Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive November 2019


Page 35 of 41

New technique lays foundation for regenerative cardiac therapies

Scientists have devised a method to sort out which heart cells can replicate and which cannot, a critical step toward treatments that may one day help the heart heal itself after injury. This technique combines molecular beacon technology and fluorescence activated cell-sorting to specifically isolate cells that successfully divide.

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.

PFASs from ski wax bioaccumulate at Nordic resort

Researchers have discovered that PFASs from ski wax accumulate in soil, earthworms, and bank voles at a Nordic skiing area, indicating potential toxicity. The compounds were found to biomagnify in the food chain, with higher levels detected in top predators.

The first Cr-based nitrides superconductor Pr3Cr10-xN11

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences report discovery of Pr3Cr10-xN11, a chromium-based nitride superconductor with bulk superconductivity at 5.25 K, exhibiting a large upper critical field and strong electronic correlations. The material is the first Cr-based superconductor found in Chromium Nitrides.

Flatland light

The study demonstrates the creation of rewritable optical components for surface light waves using materials like GeSbTe. This enables the control and miniaturization of light at the nanoscale, with potential applications in single molecule chemical sensing.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Solar and wind energy preserve groundwater for drought, agriculture

A Princeton University-led study shows that solar and wind energy enhance drought resilience and aid in groundwater sustainability by reducing reliance on hydropower. The researchers suggest deploying solar and wind energy simultaneously with regulations on groundwater use can increase overall benefits.

Many insured Americans go out of network, pay more for behavioral health

A new study highlights the disparities in healthcare access and cost-sharing for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. The research found that those with these conditions pay more for out-of-network care and experience higher costs due to limited availability of behavioral health providers.

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.

UCLouvain researcher makes the heart of Mars speak

Véronique Dehant's research aims to understand Mars' core, which is essential for determining the planet's habitability and potential for life. The ExoMars mission will collect Martian radio science data and analyze the planet's rotation to gain insights into its innards.

Combatting air pollution with nature

Researchers analyzed data to determine the feasibility of using nature-based solutions to combat air pollution. The study found that NBS can support native wildlife and are adaptable, cost-effective, and a truly green solution in reducing pollution and climate change.

A solution to a hairy problem in forensic science

Scientists at NIST have developed a single-step method to dissolve hair proteins, allowing for quantitative analysis and comparison of protein molecules from two hairs. This new technique removes the major obstacle of working with durable hair, making it a valuable tool for forensic investigation.

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.

Time for a nuclear clock

A four-investigator team led by University of Delaware physicist Marianna Safronova has won a prestigious Synergy Grant to build a nuclear clock, which will be far more sensitive than atomic clocks. The project aims to search for undiscovered physics effects and detect dark matter particles.

Scientists can replace metal collimators with plastic analogs

Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have successfully created plastic collimators using 3D printing technology, which can replace metal counterparts in radiation therapy. The team used a numerical model and layer-by-layer deposition to manufacture the first products, finding optimal thickness for the plastic product.

Scientists should have sex and gender on the brain

Researchers argue that incorporating sex and gender into scientific studies can improve experiments, reduce bias, and lead to new discoveries. Examples include advancements in climate change research, facial recognition systems, and social robots. The goal is to increase transparency and promote inclusion in research.

Study examines depression in the last year of life

A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that 59.3% of individuals had depression in the last month before death. Depression symptoms escalated gradually from 4 to 1 months before death, with certain groups experiencing higher rates, such as women and younger adults.

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.

Huge gaps in research on microplastics in North America, PSU study finds

A new study highlights the need for more research on microplastics in North American waters, particularly among commercially important fish species. The team's findings emphasize the importance of understanding microplastic exposure and effects on populations and food webs to inform fisheries management decisions.

Not so quiet, please

Researchers found that early exposure to sounds can restore molecular, cellular, and functional properties in the auditory cortex of mice with Fragile X Syndrome. This discovery suggests that facilitating exposure to sounds during early development could be a novel approach to treat hypersensitivity associated with FXS.

New findings on gut microbiome's interactions with GI diseases

A study from Texas A&M University found that dogs with chronic enteropathy and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have similar bacterial outputs, suggesting a common underlying mechanism. This discovery could lead to the development of more targeted treatments for both canine and human GI diseases.

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 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.

Showing robots 'tough love' helps them succeed, finds new USC study

A new USC study found that training robots with a human adversary significantly improves their grasp of objects, leading to better performance in manipulation tasks. The researchers discovered that this approach helps robots learn more stable grasps and succeed more often in real-world environments.

Sleep and sleepiness 'a huge problem' for people with spinal cord injury

A recent study by researchers at the University of Calgary has found that individuals with spinal cord injuries experience fatigue more than people without, with a nine times greater risk. The study also revealed that sleep-related breathing problems are associated with reduced brain health and increased risk of stroke in this population.

Shortened sleep may negatively affect women's bone health

A recent study found that postmenopausal women who slept 5 hours or less per night had lower bone mineral density at all four sites assessed. Women reporting 5 hours or less per night were also at higher risk of experiencing low bone mass and osteoporosis, particularly in the hips and spine.

Virus characteristics predict HIV treatment efficacy with antibody treatment

Researchers at Boston Medical Center identified specific virus characteristics that can help predict the efficacy of HIV-1 treatments using antibody-based treatments. These findings will enable physicians to make better-informed decisions on treatment plans for patients with HIV-1, ultimately treating the virus to slow it down earlier.

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.

Autistic adults thought they were 'bad people'

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University reveals that many over-50s diagnosed with autism late in life had grown up believing they were 'bad people', citing lack of support as a major issue. The research suggests receiving a diagnosis can be a positive eureka moment, bringing relief and understanding.

Intelligent metasurface imager and recognizer

Researchers developed an AI-driven smart metasurface for joint control of EM waves on the physical level and digital pipeline, enabling real-time imaging and recognition of multiple non-cooperative people. The intelligent EM camera can be powered by Wi-Fi signals, allowing for hands-free monitoring without visible sensors.

Membrane intercalation enhances photodynamic bacteria inactivation

Researchers have developed a new assembly that enhances photodynamic inactivation of bacteria, achieving significantly improved efficiency against gram-negative E. coli. The assembly combines a photosensitizer and a membrane-intercalating peptide, resulting in nearly 0% survival rate of E. coli upon light irradiation.

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.

Factors during pregnancy may affect early childhood weight

A study of 71,892 children born between 2007-2011 found strong associations between pre-pregnancy obesity in mothers and their children's high body mass index between ages two and six. Modest links were also identified with maternal diabetes and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

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.

Water mold research leads to greater understanding of corn diseases

A study by Michigan State University scientists identifies oomycetes as the most abundant seedling pathogens in corn, enabling targeted approaches for disease management. The research has significant implications for breeding hybrids with improved root rot resistance and fungicide sensitivity testing.

EduSense: Like a FitBit for your teaching skills

A new system called EduSense analyzes visual and audio features to determine effective instruction, providing personalized feedback for instructors. The system uses two wall-mounted cameras to track students' engagement and instructor behavior, offering insights that would take days or months to gather with manual observation.

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.

Horses blink less, twitch eyelids more when stressed

Researchers found that stressed horses blink less and twitch their upper eyelids more, providing a simple indicator of agitation. The study used non-invasive measurements to test the significance of eyelid twitches as an indicator of stress.

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.

Jaw-some wombats may be great survivors

A recent study reveals that wombat jaws appear to change in relation to their diets, allowing them to adapt to tougher plants due to climate change. The research suggests that individual shapes of wombat skulls are related to an individual's diet and feeding preferences, enabling short-term adaptations.

Studies use biologic augmentation in ACL reconstruction surgery

A new clinical trial at Marshall University is investigating the use of biologic augmentation in ACL reconstruction surgery. The study aims to assess improvements in pain, failure rates and clinical outcomes using a minimally invasive technique combining bone marrow concentrate, autograft bone and demineralized bone matrix.

Red deer are evolving to give birth earlier in a warming climate

A long-term study of red deer on the Isle of Rum has found that genetic change due to natural selection is contributing to the species' shift towards earlier birth times. This trend is linked to increased reproductive success and the spread of genes associated with breeding earlier.

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.

Why myelinated mammalian nerves are fast and allow high frequency

Researchers have discovered two potassium channels, TREK-1 and TRAAK, at the Nodes of Ranvier that enable rapid sensory and motor reactions in mammals. The channels allow for high-frequency nerve impulses with speeds up to 200 meters per second, essential for survival in a predator-prey world.

Perovskite solar cells get an upgrade

Rice University scientists have overcome a major hurdle keeping perovskite-based solar cells from achieving mainstream use by engineering defects and retaining efficiency. They replaced lead with indium, resulting in cells that can be made in open air and last for months.