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Science News Archive July 2019


Page 14 of 41

Testing corneal cell quality? Apply physics

Researchers in Kyoto have developed a 'quantitative biomarker' to assess the quality of corneal cells, allowing for prediction of their long-term efficacy through simple observation. This breakthrough has potential applications in preemptive medicine, enabling clinicians to intervene before severe symptoms appear.

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.

Multidrug-resistant malaria spreading in Asia

A study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals that a multidrug-resistant malaria strain has spread aggressively across Southeast Asia, replacing local parasite populations in Vietnam, Laos, and northeastern Thailand. The resistant strain has picked up additional genetic changes, enhancing its resistance to treatment.

Teacher incentive programs can improve student achievement

A hybrid teacher incentive program that combines mentorship, coaching, and performance-based compensation improved student test scores in math and social studies, but not in English and science. The program's benefits exceeded its costs, with estimated potential earnings of $945,000 per school year for math

Understanding the drivers of a shift to sustainable diets

Researchers identified social norms and self-efficacy as the primary drivers of population-wide dietary shifts towards sustainable diets. The study found that these factors, particularly in young populations and among females, play a crucial role in shaping behavior influencing diet changes.

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.

Drilling deeper

A new study reveals Americans are drilling deeper than ever to access freshwater, but this trend is not a long-term solution to groundwater depletion. Deeper well drilling can be expensive and requires more energy, and it may not address the root cause of water scarcity.

The role of racial discrimination in alcohol abuse

A University of Houston researcher is studying the impact of racial discrimination on moderate-to-heavy drinking adult Latinxs, revealing higher rates of anxiety and excessive drinking. The study aims to raise awareness about sociocultural experiences that increase risk for addiction.

Development of cortical thickness in infants

Researchers studied cortical thickness in 43 infants over two years, finding it increases rapidly until 14 months. Each developmental region of thickness was functionally important, with some continuing to thicken beyond 2 years.

Solving the salt problem for seismic imaging

Researchers at KAUST have developed a computational method to model large accumulations of subsurface salt, a challenging material to derive accurately from seismic imaging data. This technique allows for the efficient extraction of oil and gas by pinpointing fossil fuel reservoirs with greater accuracy.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Canned laughter works, finds UCL-led study of 'dad jokes'

A UCL-led study found that adding canned laughter to jokes increases their perceived funniness, while real laughter has a more significant effect. The research also discovered that autistic adults respond equally well to both types of laughter, suggesting comedy may be more accessible to individuals with autism.

Laugh tracks make 'dad jokes' funnier

New evidence suggests that laugh tracks increase the perceived funniness of corny 'dad jokes'. The study found that spontaneous laughter has a greater effect on humor ratings than posed laughter, and this effect holds true for both neurotypical and autistic individuals.

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.

A torque on conventional magnetic wisdom

Researchers observe anomalous spin-orbit torque in ferromagnetic films without spin-orbit coupling, indicating a new competition between spin alignment and magnetization. This finding has implications for energy-efficient magnetic-memory technology.

Study finds Nunavik Inuit are genetically unique

A new study has found that the Nunavik Inuit population in Canada's Arctic have a distinct genetic profile, which may predispose them to brain aneurysms. Researchers analyzed the genetic characteristics of 170 Inuit volunteers and identified unique variants correlated with a higher risk of this condition.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Social isolation and gene expression

Short periods of social isolation can lead to significant changes in neuronal remodeling and gene expression in forebrain regions involved in higher-order cognition. These neurogenomic changes may influence brain health and the processing and perception of experience.

Parasitic plants use stolen genes to make them better parasites

Dodder parasitic plants have stolen over 100 functional genes from their host plants, contributing to their ability to latch onto and steal nutrients. The transferred genes also produce small segments of RNA that may act as weapons to silence host defense genes.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Racial disparities in fatal police shootings

A comprehensive database of over 900 fatal police shootings reveals that White officers are not more likely to fatally shoot minority civilians. The study found that increasing racial diversity among police officers may not reduce disparities in fatalities.

College spending habits may predict when 'adulting' starts

A study found that fourth-year college students with good financial habits were more likely to see themselves as adults five years after graduating. Financial behaviors during this period continued to have a positive impact on emerging adults' adult identity formation, including lower symptoms of depression and higher relationship sati...

NIST physicists create record-setting quantum motion

Physicists at NIST developed a method to control ion motion and display exact quantities of quantum-level motion, up to 100 packets of energy. The technique enabled the creation of superpositions, allowing for more precise measurements and characterizing frequency.

ASHG honors Rick Guidotti with ASHG Advocacy Award

Rick Guidotti, founder of POSITIVE EXPOSURE, receives ASHG Advocacy Award for his innovative use of visual arts to celebrate human diversity. He has promoted genetics awareness, funding for biomedical research, and integrating genetics into health systems.

Air pollution and childhood asthma

A study found that reducing nitrogen dioxide levels can lower childhood asthma incidence rates by up to 27.6%. The analysis estimated benefits of fine particulate matter reduction were smaller but still significant, suggesting stricter air quality standards could lead to public health gains.

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.

The early days of the Milky Way revealed

A study led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias reveals the early days of the Milky Way's formation, identifying two distinct stellar components that merged to create our galaxy. The research uses accurate stellar ages and Gaia space telescope data to uncover the birth of the Milky Way with unprecedented detail.

ASHG honors Charles Rotimi & Sarah Tishkoff with 2019 Curt Stern Award

Charles Rotimi and Sarah Tishkoff received the 2019 Curt Stern Award for their pioneering work on African genetics, genomics, and global health. Their research has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic diseases, genetic diversity, and health disparities in African populations.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Adolescents who skip breakfast may develop obesity

Adolescents who skip breakfast tend to have higher waist circumference and body mass index, indicating an increased risk of weight gain. The study suggests that skipping breakfast can contribute to unhealthy habits and behaviors, potentially making adolescents more vulnerable to obesity.

Learning to look

Researchers developed an algorithm that can identify a certain type of bacterial viruses called inoviruses, significantly expanding their known diversity. The tool was trained on a reference dataset and combed through over 70,000 microbial and metagenome datasets, ultimately identifying more than 10,000 inovirus-like sequences.

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.

How fat prawns can save lives

Research by UC Berkeley scientists shows that raising prawns in aquaculture systems can minimize tradeoffs between profit and disease reduction. Prawns feed on snails that transmit the parasite, reducing its burden to nearly zero after 10 years.

Social isolation stresses rodents

A new study found that social isolation in mice and rats causes higher stress and anxiety levels, leading to more severe seizures in epileptic rodents. This highlights the importance of housing conditions in experimental design and data analysis.

Lots of lead in the water? Maybe manganese is to blame

Researchers found that manganese can increase the rate of conversion from lead carbonate to lead dioxide by two orders of magnitude. This process can occur when chlorine disinfectants are used in water treatment, and varying concentrations of manganese among public water systems may explain differences in lead dioxide presence.

Plasticizer interaction with the heart

A preclinical study examines the role of plastic exposure on heart rhythm disruptions and arrhythmias. Exposure to mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), a metabolite from Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), slows atrioventricular conduction and increases the atrioventricular node effective refractory period.

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.

More sensitive climates are more variable climates, research shows

Researchers found that sensitive climate models were more likely to experience short periods of cooling and display larger variations in warming over a decade. The study suggests that climate sensitivity plays a crucial role in understanding global warming trends and the potential for hyperwarming scenarios.

Living components

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a system to control the dynamics of energy-consuming DNA structures using an artificial chemical approach. The researchers successfully programmed these dynamic systems, enabling them to adapt to different situations and respond to stimuli faster.

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.

Encephalitis identified as rare toxicity of immunotherapy treatment

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigated a cancer patient's fatal encephalitis after immunotherapy treatment, revealing a rare viral infection trigger. The study found that a specific T cell population may play a major role in immune-related adverse events and anti-tumor responses.

ORNL scientists make fundamental discovery to creating better crops

Researchers at ORNL discovered a specific gene that facilitates the symbiotic relationship between plants and soil fungi, enabling crops to withstand harsh growing conditions, resist pathogens, and require less fertilizer. The breakthrough could lead to the development of bioenergy and food crops that can thrive on marginal lands.

ASHG honors Huda Zoghbi with Victor A. McKusick Leadership Award

Huda Zoghbi, MD, is recognized for her contributions to the field of human genetics, including discoveries of genes responsible for Rett syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, and other conditions. Her work has enriched the development of human genetics and its applications in science, medicine, and health.

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.

Hypothalamus pathway drives defense behaviors

Scientists have identified a previously unknown pathway connecting the hypothalamus and midbrain that drives defensive behaviors in mice. Further research on this pathway could increase understanding of anxiety disorders.

Strongman leaders make for weak economies, study finds

A study of dictators over 150 years shows they rarely promote strong economies and often weaken them. Autocratic leaders are found to have little influence in driving economic growth, but can significantly reduce it after taking power.

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.

UTSA reduces seizures by removing newborn neurons

Researchers at UTSA have successfully removed new neurons that developed after a brain injury to reduce seizures in mice. The study found a 65% reduction in seizures, but the effect was not permanent and may be due to underlying factors such as chronic inflammation or reactive astrocytes.

Are plant-based eating habits associated with lower diabetes risk?

This systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association between adherence to plant-based eating habits and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts was linked to lower diabetes risk in adults.

Airborne lidar system poised to improve accuracy of climate change models

Researchers developed a laser-based airborne lidar system that measures atmospheric gases with high accuracy and resolution, helping scientists better understand their impact on the climate. The new system can provide detailed gas profiles, overcoming limitations of existing methods and enabling more accurate climate predictions.

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.

Gut microbes may affect the course of ALS

A study published in Nature suggests that certain strains of gut microbes, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila, may slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice. The researchers found that supplementing ALS-prone mice with this strain significantly improved their survival and reduced disease symptoms.