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Science News for March 8, 2019


Pheromones and social status: Machos smell better

A study by researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna found that dominant male house mice produce higher levels of certain pheromones compared to subordinates. These pheromones are transported in the urine via major urinary proteins (MUPs) and bind to female reproductive physiology, making them more attractive to receptive females.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 8, 2019

New gene hunt reveals potential breast cancer treatment target

A team of Australian and US researchers has identified a potential therapeutic drug target for aggressive breast cancers. The Oncomix method enabled them to 'zoom in' on genetic information from cancer patients and identify genes with distinct activity patterns, revealing five genes that promote tumour growth.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

Scientists discover a potential strategy to treat influenza A

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a promising small molecule that targets the HA stem of influenza A group 1 viruses, demonstrating effectiveness against seasonal and pandemic strains in mice. The orally active compound, JNJ-4796, has the potential to be used as a treatment for flu sickness.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience·DateMar 8, 2019

Gene identified that increases risk of antibiotic reaction

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a gene, HLA-A*32:01, that predisposes patients to vancomycin-associated DRESS. This genetic variant is found in 86% of patients who developed DRESS while taking vancomycin.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 8, 2019

Hookah smokers are inhaling toxic chemicals that may harm the heart

Hookah smoking exposes users to high levels of particulate matter and other harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nicotine, and lead. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding tobacco use in any form due to the risks associated with hookah smoking.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateMar 8, 2019

CO2 mineralization in geologically common rocks for carbon storage

Computational study simulates CO2 reacting with rock surfaces to form carbonate minerals, revealing a stable method of long-term carbon storage. The findings suggest that 'mineral trapping' can be used for carbon storage and provide insights into the chemistry of CO2 mineralization.

SourceKyushu University, I2CNER·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateMar 8, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hubble's dazzling display of 2 colliding galaxies

NGC 6052 is a pair of colliding galaxies visible in the Hercules constellation, consisting of two galaxies merging due to gravity. The Milky Way will undergo a similar collision with Andromeda in approximately 4 billion years.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 8, 2019

Disparities in access to trauma centers

Black-majority neighborhoods in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago face disparities in access to trauma centers, with racial/ethnic disparities only significant in New York after accounting for poverty. The study suggests trauma planning should address racial equity, particularly in densely populated areas like New York.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 8, 2019

Music captivates listeners and synchronizes their brainwaves

A study by City College of New York researchers found that music synchronizes brainwaves among listeners, with engagement dropping with familiar music and increasing with unfamiliar styles. Participants with musical training showed sustained interest across exposures to both familiar and unfamiliar music.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 8, 2019

NASA finds wind shear adversely affecting Haleh

Tropical Cyclone Haleh is being affected by northerly wind shear, causing it to weaken. The storm has maximum sustained winds of near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) and is forecast to turn to the north-northeast.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 8, 2019

Fear of hospitalization keeps men from talking about suicide

A new program aims to address this fear by providing patients with accurate information about treatment options and reducing the stigma around seeking help. The study found that nearly half of adults who die by suicide saw a primary care clinician within a month prior to their deaths.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

New method of scoring protein interactions mines large data sets from a fresh angle

Researchers have created a novel way to define individual protein associations using the topological scoring (TopS) algorithm. This approach helps identify proteins that come together in biological processes, allowing for better understanding of how proteins perform functions and interact with each other.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2019

$2 million NIH grant to study nephrotic syndrome

Researchers at Children's National Hospital will examine genetic mutations causing nephrotic syndrome using Drosophila. The goal is to develop targeted treatments for pediatric patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateMar 8, 2019

Improving researchers' abilities to forecast epidemics

A study published in Scientific Reports analyzed forecasts from 14 predictive models submitted to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's influenza season forecasting challenge. The results show that teams with more experience and combined model approaches performed better, highlighting opportunities for future improvement.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 8, 2019

Study: Urban African-Americans more likely to live in trauma deserts

A new study finds that urban African-Americans are significantly more likely to live in trauma deserts with limited access to advanced emergency medical care. The introduction of UChicago Medicine's Level 1 Trauma Center has reduced Chicago's disparity sevenfold, but racial disparities persist in New York City and Los Angeles.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 8, 2019

Machine learning to the rescue

The team aims to develop a sorting-machine prototype using pupae images and machine-learning algorithms to process tens of thousands of images daily. They also design a robot to sort the pupae based on the result of the algorithm, with the goal of reducing tsetse populations in sub-Saharan Africa.

SourceData Science Institute at Columbia·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

Kepler Space Telescope's first exoplanet candidate confirmed

Astronomers confirm the existence of a hot Jupiter-like planet, Kepler-1658 b, orbiting an evolved star. The discovery, led by University of Hawaii graduate student Ashley Chontos, provides new insights into planetary interactions and the rarity of planets around similar stars.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·DateMar 8, 2019

Good grief: Victimized employees don't get a break

A recent study published in Journal of Applied Psychology found that supervisors tend to view victims of bullying as bullies themselves, even when evidence contradicts this claim. The study also revealed that victims receive lower job performance evaluations despite their exemplary work.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateMar 8, 2019

SwRI-led LAMP instrument sheds light on lunar water movement

The study reveals that water molecules migrate over the course of a day, with higher concentrations at higher latitudes. This new understanding of lunar hydration has significant implications for future human missions to the Moon, where water could be used as a source of fuel or radiation shielding.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 8, 2019

THOR wrangles complex microbiomes into a model for improving them

A new model microbiome community, THOR, has been developed by researchers to improve human health and soil productivity. The community of bacteria produced complex traits such as biofilms, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics and improved crop yields.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalmBio·DateMar 8, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Blood holds key to liver regeneration

A Michigan State University study found that fibrinogen accumulates in the remaining liver after surgery and triggers platelet activity to aid in regeneration. Low fibrinogen levels are associated with delayed regeneration and dysfunctional livers, making it a potential predictive marker for doctors.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBlood·DateMar 8, 2019

Research suggests adoption assessment tool lags behind societal changes

A widely-used adoption assessment tool is found to be inadequate for measuring the needs of lesbian and gay couples who adopt cross-racially. The study, which tested 236 adoptive parents, highlights the need for more sensitive screening tools that can address the unique experiences of these families.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Evidence-Informed Social Work·DateMar 8, 2019

Atmospheric scientists reveal the effect of sea-ice loss on Arctic warming

Research reveals that sea ice loss in the Arctic causes rapid warming, which will persist even after melting is complete. The study suggests that this phenomenon is more pronounced during certain periods, particularly during cloud season, due to seasonal sea-ice melting and its impact on atmospheric heat transfer.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2019

New method opens the way for cutting tools with longer lifetime

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a theoretical model that simulates the degradation of hard cutting materials. The model, published in Materials journal, enables the manufacturing industry to save time and money by developing tools with greater hardness and resistance.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

At what age do you feel 65?

A new scientific study found a 30-year gap between countries with the highest and lowest ages at which people experience health problems equivalent to those of an average 65-year-old. The United States ranked 54th, between Iran (69.0 years) and Antigua and Barbuda (68.4 years).

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateMar 8, 2019

Number and timing of pregnancies influence breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

Research confirms that women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations experience a decreased risk of breast cancer after multiple full-term pregnancies. The study found that breastfeeding also reduces breast cancer risk for these women. However, the timing of pregnancy appears to play a crucial role in determining the level of risk reduction.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 8, 2019

Biologists have studied enzymes that help wheat to fight fungi

Researchers identified 1,544 enzymes that play a key role in wheat's defense against fungal infections. The study found that proteases are involved in cell death induced by infection, but contradicting the current understanding that caspase-like enzymes initiate this process.

SourceSechenov University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

The ABS of molecular engines

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum has identified a crucial role for a sixth transport step in the regulation of peroxisome function. The study reveals that this step is essential for maintaining the balance between import and export of enzymes, preventing diseases such as infant mortality

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research·DateMar 8, 2019

Is it ever too late for adults to benefit from physical activity?

A study of 315,000 US adults found that maintaining physical activity from adolescence into later adulthood and increasing leisure-time activity in adulthood were associated with lower risk of dying. Adults who had been less active before age 40 also saw benefits when they increased their physical activity between ages 41-60.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 8, 2019

Neural engineer Qi Wang recognized with NSF CAREER Award

Qi Wang, a neural engineer at Columbia University, has won a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop closed-loop peripheral neural stimulation technology for enhancing perception and cognition. His project aims to use vagus nerve stimulation to control arousal levels and minimize side effects.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

NASA's LRO sheds light on lunar water movement

Scientists have observed water molecules moving around the dayside of the Moon, contradicting previous assumptions that it was arid. The amount and locations of surface water vary based on the time of day, with more common at higher latitudes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 8, 2019

EPFL researchers simulate the process of adhesive wear

Researchers at EPFL's LSMS digitally simulated how surface roughness changes over time, capturing the entire process from initial geometry to final fractal geometry. Their findings suggest that wear debris is present for surfaces to develop self-affine roughness and could lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and costs.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Vitamin D may protect against pollution-associated asthma symptoms in obese children

A recent study found that vitamin D levels can modify the response to indoor air pollution in obese urban children with asthma. The research team identified a significant link between low blood vitamin D levels and respiratory problems, as well as an inverse relationship between high blood vitamin D levels and asthma symptoms.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·DateMar 8, 2019

Illuminating the genome

Researchers have developed an RNA-guided endonuclease - in situ labelling (RGEN-ISL) method that preserves chromatin intact and allows real-time visualization of DNA-labelling. This new tool outperforms conventional methods, enabling investigation of genome structure and function.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 8, 2019

Why you lose hearing for a while after listening to loud sounds

Scientists at Linköping University found that the tectorial membrane stores calcium ions, which regulate sensory cell function. Temporary hearing loss occurs when the membrane's calcium ion concentration drops, but returns to normal once it replenishes.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2019

Sewage reveals levels of antimicrobial resistance worldwide

A comprehensive analysis of sewage from 74 cities in 60 countries has yielded comparable global data on antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The study found that North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have low levels of antimicrobial resistance, while Asia, Africa, and South America have high levels.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

$3 million NIH grant to study APOL1 and HIV synergy

Researchers at Children's National Hospital have received a $3 million NIH grant to investigate the mechanisms of APOL1 and HIV nephropathies in children. The study aims to understand how HIV-1 interacts with APOL1 risk variants in renal cells, triggering chronic kidney disease.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateMar 8, 2019

Small animals with big impact

Copepods release substances into oceans that trigger defences in phytoplankton, causing bioluminescence and chemical warfare. The effects can be far-reaching, leading to toxic algal blooms and impacting marine life.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 8, 2019

Listening to quantum radio

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have created a quantum circuit that enables the detection of weak radio signals, which could revolutionize fields like radio astronomy and medicine. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for experiments that explore the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·DateMar 8, 2019

Zinc could help as non-antibiotic treatment for UTIs

Researchers discovered zinc's role in fighting UTI bacteria, identifying its toxic effects on UPEC cells and potential avenues for non-antibiotic treatment strategies. This knowledge could lead to new therapies that don't develop resistance like traditional antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2019
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.

Study confirms horseshoe crabs are really relatives of spiders, scorpions

A recent study published in Systematic Biology confirms horseshoe crabs belong to the arachnid family tree, challenging previous hypotheses. By analyzing genetic data and considering multiple analysis methods, researchers found a high degree of confidence that horseshoe crabs are part of the arachnid radiation.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalSystematic Biology·DateMar 8, 2019