Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive May 2019


Page 40 of 42

New chemical probe for visualizing brain immune cells

Researchers developed a chemical probe that enables live-imaging of microglia in the brain, crucial for understanding brain development and disease. The probe, CDr20, labels microglia in both human- and primate-derived cells, allowing for clinical-relevant studies.

A new method to select the right treatment for advanced prostate cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified blood-based biomarkers that can determine which patients with advanced prostate cancer will benefit from continued hormonal therapy. The study suggests that patients with a normal TP53 gene and fewer AR resistance markers may benefit more from treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Promising material could lead to faster, cheaper computer memory

Researchers at the University of Arkansas have discovered a promising new material that can efficiently store information using both magnetic and electric fields. The study suggests this material, bismuth ferrite, could lead to faster and cheaper computer memory.

Researchers find gene for urethral obstruction

A team of researchers has identified the first gene associated with LUTO, a rare condition causing urinary tract obstruction in boys. The study found that variants of the BNC2 gene are linked to the disease, which can lead to kidney damage and other complications.

Medical costs create hardships for more than half of Americans

A new study by American Cancer Society researchers finds that more than half of Americans experience medical financial hardship, with 56.0% of adults reporting at least one domain of hardship. The study estimates that 137.1 million adults in the US suffer from this issue, which can lead to delays in care, distress, and economic hardship.

Novel healthcare program for former prisoners reduces recidivism

A Yale study reveals that a healthcare program tailored to the needs of recently released prisoners can significantly reduce recidivism by providing community-based primary care. The approach employs community health workers with histories of incarceration, who accompany patients to appointments and provide social support.

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.

How could a changing climate affect human fertility?

A study found that climate change may lead to increased fertility due to reduced resources for education, as people allocate time and money for child-rearing. The researchers used a quantitative model to examine the economic channels through which climate change affects fertility, finding that it worsens inequalities in richer countries.

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.

ESA tipsheet for May 6, 2019

A study reveals that nearly half of protected areas face staffing shortages, affecting conservation progress. Meanwhile, researchers identify remote high-elevation areas with ancient trees in China. Fuel breaks aim to prevent wildfires but may create new problems, such as altering predator migration routes.

New study tracks perils of water polo head injuries

A new study by University of California, Irvine researchers tracked several dozen male collegiate water polo players over three seasons to map out the frequency of head injuries in the sport. The study found that offensive players were more likely to get battered than defensive and transition positions.

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.

Scientists discover evolutionary link to modern-day sea echinoderms

A new species of edrioasteroid echinoderm, Totiglobus spencensis, has been discovered, providing insight into the evolution of echinoderms from living stuck to marine sediment grains to attached to hard surfaces. This discovery sheds light on a critical time in the evolution of organisms and marine ecosystems.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Two neutron stars collided near the solar system billions of years ago

Astronomers discover that a violent neutron star collision near the solar system created 0.3% of Earth's heaviest elements, such as gold and platinum, 4.6 billion years ago. This cosmic event is believed to have occurred in our neighborhood, about 1000 light years from the cradle of Earth.

What happens when schools go solar?

Research suggests that US schools can harness the power of solar panels to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. The study found that schools in sunny states like Texas, California, and Florida have the greatest potential for generating electricity from solar panels on school rooftops.

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.

Obstacles to overcome before operating fleets of drones becomes reality

A team of researchers has developed a mathematical model to calculate the cost - time and energy - to complete a task based on the number of drones and recharging stations available. The model considers the energy required for each drone to complete its portion of the task and fly to a charging station as needed.

Andrea Alù receives Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship

Andrea Alù, a leading researcher at The Graduate Center, has been awarded the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship to develop novel materials for extreme wave manipulation in thermal radiation and heat management. His research aims to advance various technologies, including infrared sources and detectors.

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.

The quiet loss of knowledge threatens indigenous communities

A study analyzed 57 indigenous communities' knowledge of palm trees, revealing that the network is fragile and minimal loss has significant consequences. The researchers highlighted the importance of cultural factors and transdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen indigenous resilience.

Researchers crack the peanut genome

The study provides a reference framework for breeding and improvement of the peanut crop, revealing the origin of peanut in South America and genetic mechanisms that generated diversity. The team mapped the entire peanut genome, identifying key traits like seed size and disease resistance.

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.

Bronx river turtles get a check-up

A team of scientists conducted a comprehensive health evaluation on Bronx River turtles, discovering the presence of various environmental contaminants, including PCBs, heavy metals, viruses, and bacteria. The study established a baseline for future comparisons, expanding knowledge of turtle health markers and ecosystems.

Machine set to see if lithium can help bring fusion to Earth

Researchers have upgraded a device to test lithium's ability to maintain heat and protect walls in a tokamak, which could help bring fusion energy to Earth. The machine uses a coating of lithium to cover the interior wall of the small tokamak, aiming to replicate fusion on Earth for virtually inexhaustible power.

An evolutionary rescue in polluted waters

A species of fish in Texas' Houston Ship Channel adapted to extreme pollution due to its large population, good genes, and luck. The Gulf killifish benefited from genetic resources from a long-distant relative, the Atlantic Coast killifish, which helped it develop resilience and resistance to toxins.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Immigrants: citizens' acceptance depends on questions asked

A UNIGE study found that the number of immigrants Switzerland welcomes greatly affects citizens' opinions, with figures in the media playing a significant role. The researchers discovered that anchoring bias influences public opinion, with high or low initial numbers leading to differing responses.

India could meet air quality standards by cutting household fuel use

A new analysis suggests that eliminating emissions from dirty household fuels like wood, dung, coal, and kerosene could bring India's outdoor air pollution levels below the country's standard. This could reduce air pollution-related deaths by approximately 13% and save around 270,000 lives annually.

Research on Reddit identifies opioid addiction self-treatment risks

Researchers identified risks associated with popular alternative treatments like kratom, Imodium, and Xanax, which can cause substantial side effects and high abuse rates. The study also found that 'stacks' or kits combining substances are being used to combat withdrawal symptoms.

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.

Spider venom is a dangerous cocktail

Researchers at the University of Bern studied spider venom from the Cupiennius salei species, discovering a dual prey-inactivation strategy involving neurotoxins and metabolic pathways. This complex effect mechanism attacks an organism's muscles, nervous system, and internal homeostasis, causing paralysis, pain, and inflammation.

Study shows birds use social cues to make decisions

Researchers found that Zebra Finches preferentially visit nests with large broods, based on chick calls, and not visual cues. This study provides the first evidence that wild birds can use calls from chicks as a social signal to infer breeding success.

Hippos, the animal silicon pumps

Hippos play a key role in transporting silicon from land to water through their faeces, influencing over 76% of the total silicon transported along the Mara River. This process is crucial for ecosystems like Lake Victoria, where a lack of silicon can lead to food shortages and ecosystem collapse.

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.

Harnessing sunlight to pull hydrogen from wastewater

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a process to isolate hydrogen from industrial wastewater using sunlight and bacteria. This technique doubles the currently accepted rate for scalable technologies that produce hydrogen by splitting water.

Searching for lost WWII-era uranium cubes from Germany

Researchers have discovered the history of hundreds of lost WWII-era uranium cubes from Germany, which were part of a secretive and ultimately failed effort to build a working nuclear reactor. The findings highlight the differences between German and American nuclear research programs, with the former being divided and competitive.

New research: Airbnb's impact on peak-season hotel pricing

The study proposes strategies for hotels to cope with competition from Airbnb, including abandoning seasonal pricing and adjusting rates. Hotels in cities with high demand for leisure travel and low-end options may need to re-evaluate their pricing strategies.

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.

Chemical records in teeth confirm elusive Alaska lake seals are one of a kind

Scientists confirm Alaska lake seals, a distinct population from ocean-dwelling cousins, rely on freshwater food sources throughout their lives. The study provides critical baseline information for developing conservation strategies, particularly as the region faces proposed industrial developments and climate change.

Genes hold the key to birthweight

A large-scale international collaboration has identified 190 genetic links to birth weight, with two-thirds discovered for the first time. Research found that a baby's genes play a substantial role in determining their birth weight, while also influencing factors in their intrauterine environment.

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.

Walnuts may help lower blood pressure for those at risk of heart disease

A randomized controlled trial found that participants who ate whole walnuts daily had lower central blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk factors. Walnuts were found to have additive benefits on heart health, with alpha-linolenic acid and other bioactive compounds contributing to the positive effects.