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Science News Archive July 2019


Page 4 of 41

Antenatal screening for kidney problems in early childhood

A large cohort study found that babies with persistent fluid-filled areas in their kidneys during gestation are at higher risk of urinary tract problems and hospital admissions in early childhood. The study used data from over 21,000 children and showed a strong link between renal pelvis dilatation and increased risk of hospital admiss...

Researchers enrich silver chemistry

The research team derived precise values of enthalpy and entropy of numerous silver compounds, enabling predictions of chemical processes in the gas phase. The findings will help manage thin film and pure sample deposition from the gas phase.

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.

Expanding the palette

A team of UC Santa Barbara researchers have discovered a new phase in block copolymers, expanding the range of possible options for material design. The newly found phase, known as A15, belongs to a class of tetrahedrally close-packed structures and has been observed in both metal and polymer materials.

Soft wearable health monitor uses stretchable electronics

The soft and conformable monitor can broadcast ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, and motion activity data up to 15 meters. It avoids signal issues created by traditional metal-gel electrodes, providing accurate signals even during movement.

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.

Electric car research boosted by cobalt-free battery

Researchers at UT Austin aim to develop a lithium-ion battery that requires no cobalt while maintaining high energy density. A $3 million collaborative project funded by the US Department of Energy seeks to demonstrate low-cobalt battery technology in large cells and create a cobalt-free battery.

CHOP research team redefines the footprint of viral vector gene therapy

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have developed a new AAV vector screening method that captures the full range of gene expression patterns caused by AAV vectors. This innovative technique is expected to significantly advance the field of gene therapy by providing a more sensitive approach to detecting gene transfer sites.

PE fitness tests have little positive impact for students

A new study reveals that school fitness tests have little association with students' enjoyment of PE and emotions towards the subject. Despite polarized views, research suggests that fitness testing is not effective in promoting a positive outlook or discouraging participation.

Beyond the bottom line: Investors favour companies that give back

A new study found that when public interest in CSR is high, investors place a premium on companies involved in CSR activities, perceiving greater value despite fundamentals. Companies respond by upping their CSR efforts to boost stock market performance, especially for firms with transient investors and higher share turnover.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New material could make it easier to remove colon polyps

Researchers at MIT have developed a new gel-like material that can create a stable cushion for more than an hour, reducing the risk of tearing the colon lining during polyp removal. This innovation could greatly improve the safety and effectiveness of colonoscopies.

NASA finds Flossie's center just north of coldest cloud tops

NASA's Aqua satellite detected coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms capable of heavy rain. The storm's center has migrated southward toward the strongest convection, positioning just north of the coldest cloud tops.

A first bad apple spoils the bunch

A new study by Cass Business School academic Dr Janina Steinmetz confirms that people tend to judge entire groups based on the performance of their first member. The research found that a bad experience at the 'first' register or position leads to harsher judgments about the group, while a good experience results in greater positivity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Tickle' therapy could help slow aging

A new study at the University of Leeds suggests that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) may help slow down an important effect associated with ageing. The therapy, which delivers a small electrical current to the ear, has been shown to improve physiological and wellbeing outcomes in over-55s.

Learning in virtual spaces

Researchers at the University of Würzburg are developing a social-VR platform called ViLeArn to explore the potential of virtual reality in education. The platform allows students to engage in fully equipped virtual teaching environments, fostering collaboration and creativity.

Pre-eclampsia increases risk of end stage kidney disease, study finds

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that women who developed pre-eclampsia during pregnancy were nearly five times more likely to develop end stage kidney disease (ESKD) than those who did not. The study analyzed data from over 1 million healthy women and revealed a significant association between pre-eclampsia and ESKD risk.

Marital infidelity and professional misconduct linked, study shows

A study from the University of Texas at Austin found a strong correlation between marital infidelity and professional misconduct. Researchers analyzed data from police officers, financial advisers, and CEOs to discover that individuals who cheated on their spouses were more likely to engage in corporate misconduct.

Researchers repair faulty brain circuits using nanotechnology

Researchers have identified a specific role for astrocyte proteins in directing neural connections, using nanoparticles to deliver corrective proteins to replace missing proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. The study offers new hope for regrowing and repairing damaged brain networks.

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.

NHS 'health checks' reduce cardiovascular disease risk, new study finds

Attending NHS health checks is associated with increased risk management interventions and decreased risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Health check participants had lower baseline BMI, blood pressure, and fewer smokers, and were more likely to receive weight management and smoking cessation advice.

Skin in balance: Joint forces of polarity and cell mechanics

Researchers discovered that Par3 regulates contractility of keratinocytes, essential for accurate cell division and preventing DNA damage. The findings suggest that Par3 plays a key role in maintaining skin self-renewal capacity, with dysfunction linked to premature aging and skin cancer.

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.

Boosting the anti-inflammatory action of the immune system

Researchers have identified a molecule called Gas6 that induces macrophages to clean up cellular debris and reduce inflammation. Boosting Gas6 levels in macrophages has been shown to resolve inflammation in mouse models of acute lung injury, holding promise for treating diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Solar panels cast shade on agriculture in a good way

Agrivoltaics combines solar panels and agriculture to create a more efficient and sustainable system. This practice reduces evaporation of irrigation waters in summer and increases photosynthesis, leading to improved crop growth and reduced water usage.

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.

BU researchers predict global energy needs will increase 25% by 2050

Researchers warn that a modest warming of the climate could lead to a significant increase in global energy demands, with potential implications for greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that understanding this interaction is crucial to developing effective solutions to mitigate climate change.

Freezing cells made safer thanks to new polymer made at University of Warwick

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new polymeric cryoprotectant that protects cells during freezing, leading to more cells being recovered and less solvent-based antifreeze being required. The material was shown to be very potent in protecting cell monolayers, which is crucial for biomedical research.

Researchers build artificial cells that sense and respond to their environment

Artificial cells have been created by Imperial College London scientists that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond with drug molecules or harm removal. This breakthrough uses a simpler approach to mimic complex biological responses, making it easier to engineer artificial cells for various biotechnological applications.

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.

Blocking dopamine weakens effects of cocaine

Researchers blocked dopamine receptors in rats to reduce cocaine-seeking behavior, with varying longevity. The study reveals the unique roles of the basolateral and central amygdala in cocaine reward behaviors.

Study reveals how bacteria beat immune systems

A new study by University of Exeter researchers shows that pathogens can evolve to become more virulent without increasing their rate of replication. This suggests that manipulating host immune systems may play a role in generating symptoms necessary for transmission.

New, portable tech sniffs out plant disease in the field

Researchers at NC State University have developed a portable technology that can identify plant diseases in the field by analyzing airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The device, which can be plugged into a smartphone, works by measuring the type and concentration of VOCs released by plants to determine if they are diseased.

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.

Repurposed potential drug for MRSA

Researchers have identified a repurposed compound, bithionol, with selective membrane-targeting properties that effectively kill MRSA persister cells without harming mammalian cell membranes. This breakthrough suggests potential therapeutic applications for bithionol in treating recalcitrant MRSA persister-caused infections.

Dragon heart

The study provides insight into how the Komodo dragon's DNA encodes its astounding characteristics, including its ability to detect prey from far away. The team discovered changes in genes that increase the lizard's aerobic capacity, allowing it to achieve near-mammalian metabolism.

'Deforming' solar cells could be clue to improved efficiency

Researchers from the University of Warwick have discovered that deformations and defects in solar cell structures can prevent photo-excited carriers from recombining, leading to enhanced conversion efficiency. This finding has potential applications in improving UV light sensor sensitivity and increasing solar cell efficiency.

Laboratory study paves way for new approach to treating hair loss in humans

Researchers at Yokohama National University developed an efficient method to generate hair growth in nude mice using a three-dimensional tissue culture called hair follicle germ. The new approach produces a high rate of hair generation and shows promise for clinical applications in human hair regenerative therapy.

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.

Fish reveal limb-regeneration secrets

Scientists studied how garfish regrow fins and found genes and mechanisms responsible for this process. These findings suggest that the last common ancestor of fish and tetrapods had a specialized response for appendage regeneration.

Whole-tree harvesting could boost biomass production

New research challenges long-held assumptions about whole-tree harvesting, finding it does not deplete soil and lead to weaker forest ecosystems. The study demonstrates that residue removal has few effects on forest ecology in managed stands, making biomass energy from whole trees a more sustainable option.

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.

New software brings lower-resolution cryo-EM maps into focus

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new software called Emap2sec that can identify secondary structures in proteins from lower-resolution cryo-EM maps. This technique has the potential to speed up protein structure analysis and improve accuracy, enabling researchers to develop more effective drugs for various diseases.

Induced seismicity and fluid injection

Researchers developed a model forecasting earthquake hazards in Oklahoma due to fluid injection, highlighting the importance of pore pressure diffusion and poroelastic stresses. The study found that mandatory reduction in injection volumes substantially reduced earthquake probability in western Oklahoma but not central Oklahoma.

Simultaneous infection by 2 viruses the key to studying rare lymphoma

Researchers have successfully created stable, cancer-like cells in the lab by simultaneously infecting white blood cells with two viruses, Epstein-Barr Virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for understanding the progression of this rare blood cancer and developing treatments.

Microneedle patch for vaccine delivery

Researchers developed an implantable microneedle skin patch containing an HIV subunit vaccine, which led to sustained intradermal vaccine release and improved antibody responses in mice. The study suggests that microneedle patches may enhance vaccine effectiveness.

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.

Predicting earthquake hazards from wastewater injection

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to predict seismic activity from wastewater disposal, which can help the energy industry manage injection-caused earthquakes and reduce risks. The team's physics-based framework successfully reproduces the distribution of actual earthquakes by frequency, magnitude, and time.

Interventions aimed at parents and kids boost safe sex practices

A new meta-analysis of 31 studies found that parent-based interventions increase condom use among adolescents and have specific features that enhance their effectiveness. These include targeting younger adolescents, culturally specific programs, equal involvement of parents and teens, and longer program durations.

DIY balloon pump takes microfluidics to the people

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a simple pressure pump made from balloons and nylon stockings that can be used to test water contaminants and blood samples. The low-cost device has been tested in various experiments, including detecting aquatic parasites and cancer cells.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

DOE gives 'green light' to upgrade Argonne's advanced photon source

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the next phase of the $815M upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source, a premier national research facility that will enable scientists to see things at a scale they have never seen before with storage-ring X-rays. The upgrade positions the APS to be a global leader among the new generation of sto...