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Science News for May 3, 2019


UC Riverside study busts myths about gossip

A UC Riverside study challenges long-held assumptions about gossip, finding that younger people gossip more negatively than older adults, while extraverts gossip far more frequently than introverts. The study also reveals that women gossip more in neutral conversations with friends, contradicting popular 'best habits of the rich' books.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMay 3, 2019

The sense of touch is formed in the brain before birth

Researchers from UMH-CSIC Institute of Neuroscience found that the brain's somatosensory cortex is formed and functional before birth due to spontaneous electrical activity of the embryonic thalamus. This discovery suggests a critical role for thalamic waves in organizing the cortical map and shaping sensory processing.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 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.

Tiny droplets open the doors to in-flight imaging of proteins

Researchers have developed a new instrument to create nanodroplets capable of delivering biological samples free from contaminants. This breakthrough allows for the first-time imaging of smaller proteins and structures, advancing the quest to understand dynamic biomolecules.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2019

Induced labor not more expensive to health care system than spontaneous labor

A joint study between University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare found that inducing labor one week early costs the same as waiting for spontaneous labor. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 low-risk mothers and found that increased costs from longer hospital stays are offset by cost savings from avoiding additional tes...

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·DateMay 3, 2019

Monitoring the lifecycle of tiny catalyst nanoparticles

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum created a new approach to observe nanoparticles before, during and after electrochemical reactions. The method allowed them to monitor the structure and composition changes of individual particles throughout their entire lifecycle.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 3, 2019

New review identifies four hallmarks of cancer metastasis

Researchers have identified four hallmarks of cancer metastasis: motility, modulation of the microenvironment, plasticity, and ability to colonize. This understanding could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for this complex process, which is responsible for up to 90% of cancer deaths.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 3, 2019

Study shows drug reduces risk of relapse with neuromyelitis optica

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that eculizumab significantly reduced the risk of relapse in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Nearly 98% of patients treated with eculizumab had not relapsed after 48 weeks, compared to 63% for those on the placebo.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 3, 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.

Stanford researchers' artificial synapse is fast, efficient and durable

The team's artificial synapse is similar to a battery, emulating how learning is wired in the brain, and processes data in one action. The prototype array outperformed expectations with high speed, energy efficiency, reproducibility and durability, paving the way for small devices to support artificially intelligent learning.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2019

Research shows cattle ranching could help conserve rare African antelope, lions

Research by Caroline Ng'weno and colleagues suggests that strategic placement of cattle corrals can create glades that attract zebras, reducing encounters between lions and hartebeest. This approach could lead to an increase in hartebeest populations, while lions focus on their primary prey.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateMay 3, 2019

Avoid smoky environments to protect your heart

A large study of 131,739 never-smokers found that passive smoking is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure. The study suggests that avoiding secondhand smoke completely is necessary to protect against hypertension. Researchers recommend stricter smoking bans and help for smokers to quit.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMay 3, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Crowd oil -- Fuels from air-conditioning systems

Scientists at KIT and UoT have proposed a method to produce synthetic fuels from CO2 and water using compact plants in buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 'crowd oil' concept could replace significant fossil fuel usage for mobility, with potential CO2 savings of up to 30% of Germany's kerosene demand.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 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.

Paul Sajda awarded DoD's Vannevar Bush Fellowship

Paul Sajda, a professor at Columbia University, has been awarded the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship for his research on cognitive neuroscience. The fellowship will support his project to develop a testable model of human brain dynamics governing rapid decision-making in natural environments.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateMay 3, 2019

Industry-ready process makes plastics chemical from plant sugars

A team of researchers at UW-Madison has developed a new process for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from plant sugars, which is a versatile chemical crucial for building a renewable economy. The process uses an inexpensive solvent system and can be integrated into existing industrial systems.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 3, 2019
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.

Breaking bread with rivals leads to more fish on coral reefs

A new study finds that when competing fishermen cooperate over local environmental problems, they can improve the quality and quantity of fish on coral reefs. The research, conducted across five coral reef fishing communities in Kenya, reveals that communication among competitors leads to more fish and higher quality catches.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 2019

Study asks patients' input to improve the hospital experience

The i-HOPE Study found that patients' priority unanswered questions include shared decision-making, patient-provider communication, and care transitions. By incorporating patient input, hospitals can improve hospitalization outcomes and provide more effective solutions.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateMay 3, 2019

New holographic technique opens the way for quantum computation

Researchers from EPFL developed a new holographic technique that can encode quantum information in a nanostructure, enabling high-resolution imaging of electromagnetic fields and manipulating the quantum properties of free electrons. This breakthrough has significant implications for quantum computing applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 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.

Researchers develop better way to determine coastal flooding risk

A new methodology for building computer models has been developed at Oregon State University, enabling better prediction of coastal flooding risk. The research used statistical techniques and 'emulation' to reduce complexity and improve performance, allowing for nearly instantaneous use of the model for future flooding scenarios.

SourceOregon State University·JournalCoastal Engineering·DateMay 3, 2019

Training for first-time marathon 'reverses' aging of blood vessels

Research presented at EuroCMR 2019 found that training for and completing a first-time marathon reduces arterial age by four years and systolic blood pressure by 4 mmHg, comparable to medication effects. The study included 139 healthy first-time marathon runners who experienced significant improvements in cardiovascular health.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMay 3, 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.

NASA reveals heavy rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Fani

Tropical Cyclone Fani brought heavy rainfall to the region and continues to drop heavy rainfall on May 3 as it moves towards Bangladesh. The GPM mission satellite captured an overpass of the powerful storm, showing high thunderstorms stretching into the troposphere and measuring rainfall rates up to 50 millimeters per hour.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 3, 2019

Stephenson Cancer Center physician is senior author on major study

A recent clinical trial at the Stephenson Cancer Center found that patients with stage two, three, or four ovarian cancer can expect about 75 months of survival when their tumors are completely removed. The treatment regimen that caused fewer difficult side effects was just as effective as those with more severe side effects.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMay 3, 2019

Novel thermoelectric nanoantenna design for use in solar energy harvesting

The new bimetalic nanoantenna design generates three times more thermoelectric voltage and is 1.3 times more efficient than classic dipole nanoantennas for solar energy harvesting. This innovation has potential applications in waste heat energy harvesting, sensing, and other fields.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Nanophotonics·DateMay 3, 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.

Missing molecule hobbles cell movement

Cells lacking CD13 protein can't move normally, hindering their ability to repair wounds and metastasize. Researchers discovered that CD13 acts as an organizer, gathering recycled integrin proteins at the cell membrane to enable movement.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScience Signaling·DateMay 3, 2019

First demonstration of antimatter wave interferometry

Researchers at the University of Bern have successfully demonstrated wave behavior in a single positron interference experiment, proving the quantum-mechanical origin of the observed pattern. The experiment used an innovative Talbot-Lau interferometer and nuclear emulsion detector to achieve micrometric resolution.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 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.

What the wheat genome tells us about wars

Researchers reconstructed wheat breeding history through genetic analysis, linking its evolution to human migration patterns, geopolitical events, and climate change. This knowledge will help optimize modern wheat varieties for improved yield and adaptability in a growing world population.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 3, 2019

Hubble spots a stunning spiral galaxy

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of NGC 2903, a nearby spiral galaxy. The study aims to understand the relationship between a galaxy's central black hole and its rugby-ball-shaped bulge.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 3, 2019

Vital signs can now be monitored using radar

Researchers developed a wireless radar system to monitor vital signs without cumbersome wires, achieving accuracy comparable to standard equipment in uncontrolled environments. The system detected subtle chest movements for sleep apnea monitoring with high precision.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalIEEE Access·DateMay 3, 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.

Quantum sensor for photons

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a quantum sensor that measures visible light particles without destroying them. The innovation, led by Tracy Northup, allows for tailored light fields to be generated through feedback loops, paving the way for future quantum applications.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2019

How grunting influences perception in tennis

Research by Jena University's sport psychology team reveals that loud grunting noises in tennis can lead to a biased perception of the ball's trajectory, causing players to overestimate its distance. Despite this, the sound of grunting does not hinder opponents' ability to predict the ball's flight.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 3, 2019

New approach for solving protein structures from tiny crystals

Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a new approach to solve protein structures from tiny crystals, utilizing unique sample-handling and data-assembly techniques. The method enables the study of difficult-to-crystallize cell-surface receptors and other membrane proteins, improving our understanding of health and disease.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalIUCrJ·DateMay 3, 2019

Nanoscale thermometers from diamond sparkles

Researchers developed a highly-sensitive nano-thermometer that accurately measures temperature at the nanoscale using diamond nanoparticles. The sensor exploits the properties of these tiny particles on the quantum level, enabling non-invasive temperature measurements in biological samples and electronic circuits.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 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.

Needleless vaccine will protect children from dangerous viruses

Researchers have developed an orally administered hepatitis B vaccine that is both effective and safe. The new vaccine uses a technique called 3D imaging to understand how the vaccine behaves in the body, leading to improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 3, 2019

Cooperation among fishers can improve fish stock in coral reefs

A study published in Nature Communications found that cooperation among competing fisheries can lead to improvements in both the quality and quantity of fish in local reefs. Fishers who communicated with their competitors about fishing gear and rules reported higher fish stocks.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 2019

RIT professor develops microfluidic device to better detect Ebola virus

A RIT professor developed a microfluidic device that detects the Ebola virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology, allowing for early treatment and potential outbreak control. The device can detect the virus within five minutes of combining automated sample processing and fluorescence sensing.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalACS Sensors·DateMay 3, 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.

Mental well-being predicts leisure time physical activity in midlife

A new study found that higher mental well-being in midlife is associated with greater physical activity. Different exercise activities are linked to various dimensions of well-being, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateMay 3, 2019