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Science News for October 4, 2019


Targeting certain rogue T cells prevents and reverses multiple sclerosis in mice

Researchers identified a specific subgroup of helper T cells driving MS and found that targeting the CXCR6 protein prevented and reversed the disease in mouse models. Elevated levels of CXCR6-positive cells were also found in inflamed joints of patients with inflammatory autoimmune arthritis.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2019

Determining the activity of noble-metal-free catalyst particles

Researchers have created a new measurement method to determine the electrochemical activity of individual noble-metal-free nanoparticle catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient hydrogen production through water electrolysis by using affordable alternatives to precious metal catalysts.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Researchers find antibiotic resistant genes prevalent in groundwater

Researchers found ubiquitous presence of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in groundwater samples, despite advanced treatment facility reducing ARGs to below detection limits. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the global spread of antibiotic resistance and ensure clean water supply.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateOct 4, 2019

Scientists find timekeepers of gut's immune system

Researchers found type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) are responsible for maintaining the gut's immune system. Targeting clock genes may lead to treatments for digestive ailments, such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Immunology·DateOct 4, 2019

A dusty lab in the sky

The DUST experiment aims to shed light on cosmic dust formation and its impact on planet growth. By launching lab equipment into space, scientists can study the complex process of dust grain growth and aggregation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

New metasurface design can control optical fields in three dimensions

Researchers at the University of Washington have designed a 3D-printed metamaterial that can manipulate light with nanoscale precision, focusing it to discrete points in a 3D helical pattern. The device has high spatial resolution and could enable miniaturization of optical elements and creation of ultra-compact depth sensors.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 4, 2019

Graphene turns 15 on track to deliver on its promises

The Graphene Flagship predicts high potential for graphene-enabled batteries, supercapacitors, and sustainable energy generation. Short-term applications include materials sector innovations, while mid-term prospects focus on energy and opto-electronics advancements.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 4, 2019

Microbiome provides new clues to determining development of colon cancer

Researchers at George Washington University found a connection between specific bacteria in the microbiome and the development of colon cancer. The study suggests that altered microbial profiles may be used to identify risk for colon cancer, particularly in younger patients.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateOct 4, 2019

Weak spot in pathogenic bacteria

Scientists have elucidated the structure of the ClpX-ClpP proteolytic complex, a key to developing innovative antibiotics that target bacterial degradation processes. The complex's unique mechanism of action has considerable innovation potential in the fight against pathogenic bacteria.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 4, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Long-term study data shows DBS is effective treatment for most severe form of depression

A recent study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate area provides a robust and sustained antidepressant effect in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Most participants experienced an antidepressant response and maintained it over eight years, with significant improvements in quality of life.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2019

People eat more when dining with friends and family -- Study

A study found that people eat up to 48% more food when dining with others than alone. This 'social facilitation' effect is driven by ancient hunter-gatherer instincts that still influence modern dietary behavior, leading to overeating in the presence of others.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 4, 2019

Global danger

A recent study published in Nature warns that nearly 20% of global catchments areas are already experiencing low stream and river flows due to groundwater pumping. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to 50%, posing a significant threat to global freshwater ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature·DateOct 4, 2019

Some ICU admissions may be preventable, saving money and improving care

New research suggests that many ICU admissions can be prevented with timely outpatient care for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes. Investing in preventive services could be a complementary strategy to increasing critical care workforce as the US population ages.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

CNIO uses organoid technology and single-cell sequencing to advance in the study of bladder cancer

Researchers from CNIO developed stable long-term cultures of mouse urothelial cells, enabling the study of biological mechanisms underlying bladder cancer. They identified a small population of stem cells that gives rise to cancer, providing new insights into disease development and tissue regeneration.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Household bleach inactivates chronic wasting disease prions

A new study by NIH scientists found that a 40% household bleach solution can inactivate chronic wasting disease prions within 5 minutes, providing a potential method for decontaminating hunting and meat processing equipment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 4, 2019

Promising steps towards hope for a treatment for schizophrenia

Researchers found significantly reduced mu-opioid receptor levels in schizophrenia patients' brains, contributing to negative feelings. This discovery provides a promising new lead for developing treatments for the condition.

SourceMedical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 4, 2019

NASA selects Illinois professor for satellite mission concept study

The GLIDE spacecraft will reveal the structure and dynamic behavior of the Earth's outermost atmospheric layer, known as the exosphere. The mission will make unprecedented measurements of far ultraviolet light emitted by hydrogen atoms in the exosphere.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateOct 4, 2019

First video of viruses assembling

Harvard researchers have captured the first-ever video of individual viruses assembling, offering a real-time view into their kinetics. The study reveals that viruses follow a specific pathway to form their capsid structure, with proteins arranging themselves into hexagons and pentagons around the RNA core.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

NUS scientist designs 'express courier service' for immune cells

A novel transfection method called nano-electro-injection delivers DNA into immune cells two to three times more efficiently than conventional methods. This technique improves the process of generating high-quality genetically modified immune cells for cancer immunotherapy, reducing cell stress and improving cell health.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAdvanced Therapeutics·DateOct 4, 2019

MSU economist's research on colony collapse disorder published in national journal

The study found that the supply of queens and packaged bees is sufficiently elastic to absorb demand increases due to colony collapse disorder, leading to no significant price hikes. Beekeeper methods of offsetting winter losses, such as splitting hives, remained relatively inexpensive and effective in meeting pollination contracts.

SourceMontana State University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateOct 4, 2019

Next-generation single-photon source for quantum information science

University of Illinois researchers Kwiat and Kaneda have built a single-photon source that produces 30 photons at unprecedented efficiencies. By using time multiplexing, they reduced the loss rate to 1.2 percent per cycle, guaranteeing at least one photon pair production per run.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 4, 2019

UM scientists awarded NOAA grant to study heat waves

Researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School will study heat waves with $190,000 NOAA grant funding, aiming to improve future projections of extreme heat wave events. Heat waves are projected to increase in severity and frequency due to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Treating pulmonary embolism: How safe and effective are new devices?

The American Heart Association's new scientific statement identifies the benefits and risks of novel interventional devices for treating pulmonary embolism. The devices, which remove or dissolve clots in the lungs, are shown to be effective but carry moderate risks, particularly in patients with intermediate-risk PE.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateOct 4, 2019

Researchers unlock potential to use CRISPR to alter the microbiome

A new CRISPR delivery system developed by Western University researchers enables targeted attacks on specific bacteria, including Staph A and E. coli. This breakthrough has the potential to create personalized antimicrobial agents and revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 4, 2019

More energy means more effects -- in proton collisions

Scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics have found that high-energy collisions produce 'forward-directed' jets, which require accounting for saturation and Sudakov effect. The researchers took into consideration two previously known phenomena to describe the production of these jets accurately.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysics Letters B·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

New 3D printing technique for biomaterials

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new 3D printing technique called Suspended Layer Additive Manufacturing (SLAM) that can create soft biomaterials for repairing body defects. The technique uses a polymer-based hydrogel with self-healing properties, allowing for precise detail and support without sagging.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 4, 2019

The fast dance of electron spins

Computer simulations reveal that certain metal complexes can exhibit rapid spin-flip processes, making them useful for precise control of electron spins in quantum computers. The study used enormous computational power to model the behavior of rhenium complex and found a spin-flip process taking place within ten femtoseconds.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalChemical Science·DateOct 4, 2019

A cosmic pretzel

Astronomers using ALMA have imaged a cosmic pretzel, a network of gas and dust surrounding two young binary stars. The structure is similar to the asteroid belt in our Solar System, with spiral shapes displaying complex dynamics.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateOct 4, 2019

Researchers discover a new defensive mechanism against bacterial wound infections

A team of researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin has identified a new endogenous mechanism that enables the skin to actively kill bacteria. The discovery involves mast cells and interleukin 6, which stimulate the release of antimicrobial peptides that target bacteria.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Researchers discover a link between two important products of nitric oxide

Scientists discover a hitherto unknown mechanism behind the formation of nitroso thiols, important reaction products of nitric oxide. This process occurs during the formation of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs), which are also products of nitric oxide.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalChemical Communications·DateOct 4, 2019

Anesthetizing fish may affect research outcomes

Using anesthetics to study fish colors can be misleading due to altered coloration. Researchers studying colorful patterns in small fish species found that common anesthetics affected hue, saturation, and brightness.

SourceCalifornia Polytechnic State University·JournalJournal of Fish Biology·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Ingestible sensor allows patients to be independent but still supported during TB treatment

A randomized controlled trial demonstrates Wirelessly Observed Therapy (WOT) superior to directly observed therapy (DOT) in boosting TB treatment adherence, with all patients cured and preferring WOT. The novel technology allows for private medication taking while preserving patient autonomy and enabling targeted treatment support.

SourceSpecialists in Global Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 4, 2019

Were hot, humid summers the key to life's origins?

Researchers found that deliquescent minerals can assist the construction of proteins from simpler building blocks during cycles timed to mimic day and night on early Earth. This process, which avoids unpredictable storms, may have played a key role in the origins of life.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 4, 2019

Newborn baby deaths in Africa targeted in $68M initiative

A new global health initiative, NEST360°, aims to reduce newborn mortality in sub-Saharan Africa by 50% through improved hospital care. The $68M program will focus on developing affordable technologies and training for hospitals in four initial countries, with plans to expand to the rest of the continent.

SourceRice University·DateOct 4, 2019
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.

Long-term mental health benefits of gender-affirming surgery for transgender individuals

A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that gender-affirming surgery significantly reduces mental health treatment use among transgender individuals with gender incongruence. The study, which analyzed over 2,500 individuals, showed a 8% reduction in mental health treatment odds for every year since receiving ...

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2019

The 'Goldilocks' principle for curing brain cancer

University of Minnesota Medical School researchers have made a breakthrough in combating glioblastoma, the most common form of adult brain cancer. By combining ultrasound with engineered glass particles, they were able to create a 'Goldilocks' balance that awakens the body's immune response and boosts the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalAdvanced Therapeutics·DateOct 4, 2019

Study pinpoints Alzheimer's plaque emergence early and deep in the brain

A new study by MIT neuroscientists pinpointed the earliest emergence of amyloid protein plaques in the human brain, finding they correlate strongly with disease progression. The research uses a mouse model to track plaque development and shows that these regions eventually spread throughout the brain.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalCommunications Biology·DateOct 4, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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