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Science News Archive July 2019


Page 20 of 41

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.

Plant viruses may be reshaping our world

Recent advances suggest that plant viruses are not just disease-causing entities, but can also play a significant role in the functioning of diverse ecosystems. Viruses have been found to be present in humans, with around 100,000 pieces of viral DNA elements making up 8% of our genome.

How puffins catch food outside the breeding season

A study published in Journal of Avian Biology reveals that puffins, guillemots, and razorbills dive to varying depths during the non-breeding period. Contrary to expectations, puffins dive less deeply than closely related species, suggesting they catch different prey.

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.

Machine learning platform guides pancreatic cyst management in patients

Researchers created a comprehensive test using machine learning algorithms to better guide patient management for pancreatic cysts, a precursor of pancreatic cancer. The test, called CompCyst, outperformed the current standard-of-care in an international study, avoiding surgery in 60% of patients who underwent unnecessary removal.

Body and mind need care in mental illness

A new study by University of Queensland researchers found that patients' physical health is often overlooked in pursuit of treating mental illness. Conditions like diabetes serve as a stark example, with rates twice as high in those with mental illness compared to the general population.

Toward a better battery

Sodium-ion batteries have shorter lifetimes than lithium-based batteries due to the unintended presence of hydrogen. Hydrogen leads to degradation of the battery electrode. The study reveals that measures can be taken during fabrication and encapsulation to suppress incorporation of hydrogen, leading to better performance.

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.

Researchers put a new spin on molecular oxygen

A multinational team successfully alters oxygen atoms' charge states and achieves reversible conversion to molecular oxygen using Kelvin probe force spectroscopy. The researchers found that controlled bonding between adjacent oxygen atoms can be induced remotely via surface polarons.

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.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Historian unearths solid evidence for the Armenian Genocide

A leading Turkish historian has analyzed signature analysis on letters from the Ottoman Archives, confirming Bahaettin Shakir's involvement in the genocide. Documents show initial decisions to exterminate Armenians were made by provincial governors in 1914.

Harvesting energy from the human knee

Researchers developed an energy harvester attached to the wearer's knee that generates 1.6 microwatts of power while walking without increased effort. The device captures biomechanical energy through natural human motion, offering a potential solution for self-powered wearable devices.

Ants that defend plants receive sugar and protein

Researchers found that ants receiving protein from herbivorous arthropods increase their aggression in environments with scarce food supply. This discovery challenges the idea that only carbohydrates are offered by plants to protectants.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The loss of biodiversity comes at a price

Researchers estimated financial losses of €209,619 to €322,733 due to Doñana National Park fire impacting Iberian lynx habitat, and €634 to €3,258 for Segura fire. A tool will be created to assess forest fires' impact on biodiversity, leisure, and tourism.

HIV vaccine nears clinical trial following new findings

A weakened form of a CMV-based vaccine has been shown to provide similar protection against SIV in 59% of vaccinated rhesus macaques, with long-lasting immunity observed. The vaccine's attenuated version is key for human testing due to safety concerns.

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.

Staging β-amyloid pathology with amyloid positron emission tomography

A new study uses amyloid positron emission tomography to track β-amyloid cerebrospinal fluid and monitor Alzheimer's disease progression over six years. The researchers found a significant correlation between β-amyloid levels and cognitive decline, providing valuable insights into the disease's progression.

Shaky scaffold changes lung infrastructure

Lung scarring can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and life-threatening complications. Researchers found increased MMP activity in lung tissue affected by Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, suggesting a new link for diagnosis and treatment.

Should obesity be recognized as a disease?

Obesity experts argue that it should be recognized as a chronic disease due to its strong biological influence and severe complications. They believe this approach can help reduce stigma and discrimination, but critics caution that labeling obesity as a disease may not lead to better outcomes for individuals or society.

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.

A graphene superconductor that plays more than one tune

Researchers developed a graphene device that can switch between superconducting and insulating states, allowing for the study of exotic quantum physics. The device, made of three atomically thin layers of graphene, exhibits unique properties such as high-temperature superconductivity and Mott insulator behavior.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A new spin on DNA

The team, led by Xiaowei Zhuang, captured the first recorded rotational steps of a molecular motor as it moved from one DNA base pair to another. They used DNA origami to build molecule-sized propellers that allowed them to visualize the motor's movement.

IceCube: Antarctic neutrino detector to get $37 million upgrade

The IceCube neutrino detector is receiving a $37 million upgrade to expand its scientific capabilities. The new strings will enable more precise studies of neutrino oscillation properties and better characterization of the ice around detectors, helping to reveal additional sources of high-energy neutrinos.

The physiology of survival

Bacteria do not die randomly in hunger phases; their neighbors play a crucial role. The team identified two key factors: basic energy consumption and biomass recycling efficiency. Changes to these factors affect the mortality rate, which can arise from genetic or ecological perturbations.

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.

A new material for the battery of the future, made in UCLouvain

Researchers from UCLouvain have discovered a new material, LiTi2(PS4)3 or LTPS, which shows the highest lithium diffusion coefficient ever measured in a solid. This discovery is an important step towards developing all-solid-state batteries with improved performance.

Crystalline 'artificial muscle' makes paper doll do sit-ups

Researchers created a 'polyCOF' material by adding polyethylene glycol to an existing COF structure, enabling the formation of flexible membranes. The resulting material allows for the creation of a paper doll with an artificial muscle that can perform sit-ups by expanding and contracting in response to ethanol vapors.

First ever state sepsis regulation in US tied to lower death rates

A study led by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that implementing a state-mandated sepsis regulation in New York resulted in a significant drop in death rates from sepsis, with a 4.3% decrease compared to control states. The policy requires hospitals to quickly implement certain protocols when sepsis is suspected.

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.

'Ohi'a Challenge winner announced at Hawai'i Conservation Conference

Dr. Ryan Perroy's solution uses high-resolution cameras and sensors to improve early detection of Rapid 'Ohi'a Death across forests, giving managers precious time to respond to outbreaks. The innovative approach also involves collecting samples from suspect trees using drones for laboratory analysis.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Limitation exposed in promising quantum computing material

Researchers at the University of Utah discovered that as the insulating layers of a topological insulator get thinner, its metallic surfaces start influencing each other and losing their conductivity. The study found that this phenomenon occurs at an insulating layer thickness of around 16 quintuple atomic layers across.

Backed in black: How to get people to buy more produce

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that presenting vegetables on a black background makes them more attractive to consumers. This is because the color black is associated with high quality and expensiveness, as seen in previous studies on computing products.

Researchers ID mechanism that may drive obesity epidemic

Researchers identified a molecular mechanism that may be contributing to the global obesity epidemic. The study found that a protein called RAGE on the surface of fat cells can block fat burning when stressed, leading to weight gain. Removing RAGE from fat cells reduced weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet.

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.

BU researcher receives NIH grant to study Down syndrome

Boston University School of Medicine researcher Tarik F. Haydar received a $453,750 NIH grant to develop human stem cell-derived cultures for studying white matter abnormality in Down syndrome. He aims to understand how neural stem cells generate the cerebral cortex.

Research shows black plastics could create renewable energy

Researchers at Swansea University have developed a method to recycle black plastics into carbon nanotubes for use in high-value materials like conductive films and flexible electronics fabrics. This process could reduce plastic waste and help solve the problem of lost electricity during transmission and distribution.

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.

$4.6 million award creates program to train cybersecurity professionals

The University of Arkansas has received a $4.6 million award to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The program will provide education and job training for students, focusing on critical industries such as transportation and energy, and addressing a national shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts.