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Science News Archive July 2019 - Page 29


Page 29 of 41

How the mosquito immune system fights off the malaria parasite

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that mosquitoes employ a multi-stage immune response to combat malaria parasites, involving a complement-like pathway and phenoloxidases. This understanding could lead to opportunities to eliminate malaria parasites in the mosquito, reducing human cases.

SourceIowa State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 10, 2019

Food may have been scarce in Chaco Canyon

Researchers found that the soil in Chaco Canyon could not support farming due to scarce rainfall and destructive flash floods. The team calculated that only 100 acres of farmland would have been sufficient to feed a maximum of 1,000 people.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJul 10, 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.

Heat, salt, drought: This barley can withstand the challenges of climate change

A new line of barley has been bred to resist heat, salt, and drought, producing up to 20% higher yields under adverse conditions. The breed combines the advantageous properties of industrial and wild barley, with genetic analysis revealing key gene variants for improved stress tolerance.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 10, 2019

Beat the heat

Researchers have discovered a way to produce more electricity from heat than thought possible by creating a silicon chip that converts thermal radiation into electricity. The chip can generate electricity even closer two silicon surfaces are together, potentially increasing battery life by up to 50%.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 10, 2019

Nonphysician practitioners absorbing more new patient requests post Affordable Care Act

With the Affordable Care Act, millions of new patients are seeking primary care. Nonphysician advanced practitioners like nurse practitioners and physician assistants have seen a significant increase in appointments for Medicaid patients, suggesting practices may be relying on them to accommodate new beneficiaries.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Modeling early meteorite impacts on the moon

A team of researchers has reconstructed the late accretion history of the moon, resolving a long-standing problem about the source of highly siderophile elements. By modeling millions of meteor impacts, they found that less material was retained on the moon than on Earth due to its smaller size and shallow impact angles.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2019

Are doctors treating more thyroid cancer patients than necessary?

A study led by Dr. Alliric Willis found that over 25% of low-risk thyroid cancer patients receive unnecessary radioactive iodine ablation treatment, carrying potential long-term risks and financial burdens. Younger patients, men, Hispanic, and Asian individuals are more at risk of overtreatment.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalSurgical Oncology·DateJul 10, 2019

'Flash mob' study puts clinical decision rules for ACS to the test

A nationwide flash-mob study found that acute coronary syndrome cannot be safely ruled out using the Marburg Heart Score or family physicians' clinical assessment in emergency care. The study identified 45 patients with ACS among 243 receiving a final diagnosis, with sensitivity for FP rating and MHS being 86.7% and 94.4%, respectively.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

A human liver cell atlas

A comprehensive cell atlas of the human liver reveals previously unknown subtypes of liver cells, including hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and macrophages. The study provides unprecedented resolution into liver cell diversity and how it changes during development or upon disease progression.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 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.

Unravelling the 3-dimensional genomic structure of male germ cells

A study reveals the three-dimensional genomic structure of male germ cells, showing a fine-tuned balance between chromatin remodelling and architectural proteins. This structure determines gene expression in these cells, which are essential for reproduction.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 10, 2019

Study explores how social movements can use virtual worlds

A new study by Dr. Brad McKenna found that online virtual worlds can be used by social movements to create safe spaces for members, such as an LGBT group in World of Warcraft. The research showed how the group utilized game features and virtual environment to achieve their objectives.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalInformation Systems Journal·DateJul 10, 2019

Epic research endeavor reveals cause of deadly digestive disease in children

Scientists from Israel and the US have discovered the genetic explanation for intractable diarrhea of infancy syndrome (IDIS), a rare inherited disease causing extreme diarrhea in children. The study found that deletions in a previously unstudied noncoding region on chromosome 16 prevent the expression of a nearby gene called Percc1.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2019

Study: Minimum wage 'an effective tool' for increasing incomes of older workers

A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that the minimum wage has no discernible 'disemployment' effects on older workers and may even delay retirements. The study suggests that higher minimum wages increase earnings and financial resources for older households, offsetting any potential negative unemployment effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalILR Review·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

Many still uninsured after Affordable Care Act implementation

A study found that 21% of uninsured patients in Medicaid expansion states continued to lack health insurance post-ACA implementation, primarily due to language and legal barriers. These patients still sought frequent healthcare visits and had underlying health conditions requiring ongoing care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

A new approach to primary care: Advanced team care with in-room support

The article proposes a new model of primary care where physicians work with highly trained care team coordinators to share patient responsibilities. This approach has shown to improve patient care, reduce physician burnout, and increase financial sustainability.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 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.

New filter enhances robot vision on 6D pose estimation

A new filter has been developed to improve robot vision in 6D pose estimation, allowing robots to perceive objects more accurately in complex environments. The filter uses a particle-based approach to estimate the full distribution of an object's orientation, enabling robots to track objects with arbitrary symmetries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateJul 10, 2019

'Traffic light' food labels reduce calories purchased in hospital cafeteria

A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that labeling food choices with simple 'traffic-light' symbols reduced the number of calories purchased by employees in the hospital cafeteria. The intervention was associated with a sustained reduction in calories over two years, with estimated weight loss ranging from 1-2 kg per year.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 10, 2019

Understanding how the mTOR complex comes together

A team at Brigham Young University studied how the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex is assembled, revealing its importance in regulating cell growth and survival. The researchers believe that understanding mTOR's assembly process could lead to new cancer therapies and treatments for diabetes.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2019

A moderate dose of novel form of stress promotes longevity

Researchers discover that moderate chromatin stress triggers a response that promotes longevity in various organisms, including yeast and C. elegans. The study suggests that this process may be conserved in other organisms, opening new possibilities for intervening in human aging.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

Getting to zero malaria cases in zanzibar

Researchers suggest targeting men who work outside at night and travelers/seasonal workers to prevent lingering malaria cases. Despite widespread use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying, Zanzibar struggles to eliminate the disease due to residual cases. Human behavior is key to addressing this issue.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 10, 2019

HSE scholars propose new method for measuring individual well-being

Researchers at HSE University have developed a method to measure subjective well-being by analyzing fans' emotional state through photos. The study found that uncertainty about match results can increase unhappiness by 13.6% in males, while females tend to be more affected.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateJul 10, 2019

Are physical examinations really necessary?

Family physicians value physical exams for their diagnostic and empathetic benefits, promoting a healing relationship with patients. The research highlights the importance of physical exams in today's clinical practice, where emerging technology is changing the way doctors interact with patients.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

Surveys fail to capture big five personality traits in non-WEIRD populations

A new study found that surveys commonly used to measure Big Five personality traits are less valid in developing countries due to biases and language barriers. The research suggests that stronger bias towards agreeable responses and cultural differences may be key influences on survey results.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 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.

Anaphylactic shock: IgG antibodies and neutrophils play an unexpected role

A recent study has discovered that IgG antibodies can contribute to drug-induced anaphylactic shock by activating neutrophils, leading to high doses of vasodilating mediators. This finding explains up to 10-20% of previously unexplained cases and may help improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with this condition.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

Study contributes to the production of flexible electronic devices

Brazilian and Italian scientists developed a method to pattern polythiophene, an electrically conductive polymer, to improve its optical and electronic properties. The resulting device is highly selective in emitting and absorbing light, making it suitable for optoelectronic applications.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 10, 2019

Origin of life insight: peptides can form without amino acids

A UCL study reveals that aminonitriles, the precursors to amino acids, can be easily turned into peptides in water, bypassing traditional formation methods. This discovery sheds light on how life first formed and has implications for synthetic chemistry.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2019

New Zealand study unlocks secrets of sex change in fish

A University of Otago-led study has discovered the genetic mechanisms behind sex change in fish, revealing a complete rewiring of the gonad and changes in cellular memory. The research has implications for understanding human sex development and potential applications in tissue engineering and aquaculture.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

In cases when patients under anesthesia experience anaphylaxis, hyperactive immune cells to blame

A study of 86 patients reveals how anesthesia drugs can induce life-threatening allergic reactions through alternative immune pathways. Hyperactive immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, play a key role in this process, which could lead to the development of new diagnostics for anaphylaxis during anesthesia.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

A structured approach to detecting and treating depression in primary care

A structured management algorithm for major depressive disorder has been implemented in primary care clinics with a significant number of patients screened positive for depression. The study found that stronger patient education and additional approaches can help reduce attrition rates among those who fail to return for follow-up care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

Nitrogen from biosolids can help urban soils and plant growth

Researchers found that biosolids with low organic matter content yield more bioavailable nitrogen when applied to urban soils, making them a valuable resource for restoring degraded soils. The study highlights the importance of adjusting biosolid application rates based on soil degradation levels.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateJul 10, 2019

Holes in the universe sharpen cosmic measurements

A new study has developed a method to measure the cosmic expansion with greater precision, utilizing galaxy voids and accounting for distortions caused by dark energy and curvature. The results agree with the simplest model of a flat universe and tighten constraints on alternative theories.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJul 10, 2019

In UK's third largest city intervention program helps reduce childhood obesity

A recent study published in Pediatric Obesity found that Leeds, England has bucked the global trend by reducing childhood obesity by 6.4%. The decline coincided with a strategy targeting families with preschool children in poor areas, utilizing the Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) intervention program.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateJul 10, 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.

Mattresses could emit higher levels of VOCs during sleep

Researchers measured VOC emissions from polyurethane mattresses under simulated sleeping conditions, finding elevated levels of some compounds that could cause eye irritation, headaches, and even cancer. The study emphasizes the need for further research on possible health effects of chronic exposure to VOCs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 10, 2019

Redesign of opioid medication management shows impact in rural clinics

A team-based clinic redesign of opioid medication management in primary care resulted in declines in patients on high-dose opioids and total opioid prescriptions. The 'Six Building Blocks' framework improved opioid prescribing practices, possibly reducing dependency.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2019

No evidence of added benefit for most new drugs, say researchers

Researchers argue that international drug development processes and policies are responsible for the lack of evidence supporting added benefits for most new drugs. Only 54 out of 216 assessed drugs showed considerable or major added benefits, with many more lacking clear evidence of benefit over standard care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 10, 2019

Cells synchronize to release toxins in unison

Researchers at Stanford University discovered a new form of cell communication, where individual cells coordinate their ultrafast contractions to release paralyzing toxins in sync. The phenomenon was found to occur through hydrodynamic flows, allowing cells to sense and respond to their environment.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

Awareness of product transformation increases recycling

A study by Penn State researchers found that when consumers are reminded of the products that their recyclables can be turned into, they are more likely to recycle. The team conducted a series of studies where participants were shown advertisements featuring product transformation, and results showed a significant increase in recycling...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 10, 2019

On the way to printable organic light emitting diodes

Scientists at Max Planck Institute create a single-layer OLED that outperforms traditional designs in terms of brightness and efficiency. The new technology achieves record-high luminosity and long lifetimes, making it suitable for industrial purposes.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 10, 2019

Carbon nanotube tape stays sticky in extreme temperatures

Researchers have developed a new nanomaterial tape that can function over a wide temperature range, from -321 F to 1,832 F. The tape adheres to various materials and surfaces, with no noticeable residues, making it suitable for electronic components and extreme environments.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 10, 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.

It's not an antibody, it's a frankenbody: A new tool for live-cell imaging

A new frankenbody tool has been developed to enable live-cell imaging, using a genetically encoded probe that binds to specific targets. This probe offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional fluorescent protein tags, allowing for real-time visualization of protein dynamics and RNA translation in living cells.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2019

Secrets of a sex-changing fish revealed

Researchers discovered that specific genes are turned off and on in the brain and gonad to facilitate sex change, a process linked to cellular memory and epigenetic reprogramming. The study sheds light on how environmental factors influence gene expression in animals, including humans.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2019

MPFI researchers develop newly devised strategy that allows the linking of phenotype to genotype

The Taniguchi Lab at MPFI has developed a novel protocol combining laser microdissection with single-cell genotyping to accurately link observed phenotypes to underlying genetics. This approach enables the reliable determination of exact genetic causes, particularly for genes in the brain that have subtle effects.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 9, 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.

Addicted to Ran, ovarian cancer cells stop moving when deprived

Researchers at CRCHUM found that Ran protein is essential for ovarian cancer cells to migrate and invade healthy tissues. Inhibiting Ran expression can break down RhoA, a protein necessary for cell migration, leading to a loss of cancer cells' ability to move.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 9, 2019