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Science News Archive March 2019 - Page 5


Page 5 of 43

Mount Kilimanjaro: Ecosystems in global change

A recent study on Mount Kilimanjaro reveals that land use and climate interactions significantly impact tropical mountain ecosystems, resulting in reduced biodiversity and altered ecological functions. The research found that different elevation zones exhibit varying levels of change, with the savanna zone being particularly vulnerable.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019

3D printer threads electronic fibers onto fabrics

Scientists have developed a method to print electronic fibers onto fabrics using a 3D printer. The technique allows for the creation of flexible, wearable hybrid materials with unprecedented properties, enabling the integration of functions such as sensing and actuating into smart wearable systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateMar 27, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lying, sitting or standing: Resting postures determined by animals' size

Researchers studied 250 mammals in zoos to investigate the connection between digestive systems and resting postures. They found that body size plays a significant role in determining the animals' resting posture, with larger animals more likely to lie on their sides and smaller ones on their chests.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateMar 27, 2019

GRAVITY instrument breaks new ground in exoplanet imaging

The GRAVITY instrument has made the first direct observation of an exoplanet, revealing a complex atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. This achievement showcases the unique possibilities for characterising many known exoplanets.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMar 27, 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.

Human protein produced in CHO-cells can save donor blood

Researchers have successfully produced mammalian cell lines that can produce human glycosylation profiles for Alpha-1-antitrypsin proteins. This breakthrough enables the production of recombinant Alpha-1-antitrypsin without dependency on human donors, reducing treatment costs and improving patient outcomes.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateMar 27, 2019

Childhood methylphenidate treatment predicts antidepressant use during adolescence

A new 12-year longitudinal study found that consistent treatment with methylphenidate-based medications during childhood increases the risk of antidepressant use during adolescence. Children with high adherence (above 50%) were at significantly greater risk of being prescribed antidepressants between the ages of 12-18.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 27, 2019

Stanford autonomous car learns to handle unknown conditions

A new neural network system developed by Stanford researchers enables autonomous cars to learn from past driving experiences and adapt to unknown conditions. The system performed similarly well as an experienced racecar driver in high-friction and low-friction scenarios, showing promise for improved safety.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 27, 2019

Engineers craft the basic building block for electrospun nanofibers

A team from Michigan Technological University has developed a new way to produce customizable nanofibers for growing cell cultures, cutting out the need for toxic solvents and chemicals. By varying electric field strengths, they can create different pocket sizes in the fibers, ideal for various cell types.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalMaterialia·DateMar 27, 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.

Birds bug out over coffee

A University of Delaware study found that certain native tree species provide better food resources for insects and attract migratory birds to coffee farms. Shade-grown coffee farms can serve as habitat refuges for wildlife, improving farm productivity and biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBiotropica·DateMar 27, 2019

Lurie Children's offers kids virtual escape from intensive care unit

Pediatric patients in a hospital bed explore virtual environments through scuba diving, snowboarding, and safaris, reducing anxiety and improving outcomes. The study found that 80% of parents reported their child's virtual reality experience calmed them.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 27, 2019

Exercise helps prevent cartilage damage caused by arthritis

Researchers found that exercise prevents cartilage degradation by suppressing inflammatory molecules in joints. The study also discovered that a specific protein called HDAC6 plays a crucial role in this process.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalOsteoarthritis and Cartilage·DateMar 27, 2019

Pressure makes best cooling

Researchers have discovered a class of disordered materials that can exhibit massive cooling effects when subjected to low pressure. The materials, called plastic crystals, display extremely high entropy changes, making them ideal for emerging solid-state refrigeration technologies.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 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.

Study of female weightlifters crushes stereotype

A study of elite female weightlifters found they have the same amount and in some cases more fast twitch fibers than their male counterparts. This challenges a persistent stereotype about women athletes and highlights the influence of training on muscle fiber development.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 27, 2019

Study confirms and ranks nursery value of coastal habitats

A comprehensive analysis of over 11,000 coastal-habitat measurements confirms the nursery function of mangroves and seagrasses, providing key guidance for marine resource managers. The study also finds that other structured habitats, such as coral reefs and oyster reefs, support greater juvenile abundance, growth, and survival.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalConservation Letters·DateMar 27, 2019

Implant to better track brain chemical gone rogue after neurotrauma

Researchers have created a tiny, flexible sensor that can capture the rapid spike in brain chemical glutamate after spinal cord injury or traumatic brain disease. The sensor, implanted on the spinal cord, helps study how these injuries and diseases develop.

SourcePurdue University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

Stop the exploitation of migrant agricultural workers across Italy

Thousands of migrant agricultural workers have died in Italy due to exploitation, with many facing poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of access to basic services. The doctors' call for action aims to address these issues and promote fair treatment for these vulnerable workers.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 27, 2019

Vapor drives a liquid-solid transition in a molecular system

Researchers from Kanazawa University have discovered a novel system where a liquid-solid transition is driven by guest vapor, exhibiting selectivity for alkane vapors. This unique property enables the development of new vapor detection systems and adhesion materials.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 27, 2019

Two novel pancreatic cancer cell lines with highly metastatic activity were established and analyzed

Researchers established two human pancreatic cancer cell sublines with high metastasis potential, MIA PaCa-2 In8 and Panc-1 In8, which demonstrated increased migration, invasion, and clonogenic abilities compared to their parental cells. The study also identified a dysregulated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) net...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

AAAS and EducationCounsel to update guidance for advancing campus diversity efforts

The American Association for the Advancement of Science and EducationCounsel are updating a handbook to help colleges navigate complex legal landscape and advance student and faculty diversity in STEM fields. The new guidance aims to prepare institutions for future developments while maintaining commitment to diversity efforts.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateMar 27, 2019

On the keto diet? Ditch the cheat day, says UBC study

A new UBC study found that consuming just one dose of carbohydrates while on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can damage blood vessels. The researchers recruited nine healthy young males and had them consume a glucose drink before and after a seven-day keto diet, revealing biomarkers in the blood suggesting vessel wall damage.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalNutrients·DateMar 27, 2019

Thirst controlled by signal from the gut

Scientists discovered the gut has a built-in salt sensor that reports to the brain, regulating thirst. The gastrointestinal tract measures salt concentration and relays this info directly to the brain, enabling precise measurement of fluid osmolarity.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

Codifying the universal language of honey bees

Virginia Tech researchers Margaret Couvillon and Roger Schürch have decoded the universal language of honey bees, allowing scientists to interpret the insects' sophisticated communications. By deciphering waggle dances, they hope to better understand pollinators' preferred forages and food sources.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMar 27, 2019

Laser physics: Downsizing the particle accelerator

Researchers have developed a technique to miniaturize plasma wakefield acceleration, allowing for the creation of compact, high-energy particle accelerators. This technology has the potential to revolutionize particle accelerator design and enable smaller, more accessible facilities.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 27, 2019

Physicists constrain dark matter

Researchers have constrained a theoretical model of dark matter particles using data from Earth-based radio telescopes. The study found that ultralight particles interact weakly with photons, making them hard to study, but also revealed a constraint on the available models describing dark matter composition.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateMar 27, 2019

Signs of 1906 earthquake revealed in mapping of offshore northern San Andreas Fault

A new study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America has revealed signs of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in a high-resolution map of the offshore northern San Andreas Fault. The map shows two large zones of slope failure on the seafloor, indicating that the fault ruptured in multiple strands.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

New potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer discovered

A study published in Nature identified a new approach to starve pancreatic cancer cells of molecular resources. The researchers found that the protein syndecan-1 plays a critical role in regulating macropinocytosis, a mechanism used by cancer cells to scavenge resources and divide.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019

Solving a hairy forensic problem

Researchers developed a new method to distinguish between drug ingestion and external contamination of hair by analyzing single hairs from volunteers. The team found that splitting the hair lengthwise increased sensitivity for zolpidem detection, allowing them to separate ingestion from contamination.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

Rivers raged on Mars late into its history

A new study by UChicago scientists found significant river runoff persisted on Mars later into its history than previously thought. The intense runoff, which was wider than those on Earth today, occurred at hundreds of locations and suggests a complex climate with strong greenhouse effects.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 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.

Old for new, using ancient genetic variation to supercharge wheat

Researchers identify genomic regions affecting radiation use efficiency and biomass accumulation in spring wheat, providing a crucial resource for scientists and breeders. The study aims to increase wheat yield potential without sacrificing grain yield, addressing the challenge of sustainingably feeding a growing population.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·DateMar 27, 2019

Had enough water? Brain's thirst centers make a gut check

A new study suggests that the brain uses sensory signals from the mouth and throat to temporarily quench thirst, but also relies on gut sensors to review this decision based on a drink's hydration potential. This helps regulate fluid balance within the body and may provide insights into diseases like high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 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.

Helping infants survive brain cancer

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have created a mouse model of choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), a challenging type of brain cancer that affects young children. The study identified three promising drug compounds with biological activity, including dinaciclib and flavopiridol.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCancer Research·DateMar 27, 2019

The salt-craving neurons

Researchers at Caltech have identified specific neurons responsible for salt cravings in the mouse brain, which are triggered by oral sodium signals. These findings could potentially lead to new avenues for regulating sodium intake and mitigating health issues related to excessive salt consumption.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019

High-speed videos capture how kangaroo rat escapes rattlesnake attack

Researchers have captured high-speed videos of kangaroo rats defending themselves against rattlesnake attacks, showcasing their record-breaking reaction times and evasive maneuvers. The data suggest that the kangaroo rats' powerful legs and mid-air kicks allow them to avoid being envenomated.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateMar 27, 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.

Harvesting water energy using slippery surfaces

Scientists have developed a new triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) called SLIPS-TENG, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in harsh environments. The device uses a slippery lubricant-impregnated porous surface to address durability and biofilm coverage issues.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 27, 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.

Two new Emmy Noether Independent Junior Research Groups at Charité

Two new Emmy Noether Independent Junior Research Groups at Charité will explore the use of deep brain stimulation to treat neurological disorders and the regulation of immune responses in the nervous system. The groups, led by Dr. Andreas Horn and Dr. Christoph Klose, will receive over €1.7 million in funding for three years.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·DateMar 27, 2019