne Dyches found that when students were given the tools to critically examine and question classic texts, they became more aware of messages of power and oppression.

SourceIowa State University·JournalHarvard Educational Review·DateJan 29, 2019

Exploring the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline

A new study reveals an association between hearing loss and higher risk of subjective cognitive concerns, suggesting early stage changes in cognition. Men with mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss experienced a 30%, 42%, and 54% increased risk of cognitive decline compared to those with no hearing loss.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·DateJan 29, 2019

How black holes power plasma jets

Astronomers have discovered that particle escapees from black holes steal rotational energy through interactions with magnetic fields, resulting in high-speed plasma jets. The new simulations show two main mechanisms: the Blandford-Znajek process and a particle-boosting mechanism near the equator.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 29, 2019