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Science News for July 12, 2019


New technology improves atrial fibrillation detection after stroke

Researchers developed electrocardiomatrix technology that outperforms standard cardiac telemetry in detecting atrial fibrillation after a stroke. The technology converts ECG signals into a three-dimensional heatmap for rapid inspection of all collected heartbeats, minimizing false positives and negatives.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalStroke·DateJul 12, 2019

Dartmouth study examines association between care management and outcomes in Medicare ACOs

A new study from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice found that care management and coordination activities in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) were not associated with improved outcomes or lower spending for patients with complex medical and social needs. Researchers analyzed data from over 1....

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 12, 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.

Tightening the tumor-targeting abilities of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

Scientists have developed a novel nanoparticle formulation targeting PD-L1 with high specificity, allowing for improved infiltration of T cells into tumors and increased sensitivity to checkpoint blockade. This approach achieved an 80% mouse survival rate over 70 days, outperforming traditional antibody therapies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Immunology·DateJul 12, 2019

Targeting a key protein may keep ovarian cancer cells from spreading

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a potential therapeutic target for high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells by preventing a protein from doing its job. Inhibiting this protein led to a halt in cell division and may be an effective strategy for future therapies.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateJul 12, 2019

Seeking sustainable solutions for Nashville's organic wastes

The University of Tennessee has been awarded a grant to develop a more sustainable way to manage Nashville's organic wastes. The project aims to reduce methane emissions and create jobs in the local community by using anaerobic digestion technology.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateJul 12, 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.

School suspensions related to increases in subsequent offending

A new study reveals that school suspensions are not only ineffective but also increase subsequent offending behaviors, including assault, stealing, and selling drugs. The research found that exclusionary discipline amplifies deviant behavior among youth, leading to higher crime rates in schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateJul 12, 2019

Study finds association between air pollution, coronary atherosclerosis

A new study from the University at Buffalo found a significant association between long-term exposure to air pollution and the severity of coronary artery calcium, or plaque buildup in artery walls. The study suggests that China may need to revise its standard for nitrogen dioxide limits to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 12, 2019

Improving care quality for hospitalized socially at-risk patients

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing highlights the challenges faced by nurses in caring for hospitalized patients with social risk factors. The research suggests that prioritization of medical needs and lack of organizational supports can deter nurses from addressing social concerns, leading to unmet needs...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing·DateJul 12, 2019

Hear them roar: How humans and chickadees understand each other

A recent study by University of Alberta scientists found that both humans and black-capped chickadees can detect high-arousal vocalizations from other species. This ability suggests an innate capacity for understanding emotional states through sound, shared among vocal learners like humans and songbirds.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Comparative Psychology·DateJul 12, 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.

Sound mind: Detecting depression through voice

Computing scientists at the University of Alberta developed a methodology combining machine-learning algorithms to recognize depression using acoustic cues. The technology could lead to apps tracking mood indicators and providing support for individuals.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·DateJul 12, 2019

HIV: Reprogramming cells to control infection

Researchers at the Institut Pasteur successfully reprogrammed immune cells from individuals who naturally control HIV infection, granting them enhanced antiviral potency. This breakthrough could lead to novel treatments and potential cure options for those living with HIV, as previously described in a study published in Nature Metabolism.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJul 12, 2019

Shifts to renewable energy can drive up energy poverty, PSU study finds

A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.

SourcePortland State University·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateJul 12, 2019

#BeatEngland, beat sunburn

A new type of UV detection sticker has been shown to effectively remind people to reapply sunscreen during outdoor events. The study found that 80% of participants with the stickers reapplied sunscreen within a day, compared to 68% in the control group. The stickers were well-received by fans and may help reduce sunburn cases in Queens...

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJul 12, 2019

NASA finds an asymmetric Tropical Storm Barry

Tropical Storm Barry's irregular shape and strong thunderstorms were detected using NASA's Aqua satellite, with winds extending up to 175 miles east of the center. The storm is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 12, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Seeing greenery linked to less intense and frequent cravings

A new study published in Health & Place suggests that being able to see greenery from one's home is linked to lower frequencies and strengths of craving for alcohol, cigarettes, and harmful foods. Researchers found that access to a garden or allotment and residential views with over 25% greenspace were associated with reduced cravings.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalHealth & Place·DateJul 12, 2019

New study highlights advantages of living-donor liver transplant over deceased donor

A new study published in Annals of Surgery highlights the advantages of living-donor liver transplant over deceased donor transplants, including better three-year survival rates for patients and lower hospital costs. The findings suggest that living donation should be considered the first option for most patients with liver disease.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateJul 12, 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.

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis reduces hamstring autograft

A new surgical technique significantly reduces graft failure and persistent anterolateral rotatory laxity in young athletes after knee surgery. The study, presented at the American Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Society Annual Meeting, used a lateral extra-articular tenodesis to restore pivot control.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 12, 2019

Maintaining large-scale satellite constellations using logistics approach

Researchers propose inventory control method to efficiently swap out broken satellites, ensuring continuous global coverage. The 'warehouse strategy' utilizes lower-altitude parking orbits and batch launches to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets·DateJul 12, 2019

Europe: Syphilis notifications up by 70% since 2010

A study by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reveals a consistent rise in syphilis cases across Europe, mostly affecting men who have sex with men. The ECDC analysis highlights the need for public health control measures, including case finding, management, and educational activities to combat this trend.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·DateJul 12, 2019

Researchers reveal mechanisms for regulating temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition in alpine grasslands

A recent study found that lower microbial abundance and aggregate protection are coexisting mechanisms underlying lower Q10 in subsoil, while substrate quality and mineral protection play less role. Microbial communities regulate depth-associated variations in Q10 in the active carbon pool, whereas aggregate protection controls it in t...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 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.

Fewer than half of US adults exposed to court-ordered anti-smoking advertisements

A new study found that the tobacco industry's corrective statements reached only 40.6% of US adults and 50.5% of current smokers in 2018, highlighting the need for targeted advertising to reach key populations. The ads had lower exposure among certain ethnic and socioeconomic subgroups, including those with higher smoking rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 12, 2019

Researchers push for better policies around toxic chemicals

Researchers from Portland State University propose a new approach to managing toxic chemicals, shifting focus from risk mitigation to elimination. They recommend supporting diverse knowledge forms, increasing community involvement in policy design, and investing in alternative production methods.

SourcePortland State University·JournalBioScience·DateJul 12, 2019

Rise in early onset colorectal cancer not aligned with screening trends

A new study finds that trends in colonoscopy rates did not fully align with the rise in colorectal cancer incidence among younger adults, suggesting other factors may be driving the increase. Colorectal cancer incidence rates increased by 28% between 2000 and 2015, despite stable or increasing past-year colonoscopy rates.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·DateJul 12, 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.

An itch to scratch: NCATS, NIDCR scientists identify potential approach to chronic problem

Scientists at NCATS and NIDCR report a new strategy to alleviate chronic itch by blocking a receptor found on spinal cord neurons. They identified approximately 1,400 compounds worth examining more closely, with 15 showing promise in halting both human and mouse versions of the receptor.

SourceNIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 12, 2019

Is being born preterm, low-birth weight associated with adult social outcomes?

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies found an association between being born preterm or low birth weight and later social outcomes. Adults born preterm or low birth weight were more likely to have difficulties in romantic partnerships and friendships, as well as a reduced likelihood of becoming parents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 12, 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.

Which is the perfect quantum theory?

Researchers employed machine learning to analyze images of quantum systems and identify the most predictive theory. The study used artificial neural networks to distinguish between competing theories, selecting the one that best described observed phenomena in high-temperature superconductors.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 12, 2019
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.

How multicellular cyanobacteria transport molecules

Multicellular cyanobacteria have developed cell junctions that allow for the exchange of nutrients and messengers across cell boundaries. The channels are composed of a protein tube sealed with a plug at both ends, and have a five-armed protein structure similar to a camera aperture.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2019

Weyl fermions discovered in another class of materials

Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute successfully prove existence of Weyl fermions in a paramagnetic material with slow magnetic fluctuations, expanding possibilities for spintronics and future electronics. This discovery could lead to more efficient transportation of information, potentially revolutionizing computer technology.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 2019

The voice is key to making sense of the words in our brain

A study published in Journal of Memory and Language found that the voice carries indexical information that affects access to word meaning. Researchers determined that cognitive representations of words contain non-linguistic information about the speaker's voice, which influences mental lexicon development.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Memory and Language·DateJul 12, 2019

GlycoNet awards $500,000 to five research projects in Alberta

Five Alberta-based projects have received funding from GlycoNet's Alberta Partnership Program to advance research on various health issues. The projects aim to develop new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and inflammatory intestinal diseases.

SourceCanadian Glycomics Network·DateJul 12, 2019

Rice device channels heat into light

Researchers at Rice University have created a device that channels waste heat into light, enabling more efficient solar energy systems. The technology, which utilizes carbon nanotube films, aims to simplify the process of turning heat into electricity with high efficiency.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Photonics·DateJul 12, 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.

'The way you move': Body structure brings coordinated movement

Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that five-armed green brittle stars use a pumping movement pattern to coordinate their movements. A mathematical model suggests that internal fluid flow can achieve this coordination without neuronal activity.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 12, 2019

Automated system generates robotic parts for novel tasks

The system designs and 3-D prints complex robotic parts called actuators that are optimized according to an enormous number of specifications. It demonstrates the ability to fabricate actuators showing different images at different angles, such as Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch portraits.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 2019

Examining cognitive, motor development of children exposed prenatally to opioids

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 studies found that prenatal opioid exposure is associated with delayed cognitive and motor development in children. The study suggests that early prenatal exposure to opioids may have long-term consequences for child development, highlighting the need for further research into this area.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 12, 2019

Thwack! Insects feel chronic pain after injury

Researchers have discovered genetic evidence of chronic pain in Drosophila fruit flies, which may lead to new treatments targeting the underlying cause. The study found that an injury can lead to long-lasting hypersensitivity to normally non-painful stimuli, similar to human patients' experiences with neuropathic pain.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 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.

Marathon-running molecule could speed up the race for new neurological treatments

Scientists at the University of Warwick have discovered a new process that activates the fastest molecular motor in neurons, paving the way for new treatments. The research focuses on KIF1C, a tiny protein-based molecular motor that converts chemical energy into mechanical energy to transport cargoes along microtubule tracks.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2019

Elegant antibody nanoparticles override immunological tolerance of tumors

Scientists developed a tumor-activatable antibody nanoparticle to overcome immunological tolerance in tumors. The nanoparticle releases PD-L1, triggering tumor antigen release and CTL infiltration, leading to efficient antitumor immunity and long-term immune memory effects.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Immunology·DateJul 12, 2019

Rush unveils quality composite rank

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have developed a new composite ranking system that aggregates data from five leading hospital rating systems into a single score. This system aims to provide consumers with a clear and easily understandable measure of hospital quality, helping them make informed decisions about their care.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Quality·DateJul 12, 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.

Two GW researchers receive prestigious presidential award

Chunlei Liang and Volker J. Sorger are awarded PECASE for their outstanding research in fluid dynamics and photonic integrated devices. Their work has the potential to revolutionize software that predicts space weather and develop faster information processing systems.

SourceGeorge Washington University·DateJul 12, 2019