Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive May 2019


Page 19 of 42

Driverless cars working together can speed up traffic by 35%

Researchers at the University of Cambridge programmed a fleet of miniature robotic cars to demonstrate how autonomous vehicles can communicate with each other and improve safety. In experiments, cooperative driving improved traffic flow by 35%, while aggressive driving increased this improvement to 45%.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Big data reveals hidden subtypes of sepsis

Researchers used big data to identify four distinct subtypes of sepsis, each with unique clinical characteristics and treatment needs. These findings could lead to the development of precision medicine approaches for sepsis treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Can a hands-on model help forest stakeholders fight tree disease?

Researchers used an interactive model, Tangible Landscape, to engage forest stakeholders in managing sudden oak death. The model allows participants to explore scenarios and factor in budgets for disease management, providing valuable insights for sustainable solutions.

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.

Researchers document impact of coffee on bowels

Researchers found that coffee suppresses bacteria growth in the gut and increases muscle motility, regardless of caffeine content. This could lead to potential treatments for post-operative constipation and ileus.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Breastfeeding reduces long-term risk of heart disease in mothers

Women who breastfed their babies are less likely to develop heart disease later in life, with a stronger effect seen in women who breastfed for longer periods. The study's findings provide further evidence for the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding and its potential role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

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.

Owning a dog is influenced by our genetic make-up

A recent study using Swedish Twin Registry data found that genetic variation explains more than half of the variation in dog ownership, implying a significant role for genetics in determining who owns a dog. The study's findings have major implications for understanding dog-human interaction throughout history and modern times.

'Stepped' treatment reduces drinking in patients with HIV

A Yale-led study found that integrated stepped alcohol treatment reduced heavy drinking days and improved abstinence rates in patients with HIV. The treatment model, which involves 'stepping up' treatments based on patient needs, also led to better HIV outcomes, including higher medication adherence and undetectable viral loads.

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.

Manipulating atoms one at a time with an electron beam

Researchers at MIT and the University of Vienna have developed a new method to manipulate atoms using a highly focused electron beam, enabling precise control over atomic positioning and bonding orientation. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of making quantum computing devices and sensors.

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.

Clinical trial at IU School of Medicine improves treatment of genetic rickets

A new clinical trial at IU School of Medicine shows that Burosumab significantly alleviates symptoms of X-linked hypophosphatemia, a phosphate-wasting disease causing rickets and osteomalacia. The study found substantial healing in 72% of children treated with Burosumab versus 6% in the conventional therapy group.

USC researchers imagine a cheaper, fairer marketplace for digital goods

USC researchers Bhaskar Krishnamachari and Aditya Asgaonkar propose a blockchain-based solution to reduce costs and increase efficiency in online transactions. Their system allows buyers and sellers to interact directly without third-party mediators, using smart contracts to verify honesty and disincentivize malicious behavior.

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.

Restaurant acoustics that schmeckt

The new ISO TS 12913 standard provides a framework for identifying optimal dining spaces, including binaural sound recording for immersive evaluation. Restaurants present a challenge due to varying noise levels, but the guidelines address this with psychoacoustics and diner feedback.

Study finds narrowing gender gap in youth suicides

A recent study found a disproportionate increase in female youth suicide rates compared to males, particularly among younger youth. The study's findings indicate a narrowing of the gender gap in youth suicides, suggesting that future work should examine gender-specific risk factors and inform intervention strategies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Changes in subsistence hunting threaten local food security

Subsistence hunters face threats from fragmented habitats, modern hunting methods, mining, and tourism, impacting local food security and species persistence. WCS suggests banning large species, shifting to smaller ones, strengthening protected areas, and diversifying income sources.

Nanoscale sculpturing leads to unusual packing of nanocubes

Researchers found that cube-shaped nanoparticles coated with single-stranded DNA chains assemble into an unusual 'zigzag' arrangement that maximizes attraction and minimizes repulsion. The discovery breaks the orientational symmetry of cubes relative to the vectors of the unit cell, allowing for a new type of nanoscale packing.

Ultra-clean fabrication platform produces nearly ideal 2D transistors

Researchers at Columbia Engineering developed a two-step, ultra-clean nanofabrication process that separates the pristine device from dirty fabrication processes. This method yields high-performance devices with improved stability and scalability for real-world engineering problems.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Scientists capture first-ever video of body's safety test for T cells

Immunologists from The University of Texas at Austin captured a first-ever video of T-cells undergoing assassin-training in the body's safety test. The new imaging technique holds promise for improving human health by better understanding T-cell development and function in autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes.

Earliest evidence of the cooking and eating of starch

Researchers discovered charred food remains at the Klasies River Cave in South Africa, indicating early humans were roasting plant starches from tubers and rhizomes as far back as 120,000 years ago. This finding supports the hypothesis that the duplication of starch digestion genes is an adaptive response to a high-starch diet.

The science and technology of FAST

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has enabled groundbreaking discoveries in pulsar and neutral hydrogen observations. With its ultra-wideband capabilities, FAST allows for the study of rotating radio transients in greater detail than ever before.

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.

A new approach to targeting cancer cells

A new approach to targeting cancer cells has been developed by UC Riverside researchers, who have found that drugs targeting other amino acids like lysine and tyrosine can be more effective. The study provides novel avenues for deriving potent and selective PPI antagonists

Intensive silviculture accelerates Atlantic rainforest biodiversity regeneration

A study conducted in Brazil found that intensive silviculture using herbicide spraying and substantial fertilizer application promotes tropical forest regeneration and biomass gain, exceeding traditional manual weeding methods. Researchers aimed to maximize woody biomass accumulation for carbon sequestration and financial viability.

Enzyme may indicate predisposition to cardiovascular disease

A study suggests that low plasma levels of PDIA1, an enzyme involved in protein disulfide isomerization, are associated with a higher risk of thrombosis. Researchers found no correlation between PDIA1 levels and well-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Dangerous pathogens use this sophisticated machinery to infect hosts

Researchers at Caltech have unveiled the 3D molecular architecture of Legionella pneumophila's Type IV secretion system, a sophisticated machinery used by dangerous pathogens to infect human cells. The discovery could enable the development of precisely targeted antibiotics to combat diseases like Legionnaires' disease and whooping cough.

Metals influence C-peptide hormone related to insulin

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered that metals can subtly affect the structure of C-peptide, a hormone involved in insulin production. The study found that certain metals, such as copper and chromium, prevent cells from taking up C-peptide, while others like zinc do not.

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.

Early dengue virus infection could 'defuse' Zika virus

Researchers from Germany have found that a previous dengue infection can protect against Zika-associated damage. This discovery has important implications for pregnant women, particularly those living in regions with high Zika virus prevalence.

Human capital benefits of military boost economy by billions

A recent study by North Carolina State University estimates that US government spending on military personnel improves the American workforce, with a positive impact of $89.8 billion on the economy in 2019. This improvement is attributed to human capital investments made by the military through personnel training and education efforts.

Opposite pathways in forest recovery

Research reveals tree species with durable wood persist longer, but slow growth comes at the expense of reduced resources; Early stages dominate 'fast' pioneer species with soft wood.

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.

Cell polarity -- an aurora over the pole

Researchers identify Aurora-A kinase as the master switch that triggers symmetry breaking and establishes cell polarity in nematode worm zygotes. The protein regulates actomyosin contractions, creating a two-stage process to establish front-rear asymmetry and lock polarity regulators in place.

Research reveals insulin-producing beta cells may change function in diabetes

Research reveals that insulin-producing beta cells can change their function in diabetes, producing somatostatin instead of insulin. This change may be reversible with the restoration of normal environment or chemical treatment. The study provides new insights into the effects of high blood sugar on hormone-producing cells.

Project to deter opioid tampering wins top Addiction Science Award

A 14-year-old high school student developed a novel technology to prevent opioid pill tampering, earning the top prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The project, called Tampr-X, uses a protein matrix-based substance that discourages crushing or melting for misuse.

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.

24% of West Antarctic ice is now unstable

Researchers from the University of Leeds found that Antarctica's ice sheet has thinned by up to 122 meters in places, with rapid changes occurring in West Antarctica. The team tracked changes in snow and ice cover using satellite altimeter measurements and a regional climate model.

A new iron-based superconductor stabilized by inter-block charger transfer

Researchers at Zhejiang University have discovered a new iron-based superconductor with double FeAs layers, which is stabilized by inter-block charge transfer. The newly found superconductor, BaTh2Fe4As4(N0.7O0.3)2, exhibits contrasting structural and physical properties compared to previous hole-doped IBSCs.

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.