Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive July 2019


Page 5 of 41

Lung cell patches its own DNA on the fly to survive influenza

Scientists discovered that club lung cells can repair damaged DNA and survive influenza infection, but this resilience may also contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The findings suggest a double-edged sword in the battle between cells and viruses.

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.

Increasing value of ivory poses major threat to elephant populations

The global price of ivory has increased tenfold since the 1989 CITES ban, leading to higher poaching incentives and greater numbers of elephants being killed. This study provides new insights into the factors driving increases in ivory prices, shedding light on how conservation efforts can be improved.

Cultural integration and immigrant discrimination

Researchers found significant discrimination against Muslim women, but it decreased when they signaled respect for social norms. A shared understanding of norms can improve cooperation between natives and immigrants.

Scientists film molecular rotation

Researchers at DESY used precisely tuned laser light to capture the ultrafast rotation of carbonyl sulphide molecules, revealing the intricate dance of quantum mechanics. The resulting 'molecular movie' provides new insights into molecular dynamics and has potential applications for studying other molecules and processes.

Groundwater records of regional water cycle

Researchers used krypton-81 to trace groundwater origins, finding two sources: one from the Mediterranean (38,000 years ago) and another from the Atlantic Ocean (361,000 years ago). The results demonstrate how old groundwater can serve as a proxy of paleoclimate and subsurface water storage.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Seeking new physics, scientists borrow from social networks

MIT physicists develop technique to analyze open data from particle colliders, creating a geometric map of events based on degree of similarity, allowing them to quickly spot potential new physics. The researchers use an algorithm inspired by computer vision techniques to calculate the distance between point clouds in collision data.

Supposed disorder is not disorder after all

A team of researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum has shown that the supposed disorder in the HMGA1a protein is not disorder after all. The protein adopts dynamic, more compact structures that depend on its phosphorylation state. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancers caused by HMGA1a.

Diagnostics by microfluidic concentration

Researchers developed a microfluidic concentration method that selectively concentrates proteins and nucleic acids, enabling rapid detection of pathogens and biomarkers. This technique enhanced concentrations by up to a billion-fold within 30 minutes.

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.

Researchers recreate the sun's solar wind and plasma 'burps' on Earth

Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully recreated the sun's solar wind and 'plasma burps' in a laboratory setting, confirming their development and providing an Earth-bound model for future study. The experiment used a three-meter-wide hollow sphere to mimic the sun's plasma and electromagnetic fields.

Key gene behind hallmark of Lou Gehrig's disease identified

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have pinpointed the RPS25 gene as a key player in the formation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) protein aggregates. Inhibiting this gene's function reduced toxic protein levels by 50 percent, suggesting a potential target for treating ALS and extending lifespan.

Electricity quality in sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers studied electricity quality in Unguja, Tanzania, finding significant variations in voltage quality that cause lights to be dim and appliances to break. These findings suggest that low-income residents do not benefit from modern energy services despite being connected to the grid.

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.

Hospitals key in the spread of extremely drug-resistant bacteria in Europe

Researchers have found that hospitals are a significant source of extremely drug-resistant bacteria in Europe, with certain strains spreading rapidly and outcompeting more easily treatable bacteria. The study emphasizes the importance of infection control and genomic surveillance to combat antibiotic resistance.

Transitioning to middle school

A study found that an intervention increasing sense of social belonging reduced disciplinary incidents, failing grades and absences by 34%, 18% and 12%, respectively among middle-school students.

Infants expect leaders to right wrongs, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois psychology professor Renée Baillargeon and graduate student Maayan Stavans found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to right wrongs in their social groups. In experiments with bear puppets, infants stared longer when a leader ignored wrongdoing than when she rectified it.

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.

Extraordinarily thick organic light-emitting diodes solve nagging issues

Scientists at Kyushu University created micrometer-thick OLEDs using a hybrid perovskite approach, overcoming manufacturing constraints and color distortion issues. The devices exhibit improved efficiencies and lifetimes, paving the way for low-cost, reliable, and uniform fabrication of OLED-based displays.

Discovery could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s, other brain diseases

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the alpha-synuclein protein's function in repairing DNA breaks, which may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals that alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in binding broken strands of DNA within the cell's nucleus.

Light may magnetise non-magnetic metals, propose physicists

Researchers from NTU Singapore and Niels Bohr Institute devise method to create magnetism in non-magnetic metallic disks using linearly polarised light. They found that intense plasmonic oscillating electric fields can modify the dynamics of electrons in the metal, leading to spontaneous magnetisation.

Two ORNL researchers receive presidential early career award

David Cullen and Kate Page, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, have received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their exceptional research accomplishments in fuel cell materials and nanoparticle properties, respectively.

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.

Deep brain stimulation modifies memory

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that stimulating the cingulate cortex worsened memory recall in epilepsy patients. However, deep brain stimulation also modified hippocampal brain waves and demonstrated a direct role for the cingulate cortex in memory encoding.

Refugee networks and economic integration

Researchers analyzed refugee registry data to discover that high-ethnolinguistic background populations increased employment rates. Refugees often worked with companies having similar backgrounds, suggesting network effects on economic integration.

Study considers sensory impacts of global climate change

Researchers investigate how climate change affects communication pathways in ocean, revealing broad patterns and intriguing outliers. The study provides a conceptual framework to guide future research on the impact of climate change on marine organisms' behavior.

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.

Space mining kits blast off for tests in orbit

The University of Edinburgh's space mining devices will be tested in orbit to study how microscopic organisms can recover minerals from space rocks. The experiment aims to develop ways to source essential materials for survival in space.

NASA's TESS mission scores 'hat trick' with 3 new worlds

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered three new planets orbiting a nearby star, including one slightly larger than Earth. The planets' sizes and masses are unique, with two potentially similar to Neptune in our solar system, offering insights into planetary formation and evolution.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study finds worrisome birth-control knowledge gaps

A new study found that many women who use condoms believe they are the most effective pregnancy prevention method, despite condoms being only 85% effective. IUDs were more accurately identified by users as the most effective method, and misconceptions about IUD and oral contraception use persist.

Cardiac device complications vary widely among hospitals

A study of 174 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand reveals that the rate of cardiac device complications varies significantly, with some hospitals reporting much lower complication rates than others. The study suggests that improving quality of care is crucial to reducing these complications.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NASA's new lightweight X-ray mirrors ready for try-outs in space

The new optics made of silicon material meet stringent imaging requirements, offering a two orders-of-magnitude leap in sensitivity over previous telescopes. The technology will be tested on a sounding rocket mission in 2021 and could benefit future missions if Lynx is not chosen.

Tired of waiting on a waiter?

New research shows that tabletop devices can improve restaurant service and customer satisfaction, increasing sales per minute by 11%. Tabletop technology allows customers to view menu items, re-order beverages, and pay for meals, reducing meal duration by 10% and boosting sales by 1% per check.

OUHSC receives $18.7M grant for biomedical research, workforce development

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has received a $18.7 million grant to expand biomedical research on complex diseases like cancer and diabetes. The grant aims to develop new medical devices and treatments while building a pipeline for the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA tropical storm Erick strengthening

Tropical Storm Erick is strengthening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Erick to become a hurricane by Tuesday, with a turn towards the west-northwest expected.

Oddball edge wins nanotube faceoff

The Rice team found that the Janus configuration, with a half-circle of zigzags opposite six armchairs, allows for tight contact with solid catalysts and preserves continuous nanotube growth. This discovery advances understanding of growth mechanisms and has implications for designing efficient catalysts.

Origin of life: The importance of interfaces

A team of researchers found that tiny gas-filled bubbles in volcanic rocks can facilitate physicochemical interactions, potentially accelerating prebiotic chemical evolution. The study suggests that temperature differences at these interfaces could have initiated the emergence of living systems on early Earth.

Continuing the Apollo legacy

Scientists have recalculated the Moon's age to approximately 50 million years after solar system formation, based on hafnium-tungsten systematics from Apollo samples. This new estimate significantly differs from earlier research findings and sheds light on planetary evolution.

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.

Camera can watch moving objects around corners

The new camera system uses a high-powered laser to capture reflected light from objects around the corner, allowing for real-time monitoring of movement in 3D. This breakthrough enables faster and more accurate tracking of objects beyond visible light spectrum, with applications in autonomous cars and robots

Recovering color images from scattered light

Engineers at Duke University have developed a method to extract color images from a single exposure of scattered light. The technique uses a coded aperture and prism to separate spectral bands, allowing for the reconstruction of nuanced colors in images.

Travelling towards a quantum internet at light speed

Researchers successfully transferred and verified angular momentum basis of quantum information from laser light to an electron trapped on a quantum dot. This achievement marks a significant step towards realizing a quantum internet with secure and rapid quantum information transmission.

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.

New insights into how the brain works

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that removing inhibitory interneurons' ability to regulate excitatory neurons dramatically changed odor responses. The study highlights the need for better understanding cell type relationships in brain function.

Study shows power of refocusing student stress in middle school transition

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that proactively addressing students' anxieties with reassuring classroom activities can lead to higher grades, better attendance, and fewer behavioral problems. The intervention boosts students' sense of belonging and reduces fears about fitting in.

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.

Decoding the complex life of a simple parasite

The study provides key insight into the parasites' lifestyle, which is more complex than previously thought. Dicyemids eliminate genes to conserve energy and change their reproductive methods, highlighting their unique genetic organization.

Lymph nodes can predict survival in patients with esophageal cancer

Researchers from Osaka University found that lymph node responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy are more effective in predicting disease recurrence and patient survival than primary tumors. This finding could lead to improved treatment strategies and increased survival rates for patients with metastatic esophageal cancer.

Who dominates the discourse of the past?

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women and professionals outside of university settings are underrepresented in high-impact, peer-reviewed archaeology publications. The authors suggest that structural barriers, lack of time and resources, and limited opportunities contribute to this disparity.