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Science News Archive March 2019


Page 21 of 43

Connectivity in human and chimpanzee brains

A study comparing human and chimpanzee brain networks reveals that humans have a more modular network with stronger connections between language areas. The research suggests that evolutionary modifications to the brain's architecture may have contributed to human cognitive advancements.

Researchers develop sensor to detect brain disorders in seconds

Researchers at UCF developed a rapid sensor to detect dopamine levels in blood, which can help diagnose brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease and depression. The sensor requires only a few drops of blood and provides results in minutes, revolutionizing current detection methods.

Novel heart pump shows superior outcomes in advanced heart failure

The HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) significantly reduces strokes, pump-related blood clots, and bleeding episodes compared to the older HeartMate II. This trial enrolled 1,028 patients with advanced heart failure, showing a 40% reduction in risk favoring the HeartMate 3.

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.

UW team finds key to common cancer pathway

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered an unexpected regulator of the p53 protein, which plays a crucial role in cancer development. The research team found that an enzyme called PIPK1-alpha and its lipid messenger, PIP2, drive the stability of mutant p53, leading to cancer progression.

WVU political scientist receives $1.1 million Minerva Award

Erik Herron, a WVU political scientist, has received a $1.1 million Minerva Research Initiative award to investigate how hostile powers like Russia interfere with their neighbors' basic services. He is studying Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine to better understand potential warning signs of interference.

Climate change negatively affects waterbirds in the American West

A recent study found that climate change is reducing waterbird habitats across the Great Basin, resulting in fewer birds in the region. The research, published in Scientific Reports, examined temperature and precipitation data from over a century and compared it with 50 years of bird surveys.

Researchers discover new material to help power electronics

Researchers at Ohio State University have found a new material that can serve dual roles in electronics, simplifying the use of electrons and holes. This discovery could lead to more efficient electronic devices, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and transistors.

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.

Cardiac muscle variants and sudden infant death

Researchers discovered a genetic variant in troponin I that disrupts calcium-binding affinity in thin muscle filaments, leading to arrhythmias in human cardiac cells. This finding may contribute to SUDI by triggering sudden cardiac arrest.

Molecular motors run in unison in a metal-organic framework

Organic chemists at the University of Groningen have created an ordered array of light-driven rotary motors in a 3D solid-state material, achieving cooperative action. The system contains 3 x 10^20 motors per cubic centimeter, all running in unison and performing work on a macro scale.

When it comes to monarchs, fall migration matters

Researchers at Michigan State University found that a critical piece of the monarch butterfly's annual cycle was missing - the fall migration. The team built a multi-scale model and included environmental factors like temperature and landscape greenness to account for year-to-year variations.

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.

Healthy fats improve nerve function in obese mice

A new preclinical study published in JNeurosci found that switching mice from saturated fat-based diets to monounsaturated fat-rich diets restored and protected nerve function in obese mice. The results suggest that interventions targeting dietary fats may provide a new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Australian study links breastfeeding with lower risk of heart disease

A new Australian study found that mothers who breastfeed are 34 percent less likely to die of heart disease than those who don't. Women who breastfed for up to 12 months had a lower risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, with significant findings independent of socio-economic status and overall health-related lifestyle.

Advances point the way to smaller, safer batteries

Cornell researchers develop a new solid-state battery technology that is inherently safer and more energy-dense than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough enables the creation of smaller, safer batteries with improved recharging capabilities and reduced risk of fires.

Eating fish may help prevent asthma

A recent study by Professor Andreas Lopata found that consuming certain types of n-3 fatty acids from marine oils can decrease asthma risk by up to 62%, while high n-6 consumption increases risk by up to 67%. This research suggests a potential link between fish consumption and reduced asthma severity.

Rapid and precise flavivirus identification

A new mass-spectrometry-based assay has been developed to detect flaviviruses like Dengue, Zika, West Nile, and Yellow Fever viruses. The assay can distinguish between multiple flaviviruses or strains of a single virus within the first 8 days of symptom onset.

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.

Solar-driven seawater splitting

Researchers have developed an anode for electrolysis of seawater into hydrogen and oxygen, utilizing nickel sulfide and nickel-iron hydroxide catalysts. This innovative approach enables the production of clean fuels without desalination, opening doors to a more sustainable energy future.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation: Improvements for advanced NSCLC

The NRG-RTOG 0214 trial found that prophylactic cranial irradiation improved disease-free survival, decreased brain metastasis rates, but did not improve overall survival in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This suggests PCI may prolong OS in a subgroup without primary tumor surgery.

Wealth correlations in Taiwan

Researchers analyzed over 7 million Taiwanese records to discover wealth correlations among kinship members up to second cousin level. Wealth patterns differ by gender, with males showing stronger connections than females.

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.

Radial, femoral access for PCI found equal in terms of survival

A recent study found that both radial and femoral approaches for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are equally effective in terms of survival rates at 30 days. The research, which enrolled nearly 2,300 patients, suggests that operators can achieve similar results with either approach if they have efficient systems and teams in p...

Alligator study reveals insight into dinosaur hearing

Researchers found alligators build neural maps of sound like birds do, indicating a common ancestor with dinosaurs shared this hearing strategy. The study suggests that the strategy may be more related to common ancestry than physical features such as skull size.

Team studies smarter automatic defibrillator

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have created a smarter automatic defibrillator that accurately tracks stroke volume in addition to ECG readings. This update aims to deliver shocks only when needed, potentially preventing traumatic shocks and improving patient outcomes.

Microbes can grow on nitric oxide

Scientists have discovered anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria that directly use nitric oxide to grow, producing harmless dinitrogen gas instead of potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. This finding has significant implications for our climate and the earth's nitrogen cycle.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

ACC/AHA guidance for preventing heart disease, stroke released

The new guideline provides comprehensive recommendations for preventing cardiovascular disease through lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. It also emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing personal or social barriers to adopting these habits.

Rising global shipping traffic could lead to surge in invasive species

A new study by McGill University researchers suggests that global shipping traffic could lead to a three-fold to 20-fold increase in marine invasion risk between now and 2050. The study projects that shipping growth will far outweigh climate change as the primary driver of bio-invasions.

Common treatment for multiple sclerosis may prolong life

A UBC study found that beta interferon treatment for multiple sclerosis patients is associated with a 32% lower mortality risk compared to those who did not take the drug. The study followed nearly 6,000 people with MS in Canada and France over two decades.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The Protein Society announces its 2019 award recipients

This year's awards recognize Professor Minoru Kanehisa for his work on the KEGG database, Professor Anthony Kossiakoff for his technological achievements in protein structure and function, Professor Hao Wu for her groundbreaking signal transduction research, Professor Shahriar Mobashery for his discovery of new antibiotics, and Profess...

Protective antibodies also found in premature babies

A study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that very premature babies carry anti-viral antibodies transferred from the mother, suggesting a previously underappreciated source of protection. The analysis also revealed that the protection offered by these antibodies lasts different durations depending on the virus.

Looking for better asthma treatments

Researchers at the University of Akron aim to understand how lipid mediators exacerbate asthma symptoms, hoping to discover new treatments. The study will combine leukotriene and prostaglandin blockers to create a more potent asthma treatment.

Factors influencing monarch butterfly winter colonies

The study found that higher summer populations on northern breeding grounds correlated with larger Mexican winter colonies. Autumn temperatures and disease rates were not significantly associated with winter population sizes.

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.

Semimetals are high conductors

New materials that conduct electricity are of great interest to physicists and materials scientists. Researchers have discovered a type of semimetal, niobium arsenide, which has about three times the conductivity of copper at room temperature.

Google research shows how AI can make ophthalmologists more effective

A new study published in Ophthalmology shows that AI can assist physicians in accurately diagnosing diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding eye disease. The researchers developed two types of assistance to help physicians read the algorithm's predictions, which improved diagnostic accuracy and confidence.

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.

NASA finds heavy rainfall potential in new Tropical Cyclone Trevor

Tropical Cyclone Trevor has triggered warnings in Queensland, Australia, with NASA's Terra satellite analysis suggesting strong storm conditions. The storm is expected to reach hurricane-force and make landfall near the Queensland/Northern Territories border, prompting forecasts of heavy rainfall.

Uncertain projections help to reveal the truth about future climate change

A team of scientists developed an approach to reduce uncertainties in future climate change by analyzing collective climate model projections. They found that certain aspects of the current climate are most related to differences in the future climate, and measurements can be used to select out the most likely future climates.

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.

The story of GARP: A potential target for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers have identified GARP, a protein on immune cells, as a potential new target for immunotherapy against colorectal cancer. Disrupting GARP reduces tolerance and inhibits Treg cell migration to the gut, leading to reduced colon cancer development.

Bromethalin is poisoning the parrots of Telegraph Hill

A new study published in PLOS ONE has found that parrots in San Francisco's Telegraph Hill are being poisoned by bromethalin, a common rat poison. The research team detected the toxin in brain, liver, and fecal samples of affected birds, suggesting they may be ingesting a sublethal dose.

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.

NASA sees Savannah lose its tropical eye

Tropical Cyclone Savannah weakened as high clouds filtered over its eye, revealing a defined center but an elongated shape. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 60 knots (69 mph/111 kph) and it is forecast to continue tracking west-southwestward before dissipating by March 22.

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.

Registry helps move aortic dissection care forward

The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) has gathered data from 9,000 patients, revealing nearly 90% of type A dissections now receive surgical repair. In-hospital mortality is down to 16.3%, and five-year survival remains around 85%. IRAD also shows improved outcomes for type B dissections with endovascular therapy.

Mammals' unique arms started evolving before the dinosaurs existed

Researchers found a wide variety of different forelimb shapes evolved within the therapsids 270 million years ago. This discovery helps explain how mammals evolved traits that have made us what we are today, from simple tasks like holding a phone to more complex behaviors.

The robots that dementia caregivers want: Robots for joy, robots for sorrow

Dementia caregivers want robots to support positive moments and alleviate emotional stress through tasks like answering repeated questions, managing daily schedules, and providing reminders. The researchers are now building high-tech prototypes based on the initial low-tech prototypes designed by caregivers.

New research identifies potential PTSD treatment improvement

A study published in Journal of Neuroscience found that replacing expected aversive events with neutral tones can improve PTSD treatment outcomes. By changing how the brain learns to respond to fearful conditions, researchers hope to develop a new approach to exposure therapy.

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.