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Science News Archive November 2019


Page 36 of 41

Scientists identify new puberty-promoting genes

Researchers identify two molecules, PLXNA1 and PLXNA3, that help set up the sense of smell and pave the way to puberty. This finding may lead to a better understanding of Kallmann syndrome and its treatment.

E. coli gain edge by changing their diets in inflammatory bowel disease

Research reveals that E. coli bacteria gain a competitive advantage over beneficial microbes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by adapting their dietary preferences to amino acids, particularly serine. This finding suggests that a low-serine diet may help control the overgrowth of pathogenic E. coli.

Childhood chores not related to self-control development

Researchers found no evidence that childhood household chores improve children's self-control, a key personality trait. However, the study revealed that high self-control at age 10 and improved self-control over time are associated with better job outcomes.

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.

What we can learn from Indigenous land management

A new report highlights the importance of incorporating Indigenous decision-making and worldviews into environmental management, driving innovative solutions to pressing issues. By recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and relational ontologies, institutions can enhance sustainable approaches to land and water management.

Planning to avoid temptations helps in goal pursuit

Researchers found that planning self-control strategies in advance is more effective than responding to temptation. The first four strategies - situation selection, modification, distraction, and reappraisal - were generally more effective than response inhibition.

Learning is optimized when we fail 15% of the time

Researchers found that optimal learning occurs when failure rates are 15%, resulting in 85% accuracy. This '85% Rule' is based on machine-learning experiments and may apply to human perceptual learning as well.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Does climate change affect real estate prices? Only if you believe in it

A new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business reveals that homes projected to be underwater due to climate change sell for roughly 7% more than comparable homes in areas where people don't believe in climate change. The difference is significant, with implications for real estate investors and homeowners.

3D-printed plastics with high performance electrical circuits

Researchers have embedded high-performance electrical circuits inside 3D-printed plastics, increasing conductivity by 10-fold. This innovation could lead to smaller, more efficient drones and biomedical implants, as well as better-performing small satellites.

'Fake news' isn't easy to spot on Facebook, according to new study

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that Facebook users can't accurately discern fake news due to their own biases. Participants were asked to assess credibility, but they overwhelmingly chose headlines aligned with their beliefs as true, regardless of flagging.

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.

Biliary complication rates similar for kids and adults after weight-loss surgery

A new study published in the Obesity journal found that adolescents and teens experience biliary side effects after weight-loss surgery at a rate similar to adults. Pediatric patients are more likely to manifest symptoms as pancreatic inflammation or acute pancreatitis, whereas adults are more likely to develop gallbladder issues.

Nanoparticle orientation offers a way to enhance drug delivery

Researchers at MIT have found that coating nanoparticles with right-handed molecules of the amino acid cysteine can improve their ability to avoid being destroyed by enzymes in the body. This approach also allows them to enter cancer cells more efficiently, making it a promising method for developing more effective drug carriers.

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.

Obesity embargo alert for November 2019 issue

Researchers explored how high-palatable foods, physical activity levels, and socioeconomic changes impact BMI in US counties. Studies found associations between abdominal obesity, dementia, and childhood obesity with food environments.

Straight from the source

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have uncovered a novel process by which phototrophic microbes can accept electrons from solid and soluble substances. This discovery, published in mBio, could lead to the development of bacterial platforms that feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce valuable compounds.

STD crowd-diagnosis requests on social media

Researchers analyzed Reddit postings to understand the demand for crowd-diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases. The study found that a significant proportion of requests were made after consulting with healthcare professionals, raising questions about the role of social media in healthcare decision-making.

Metabolic surgery cuts likelihood of recurrent and fatal heart attacks

Patients who underwent metabolic surgery had a lower risk of developing systolic heart failure and dying from recurrent myocardial infarction compared to those without surgery. The study found significant cardiovascular benefits of metabolic surgery, emphasizing its potential as part of the treatment plan for patients with severe obesi...

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.

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.

Critical protein that could unlock West Nile/Zika virus treatments identified

Researchers at Georgia State University have identified the critical protein Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1), which plays a significant role in triggering an immune response to viral infections. The study found that ZBP1 is essential for restricting West Nile and Zika virus replication, preventing severe disease outcomes.

NRRI scientist sheds light on complexity of biodiversity loss

A study by NRRI scientist Chris Filstrup found that the evenness of species distribution is a stronger signal of ecosystem function than species richness. This discovery has implications for conservation practices and understanding biodiversity loss impacts, especially in the face of climate change stress.

New research tool for studying mitochondrial disorders and aging

Researchers have developed a new tool to study how mitochondrial protein synthesis is affected by disease, pharmaceuticals, ageing and different physiological situations. The MitoRibo-Tag mice provide a valuable tool for future studies on how mitochondrial function regulates human health.

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.

Wild animals evolving to give birth earlier in warming climate

Researchers have discovered that genetic changes caused by natural selection are contributing to an early shift in the birth dates of wild red deer on Scotland's Isle of Rum. The deer population has been adapting to a warming climate, giving birth three days earlier per decade since the 1980s.

US Innovation Program brings international entrepreneurs to Purdue

Purdue University is hosting two international entrepreneurs from Brazil and Uganda as part of the US Department of State's Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative. Marcos Valadares and Allan Eden are spending four weeks at the Purdue Foundry, refining their ideas and connecting with business experts.

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.

Palm oil: Less fertilizer and no herbicide but same yield?

A large-scale experiment by the University of Göttingen has shown that reducing fertilizer input and eliminating herbicides in palm oil plantations can maintain profits while promoting biodiversity and soil health. The study's preliminary results are encouraging, suggesting a potential environmentally sustainable approach to the industry.

Your dog might be hiding its true colors

A study from Purdue University found that some breeds of dogs have hidden coat colors and other traits due to genetic variations. The researchers analyzed data from 212 dog breeds and discovered that up to 48 breeds possess the tailless gene variant, often at low frequencies.

Mind-body therapies alleviate pain in people prescribed opioids

A new study found that mind-body therapies such as meditation/mindfulness, hypnosis, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can significantly reduce pain severity and opioid use among patients treated with prescription opioids. These findings have critical implications for medical professionals seeking effective treatments for pain management.

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.

Mutations linked to expression of genes associated with complex traits

A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified short tandem repeats, also known as eSTRs, which impact nearby gene expression in the human genome. The researchers found over 28,000 eSTRs associated with various complex traits, including schizophrenia, inflammatory bowel disease, and intelligence.

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.

Discovered a new process of antitumor response of NK cells in myeloma

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of antitumor response of Natural Killer (NK) cells in myeloma, utilizing histones. Histones bind to CD138 receptors on myeloma cells, promoting tumor cell aggregation and enhancing the recruitment of T lymphocytes, thereby increasing antitumor activity.

Cancer metastasis: tumor plasticity counts

The study found that tumor cells undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) play a key role in metastasis. However, the reverse transition, MET, is occurring at the metastatic site, suggesting that EMT is not always required for metastasis.

Theme parks linked to increased crime risk, says study

A new study has found that theme parks can increase crime rates in surrounding neighborhoods, with offenses rising by 198% near Universal Studios. The researchers recommend more active policing strategies and reducing the number of places near theme parks that attract crime.

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.

Achilles heel of tumor cells

A team of scientists has identified a specific gene, eIF2B5, that is essential for the survival of colon cancer cells with APC mutations. Inhibiting this gene causes programmed cell death in mutated cells but not in healthy cells, providing a promising new target for antitumor therapies.

Changes in high-altitude winds over the South Pacific produce long-term effects

A new study found that changes in high-altitude winds over the South Pacific produce fundamental effects on ocean circulation and the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The research also reveals closer atmospheric ties between mid-latitudes and the tropics, with significant implications for global climate mechanisms.

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.

Substance use, misuse and dependence: A PLOS Medicine special issue

The PLOS Medicine special issue examines the challenges of substance use and misuse, including opioid epidemic in the US and differences in risks among refugees and non-refugee migrants. Research findings suggest that programmes focusing on prescription opioids may be missing a growing proportion of people at risk of harm from opioid m...

ER focus on immediate medical issues can miss the bigger picture

A new UCSF study examines the use of medical, behavioral, and social services among frequent ED users, revealing their complex social needs and the need for care coordination. The researchers found that these patients are generally sicker than infrequent ED users and seek a wide range of services.

SMART discovers breakthrough way to look at the surface of nanoparticles

Researchers from SMART have discovered a new method called Molecular Probe Adsorption (MPA) that enables the exploration of nanoparticle surfaces without damaging them. This breakthrough technique is substantially faster and cheaper than existing chemical methods, allowing for universal characterization of nanoparticles with any geomet...

Quality of life changes after weight loss

A new study found that intensive lifestyle interventions, combined with medication, produce clinically significant improvements in quality of life outcomes for obese patients. Participants who received both liraglutide and behavioral therapy achieved more meaningful weight-related quality of life improvements compared to those who rece...

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.

Potential drug targets for glioblastoma identified

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified 10 novel glioblastoma-specific endothelial cell transcripts that could represent potential tumour-targets for therapy. The study uses a new method to process human brain tissue data and identifies disease-related changes in cells lining tumour blood vessels.