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Science News Archive March 2019


Page 25 of 43

Machine learning sheds light on the biology of toxin exposure

A machine learning approach using high-quality animal model data sheds new light on the biology of the liver and kidneys after toxin exposure, revealing nine distinct patterns of response to chemical exposure that may be broadly relevant to studies of human disease. The analysis highlights defense mechanisms and novel biomarkers, provi...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Duplicate or mirror?

Scientists have discovered that the direction of laser light hitting a molecule determines its chiral form. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of molecules with uniform chirality for pharmaceuticals. The research was conducted using the planar formic acid molecule and the reaction microscope method.

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.

Tectonics in the tropics trigger Earth's ice ages, study finds

Researchers have identified tropical tectonic pileups as the likely trigger for three major ice ages in the last 540 million years. The team found that these collisions caused a chemical reaction between rocks and the atmosphere, pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and leading to cooling temperatures globally.

Tobacco control policies linked to reduced smoking

A new study found that increased tobacco taxes and smoke-free policies in European countries were significantly related to a reduction in smoking among older adults. The association was particularly strong among those between 50 and 65 years old and those with lower levels of education.

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.

Tracking turtles with telemetry

Scientists developed a unique model that can predict Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles' location along the coast of Central and South America. The model aims to reduce bycatch mortality of this critically endangered species.

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.

The genetics of regeneration

A team of researchers from Harvard University has discovered genetic switches that control the process of whole-body regeneration in animals. Using three-banded panther worms, they found that a non-coding DNA section activates a 'master control gene' called early growth response (EGR), which controls various processes by switching othe...

Drug could alleviate side effects of chemo for breast cancer patients

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a method to forecast which breast cancer patients will experience heart problems from trastuzumab, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. A class of medications already approved by the FDA may mitigate these side effects.

Early menopause in smokers linked to bladder cancer

Research links early menopause to increased bladder cancer risk, particularly in smokers. The study found that women who went into menopause before the age of 45 were 45% more likely to develop bladder cancer than those who had later menopause.

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.

Review of the recent advances of 2D nanomaterials in Lit-ion batteries

Researchers summarize recent advances in 2D nanomaterials for electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, showcasing their high electrochemical and mechanical properties. The review highlights the potential of 2D nanomaterials as anodes and cathodes, with applications in high-performance energy storage devices.

Are we at the limits of measuring water-repellent surfaces

The contact angle method, used for over two centuries, is being called into question due to its dependence on camera accuracy and subjective decisions. Newer methods that measure adhesion or friction forces are proposed as a solution, offering lower errors and more relevant physical terms.

IVF birthweights increased over 25 years

A study of 3000 IVF births found average birthweight increased by 180g, despite low initial risks. Embryo freezing may mitigate this risk, suggesting a lower health impact on newer IVF children.

Sea quark surprise reveals deeper complexity in proton spin puzzle

The latest data from the STAR experiment at RHIC show that different flavors of antiquarks contribute differently to proton spin, with up antiquark spins making a greater contribution than down antiquark spins. This result provides new insights into the proton spin puzzle and reveals a more complex picture than previously thought.

New SDSU study examines role of sea urchins on California kelp

A new SDSU study reveals that California sheephead and spiny lobsters play a crucial role in controlling sea urchin populations in Southern California kelp forests. The research provides valuable insights into the complex predator-prey relationships in these ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining the health of kelp forests.

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 research unlocking the secrets of how languages change

Researchers studying Nicaraguan Sign Language find that signs don't move towards the face to be easier to understand. The study uses machine learning and computer vision techniques to analyze language change over 40 years, shedding light on how languages evolve.

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.

Exotic 'second sound' phenomenon observed in pencil lead

Scientists have observed a new mode of heat transport in graphite, known as second sound, which behaves like sound when moving through the material. At temperatures above 80K, heat travels through graphite as a wave, cooling points instantly and carrying heat away at close to the speed of sound.

Diet-induced changes favor innovation in speech sounds

A study by an international team led by researchers at the University of Zurich found that diet-induced changes in the human bite resulted in new speech sounds, contradicting the theory of a fixed range of human sounds. This shift allowed for the rise of labiodentals, such as the sound 'f', in modern languages.

IQ a better predictor of adult economic success than math

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that IQ is a better indicator of adult wealth than math skills for very preterm and very low-weight babies. The research followed over 400 children born in Bavaria, Germany, from birth to adulthood and found that IQ was a stronger predictor of life course economic success.

New method to reduce uranium concentration in contaminated water

Researchers propose a novel method for reducing uranium concentration in contaminated water by utilizing amidoxime-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15. The results show high U(VI) sorption capacities and selectivity, as well as effective regeneration and reuse after six cycles.

Charting 8,000 years of Iberian genomic history

Researchers have reconstructed an 8,000-year genetic history of the Iberian Peninsula using ancient DNA from over 270 individuals. The study reveals complex population structures and unexpected interactions with North Africa and the Pontic-Caspian steppe.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

CRF research to be presented at ACC.19

Research from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation will present latest data on PCI, imaging technologies, and TAVR at ACC.19. The study found that treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or receptor blockers affects revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Green tea cuts obesity, health risks in mice

A new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that green tea extract reduced weight gain and inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet. The researchers also discovered improved gut health, including more beneficial microbes and less permeability in the intestinal wall. These findings suggest that green tea may h...

Engineering treatments for the opioid epidemic

A biomedical engineer is developing a therapeutic option that would prevent the opiates from crossing the blood-brain barrier, preventing the high abusers seek. The treatment involves generating an anti-opioid antibody that will arrest the drug in circulation and prevent it from getting to the brain.

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.

Soft drink companies copy tobacco playbook to lure young users

A UCSF study reveals that soft drink companies copied tobacco's playbook to attract young users. The research found that executives from R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris used similar strategies to promote sweetened beverages, including child-focused marketing tactics and flavors, after selling their tobacco brands.

Engineering living 'scaffolds' for building materials

Engineered living materials use living cells as scaffolds to create composite materials with unprecedented control and versatility. The team engineered a bacterium to attach nanomaterials to its cell surface, creating stable hybrid living materials with emergent properties.

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.

Wild African ape reactions to novel camera traps

Researchers found that bonobos reacted more strongly to camera traps than chimpanzees, while younger apes were more curious and explored them longer. The study highlights the need for scientists to consider animal responses to unfamiliar monitoring equipment in their natural habitats.

When is best time to get flu shot? Analysis compares scenarios

A University of Pittsburgh analysis reveals that waiting until October to get flu shots may save thousands of lives. The study found that compressed vaccination periods starting in October can prevent up to 22,062 cases of flu and save as many as 258 lives compared to status quo vaccination timing.

Scientists crack genome of superfood seaweed, ito-mozuku

Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have decoded the genome of the popular Japanese brown seaweed ito-mozuku. The study reveals genes that drive up fucoidan production, a substance with potential health benefits, and provides data that could aid in farming.

Converting biomass by applying mechanical force

Researchers at the University of Münster have identified a new reaction mechanism for converting biomass into fuels and chemicals using mechanical force. The mechano-catalytic reaction reduces energy requirements and eliminates unnecessary steps, leading to a more efficient and environmentally friendly process.

Poor pitch singing could be a matter of the tune in your head

University at Buffalo researchers found a relationship between sub-vocalization, auditory imagery, and poor pitch singing accuracy. Sub-vocalization, or silent muscle movements of the face and larynx, may be a counterproductive strategy for singers, leading to inaccuracy.

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.

Negative emotions can reduce our capacity to trust

A study found that negative emotions suppress trust by disrupting brain activity and connectivity in key social cognition regions. Negative affect also impairs the strength of connections between these regions, predicting lower levels of trust.

Brain wave stimulation may improve Alzheimer's symptoms

Researchers found that a unique combination of light and sound improved cognitive and memory impairments similar to those seen in Alzheimer's patients. The treatment also greatly reduced amyloid plaques in the brains of mice, clearing large swaths of critical brain areas.

How a mitochondrial enzyme can trigger cell death

Researchers discovered that cytochrome c binds to specific membrane domains and regulates the oxidation of cardiolipin, a key player in apoptosis. This finding could lead to new drug targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease.

What makes a cell turn cancerous?

Retinoblastoma arises from abnormal proliferation of cone cells due to a tumor-suppressing gene mutation. Dr. Cobrinik's research aims to understand how RB mutations affect cone cells, which could lead to new cancer therapies.

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.

Astronomers discover 83 supermassive black holes in the early universe

A team of astronomers has discovered 83 quasars powered by supermassive black holes in the early Universe, increasing the number of known black holes at that epoch. The survey reveals the average spacing between supermassive black holes is a billion light-years, providing insights into their origin.

It's not your fault -- Your brain is self-centered

A study published in Psychological Science found that our brains automatically prioritize self-referential stimuli, such as our names or faces, over random information. This 'self-referential bias' can drive decisions and behaviors, potentially leading to selfish outcomes.

Protected areas could help large herbivores bounce back after war

A new study reveals that protected areas can help large herbivores rapidly recover from war-induced declines. The study found that total biomass has substantially recovered since 1994, but species composition has shifted dramatically, with formerly dominant herbivores now outnumbered by smaller antelopes.