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Science News Archive November 2019


Page 39 of 41

Better autonomous 'reasoning' at tricky intersections

Researchers have developed a new model to help autonomous vehicles navigate intersections with obstructed views, reducing the risk of collisions. The model estimates risks based on factors like sensor noise, driver awareness, and occlusions.

Sea-level rise and Paris Agreement pledges

Researchers estimate that greenhouse gas emissions up to 2030 will contribute approximately 1m of sea-level rise by 2300, with the top 5 emitters responsible for around 25% of this increase. Stringent near-term emission reductions are necessary to limit long-term sea-level rise

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.

Fighting the HIV epidemic

A new study found that stigma about HIV preventive medication (PrEP) use is significantly associated with lower intention to start PrEP among women. The study recommends expanding public messaging, addressing stereotype beliefs, and designing interventions that integrate stigma reduction at the individual and community levels.

Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease

Researchers discovered that DAPPD promotes phagocytosis of microglia cells, leading to reduced amyloid deposition and improved cognitive function. The study suggests that targeting neuroinflammation may be a viable therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

ACP issues new guidance statement for colorectal cancer screening

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a new guidance statement for colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults between 50 and 75 years old. The guidance suggests that physicians select the most suitable screening test for each patient based on factors such as benefits, harms, costs, availability, frequency, and p...

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.

Post-lithium technology

Researchers have developed a high-performance cathode made of an organic polymer for sodium-ion batteries, achieving excellent electrochemical performances. The new material outperforms current polymeric and inorganic cathodes in capacity delivery and retention.

Complex society discovered in birds

Researchers have discovered a multilevel society in vulturine guineafowl, a small-brained bird species. The study found that the birds form stable groups with hundreds of individuals and associate preferentially with specific other groups, similar to primates.

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.

Lost trees hugely overrated as environmental threat, study finds

A new study by Ohio State University and Yale University estimates that deforestation contributes only 7% of manmade net carbon emissions, down from previous estimates of 27%. The research also highlights the importance of forest management in reducing carbon emissions.

Chemists observe 'spooky' quantum tunneling

Researchers successfully suppressed quantum tunneling in ammonia molecules by applying a strong electric field, demonstrating the phenomenon's 'spookiness'. The study uses this approach to explore molecular dynamics and potentially exploit it with other molecules.

Scientists identify protein that promotes brain metastasis

Researchers have identified CEMIP as a key protein promoting brain metastasis in breast and lung cancers. By blocking CEMIP, it may be possible to prevent or treat brain metastases, which are a common cause of cancer deaths. High levels of CEMIP in primary tumors have been linked to a faster progression to brain metastasis.

Synthetic phages with programmable specificity

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created synthetic phages that can recognize and attack a broader range of bacterial strains, providing a potential solution for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The synthesized phages share the same genome but have different receptor binding proteins, allowing them to target specific hosts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Technique helps robots find the front door

Researchers create method that enables robots to use environmental clues to plan routes, reducing time spent exploring properties and eliminating the need for maps of specific residences. The approach leverages pre-existing algorithms to generate a new map of the environment as the robot moves around, represented as semantic clues.

Biosimilar drugs can reduce costs but still face challenges in the US

Research from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic reveals biosimilar drugs can lower costs for patients, but their use is still hindered by regulatory barriers. The study found that while physicians are willing to prescribe biosimilars, cost savings are minimal, and market share remains limited.

The truth about misinformation

A new study by Anne Hamby and colleagues found that people are more willing to update their memories if something bad has happened to a character, such as a death or serious illness. The researchers discovered that explaining alternative causes of events can help change beliefs and promote tolerance.

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.

SRNL radiation detection systems operating at ports of Tacoma and NY/NJ

The SRNL-designed radiation detection system has been successfully implemented at the Port of Tacoma and NY/NJ, detecting illicit radioactive material in intermodal cargo containers. The system is expected to save significant time and space requirements for scanning these containers, increasing operational efficiency.

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.

NASA provides an infrared analysis of typhoon Halong

Typhoon Halong strengthened in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean with NASA's Terra satellite analysis, showing strong storms with extremely cold cloud top temperatures. The storm is expected to move northwest and strengthen further over open waters.

Emergency department admissions of children for sexual abuse

This study analyzed emergency department admissions of children for sexual abuse between 2010 and 2016, providing insights into the scope of the issue. The findings highlight the need for increased support services and resources for affected children and families.

New tornado casualty analysis will improve future predictions

Tyler Fricker's study analyzed nationwide tornado casualty data to identify high-risk regions and community-level factors influencing casualties. The results suggest that regional susceptibility to high-casualty events is more complex than previously thought, with factors beyond mobile home ownership and low income contributing to high...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Scientists discover how potent bacterial toxin kills MRSA bacteria

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that a bacterial toxin, lysostaphin, targets and breaks down MRSA cell walls, making it effective against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments targeting the same mechanism.

Daylight Saving Time has long-term effects on health

Daylight Saving Time transitions can have lasting impacts on health, causing biologic clocks to become desynchronized and increasing the risk of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. Average sleep duration shrinks by 15-20 minutes during DST, potentially leading to fatal accidents.

Cynical social media voices can erode trust in news media

A Rutgers study found that cynical online views are the most influential on a person's trust in news media, while face-to-face interactions with like-minded people have a stronger impact. The study suggests that social media can make it harder to separate opinion from fact and bias from well-reasoned arguments.

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.

Whether direct or indirect, parental alienation harms families

A new study by Colorado State University researcher Jennifer Harman found that mothers use more indirect alienating strategies, while fathers use a mix of direct and indirect tactics. This can lead to children's ultimate rejection of parents for false reasons, creating an 'enmeshed identity' with the alienator.

Cognitive ability, grit, and success

A study analyzing data from over 10,000 cadets found that noncognitive attributes like grit were better predictors of graduation than cognitive ability. Cognitive ability was strongly linked to academic and military grades, while physical ability predicted physical grades.

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.

The fetal brain possesses adult-like networks

Research published in JNeurosci found that fetal brains possess adult-like networks by 20-40 weeks gestation. The study discovered a 61% overlap in motor, visual, auditory, and cognitive functions between fetal and adult connectomes.

Is physical activity always good for the heart?

Research finds high-intensity sporting physical activity improves neural baroreflex, while physical activity at work is associated with abnormal neural baroreflex and greater arterial stiffness. Chronic, strenuous activity at work may pose a risk to cardiovascular health.

Study reveals how brain injury can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Researchers at UCLA have discovered that a traumatic brain injury causes changes in the amygdala, leading to increased fear responses and PTSD symptoms. The study found that rats with brain injuries exhibited abnormal neural activity in the amygdala and thalamus, suggesting potential new targets for treating PTSD.

Study decodes gene function that protects against type 2 diabetes

A recent study has identified the gene function that protects against type 2 diabetes, revealing a zinc transporter's role in insulin secretion. The research found that individuals with a specific mutation in the SLC30A8 gene have enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and reduced blood sugar levels.

Gene variant may help protect against Alzheimer's disease

A new study identified a gene variant that may delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Carrying two copies of the APOE3ch variant may limit tau pathology and neurodegeneration, allowing individuals to age with fewer cognitive impairments. Researchers hope this finding can lead to new treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Overexpression of maize gene improves yield

Increasing maize gene zmm28 expression improves grain yield, nitrogen uptake, and photosynthetic activity in field tests, according to researchers. Altering a single gene's expression can lead to significant yield improvements, suggesting new avenues for genetic engineering approaches.

Elusive cancer-related protein captured in flight

Researchers at Linköping University have successfully captured the instantaneous image of the MYC protein bound to TBP, shedding light on its role in cancer. The study reveals that MYC's adaptability and dynamic structure enable it to interact with over 300 proteins, making it a promising target for new cancer therapies.

Complex society discovered in birds

Researchers found multilevel societies in a population of over 400 adult birds, with stable membership and associations between groups based on preference. This discovery raises questions about the evolution of complex societies and provides clues about the mechanisms underlying social behavior.

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.

Microbiologist Karen Lloyd awarded $2.5M grant for permafrost research

Karen Lloyd's research focuses on the effects of thawing permafrost on the environment, examining microbial processes that break down soil organic carbon and release greenhouse gases. By understanding these processes, future predictions can be made about the impact of microbial communities' activities on changes in released gases.

Evaluating mind-body therapies for opioid-treated pain

A comprehensive review of mind-body therapies found associations with lower opioid use and better pain outcomes. The study combined data from multiple studies, providing evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions in managing chronic pain among adults on opioids.

Scientists spy unstable semiconductors

Researchers from Cardiff University have discovered metastability in gallium arsenide compound semiconductor material, a phenomenon that could affect device stability. The findings could lead to improved materials and structures for electronic devices, such as smartphones, GPS, and satellites.

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.

From cone snail venom to pain relief

Researchers have discovered a class of analgesics in conotoxin peptides, which are found in the venom of marine cone snails. These peptides show exceptional potency and selectivity for ion channels involved in pain transmission, offering new avenues for pain therapy.

Single discrimination events alter college students' daily behavior

Researchers analyzed data from Fitbit Flex 2 devices and phone apps to understand the impact of individual discrimination events on college students' daily lives. On average, students who experienced unfair treatment were more physically active, interacted with their phones more, and spent less time in bed.

Solid condensation in Solar protoplanetary disk

Large light silicon isotope enrichments suggest rapid solid formation during local temperature fluctuations within the disk. The discovery challenges conventional understanding of planetary disk evolution and formation of first solids.

Voyager 2 reaches interstellar space

Researchers confirm Voyager 2's entry into interstellar space with a plasma density jump detected by an Iowa-led instrument. The spacecraft crossed into the ISM at a distance of over 11 billion miles from the sun, providing valuable clues to the structure of the heliosphere.

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.