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Science News Archive March 2019


Page 7 of 43

Scientists shine new light on how cells coordinate eye growth in fish

Researchers discovered that stem cells in the neural retina act as 'bosses' during growth, telling cells in the retinal pigment epithelium when to create more cells. The study reveals an unappreciated mechanism for growth coordination, where one tissue gives cues to synchronise the growth of nearby tissues.

Technique uses well-known dye to watch amyloid plaques in the brain

A team of researchers has demonstrated a novel approach for nanoscale imaging of amyloid structures using Thioflavin T, allowing for precise visualization of proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The technique enables the observation of amyloid fibrils assembling and disassembling in response to drugs.

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.

When tempers flare, nurses' injuries could rise

A study by researchers at Michigan State University found that social factors can contribute to muscle and joint pain in nurses. When support is perceived as uneven, tempers rise, leading to increased risk of injuries. Implementing strategies to improve the social environment for nurses may reduce stress and promote physical health.

Repeat heart attack and death linked to hospitals with low care scores

Patients treated at hospitals with low care scores are at greater risk for another heart attack or death due to cardiovascular causes. Teaching hospitals have a lower risk, with patients having 25% lower chance of readmission within one month and 10% lower chance of cardiovascular death at one year.

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.

Microgels let medical implants fight off bacteria

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a self-defensive surface for medical implants that releases micro-doses of antibiotics when bacteria approach. The microgels' behavior is regulated by electrical charges and can be applied to various medical devices, potentially reducing surgical infections.

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.

Mind melding: Understanding the connected, social brain

Researchers found that neural synchrony between mothers and infants predicts social learning, while eye contact is associated with increased synchrony. The study sheds light on the human social brain and its importance in learning and development.

Microorganisms are the main emitters of carbon in Amazonian waters

A new study reveals the microbial food web in Amazonian waters, consisting of 20% of the whole Amazon, produces 10 times more CO2 than the classical food chain by decomposing organic matter. This accounts for most of the carbon circulating in lakes, floodplains, and wetlands.

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.

New brain research challenges our understanding of sleep

Researchers have uncovered large-scale brain patterns and networks that control sleep, revealing new insights into the complex processes of brain activity during sleep. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Gesturing related to storytelling style, not nationality, study

New research by University of Alberta scientists reveals that gesturing frequency is more closely tied to the way people tell a story than their cultural background. Studies with bilingual participants found that those speaking in chronological order tend to gesture more than those focusing on moral or meaning behind a story.

NSF grant supports development of robotic frost protection in orchards

Researchers at Penn State are developing a system using unmanned aerial vehicles and ground-based robots to monitor air temperatures and provide targeted heating to protect crops from frost damage. The project aims to minimize energy use while maximizing precision in frost protection, with the goal of reducing economic losses for growers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Smartphone test spots poisoned water risk to millions of lives

A new biosensor attached to a phone can detect arsenic levels in water, revealing a potential solution for contaminated drinking water sources. The device uses bacteria to generate easy-to-interpret patterns, providing an urgent need for simple and affordable monitoring tools.

New VaxArray neuraminidase potency test for N9

InDevR launches first-in-class reagent kit for rapid quantification of N9 in 'pandemic' influenza vaccines. The VaxArray assays are expected to reduce time and cost associated with vaccine production, facilitating improvement of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.

Cool Earth theory sheds more light on diamonds

A new theory by QUT geologist Professor Balz Kamber explains why diamonds formed as precious gemstones rather than graphite, contradicting a common belief. The study suggests the upper mantle was relatively cool, leading to diamond formation during the Archaean era.

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.

Student loan forgiveness programs driving physicians to primary care

Research finds that student loan forgiveness incentives influence new doctors' choice of specialty, with 35% of top-debt-quartile physicians practicing in primary care after using loan forgiveness programs. The article emphasizes the need to expand these programs to address the growing shortage of primary care physicians.

Study finds people who feed birds impact conservation

A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that people who feed birds notice natural changes in their backyards and respond to these events. Most often, they take action against cats or sick birds, but some also adjust their feeding habits based on weather conditions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Yellowstone elk don't budge for wolves say scientists

Elk exhibit minimal avoidance of wolves due to philopatry, returning to familiar foraging areas despite small risk of predation. The study's findings suggest that wolves have negligible impacts on elk movements, contradicting previous theories.

Land conservation helps local economies grow

A new analysis by Harvard University shows that land conservation modestly increases employment rates in New England cities and towns, even when controlling for other factors. The study found small gains in median household income and population, as well as employment growth in recreation and tourism industries.

Dartmouth's Xia Zhou Wins 2019 ACM SIGMOBILE RockStar Award

Xia Zhou, an associate professor of computer science at Dartmouth College, has been awarded the 2019 ACM SIGMOBILE RockStar award for her groundbreaking research on unconventional wireless spectrum frequencies and visible light sensing. Her work has led to breakthroughs in next-generation wireless systems and human behavioral sensing.

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.

Bacteria could become a future source of electricity

Researchers at Lund University have achieved a more efficient transfer of electrical current from bacteria to electrodes, paving the way for potential use in biofuel cells and other energy applications. The discovery also sheds light on how bacteria communicate with their surroundings, including other molecules and each other.

Droughts could hit aging power plants hard

A new study by Duke University finds that droughts and rising water temperatures will significantly impact US power plants' generating capacity. The researchers recommend replacing traditional once-through cooling systems with recirculating cooling systems to mitigate these effects.

Using connectomics to understand epilepsy

Studies from the Epilepsy Connectome Project reveal a difference in memory-related connections between healthy individuals and those with epilepsy. The researchers identified an excitatory connection association with inhibition of formation of the left hippocampal region in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Mouse study examines the underpinnings of hallucinations

A study found that a hallucinogenic drug reduces signaling in the visual cortex, leading to altered timing of neuron firing and triggering visual hallucinations. The research has implications for understanding neurological underpinnings in disorders like schizophrenia.

Protein 'spat out' by cancer cells promotes tumor growth

Researchers at the University of Bradford discovered a protein, EN2, released by cancer cells that alters normal cell behavior, promoting tumour growth and evading the immune system. The study found that both cancer and normal cells take up the protein, leading to changes in shape or fusion, allowing cancer cells to reactivate and spread.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Stranded dolphins have amyloid plaques in their brains

A recent study discovered amyloid plaques in the brains of stranded dolphins in Florida and Massachusetts, similar to those found in humans with Alzheimer's disease. The presence of these plaques, along with an environmental toxin produced by cyanobacterial blooms, highlights the potential risks of toxic exposures in marine environments.

Artificial womb technology breaks its 4 minute mile

A major breakthrough in artificial womb technology has demonstrated its ability to support extremely preterm babies equivalent to a human fetus at 24 weeks of gestation. The study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that the technology can maintain stable, growth-normal state for five days.

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 solid Earth breathes

Researchers developed a new method to investigate tectonic C cycling in the complex Sunda margin, finding that only a fraction of sedimentary carbon returns to the Earth, contributing to atmospheric CO2. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the solid Earth's role in regulating global climate.

Ancient Caribbean children helped with grocery shopping in AD 400

Researchers suggest that snail and clam shells found at Caribbean archaeological sites may indicate child involvement in foraging and grocery shopping. Children's contributions to their own subsistence were more efficient and meaningful than previously thought, changing the way archaeologists think about site materials and distribution.

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.

New app can secure all your saved emails

The new Easy Email Encryption (E3) app automatically encrypts incoming emails on trusted devices, providing real-world security without requiring technical expertise. With receiver-controlled encryption and per-device key pairs, E3 makes email protection accessible to non-technical users.

Sometimes it's not good to be green

The study estimates that global lake greening could increase methane emissions by 30-90% over the next century. This is attributed to human population growth, climate change, and increased stormwater runoff, which lead to eutrophication and oxygen depletion in lakes.

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.

Duckweed: The low-down on a tiny plant

Researchers found that the giant duckweed has extremely low genetic diversity and mutation rate, which may be due to its large population size. This study provides new insights into why genetic diversity differs among species.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Probiotic bacteria evolve inside mice's GI tracts

A new study found that probiotic bacteria can evolve and change inside the mouse's gut, making them less effective and sometimes harmful. The researchers discovered that the bacteria's DNA changes and they develop new capabilities after living in the mice's intestines for a few weeks.

Infertility's roots in DNA packaging

Researchers at Kyoto University have made a breakthrough in understanding the root cause of abnormal sperm morphology in infertile mice. By modifying a single amino acid on a key protein, they were able to restore fertility in test mice, opening up new possibilities for treating infertility.

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.