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Science News Archive November 2019


Page 12 of 41

UT mathematician develops model to control spread of aquatic invasive species

A mathematical model has been developed to predict how invasive species spread in rivers and how to control their movement using optimal water flow rates. The study, published in Mathematics, uses a partial differential equation model to illustrate how adjusting the water flow rate can prevent invasive populations from expanding upstream.

Does frailty affect outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury?

A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that frailty is a significant predictor of poor outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury, particularly in patients younger than 75. The researchers identified frailty as a risk factor for adverse events, acute hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Researchers discover how lungs cells respond to bacteria

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that lung resident memory T (TRM) cells recruit neutrophils to protect the lungs against future bacterial infections. This study has implications for preventing and treating pneumonia, potentially leading to improved treatment options and personalized medicine.

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.

Self-restrained genes enable evolutionary novelty

A team of scientists has found a way for genes to self-repress, reducing potential side effects and allowing novel forms to evolve. This discovery was made using the hairy bittercress plant as a model system.

Musicians at serious risk of tinnitus, researchers show

Musicians are at serious risk of developing tinnitus and hearing difficulties primarily due to prolonged exposure to loud noises. The study's findings support industry insiders' long-held concerns about the impact of workplace noise on musicians' hearing.

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.

Are hiring algorithms fair? They're too opaque to tell, study finds

Researchers found that hiring algorithms are often opaque and biased, with few vendors disclosing concrete information on validation and mitigation. The study encourages transparency and conversation around ethical decision-making in pre-employment assessments using machine learning.

Researchers discover highest-energy light from a gamma-ray burst

An international team of researchers has identified a previously unseen component of gamma-ray bursts, emitting trillions of times more energetic photons than visible light. The discovery supports the possibility that inverse Compton emission is commonly produced in gamma-ray bursts.

Gunshot survivors report long-term physical, mental consequences

A study of 180 gunshot wound survivors found that they experienced negative outcomes in terms of employment, alcohol and substance use, and mental health compared to the general population. Nearly half of the survivors screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder.

UTSA program prepares students for future careers in nuclear security

The UTSA program is a cross-disciplinary collaboration to prepare students for careers in nuclear security, utilizing experimental and computational technologies. The project will support diverse students with strong backgrounds in nuclear science and technology, providing opportunities for research and career advancement.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Not so selfish after all--Key role of transposable elements in mammalian evolution

A study published in Nucleic Acids Research reveals that transposable elements have been co-opted by hosts to provide useful functions, such as encoding part of a host protein. The research found tens of thousands of potentially co-opted TE sequences, which are more conserved across species and suggest a key role in mammalian evolution.

Machine learning microscope adapts lighting to improve diagnosis

A Duke University microscope prototype uses machine learning to optimize lighting settings for diagnosing malaria, achieving 90% accuracy in identifying infected red blood cells. The adapted lighting system highlights the parasite in bright spots, significantly improving diagnosis times and accuracy compared to traditional methods.

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.

BrainStorm Cell Tx publishes NurOwn ALS Phase 2 randomized trial data in neurology

The Phase 2 randomized clinical trial confirmed the safety and well-tolerability of a single transplantation of autologous bone-marrow derived MSC-NTF cells (NurOwn) in participants with ALS. Key efficacy findings included stabilization of ALS disease progression, improvement in ALSFRS-R slope, and changes in CSF neurotrophic factors a...

Caught in the act: MeerKAT telescope spies stellar flare

Scientists using the MeerKAT radio telescope have discovered a unique and previously-unseen flare of radio emission from a binary star system. The source is thought to be associated with an active corona, where two objects orbit each other approximately every 22 days.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Clay as a feed supplement in dairy cattle has multiple benefits

Researchers found that clay can improve the degradability of feedstuffs in lactating cows, reducing aflatoxin and subacute ruminal acidosis symptoms. Clay was added to six different feedstuffs at varying percentages, showing improved digestibility and fat utilization.

BU doc honored by the American Heart Association

Emelia J. Benjamin, a renowned researcher and cardiologist, has received two prestigious awards from the American Heart Association for her significant contributions to clinical cardiology and her dedication to mentoring young investigators. She is recognized for over 600 publications and substantial NIH grant support.

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.

Legumes boost heart health, according to new review study

A recent review of prospective cohort studies found that consuming legumes reduces incidence rates for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and hypertension by up to 10%. Legumes benefit cardiovascular health due to their high fiber, plant protein, and micronutrient content.

Yeasts in nectar can stimulate the growth of bee colonies

Research found that yeasts in nectar can stimulate the growth of bee colonies by boosting their health, despite altering the nutritional value of nectar. The presence of yeasts also had a positive effect on bee colony fitness and productivity.

Leadership's in the blood for tiny fish

Research on Trinidadian guppies reveals that leadership tendencies are partly inherited, with around a third of the variation explained by pedigree. Males bred for high leadership exhibit lower aggression and increased sociability compared to those bred for low leadership. In contrast, female leadership does not appear to be linked to ...

Estimating the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining

Researchers estimated Bitcoin mining's electricity consumption and carbon emissions in 2018, finding a lower impact than previously thought. The study showed that the majority of environmental harm comes from the use of mining equipment, with location being a significant factor.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

The cause of chewy chicken meat

University of Delaware researchers identify gene expression irregularities and lipoprotein lipase enzyme as causes of wooden breast syndrome in broiler chickens. This metabolic disorder can make the meat hard and chewy, causing significant economic losses for growers.

Atopic eczema linked to increase fracture risk in adults

A study of three million UK adults found that atopic eczema increases the risk of fractures by up to 13%, with those with severe eczema having a significantly higher risk. Targeted screening and fracture-prevention strategies are recommended for these individuals.

4D imaging with liquid crystal microlenses

Researchers have developed a portable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use microlens that simultaneously acquires 3D space and polarization information. This allows for the creation of 4D images with improved depth resolution, potentially enabling applications in medical imaging, communications, displays, and remote sensing.

Gamma-ray bursts with record energy

Scientists have detected gamma-rays from two gamma-ray bursts with ground-based telescopes, producing energies up to 100 billion times that of visible light. The observations provide insights into the gigantic explosions and their physical mechanisms.

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.

Researchers identify new gene mutation in familial thyroid cancers

Researchers discovered a rare gene mutation in the DUOX2 gene associated with familial thyroid cancer, which increases the risk of hereditary non-medullary thyroid cancer. The mutated protein produces excess hydrogen peroxide, potentially causing additional genetic mutations and increasing cancer risk.

Machine, meet stem cells

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes used a machine-learning approach to discover new ways of controlling the spatial organization of induced pluripotent stem cells. The model predicted patterns that could lead to the creation of functional organs for research or therapeutic purposes, and was found to be correct in simulating desired arr...

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.

Hubble studies gamma-ray burst with the highest energy ever seen

The Hubble Space Telescope has studied the gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C, emitting record-breaking energy of 1 TeV. Scientists observed this extremely high-energy emission from a collapsing star at nearly 99.999% of the speed of light, providing new insights into gamma-ray bursts and their environments.

New water-based optical device revolutionizes the field of optics research

A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a new method to modulate light using water as a medium, called giant optical modulation. This technique is less expensive and easier to use than conventional methods, with a maximum intensity change of 50% proportional to the applied AC voltage.

University of Delaware startup awarded $3.4M in Department of Energy funding

W7energy's new class of polymer membranes could bring zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles within reach, with projected costs one-third less than traditional fuel cell systems. The startup aims to commercialize the technology and expand its use in clean hydrogen production, battery storage, and carbon dioxide removal.

How the brain detects the rhythms of speech

Researchers found that the brain responds to a marker of vocal stress in the middle of each syllable, which is a universal feature of human languages. This signal allows the brain to split speech into syllabic units and track patterns of stress critical for meaning in English and many other languages.

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.

Making tiny antennas for wearable electronics

Researchers have made the tiniest radio-frequency antennas reported yet, with thicknesses of about 1/100 of a human hair. The new antennas were created using extremely thin sheets of a 2D material and performed well in receiving and transmitting radio waves.

Creating viral targets can weaken HIV vaccination

Creating too many Th1 cells at mucosal sites compromises effective vaccine protection against HIV. Researchers have identified a key balance needed to stimulate the immune response without increasing susceptibility to the virus.

Toward new types of bioinspired dynamic materials

Researchers will develop multiscale molecular models to design new classes of artificial materials with bioinspired dynamic properties. The project aims to explore new ways to build bioinspired materials with unprecedented dynamical properties, active materials able to perform complex functions.

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.

3D maps of gene activity

Researchers have created a spatial map of gene expression for individual cells in various tissues, including the liver and intestinal epithelium. The new algorithm, called 'novoSpaRc', uses machine learning to track gene activity and reveals new insights into tissue organization and regulation.

Could sphingolipids help solve a racial paradox in heart disease?

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have found that sphingolipid levels are associated with heart disease in African Americans with lupus. The study suggests that broader information on sphingolipid profiles could help physicians predict disease severity or assess the efficacy of anti-lupus drugs.

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.

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.