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Science News for May 10, 2019


NIH funds new research with Bogalusa heart study members

The NIH is funding a new study that aims to discover the link between early life blood sugar levels and middle-aged brain health. The Bogalusa Heart Study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess brain health in participants, and the results could lead to new guidelines for managing childhood blood sugar levels.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·DateMay 10, 2019

Good sleep quality and good mood lead to good working memory with age

A UC Riverside-led team found strong associations between working memory and factors like sleep quality, age, and depressed mood. The researchers discovered that each factor affects different aspects of working memory, with poor sleep quality and depressed mood linked to reduced quantitative memory.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateMay 10, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Army discovery opens path to safer batteries

Researchers have identified a new cathode chemistry that increases the energy density of lithium-ion batteries while maintaining improved safety. The discovery, which utilizes an aqueous electrolyte, has the potential to significantly increase the energy capacity of batteries without increasing weight or risk of fire.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 2019

New study shows scientists who selfie garner more public trust

A new study by LSU researchers found that scientists who post selfies on Instagram are perceived as warmer and more competent, challenging the stereotype that scientists are intelligent but not friendly. The study used social media platforms to bring scientists and non-scientists together, revealing that warmth is a key factor in deter...

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 10, 2019

Measuring quality of life after pediatric kidney transplant

Children who receive kidney transplants have impaired quality of life with higher mental health difficulties and disrupted sleep patterns. Parents' reports often differ from children's self-reports, indicating more difficulties in emotional functioning and social domains.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateMay 10, 2019

Wild pigs invade Canadian provinces

A rapidly expanding invasive species, wild pigs are threatening Canada's environment and agriculture. The species has spread across the country, from British Columbia to Ontario and Quebec, causing significant risks to farming and livestock production.

SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 10, 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.

Opioid doctor and pharmacy 'shoppers' may also shop at home, study finds

A new study found that 1 in 167 opioid prescriptions were filled by patients whose family members had a history of 'doctor and pharmacy shopping', increasing the risk of misuse and overdose. The research highlights the importance of helping patients store and dispose of opioids safely to prevent family member misuse.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 10, 2019

NASA Northern quadrant strength in Tropical Cyclone Lili

NASA analyzed Tropical Cyclone Lili using infrared data from the Aqua satellite, revealing strongest thunderstorms north of the center with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry air entrainment is expected to continue sapping the storm's ability to generate thunderstorms, leading to its dissipation in a day.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 10, 2019

Comparison of global climatologies confirms warming of the global ocean

A new ocean climatology reveals the global ocean is warming due to changes in atmospheric conditions, with temperatures increasing by 0.05°C over the past 25 years. The study provides valuable background information for various applications and highlights the importance of periodic updates to ocean climatologies.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMay 10, 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.

A metal sheet stamping simulation promises improved car part production

Kanazawa University researchers develop a simulation method to optimize metal sheet stamping, reducing costs and improving part quality. The approach considers the shape of the blank shape and variable blank holder force trajectory to minimize twisting and tearing.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalThe International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology·DateMay 10, 2019

Smallest pixels ever created could light up color-changing buildings

Scientists at University of Cambridge developed tiny gold particles to create smallest pixels yet, a million times smaller than smartphone pixels, for large-scale flexible displays. These colour-changing pixels can be applied to building-sized screens, reducing production cost and enabling sustainable technologies.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 10, 2019

New UM study highlights fundamental challenges of living with wildfire

A collaborative team of researchers developed a framework to integrate scientific understanding of fire and its effects on ecosystems and human communities with an understanding of the human values that ultimately determine what people care about. The study emphasizes the need for community members, policy makers, and land managers wor...

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalBioScience·DateMay 10, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A cup of joe and you're good to go!

Research from the University of South Australia finds that drinking six or more coffees a day can be detrimental to cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart disease. The study suggests that limiting coffee consumption to fewer than six cups a day is essential for maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 10, 2019

A surprising experiment opens the path to new particle manipulation methods

Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a surprising phenomenon where heavy particles move towards the regions with more vibrations, or antinodes, dubbed "inverse Chladni patterns", allowing for predictable motion control and potential applications in pharmaceutical research and microsystem assembly.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 10, 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.

Nanotubes enable travel of Huntington's protein

Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered that the Rhes protein creates tunnel-like nanotubes that enable the toxic Huntington's protein to travel between neurons, contributing to brain cell destruction and disease progression. This finding improves understanding of how Huntington's disease attacks certain brain cells.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 10, 2019

Statins' potential to treat MS unrelated to lowering cholesterol

Researchers found simvastatin helped delay disability worsening and slow brain atrophy in people with secondary progressive MS. The study suggests statins may have independent effects on the disease, beyond cholesterol lowering.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 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.

Location and brand affect people's trust in cloud services

Research by Penn State found that participants perceived security was highest for data centers located in Oceania, Europe, the rural U.S. or China, and generally had more positive attitudes towards these regions. Well-known brands like Google were seen as better guardians of personal data.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 10, 2019

A dance of two: Tailoring interactions between remote fluids of excitons

Researchers have successfully demonstrated strong and directionally dependent interactions between remote fluids of excitons, a type of quasi-particle in semiconductors. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for creating exotic states of matter and exploring the properties of dipolar quantum gases and liquids.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 10, 2019

Storm water banking could help Texas manage floods and droughts

Researchers found that Texas' major rivers produce enough water to store almost two-thirds of the state's flow capacity. Capturing this water could partially mitigate floods and droughts. The study's discovery fills a niche in understanding the potential for aquifer storage projects across the state.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 10, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study finds Wi-Fi location affects online privacy behavior

A study found that Wi-Fi location influences online privacy behavior, with people in public spaces like coffee shops being more cautious when using public Wi-Fi. Participants who had a stronger 'publicness heuristic' tendency disclosed less information and engaged in fewer unethical behaviors when connected to public networks.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 10, 2019

Making a meal of it: Mosquito spit protein controls blood feeding

Researchers at Kanazawa University found that inactivating the mosquito salivary protein AAPP significantly reduces mosquito feeding behavior, prolonging probing times and fluid excretion. This reduces egg production but does not affect malarial parasite development.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 10, 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.

Receiving weekend food improves school attendance among children living with hunger

A new study found that children participating in the BackPack food program missed fewer absences on Fridays than non-participants. The researchers also discovered that families struggling with multiple demands and limited resources often face food insecurity, which may be associated with poverty but is not equivalent to it.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition·DateMay 10, 2019

Climate change responsible for severe infectious disease in UK frogs

Research by Zoological Society of London and University College London reveals that climate change is increasing the spread and severity of a fatal disease in UK common frogs. The disease, caused by Ranavirus, is predicted to become more widespread and frequent if carbon emissions continue at their current rate.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMay 10, 2019

Inspired by a soft body of a leech -- a wall-climbing robot

A team of researchers developed a soft-bodied robot, LEeCH, inspired by land leeches that can climb vertical walls and transition to the other side. The robot's flexible body structure allows it to bend and elongate like a leech, enabling it to navigate complex terrain and obstacles.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalSoft Robotics·DateMay 10, 2019

UT Institute of Agriculture awarded nearly $1 million to study woody biomass feedstock logistics

A team at UTIA will determine key parameters for efficient logistics systems using innovative approaches, including evaluating alternative preprocessing technologies and modeling techno-economic analyses. The study aims to expedite commercialized cellulosic biofuel production by balancing cost and quality in feedstock logistics.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateMay 10, 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.

Better microring sensors for optical applications

Researchers propose a new type of sensor based on exceptional surfaces, which exhibit enhanced sensitivity but also fragile behavior. The proposed system alleviates most experimental uncertainty problems, making it more reliable for detecting small nano-particles and single molecules.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 10, 2019

Manipulating superconductivity using a 'mechanic' and an 'electrician'

Scientists created an EDLT device to control electron numbers and transfer energy, achieving superconducting states in both increasing and decreasing electron numbers. The system exhibited fundamentally different conditions for these states, with another superconducting state emerging when the substrate was bent.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 10, 2019

Uncovering a 5000-year-old family tragedy

A 5000-year-old mass grave in southern Poland has been uncovered, revealing the gruesome murder of a large family. Genetic analysis has shown that the victims were related, with mothers and children buried together, suggesting a deep sense of care and unity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2019

A new system for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus

Researchers at the UPV/EHU-CIBER BBN have developed a new system for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus that reduces the technical problems associated with microencapsulating pancreatic islets. The innovative approach uses magnetic nanoparticles and a microfluidic chip to separate empty microcapsules from purified islets, resulting in a...

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateMay 10, 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.

E-cigarette use by young adults linked to childhood maltreatment

Research led by Virginia Commonwealth University links e-cigarette use among young adults with childhood abuse or neglect. The study explores the potential role of impulsivity in this relationship and highlights the need for prevention and intervention efforts targeting vulnerable populations.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalAmerican Journal on Addictions·DateMay 10, 2019

HIV prevention drug can curb the epidemic for high-risk groups in India

PrEP has already proven effective in reducing HIV acquisition by over 85% globally. A new study proposes making it available to MSM and PWID in India as a cost-effective way to combat the epidemic. The strategy is estimated to improve survival substantially, preventing over 270,000 transmissions in 15 years.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMay 10, 2019

Study: Some biologic treatments for psoriasis may be safer for patients

A study found that patients taking newer, targeted biologics for psoriasis have a decreased risk of serious infection compared to older medications. The researchers analyzed large insurance claims databases and found that certain biologics like apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab had a lower risk of infection.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateMay 10, 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.

Our history in the stars

Researchers mapped aluminum monoxide around a distant young star, clarifying details about our solar system's formation. The findings suggest that AlO gas rapidly condenses into solid grains, similar to calcium and aluminum-rich inclusions found in asteroids.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 10, 2019

Cognitive enhancers to boost abilities at work considered acceptable by the public

A study published in AJOB Neuroscience found that the general public views cognitive enhancers as acceptable in the workplace when positively framed and used by non-students and athletes. However, misuse continues to rise among adolescents and adults, with limited evidence supporting their cognitive benefits.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAJOB Neuroscience·DateMay 10, 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.

Following DASH diet can reduce heart failure risk in people under 75

A study of over 4,500 participants found that those under 75 who closely followed the DASH diet had a significantly lower risk of developing heart failure. The research suggests that the DASH diet can reduce heart failure risk by almost half, making it a promising element in primary prevention.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 10, 2019

Tech-savvy people more likely to trust digital doctors

Researchers found that tech-savvy people are more accepting of digital healthcare services, particularly when they have a strong belief in machine abilities and high levels of expertise. This suggests that designing interfaces to appeal to expert users can increase the adoption of automated healthcare providers.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 10, 2019

Study sheds new light on urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women

A recent study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that several species of bacteria can invade the bladder walls in postmenopausal women with urinary tract infections. The findings suggest that antibiotic treatment may not be effective due to high levels of bacterial resistance and a lack of targeted therapies.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateMay 10, 2019

New progress in developing an animal model of hepatitis C

Researchers at Princeton University developed a mouse model of hepatitis C by introducing human proteins that allow the virus entry to liver cells. The study found that small mutations in a liver cell protein significantly impact viral replication in mice and humans.

SourcePrinceton University·DateMay 10, 2019

Cancer screening rates decline when patients see doctors later in day

A study found that cancer screening rates decrease as the day goes on for patients seen later in the day. Decision fatigue and overwhelmed clinicians may contribute to this trend, leading to lower completion rates for screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 10, 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.

Computing faster with quasi-particles

Scientists from the University of Würzburg and Harvard University successfully created quasi-particles called Majorana fermions in a two-dimensional system, paving the way for topological quantum computers. This breakthrough enables more powerful and efficient computing capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 2019

Treatment to restore natural heartbeat could be on the horizon for heart failure

Researchers compared two cardiac resynchronization therapies in a pilot study, finding comparable rates of response between His bundle pacing and biventricular pacing. The study suggests that His bundle pacing may be a viable alternative for treating heart failure patients with electrical disturbances.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 10, 2019

Discovery may lead to new materials for next-generation data storage

A team of researchers discovered polar skyrmions in an electric material, opening up a plethora of materials systems and physical phenomena to explore. The combination of polar skyrmions and electrical properties may allow for the development of novel devices with significant interest to the Army.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 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.