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Science News Archive March 2019


Page 11 of 43

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New CRISPR-powered device detects genetic mutations in minutes

A new CRISPR-based device, CRISPR-Chip, can detect specific genetic mutations in a matter of minutes. The device uses graphene transistors to scan DNA samples and report results electronically, bypassing the need for polymerase chain reaction amplification.

Contraceptive jewelry could offer a new family planning approach

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a technique for administering contraceptive hormones through special backings on jewelry, allowing for improved user compliance with drug regimens. The technology may also be used to deliver other drugs through the skin.

Study: Chinese youth more hawkish than older generations

A new study by Cornell University professor Jessica Chen Weiss reveals that younger Chinese are more hawkish in their foreign policy beliefs compared to older generations. The majority of the Chinese public supports greater military reliance and increased defense spending. However, opinions are sensitive to broader information and stra...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Parkinson's disease, genes, and smoking

Researchers identified specific variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes associated with increased or decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. A history of cigarette smoking modified these associations, suggesting a possible explanation for the apparent protective effect of smoking on PD.

How debt affects decisions and cognitive health

A study on chronically indebted individuals in Singapore found that debt relief reduces anxiety and improves financial decisions. Paying off total debt was more effective than reducing partial debts.

UTSA chemist Banglin Chen receives prestigious Humboldt Research Award

Banglin Chen, a renowned UTSA chemist, has received the Humboldt Research Award for his innovative work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can reduce hydrocarbons in plastics. His research focuses on developing membranes and commercializing materials for large-scale gas separations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New paper on the phylogeny of the Brassicaceae

A recent study from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research resolves the relationships among major lineages in the Brassicaceae family. The study uses nuclear genes to infer the relationships of 79 species, representing 50 of the 52 currently recognized main lineages.

Mothers of fussy babies at higher risk of depressive symptoms

A recent University of Michigan-led study found that mothers of fussy babies are at a higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study explored whether a baby's level of prematurity in combination with infant fussiness influences the severity of maternal depressive symptoms.

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.

Whitefly manipulation of plant odor signals

Researchers found that whitefly-infested plants release volatiles that suppress jasmonic acid-dependent defenses and increase salicylic acid levels in neighboring plants. This allows the whiteflies to develop faster and supports their next generation.

Catalyst advance removes pollutants at low temperatures

Researchers developed a catalyst that can remove pollutants at low temperatures, outperforming current technology and reducing platinum required. The breakthrough could have significant impact on exhaust emission control, directly addressing the 150-degree challenge.

Hubble captures birth of giant storm on Neptune

A team of planetary scientists used Hubble images to track the growth of a new Great Dark Spot on Neptune, finding that dark spots originate deeper in the planet's atmosphere than previously thought. The study also revealed that these storms occur with a frequency of every four to six years and last up to six years.

Recovery from sperm suppression due to performance-enhancing drug abuse is slow

Researchers found that men who stopped using performance-enhancing hormones experienced complete recovery of sperm production and hormone levels within nine to 18 months. However, testicular size remained smaller than normal in some cases. The study provides valuable insights for endocrinologists caring for men affected by androgen abuse.

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.

Abused kids use text-based services to seek help, study shows

A new study found that many children who contact crisis hotlines use text-based communication to report abuse and neglect. The study, conducted by Purdue University researchers, suggests that implementing text or chat-based communication methods could be essential for social and health services hoping to reach young people.

The Forces behind South and Central China's Extremely Hot Summer

A scientific collaboration found that a high-pressure system in the atmosphere directly caused the extreme heat, while increased sea surface temperatures contributed about 50% to the 2017 heat. The researchers also identified the western tropical Pacific as a key factor influencing regional temperatures.

Wagers winter plants make to survive

Ecologists at the University of Arizona identified a tradeoff between water use and reproduction that allows winter desert plants to survive. The study found that plants conserving water and growing slowly, or spending water by tracking rainfall, are best balanced along this tradeoff.

Researchers unveil effects of dust particles on cloud properties

Dust particles from glacial outwash plains can serve as efficient nuclei for ice nucleation, contributing significantly to ice nucleation in Arctic low-level clouds. This study highlights the impact of high-latitude dusts on glaciation and adds to our understanding of climate regulation by clouds.

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.

UMD-Led researchers' wood-based technology creates electricity from heat

A team of researchers from the University of Maryland has developed a heat-to-electricity device using a piece of wood, which can potentially be used to generate energy from body heat. The device uses ions and unique properties of the wood's natural nanostructures to convert low-grade heat into electrical signal.

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.

New mechanism of action found for agricultural pesticide fludioxonil

Agricultural pesticide fludioxonil kills fungi by delivering a metabolic shock through the formation of reactive stress molecules, which triggers a biochemical cascade leading to cell death. The researchers discovered that fludioxonil produces methylglyoxal, a highly reactive chemical, which activates the lethal HHK cascade.

Particulate air pollution linked with reduced sperm production in mice

Research in mice found that exposure to particulate matter led to deterioration of testicular function and changes in gene expression related to sperm production. The study's findings suggest that air pollution may be a contributing factor to the increasing rates of male infertility worldwide.

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.

Adipose hormone may play role in obesity-related asthma

A new study suggests that the adipose hormone aP2 is associated with obesity-related asthma and may be a key factor in its development. Higher levels of aP2 were found in people with overweight or obesity who also had asthma, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions.

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 IR treatment for 'tennis elbow' reduces pain and inflammation without surgery

Researchers found statistically significant reductions in pain-rating scores and improvements in tendinosis and tear scores after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) treatment. The non-surgical procedure decreases abnormal blood flow to the injured area, alleviating inflammation and pain without invasive surgery or physical therapy.

Exercise adds up to big brain boosts

A new study finds that immediate cognitive effects from exercise mirror long-term ones, suggesting a strong link between physical activity and brain health. Brain changes after a single workout can predict sustained gains in cognition and functional brain connectivity over time.

Smart speaker technology harnessed for hospital medical treatments

Researchers developed a device-sizing application for Google Home smart speakers to provide accurate medical information and recommendations during procedures. The technology aims to improve patient care by allowing physicians to concentrate on patient care while reducing device technicalities.

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.

Fathers-to-be: smoking could harm your baby

A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that paternal smoking and maternal passive smoking can significantly increase the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring. The analysis of 125 studies involving over 137,000 babies with congenital heart defects revealed a 74% increased risk for me...

Chemicals in household dust may promote fat cell development

Research suggests that exposure to chemical mixtures present in household dust may contribute to increased growth in children relative to their age and promote the development of fat cells. The study found that very low concentrations of dust extracts were able to promote precursor fat cell proliferation and fat cell development.

BPA exposure during pregnancy can alter circadian rhythms

Researchers found that low-dose BPA exposure during gestation alters circadian rhythms, leading to increased activity and disrupted daily patterns in mice. This study suggests a potential contributing factor to hyperactivity observed in BPA-exposed mice.

Obesity speeds up the start of puberty in boys, study finds

A new study reveals that obesity in boys accelerates the start of puberty, with central and total obesity increasing the odds of early puberty. The study found that controlling obesity in children could help decrease risks of behavior problems and testicular cancer.

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.

Scientists turn back evolutionary clock to develop high-CO2-tolerant microalgae

A team of scientists has developed a way to improve the tolerance of industrial oil-producing microalgae to high levels of CO2, allowing them to grow faster and more efficiently in flue gas environments. This breakthrough could have significant implications for carbon fixation, food production, and future space exploration.

Tuck into colourful fruits and vegetables and see the light

Researchers found that a diet high in antioxidants from foods like citrus fruits, capsicum, and dark green vegetables can delay the onset of age-related cataracts. The study suggests that such a diet could halve the number of people requiring cataract surgery.

Females respond poorly to ketogenic weight loss diet in an animal model

A recent study found that female mice on a ketogenic diet experienced impaired blood sugar control and no significant fat loss, unlike male mice. Removing the ovaries of female mice improved their weight loss outcomes, suggesting that estrogen may play a role in the differing response to the diet.

Screen time plus snacking a risk for metabolic disorder in teens

A nationwide survey of Brazilian teens found that excessive screen time and unhealthy snacking are associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. The study suggests that limiting screen time and avoiding snacks in front of screens may help reduce this risk.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Ethnic minorities not 'hypersensitive' to microaggressions, research shows

A new study by Dr. Keon West found that ethnic minorities and majorities experience similar decreases in happiness and life satisfaction after microaggressions. The researcher argues that the 'hypersensitivity hypothesis' has undermined the severity of microaggression effects, suggesting a shift towards eliminating these experiences.

Improved PCOS symptoms correlate with gut bacterial composition

A study in mice suggests that altering the gut microbiome via prebiotics or probiotics may be a potential treatment for PCOS. The research found improvements in testosterone levels, ovulation, weight, and insulin resistance in mice with PCOS, linked to changes in gut bacteria composition.

Sperm DNA damage may contribute to repeat miscarriages

Research suggests that sperm DNA damage in male partners may cause recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), with affected men having twice as much DNA damage as healthy counterparts. High levels of reactive oxygen species were also found, which can damage cells like sperm.

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.