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Science News Archive March 2019 - Page 18


Page 18 of 43

Disease burden in osteoarthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis

A new study reveals that osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have comparable impacts on patients when first visiting rheumatologists. Treatment significantly improves RA outcomes, whereas OA experiences a higher burden of disease, highlighting an urgent need for improved treatments.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateMar 20, 2019

Some US Muslims identify less as Americans due to negative media coverage

A new University of Michigan study found that negative media portrayals of Muslim Americans can reduce their identification as Americans and weaken their trust in the U.S. government. The study suggests that exposure to biased news coverage can be a stronger factor than personal discrimination in shaping these attitudes.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Communication·DateMar 20, 2019

Researchers identify gene variant associated with cellular aging

A study found that a specific klotho genotype interacts with severe PTSD symptoms to accelerate cellular aging. This interaction highlights the potential role of klotho as a therapeutic target for protecting against age-related inflammation and loss of neural integrity.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateMar 20, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New measurement method for radioactive methane

A new optical measurement method for radioactive methane has been developed by Juho Karhu, offering a cheaper and more agile alternative to accelerator mass spectrometry. The method uses spectroscopy to measure the absorption of materials at different wavelengths, enabling the detection of low levels of radioactive methane in various a...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 20, 2019

Researchers find broad impacts from lake trout invasion in Yellowstone

The introduction of lake trout in Yellowstone Lake has altered the numbers, diet, and behavior of organisms from microscopic zooplankton to large animals such as bears and bald eagles. The study found that the impact of lake trout on native cutthroat trout has cascaded across the ecosystem.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 20, 2019
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.

It's no Fortnite, but it's helping stroke survivors move again

A new device, paired with a customized video game, helps retrain stroke survivors' arm muscles into moving more normally. Most participants experienced increased arm mobility and reduced arm stiffness, retaining function after finishing the training.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair·DateMar 19, 2019

Meditation enhances social-emotional learning in middle school students

A new study found that middle school students practicing meditation as part of a Quiet Time program showed significant improvements in social-emotional competencies and psychological distress. The study demonstrated the value of such programs in enhancing social-emotional learning and mental health in middle school students.

SourceCenter for Wellness and Achievement in Education·JournalEducation·DateMar 19, 2019

Experts to support global companies against cyber threats

A UK consortium of cyber security experts is supporting global businesses to address cyber threats and protect against cybercrime. The project aims to develop interventions to provide guidance and support, with a focus on board decision-making and risk assessment.

SourceUniversity College London·DateMar 19, 2019

New class of drugs could treat ovarian cancer

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a new class of drugs that can stop ovarian cancer cells from growing. The PARG inhibitors target weaknesses in DNA replication, making them sensitive to these treatments.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCancer Cell·DateMar 19, 2019
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.

Dalian Coherent Light Source reveals hydroxyl super rotors from water photochemistry

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used the Dalian Coherent Light Source to study vacuum ultraviolet water photochemistry, identifying rotationally hot OH radicals. Highly excited 'super rotors' were observed from water photodissociation at 115.2 nm, revealing interesting dissociation mechanisms.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2019

Study suggests why some young adults may be more likely to engage in unsafe sex

A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that gender, sexual orientation, and relationship motivation influence condom decision-making among young adults. The research suggests that women are more likely to take risks when they have stronger relationship motivation and view their partner as having more potential.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateMar 19, 2019

Fishing for fun, not food: Study takes stock of recreational fishing impacts

A study suggests that policymakers must recognize the growing role of recreational fishing in affecting fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. The authors propose five suggestions for guiding reform, including integrating angling targets into management and improving monitoring to moderate impacts on fish stocks.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2019

OSIRIS-REx spies on the weird, wild gravity of an asteroid

The study finds that Bennu exists in a delicate balance between two competing forces, its wild spin creating a competition between gravity and centrifugal acceleration. This balance affects the asteroid's long-term evolution and potential demise.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 19, 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.

Making xylitol and cellulose nanofibers from paper paste

Researchers at Kobe University have successfully produced xylitol and cellulose nanofibers from Kraft pulp using a modified yeast strain that displays enzymes on its cell surface. This breakthrough reduces the need for costly commercial enzymes, making the process more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

SourceKobe University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateMar 19, 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.

Data-driven modeling and estimation of lithium-ion battery properties

A team of Columbia professors has designed a data-driven model to predict Li-Ion battery performance, aiming to reduce error rates from five percent to one percent. The model can help extend battery life and improve electric vehicles' efficiency by predicting charge levels and identifying weak cells.

SourceData Science Institute at Columbia·DateMar 19, 2019

SwRI-led team identifies water-bearing minerals on asteroid Bennu

A Southwest Research Institute-led team discovered evidence of abundant water-bearing minerals on the surface of asteroid Bennu using OSIRIS-REx spectral data. The findings are consistent with meteorites found on Earth and provide clues to the distribution and abundance of water in the early solar system.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 19, 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.

Nature hits rewind

New research by McMaster behavioural scientists reveals evolution can work backwards to benefit related members of the same group. Selfless traits like sharing food and keeping watch are mathematically equivalent to decreased evolution of individually beneficial traits.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 19, 2019

Carbon monoxide detectors could warn of extraterrestrial life

Astronomers now consider carbon monoxide as a biosignature gas that could indicate microbial life on exoplanets. Computer models reveal two scenarios where carbon monoxide accumulates in the atmospheres of living planets, including ancient Earth and habitable exoplanets around red dwarf stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateMar 19, 2019
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

BJC press notice

A recent study by Cancer Research UK reveals that African-American cancer patients with inherited red blood cell conditions are 20% more likely to experience serious adverse events. This disparity may be attributed to the rigors of therapy and the disproportionately higher incidence of these disorders in the African-American population.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateMar 19, 2019

Revealing the rules behind virus scaffold construction

Researchers discovered instances of epistasis, a phenomenon where two changes produce a behavior different from individual changes. This finding could impact future drug delivery and therapeutic strategies by learning the rules of virus scaffold assembly.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiochemistry·DateMar 19, 2019

How hot spots of genetic variation evolved in human DNA

Researchers identified 1,148 hot spots with unusually high numbers of structural variants in the genome, including sections near genes linked to sense of smell, blood function, and immunity. The study suggests balancing selection drives adaptation and malleability of human DNA.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateMar 19, 2019

Smarter drug release thanks to control over encapsulation

Researchers have discovered parameters governing drug encapsulation, giving more control over the slow release of drugs in patients. This breakthrough enables fewer trial-and-error experiments in drug design, reducing side effects and facilitating personalized therapeutic treatments.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 19, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Where does chronic pain begin? Scientists close in on its origins

A study by UT Dallas researchers has identified several new targets for pain treatment, revealing the source of chronic pain in humans. The study found that specialized nerve cells called dorsal root ganglia (DRG) play a key role in neuropathic pain, and genes expressed in these cells may be used to develop new analgesic drugs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalBrain·DateMar 19, 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.

Chicago's Large Lot Program sowing change in inner-city communities

The program allows existing property owners to buy up to two vacant residential lots on their blocks for $1 each. Residents report increased feelings of investment and pride in their community, as well as reduced crime and improved social interaction.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·DateMar 19, 2019

Tiny song bird makes record migration, U of G study proves

A team of researchers from University of Guelph tracked the annual migration of blackpoll warblers, one of the fastest declining songbirds in North America. The birds migrate up to 20,000 kilometers between their breeding grounds in the central and western boreal forest and their winter home in the Amazon Basin.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalEcology·DateMar 19, 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.

SCOPE project scoops $16 million EU grant

The SCOPE project aims to harness plasma energy to transform the production of fertilisers, enabling tailored production for individual environmental conditions. Successful completion could lead to small-scale, flexible fertiliser plants that can produce up to 50,000 tonnes per year.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateMar 19, 2019

Measuring differences in brain chemicals in people with mild memory problems

A pilot study by Johns Hopkins researchers found decreases in GABA and glutamate in people with mild cognitive impairment compared to healthy individuals. The study used strong magnets to measure multiple brain metabolites simultaneously, potentially revealing the earliest changes in brain chemistry associated with dementia.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateMar 19, 2019

When development and conservation clash in the Serengeti

A new study suggests that road construction in the Serengeti could lead to increased poaching and land conversion, contradicting proponents' claims of economic growth. Local communities prefer traditional livelihood activities over new wage-earning opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 19, 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.

Floodplain forests under threat

A recent study found that groundwater extraction is harming floodplain forests in Europe by reducing tree growth and increasing drought sensitivity. The research suggests that adapting to climate change requires reducing groundwater extraction, not increasing it, to protect these critical ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·DateMar 19, 2019
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.

Study shows IPCC is underselling climate change

A new study found that the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report underestimated the threats of climate change by overemphasizing uncertainty. The report suggests that the agency's language is too cautious, hiding the true extent of human impact on the environment.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalBioScience·DateMar 19, 2019