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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 13


Page 13 of 41

Retracing ancient routes to Australia

Researchers used sophisticated modelling to determine the likely routes travelled by Aboriginal people tens of thousands of years ago and the sizes of groups required for survival. The simulations indicate that at least 1300 people arrived in a single migration event or smaller waves, averaging 130 people every 70 years over 700 years.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 20, 2019

Scientists discover new method for developing tracers used for medical imaging

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a new way to attach Fluorine-18, a widely used PET imaging isotope, to existing compounds. This breakthrough enables the creation of novel PET agents from existing drugs, opening up possibilities for tracking pharmaceuticals and diagnosing diseases like cancer.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 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.

For global fisheries, it's a small world after all

A new study reveals that global fisheries are highly connected, with fish larvae drifting across ocean currents and impacting fisheries worldwide. The findings suggest that poorly managed fisheries or environmental disturbances in one area could have significant economic consequences on fisheries globally.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

UBC research shows upbeat music can sweeten tough exercise

A new UBC study reveals that upbeat music can increase heart rate and enjoyment during high-intensity interval training (HIIT), making it more appealing to less-active individuals. The research found that motivational music with a fast tempo was particularly effective in enhancing physical and emotional responses to exercise.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateJun 20, 2019

Tailor-made prosthetic liners could help more amputees walk again

Researchers at the University of Bath have created a new way to design and manufacture personalized prosthetic liners in under a day. This innovative approach uses computer science and 3D scanning to create affordable, comfortable liners that reduce pressure on the residual limb, promoting healthy walking habits.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateJun 20, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions safe for heart surgery patients

A restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions in heart surgery patients resulted in fewer transfusions without increasing the risk of acute kidney injury. The study found that reducing transfusions could prevent adverse effects and conserve the blood supply, while minimizing negative impacts on kidney health.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 20, 2019

Researchers receive NIH grant to develop rapid, reliable and low-cost HIV test

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are developing a disposable HIV-1 viral load microchip that can detect the virus in whole blood/plasma and provide results in under 45 minutes. The technology is designed to be highly sensitive, stable, and inexpensive, making it suitable for point-of-care settings in resource-constrained areas.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·DateJun 20, 2019
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.

Squeezing of blood vessels may contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's

Researchers have identified the underlying mechanism behind reduced brain blood flow in Alzheimer's disease, which is caused by pericytes contracting around blood vessels. The study suggests that keeping pericytes relaxed could be a key to treating the disease, with new treatments potentially targeting this area.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

Two studies show that animals' brain activity 'syncs' during social interactions

Researchers found that Egyptian fruit bats and mice exhibit synchronized neural activity in social situations, predicting behaviors such as initiating interactions or responding to dominance hierarchies. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying animal social behavior and may provide insights into mental diseases l...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJun 20, 2019

'DNA microscopy' offers entirely new way to image cells

Researchers have invented a new type of microscopy called 'DNA microscopy' that can image cells at the genomic level. This technique uses DNA bar codes to pinpoint molecules' relative positions within a sample, allowing scientists to build a picture of cells and amass enormous amounts of genomic information.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJun 20, 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.

Gold for silver: A chemical barter

Researchers study thiolate-protected gold-silver alloys, revealing intra-cluster and inter-cluster metal exchange that affects cluster stability and geometric structure. This understanding is crucial for harnessing novel physical and chemical properties of these clusters.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJun 20, 2019

Nursing home care cost significantly outpaces general inflation and medical care prices

A recent study found that nursing home care costs are high and rising faster than other medical care and consumer prices. The study revealed significant price variation across states, with Texas having the least expensive out-of-pocket cost ($131 daily) and New York State having the most expensive ($334 daily).

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateJun 20, 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.

Timed release of turmeric stops cancer cell growth

A new drug delivery system using curcumin from turmeric inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth by 96% and promotes healthy bone cell growth, offering a gentler treatment option for young patients with bone cancer.

SourceWashington State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 20, 2019

Laser method promising for detecting trace chemicals in air

Researchers developed a mid-infrared picosecond laser-driven electron avalanche technique to detect electric charges and chemicals in air. They measured electron densities down to one part per quadrillion, equivalent to picking out one free electron from a million billion normal air molecules.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 20, 2019

Canadian researchers discover new genetic link to premenopausal breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a specific genetic marker linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. The study found that up to 40% of women carrying the genetic variation are at higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without it.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJun 20, 2019
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.

First results from ruminant genome project will inform agriculture, conservation and biomedicine

The Ruminant Genome Project has provided unprecedented insights into the genomics, evolution and adaptation of ruminants, a group with significant importance in agriculture, conservation and biomedical fields. The study revealed large declines in ruminant populations nearly 100,000 years ago, coinciding with human migration out of Africa.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

The richer the pickings, the more honest the people

Researchers found that the more money in a lost wallet, the more likely it is to be returned, as dishonest finders face psychological costs that outweigh material value. In contrast, altruistic considerations play a subordinate role in returning wallets.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

God doesn't play dice -- does cancer?

A new study finds that cancer incidence increases uniformly with age, contradicting the traditional model of oncogenesis. The research suggests that selection pressure acting on healthy cells and cancer cells determines who gets cancer, with a shift in favor of cancer-causing mutations in older age.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateJun 20, 2019

Famed oceanographer Walter Munk honored with new award for students

Walter Munk, a renowned oceanographer, has been honored with the establishment of the Walter Munk Scholar Award by the Marine Technology Society and the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in ocean science, technology, exploration, or conservation.

SourceMarine Technology Society·DateJun 20, 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.

'Robot blood' powers machines for lengthy tasks

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a system of circulating liquid, called "robot blood", to store energy and power robotic applications. This synthetic vascular system enables robots to perform sophisticated tasks for longer periods, increasing energy density while maintaining mobility.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2019

Coincidence or master plan?

A team of scientists from Kiel University and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology applied the neutral metaorganism theory to various model organisms. The study found that the predicted microbial community compositions matched experimental data for many organisms, suggesting a possible lesser role for selection in shaping micr...

SourceKiel University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 20, 2019

Magnetic field model with simpler means

Jürgen Matzka has proposed a simplified approach to improve the global magnetic field model, reducing costs and equipment needs. The winning idea aims to measure magnetic field strength from satellites and only require one directional component on ground stations.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·DateJun 20, 2019

KIST gets robot to trap ball without coding

A KIST research team has successfully taught a robot to trap a dropped ball like a soccer player using surface electromyograms (sEMG) of muscles. The technology enables robots with flexible joints to mimic human movements, advancing the study of interactions between humans and robots.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateJun 20, 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.

Post-Soviet food system changes led to greenhouse gas reductions

A new study found that post-Soviet changes in food systems resulted in a net emissions reduction of 7.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1991 to 2011. This decrease was mainly due to the decline in domestic livestock production and soil organic carbon sequestration on abandoned cropland, particularly in Russia and Kazakhstan.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 20, 2019

Slime travelers

A new UC Riverside-led research reveals that some of Earth's oldest animals could travel on their own to get food, settling a longstanding debate about the earliest animal communities. The team analyzed over 1,300 fossils of Dickinsonia, which moved like worms to consume microorganisms.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalGeobiology·DateJun 20, 2019

New e-tattoo enables accurate, uninterrupted heart monitoring for days

A new wearable technology made from stretchy material can accurately monitor heart health for days, surpassing existing electrocardiograph machines. The device measures cardiac health in two ways, taking electrocardiograph and seismocardiograph readings simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJun 20, 2019
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.

Research details response of sagebrush to 2017 solar eclipse

Research reveals sagebrush's response to 2017 solar eclipse showed significant reductions in photosynthesis and transpiration. The study also found that the circadian rhythm was interrupted by sudden changes in sunlight, triggering a response beyond what happens when clouds block sunlight.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 20, 2019

NIST team supersizes 'quantum squeezing' to measure ultrasmall motion

Physicists at NIST have developed a technique to amplify and measure the tiny motions of a magnesium ion, enhancing sensing of weak electric fields. The method could speed up quantum computing operations and detect minute changes in light absorption.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2019

A study from IRB Barcelona describes the reaction mechanism of DNAzymes

A study from IRB Barcelona describes the reaction mechanism of DNAzymes, which catalyse RNA ligation through a similar mechanism to natural enzymes. The discovery may lead to improvements in current catalysers and the design of novel biocatalysers formed by DNA.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJun 20, 2019

Animals may have more than one means of surviving hypoxia

Researchers discovered that a tidepool crustacean can survive oxygen deprivation without key genes, suggesting multiple survival mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of exploring alternative pathways for coping with hypoxic environments.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Rare recessive mutations pry open new windows on autism

Researchers discovered that rare recessive mutations are more common in autism than previously thought, explaining up to 5% of all cases. The study identified 41 genes that were knocked out only in individuals with autism, providing a likely explanation for the underlying biology of the disorder.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 20, 2019

Gut bacteria associated with chronic pain for first time

A Montreal-based research team has found a correlation between gut bacteria and chronic pain in people with fibromyalgia. Variations in the microbiome composition of approximately 20 different species of bacteria were observed in individuals with fibromyalgia compared to healthy control subjects.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalPain·DateJun 20, 2019

One step closer to chronic pain relief

A decade of basic research led to the discovery of sortilin's role in controlling peripheral neuropathic pain. Blocking sortilin prevents pain in mice, suggesting a promising new target for medicinal drugs.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 20, 2019

Crystal with a twist: Scientists grow spiraling new material

Researchers created helical crystals made of stacked layers of germanium sulfide, which may yield unexpected properties. The twisted structure arises from a competition between stored energy and the energy cost of slipping two material layers relative to one another.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 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.

Do ice cores help to unravel the clouds of climate history?

An international research team reconstructed ice nucleating particles from ice cores for the first time, providing insights into cloud cover in the Arctic over the last 500 years. The measurements could help close gaps in knowledge on climate research and inform future climate changes.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 20, 2019

Landmark study signals shift in thinking about stem cell differentiation

A new study published in Stem Cell Reports found that human embryonic stem cells can commit to a specific cell type within hours, rather than days, and this commitment is irreversible. The research also discovered that chromosome architecture can be remodeled locally and rapidly without dismantling the entire nucleus.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJun 20, 2019

Nearly 5.4 million cancer survivors suffer chronic pain

A new report reveals that nearly 5.4 million cancer survivors in the US experience chronic pain, with one in six reporting high-impact pain. The prevalence of chronic pain is significantly higher among certain groups, including those with lower education levels and household income.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJun 20, 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.

High on iron? It stops anemia but has a downside

A global study found that high iron levels are associated with a reduced risk of high cholesterol and anaemia, while also increasing the risk of bacterial skin infections. Researchers used genetic and clinical data from approximately 500,000 people in the UK Biobank to make their findings.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 20, 2019

Scientists map toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's

Researchers from McMaster University mapped a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, providing new insights into its behavior and interactions with neurons. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the structural features that differentiate toxic and non-toxic forms of amyloid beta.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 20, 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.

Astronomers see 'warm' glow of Uranus's rings

Astronomers have measured the temperature of Uranus' rings for the first time, finding a cool 77 Kelvin. The new images also reveal differences in ring composition compared to Saturn's rings, including lower albedo and narrower widths.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateJun 20, 2019

Assembly of the human oral microbiome age 1 to 12

A study examining oral bacterial microbiome composition in children aged 1 to 12 found that species richness increased with age in both supragingival and subgingival plaque. The results suggest a common pattern of maturing microbial communities, becoming more complex with advancing age and including a stable core of major species.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJun 20, 2019

Epilepsy and sudden death linked to bad gene

Researchers discovered a genetic basis for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), suggesting that a specific gene mutation can disrupt brainstem cells controlling breathing. The study used mice with the mutation to test its effects, finding disordered breathing patterns and reduced inhibitory cell activity.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·DateJun 20, 2019

UT Institute of Agriculture faculty honored by Epsilon Sigma Phi

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture faculty members received six awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi for their commitment to Extension and outreach work. The honors recognize their leadership and service in six categories, including Continued Excellence Award winner Janie Burney.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateJun 20, 2019
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.

Scientists make single-cell map to reprogram scar tissue into healthy heart cells

Researchers at UNC McAllister Heart Institute develop stable platform to reprogram human fibroblast cells into cardiomyocytes, creating high-resolution molecular roadmap. The approach identifies key genetic facilitators and signaling molecules driving cell fate development, offering new insights into human cardiac reprogramming.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 20, 2019