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Science News Archive October 2019


Page 41 of 47

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.

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.

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.

NIH funding bolsters rare diseases research collaborations

The NIH has awarded $31 million in grants to support consortia studying rare diseases, with a focus on clinical research and collaboration. The funding aims to develop improved approaches for diagnosis and treatment, ultimately moving potential treatments closer to the clinic.

Mounting brain organoid research reignites ethical debate

Researchers are expanding brain organoid research, raising concerns about the potential for consciousness in host animals. The authors propose an ethical framework grounded in scientific principles to address these issues and ensure responsible use of this 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.

MIT sets out to model Alzheimer's disease complexity on a chip

MIT researchers are developing a multicellular integrated chip platform to model the complexity of Alzheimer's disease. They will integrate blood vessels and key cell types, including neurons, immune cells, and oligodendrocytes, to provide a powerful testbed for personalized research.

Why the language-ready brain is so complex

Neuroscientist Hagoort challenges the classical view that language is confined to two major areas in the left half of the brain, instead proposing a multi-brain-network view that incorporates multiple regions and operations, including those shared with other cognitive domains like music and arithmetic.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Golden ratio observed in human skulls

A recent study published in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery found that human skull dimensions follow the Golden Ratio. However, less related species such as dogs and monkeys diverged from this ratio, suggesting unique evolutionary patterns.

NASA finds a transitioning cyclone Mitag filling the sea of Japan

Tropical Storm Mitag is undergoing extratropical transition, losing its tropical characteristics and becoming a larger system with increasing wind field size. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) as it moved east-northeast towards landfall over northern Honshu, Japan.

Heart failure and the obesity paradox

Researchers found that overweight individuals had the lowest mortality risk among those with established heart failure, contrary to previous expectations. The 'obesity paradox' suggests that obese patients may tolerate disease-modifying and prognostic medications better than non-obese patients.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Plants alert neighbors to threats using common 'language'

New research from Cornell University reveals that plants communicate with each other using airborne chemicals when under attack from pests. This phenomenon, known as open-channel communication, allows neighboring plants to pick up on warning signals and prepare for the perceived threat.

Study presents first genome sequence of Florida panther

The study presents the first genome sequence of the Florida panther, revealing increased genetic variation in the population. Genetic rescue efforts led to a tripling of genetic diversity in two offspring, alleviating genetic defect threats and promoting population growth from 20-30 to 120-230 individuals.

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.

Sentinels in the mouth

Researchers found special sensory cells in the gums that detect irritants and bacteria, triggering an immune response to control oral microbiome. The discovery could lead to personalized dental treatments against gum disease.

Key to learning and forgetting identified in sleeping brain

A new study by UC San Francisco researchers reveals that two distinct types of slow brain waves, slow oscillations and delta waves, compete to determine whether new information is consolidated or forgotten. Disrupting one type of wave enhances memory retention, while disrupting the other leads to forgetting.

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.

Exposure to air pollution increases violent crime rates, study finds

A new study by Colorado State University researchers found a strong link between short-term exposure to air pollution and aggressive behavior, including aggravated assaults and other violent crimes across the continental United States. The results showed a 1.4% increase in violent crimes for every 10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase ...

Study finds large potential range for invasive spotted lanternfly

A new habitat-modeling study reveals large swaths of US and Europe are likely to be vulnerable to the invasive spotted lanternfly if it continues to spread. Suitable habitat for the tree and fruit pest was found in most New England and mid-Atlantic states, as well as parts of central US and Pacific Northwest globally.

Paleontology: New Australian pterosaur may have survived the longest

A previously unknown species of pterosaur was discovered in Australia, with characteristics suggesting it may be a late-surviving member of the Anhanguera genus. The fossil, which includes parts of the skull and five vertebrae, is considered the most complete pterosaur specimen ever found in Australia.

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.

Placenta pathology may clarify racial disparities in preemie health outcomes

A recent study found that African-American preterm births are associated with chronic inflammation of the placenta and underdeveloped vessels, leading to poor growth and increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. These abnormalities suggest that the fetus was not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients from the placenta.

New parents? Tired of nighttime feedings? Bees can relate

A recent study by Hebrew University researchers found that bumble bee workers sleep less while caring for young, even when not their own offspring. This suggests a mechanism allowing them to reduce sleep without a cost to health or cognitive performance.

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 phenological index

Researchers have developed a new quantitative measure of phenological status called the 'phenological index' to improve scoring of developmental stage in herbarium specimens. This approach allows for more accurate predictions of ecosystem responses to climate change.

Glowing gas reveals faint filaments of the cosmic web

Researchers detected individual filaments of intergalactic gas in a newly forming cluster, providing insight into the Universe's evolution and galaxy formation. The analysis found that these filaments are arranged like long threads, extending over one million parsecs, and fueling star formation and super massive black hole growth.

Confronting colony collapse

Researchers sequenced the genomes of two Varroa mite species that parasitize honey bees, finding distinct strategies for survival and evolution. The study sheds light on how parasites and hosts co-evolve, potentially revealing new approaches to combat colony collapse.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Global wildlife trade is higher than previous estimates show

The study found that at least 5,579 animals are currently being traded globally, with impacts tend to be higher among certain groups and in threatened species. The researchers predict that up to 8,775 species could soon be at risk of extinction due to future commodification.

Bumble bee workers sleep less while caring for young

A new study reveals that bumble bee workers tending to pupae sleep significantly less than other bees, even when the offspring are not their own. This finding suggests that substances produced by the pupae may drive the reduction in sleep.

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.

Grant will test 'home delivery' for CRISPR cancer treatment

Researchers at UC Davis aim to deliver CRISPR genome editing machinery to gut cells to fix genes responsible for a rare form of familial cancer. They will use an engineered, non-infectious hepatitis E virus to orally deliver CRISPR into cells in the gastrointestinal tract of mice.

Kidney function may affect risks associated with prescription opioids

A study found that prescription opioids are associated with a higher risk of death and hospitalization compared to other pain medications, especially at high doses. The risk is highest among individuals with lower kidney function, who may experience reduced clearance of the active compounds from their bodies.

How the influenza virus achieves efficient viral RNA replication

New insights into the influenza virus polymerase have revealed that its subunits co-evolve to guarantee proper levels of dimerization and optimal inter-subunit cooperation. This finding has significant implications for the development of novel antiviral drugs targeting viral RNA replication.

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.

Keeping cool with quantum wells

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have introduced a new method for evaporation cooling using semiconductor quantum wells, reducing waste heat in portable electronics. Devices with this technology may be integrated into smart devices to prevent overheating issues.

How much are you polluting your office air just by existing?

A team of engineers at Purdue University conducted a study using thousands of sensors in an office building to identify indoor air contaminants. They found that people and ventilation systems greatly impact the chemistry of indoor air, with volatile organic compounds lingering even after occupants leave.

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.

Stem cell studies offer hope for childhood neurological condition

Researchers develop novel therapies to reverse or prevent myelin loss in PMD patients, identifying iron toxicity as a key factor and discovering a potential treatment using an FDA-approved agent. Clinical trials are planned to test the effectiveness of this treatment in slowing or halting disease progression.

New method to purify cell types to high purity

Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have created a new method called GateID that allows for the purification of cell types to high purity without using antibodies or genetic reporters. This enables the detailed study of individual cell types, such as stem cells and tumor cells, which are crucial for understanding their properties and...

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.

Tooth loss associated with higher risk of heart disease

Adults with tooth loss due to nontraumatic events are more prone to heart attacks and strokes. Researchers analyzed 316,588 US participants aged 40-79, finding a significant association between oral health and cardiovascular disease.

UNH researchers find northern forests have lost crucial cold, snowy conditions

Researchers at UNH found a significant decline in frost days and ice days in northern forests across the US and Canada. This change could have serious implications for ecosystems, water supplies, economies, tourism, and human health. Cold temperatures help prevent disease spread and manage insects detrimental to trees.

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.

NASA sees Post-tropical Cyclone Lorenzo affecting Ireland

NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of Post-tropical Cyclone Lorenzo as it neared Ireland on Oct. 3, showing frontal features and cloud-filled center of circulation west of Ireland. Met Eireann has issued rainfall and wind warnings for Ireland due to the storm's heavy rains and high winds.