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Science News Archive March 2019


Page 39 of 43

Scientists study neutron scattering for researching magnetic materials

Researchers from the University of Luxembourg have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of neutron scattering techniques for analyzing magnetic materials. The study focuses on analysis techniques for superconductors, permanent magnets, shape-memory alloys, ferrofluids and other magnetic materials.

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.

MSU lands $5 million NIH grant to connect dots between pesticides and Parkinson's

A Michigan State University researcher is investigating the role of pesticides in olfactory impairment and their relevance to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers will assess over 2,200 farmers using a standard smell test and conduct home visits to evaluate cognitive function and motor symptoms.

Creating more potent cancer therapy using 'theranostics'

Researchers created metallocorrole/protein nanoparticles that can both survive longer in the body and better snipe disease targets. The theranostics have huge chemotherapeutic potential, potentially shortening treatment duration and diminishing side effects for cancer patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Looks matter when it comes to success in STEM, study shows

A Rice University study reveals that students who look more racially stereotypical are more likely to persist in STEM fields, while those who do not fit the mold face higher drop-out rates. Asian students who look more like their racial group are more likely to complete a STEM degree, but black students who do so are less likely.

Nanotechnology and sunlight clear the way for better visibility

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new transparent material coating that greatly reduces fogging on eyewear, cameras, and windshields. The coating absorbs infrared sunlight and converts it into heat, preventing fogging by heating the surface up to 3-4 degrees Celsius.

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.

The secret behind maximum plant height: water!

A new study found that physiological coordination between plant height and xylem hydraulic traits is linked to habitat water availability. The researchers discovered that taller plants from wet habitats exhibit greater xylem efficiency, wider conduits, and lower sapwood density.

Scaling up innovative sensor installation on the Mighty Mac

Researchers from MSU and WUSTL are rolling out the next phase of testing by installing up to 2,000 sensors to explore logistics and provide useful monitoring data. The goal is to transform bridge preservation/management economics and improve maintenance with condition-based maintenance.

Mom-to-mom phone calls lift breastfeeding rate

An Australian study found that regular telephone support from experienced breastfeeders increased breastfeeding rates among first-time mothers by 75%, compared to 69% in the control group. The program also improved mothers' ability to cope with challenges, leading to a significant increase in exclusive breastfeeding at six months.

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.

Kids with cochlear implants since infancy more likely to speak, not sign

Deaf children who received cochlear implants before 12 months of age learn spoken language more rapidly and are more likely to use it as their sole means of communication. This study suggests that early cochlear implantation can have a transformative impact on language development in deaf infants.

Electrical signals kick off flatworm regeneration

Scientists have discovered that electrical activity is the first known step in planarian flatworm regeneration, starting before genetic machinery kicks in. This breakthrough enables cells to communicate and make decisions about their position and overall organ structure.

Scientists levitate particles with sound to find out how they cluster together

Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Bath used acoustic levitation to study the shape of prototypical clusters that form when particles are added one by one. They found that with six particles or more, different shapes can assemble, including parallelogram, chevron, and triangle configurations.

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.

When changing one atom makes molecules better

Researchers have found a way to replace hydrogen atoms with fluorine in organic molecules, increasing their metabolic stability and potentially leading to more effective pharmaceuticals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for various diseases.

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.

A new prevention strategy for college drinking

Researchers are testing a new approach to reduce college drinking by leveraging cognitive dissonance and counter attitudinal advocacy. Heavy drinkers will share their advice with younger students, who will then be motivated to change their own behavior.

Grant expected to push sepsis research forward

A recent grant will allow researcher Wendy Walker to study immune cell contributions to sepsis, a life-threatening disorder with a high mortality rate. Her goal is to manipulate these cells to improve clinical outcomes and potentially cure the disease.

Study confirms and quantifies Zika-microcephaly link in Brazil

A study published in PLOS Medicine has confirmed and quantified the association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in Brazil. The research found that women infected with Zika virus early in pregnancy were almost 17 times more likely to have a child with microcephaly.

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.

Promising strategy to fight the most deadly brain tumor in children

A study published in Nature Communications found that an inhibitor of ACVR1 slows tumor growth and increases survival in an animal model of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Researchers believe this enzyme mutation cooperates with a histone mutation to initiate tumor development.

Plasma protein may hold promise for wound scaffolds

A team of researchers from Germany has successfully developed a new method for creating wound-healing tissue scaffolds using plasma protein. The scaffold can be attached or detached from a surface and retains the properties of the protein, making it suitable for various biomedical applications such as blood coagulation and drug screening.

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.

Using sleep disorder to predict Parkinson's disease

A large multi-centre study of over 1,200 patients with REM sleep behaviour disorder found a high risk of Parkinson's disease progression and identified several strong predictors, including motor difficulties and mild cognitive impairment. The study's findings will improve clinical trial selection and therapy development.

Paying patients to use lower-priced health providers can reduce health spending

A study found that paying patients to use lower-priced medical providers can reduce healthcare spending by an average of 2.1%. The program offered a cash reward to patients who used lower-priced providers, resulting in a 4.7% decrease in MRI prices, 2.5% decrease in ultrasound prices, and 1.7% decrease in mammogram prices.

The random anti-laser

Researchers have developed a method to build an anti-laser based on random scattering, which can absorb light of a specific color and dissipate energy. The new approach has been confirmed by experiments in cooperation with the University of Nice and opens up possibilities for various scientific and engineering applications.

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.

Do all networks obey the scale-free law? Maybe not

Researchers analyzed over 900 networks from biology, transportation, technology and more, finding that close to 50% don't meet the definition of a scale-free network. The study's findings suggest that the shape of a network determines its properties, including susceptibility to targeted attacks or disease outbreaks.

Potential treatment strategy uncovered for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have made a promising discovery in treating pancreatic cancer by making cells reliant on autophagy, a process of cellular recycling. A novel treatment strategy combining an autophagy inhibitor with another compound has shown increased efficacy in laboratory studies.

How new species arise in the sea

Researchers found that natural selection can couple genes for color pattern and mate preferences when species still interbreed. The study identified four narrow regions of the genome that are highly differentiated among species in hamlets, closely related reef fishes that differ in terms of color pattern.

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.

Kidney disease killer vulnerable to targeted nano therapy

Researchers at Clemson University developed a targeted nano therapy that destroyed calcium buildup in arteries without causing side effects. The therapy mimics a human's chronic kidney disease and has the potential to benefit thousands of patients.

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.

Cocoa may help curb fatigue typically associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Researchers found that high flavonoid cocoa powder improved fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis by reducing mental and physical fatigue. Participants who drank the high flavonoid version showed a moderate effect on fatigability and improvements in pain symptoms, while those drinking low flavonoid cocoa saw no significant benefits.

Interdisciplinary collaboration yields hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed the hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. These wear-resistant nitride films have been shown to outperform commercial coatings by orders of magnitude, offering a potential solution for industries experiencing losses due to friction and wear.

Study aims to reduce sexually transmitted infections in men

Researchers at the University of Southampton are launching a study to improve condom use and tackle STIs among young men in the UK. The study will examine whether online or face-to-face education sessions lead to better outcomes in reducing chlamydia rates among 2,200 men aged 16-25.

Researchers uncover new facets of HIV's 'arms race' with human defense system

A new study reveals the crucial role of a protein called Nef in allowing HIV to thrive within human cells despite the immune system's efforts to combat it. The research team showed that Nef antagonizes another protein called TIM, effectively reducing its power to protect human cells and making it easier for the HIV virus to release.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

SDSU study looks to limit secondhand smoke in homes with children

A San Diego State University study found that a combination of coaching, lights, and sound can reduce smoking in homes with children. The 'Project Fresh Air' intervention resulted in a near-20% reduction in smoking and related activity, as well as a decrease in air particle events triggered by secondhand smoke.

The speedy secrets of mako sharks -- 'cheetahs of the ocean'

Researchers have discovered that the microscopic surface geometry of mako shark scales can control flow separation, reducing drag on smooth surfaces. This passive mechanism could lead to innovative designs to increase agility in aircraft and helicopters.

Honey bee-inspired drug patches

Microfabricated surfaces with hair-like micropillars can entrap particles at five times the density of commercial patches, enabling higher drug contents and potential biomedical applications. The technology could also be used for industrial purposes, building on the unique properties of honey bee legs.

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.

Boyce Thompson Institute launches new Plant Genome Editing Database

The Boyce Thompson Institute has developed a new Plant Genome Editing Database (PGED) to manage and share plant mutant data, reducing duplicate experiments and catalyzing collaborations among researchers. The database currently contains over 432 tomato lines edited with CRISPR/Cas.

Radiation after surgery triples survival for a type of pediatric brain tumor

A Children's Oncology Group study shows that postoperative radiation improves outcomes for children with ependymoma, achieving seven-year progression-free survival for over 75% of patients and overall survival for 85%. The findings provide evidence that radiation can improve outcomes despite age and tumor subtype.