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Science News Archive October 2019


Page 16 of 47

Mastering collaboration -- Educating tomorrow's roboticists

The US Army Research Laboratory's Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance brings together industry-academia researchers to solve military problems with scientific solutions. Students from undergraduate to doctoral levels contribute to the alliance by working on real Army problems in university laboratories.

Using AI to better understand and model the earth system

An international team of researchers has been awarded a $10 million European Research Council Synergy Grant to develop machine learning algorithms for enhancing Earth observation datasets. They will also develop machine-learning-based parametrizations for clouds and land-surface processes to improve climate modeling.

LSU Health New Orleans' Weiss receives top global honor

Jayne S. Weiss, MD, has been awarded the 2020 Castroviejo Award for her outstanding work on corneal dystrophies, particularly Schnyder corneal dystrophy. Her research focuses on genetic mapping and pathophysiology of corneal diseases, making significant contributions to the field.

Biological material boosts solar cell performance

Researchers at Penn State have successfully increased the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by adding the protein bacteriorhodopsin, boosting it from 14.5% to 17%. This breakthrough could lead to more environmentally friendly and cost-effective bioperovskite solar cell technology.

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.

In Alzheimer's research, MIT scientists reveal brain rhythm role

Research at MIT's Picower Institute has shown that stimulating a specific brain rhythm via light or sound can reduce amyloid buildup and improve memory in Alzheimer's model mice. The technique, called GENUS, also shows promise in reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel function.

Evolution of aesthetic dentistry

The article reviews the evolution of esthetic dentistry, highlighting advances in dental research and clinical interventions, including universal esthetic rules and guidelines, tooth whitening, and digital technologies.

Fragmented magnetism

A team of researchers from Boston College, MIT, and UC Santa Barbara has discovered an elusive atomic-scale magnetic signal in a Mott insulator material as it undergoes a transition from insulator to metal. The study uses spin-polarizing scanning tunneling microscopy to detail the underlying physics at the atomic level.

Study: Tradeoffs between commute time, safety

A new study from the University of Illinois introduces a tool that helps quantify the connection between traffic accidents and city road networks. Researchers found that commuters willing to take longer trips can reduce accidents by up to 18%.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research worth 'bragging' about

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a comprehensive system to classify arrogance across three levels: individual, comparative, and antagonistic. This framework provides an analytical perspective on arrogance, which could inform psychological research and applications in various relationships.

Pushy robots learn the fundamentals of object manipulation

Researchers at MIT have compiled a comprehensive dataset of robotic pushing dynamics, capturing the behavior of hundreds of different objects. This dataset, called Omnipush, enables robots to learn fundamental object manipulation tasks, such as reorienting and inspecting objects, by training on a diverse range of pushing scenarios.

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.

Antiquated dams hold key to water quality

Researchers investigating the effects of dam removal on water quality and nutrient processing in streams and rivers. Removing antiquated dams may harm or help water quality depending on the scenario. The study aims to identify hotspots of nitrogen processing and develop a new model for stream and riparian processes.

New flame retardants, old problems

A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that new organophosphate flame retardants have been associated with lower IQ in children and reproductive problems. These chemicals are also being carried by wind and water far from their origin, polluting areas worldwide.

Simple test predicts dangerous pregnancy disorder

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia have developed a simple, low-cost test to predict preeclampsia. The Suboptimal Health Questionnaire assesses health status and combines with blood tests to accurately predict the development of preeclampsia in almost 80% of cases.

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.

Simple conversations can reduce opioid prescriptions after hysterectomy

A new study by Michigan Medicine found that involving patients in pain management decisions significantly decreased opioid prescriptions without compromising pain control. The majority of patients reported their pain control as adequate or good and said their pain level was better or much better than expected.

UM student research tests ways to reduce errors in wildlife surveys

A University of Montana undergraduate student's research published in Ecological Applications found that a double-observer method significantly reduces false-positive errors in wildlife surveys. The study also highlighted the importance of proper training and species-specific characteristics in minimizing misidentifications.

Brain imaging reveals neural correlates of human social behavior

The study explores how behaviors like empathy and team flow are represented in the brain, shedding light on conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety. Brain imaging reveals specific neural circuits involved in social behaviors, providing potential new avenues for researching these complex processes.

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.

Little evidence common antidepressant is effective in autism spectrum disorders

A new study has found that taking fluoxetine for 16 weeks did not significantly lower the frequency and severity of obsessive compulsive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. The research suggests that up to one-third of children with ASD are prescribed antidepressants despite inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness.

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.

360 degree virtual dive in Iceland shipwreck

The Flinders University team created a highly realistic virtual experience of the wreck, including a digital reconstruction of how it sank. The three-minute dive is available on YouTube and offers insights into Iceland's forgotten history during the 17th century.

New species take longer to arise in the Amazon

A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that it takes about 3 million years for aggression levels to decline when males are exposed to songs from distant populations in Amazonia. In contrast, temperate North America species exhibit a quicker response time of around half a million years.

Escapism: A powerful predictor of internet gaming disorder among video gamers

A recent study found that both professional esports players and recreational video game players are at risk of developing internet gaming disorder when they use gaming as a means of escapism. The study, which surveyed over 4,300 gamers, suggests that escapist tendencies can be a common predictor of gaming disorder in both groups.

New strategy for treating high blood pressure

Researchers discovered a structural change in brain cells controlling salt-resistance, which can be mimicked to combat high blood pressure. This finding has implications for the development of targeted therapies for salt-resistant individuals.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rethinking the role of technology in the classroom

A new study by Annahita Ball found that adding tablets and home Wi-Fi to students in an urban New York State school district did not increase academic motivation. Instead, it pointed to the need for schools to focus on interpersonal aspects of learning and family engagement to support student motivation.

WPI researcher creating safer, more accurate way to detect prostate cancer

A biomedical engineer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is creating a new medical robot that uses photoacoustic imaging to detect and analyze three different indicators of prostate cancer. The system aims to be more accurate than current tests like ultrasounds and biopsies, while eliminating the need for radioactive contrast dye.

Microaggressions, HIV, and black women in Miami

A unique study aims to analyze how daily microaggressions affect the health of black women living with HIV. The Project MMAGIC team will gather data from 150 women for one year to see how microaggressions and other related experiences impact their viral suppression over time.

Looking inside the body with indirect light

A new technique captures and analyzes indirect light to reveal previously unseen details just under the surface, including blood vessels. The method uses commercially available cameras to create images at extraordinary resolution, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

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.

New treatment may reverse celiac disease

A new phase 2 clinical trial shows that technology can induce immune tolerance to gluten in individuals with celiac disease, reducing inflammation and protecting the small intestine. The treatment, called CNP-101, is a biodegradable nanoparticle containing gluten that convinces the immune system it's safe.

Poor toilet hygiene, not food, spreads antibiotic-resistant E. coli superbugs

A new study reveals that antibiotic-resistant E. coli superbugs are more likely to be spread through poor toilet hygiene than the food chain, with human-to-human transmission being a primary route of infection. The research found that strains of E. coli resistant to ESBLs dominate in human faeces and bloodstream infections.

Scientists enhance color and texture of cultured meat

A team of Tufts University-led researchers found that adding the iron-carrying protein myoglobin improves the growth, texture and color of bovine muscle grown from cells in culture. Myoglobin was also shown to promote cell proliferation and differentiation, leading to a rich meat-like color.

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.

NYSCF announces 2019 Class of NYSCF - Robertson Investigators

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) has announced the 2019 class of NYSCF - Robertson Investigators, including Ya-Chieh Hsu, Evangelos Kiskinis, Florian Merkle, Nicholas Bellono, Lauren O'Connell and six others. The award provides $1.5 million over five years to outstanding young scientists.

NASA imagery reveals Neoguri now extra-tropical

Neoguri, formerly a typhoon, has taken on a more frontal system appearance in NASA's Aqua satellite imagery. The storm is expected to intensify slightly and track northeastward with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots.

'Brain in a dish' models advance studies of neural development and disease

Recent advances using lab-grown brain organoids have improved understanding of human brain development and diseases. However, questions remain about how well these brain models mirror the complexity of the cortex. Studies show that organoids can reproduce a rich diversity of cell types found in the cerebral cortex, but fail to capture ...

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.

3D printing, bioinks create implantable blood vessels

Scientists fabricate multilayer blood vessels with unique biomolecules that transform into functional blood vessels when implanted. The result is a fully functional blood vessel with enhanced strength and anti-thrombosis functions.

Browser tool aims to help researchers ID malicious websites, code

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an open-source tool called VisibleV8 to detect malicious programs in JavaScript without alerting the websites. This tool runs in Chrome browsers, creating a behavior profile for each site that can be used to identify malicious websites and compromising user information.

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.

Dementia patients' adult kids diagnosed earlier than their parents

A new study found that people with dementia whose parents also had dementia develop symptoms an average of six years earlier. Factors such as education and genetic variants accounted for less than a third of the variation in age at onset, suggesting more to be discovered about the factors affecting when symptoms arise.

Machine learning's next frontier: Epigenetic drug discovery

Scientists developed a machine-learning algorithm to automate high-throughput screens of epigenetic medicines, identifying potential treatments for glioblastoma and other diseases. The approach, called Microscopic Imaging of Epigenetic Landscapes (MIEL), detects active drugs and spots epigenetic changes across multiple cell lines.

Men with breast cancer face high mortality rates: Study

A Vanderbilt University study found men with breast cancer have a 19% higher five-year mortality rate than women, attributed to clinical characteristics and undertreatments. The disparity persists even when considering cancer types, access to care, and lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity.

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.

A blood factor involved in weight loss and aging

Researchers at Institut Pasteur have identified GDF11 as a blood factor involved in weight loss and aging. The study shows that GDF11 mimics the benefits of calorie restriction, inducing metabolic changes and promoting neurogenesis in the brain.

Mix master: Modeling magnetic reconnection in partially ionized plasma

Researchers have developed a simulation model that shows the potential for fast magnetic reconnection to occur in partially ionized plasma, a key region in interstellar space. This finding could help understand how reconnection may affect star formation and provide insights into the physics of magnetically reconnecting plasmas.

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.