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Science News Archive September 2019


Page 1 of 43

Do celiac families need 2 toasters?

A preliminary study from Children's National Hospital found no significant gluten transfer when tools like the same toaster or knives are used for both gluten-free and gluten-containing foods. Basic kitchen hygiene can further reduce gluten transfer.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateSep 30, 2019

Which comes first: Smartphone dependency or depression?

A new study from the University of Arizona has identified a link between smartphone dependency and symptoms of depression and loneliness. Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms and loneliness, rather than the other way around.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateSep 30, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Child deaths in Africa could be prevented by family planning

A recent study found that better access to clean water, sanitation services, and family planning can substantially reduce preventable child mortality in Africa. The analysis determined that large households are linked to worsening child health outcomes in developing nations.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMJ Open·DateSep 30, 2019

Designing a new class of drugs to treat chronic pain

A team of UC Davis researchers led by Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy is developing a new class of peptides to treat chronic pain with minimal side effects. The goal is to identify the most effective peptide design that can selectively block pain-associated sodium channels without affecting other channels.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·DateSep 30, 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.

You don't have to go cold turkey on red meat to see health benefits

A new study found that halving red and processed meat consumption reduces LDL 'bad' cholesterol levels and heart disease risk by an average of 10%. Researchers discovered that even small changes to RPM intake can induce significant changes in LDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalFood & Function·DateSep 30, 2019

WVU study reveals falsification issues in higher education hiring processes

A new study from West Virginia University found that 78% of applicants claimed to have at least one publication, with 56% listing inaccurate or unverifiable publications. The researchers hope their findings can inform recommendations for improving the academic hiring process and increasing transparency.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

Pineapple genome sequences hint at plant domestication in a single step

Researchers have sequenced and assembled the red pineapple genome, revealing how natural and artificial selection shaped key traits. The study supports the hypothesis that some plants can be domesticated in a single step through clonal propagation.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 30, 2019

Purple martin migration behavior perplexes researchers

Researchers have discovered that purple martins are roosting in small forest patches as they migrate from North America to Brazil. The birds seem to be intentionally seeking out these isolated habitats, possibly due to fewer predators than in larger forest areas.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Field Ornithology·DateSep 30, 2019

'Good' cholesterol counters atherosclerosis in mice with diabetes

A new study finds that increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol reversed disease in the blood vessels of mice with diabetes, reversing atherosclerosis. The study also shows that raising functional HDL levels stopped inflammation and improved cardiovascular disease processes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateSep 30, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Your video can ID you through walls with help of WiFi

Researchers at UCSB have enabled identifying a person behind a wall using only WiFi transceivers outside, utilizing received power measurements of a WiFi link. The proposed approach achieves an accuracy of 84% in correctly identifying the person behind the wall, with potential applications in surveillance and security.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateSep 30, 2019

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread by washing machine

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that conventional washing machines in hospitals and potentially households can transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria to newborns through clothing. The study highlights the need for higher temperatures during laundry to prevent transmission of dangerous pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 30, 2019

Vegetarian meal options in cafeterias

A study found that increasing vegetarian meal options led to a significant increase in sales, with diners who previously avoided vegetarian meals purchasing more after increased availability. The results suggest that expanding vegetarian options can reduce meat consumption and promote healthier eating habits.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 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.

Organoid research revealed at Neuroscience 2019

Scientists discuss strengths and weaknesses of organoids as a model for human cortex, employing them to study developmental brain disorders. Researchers explore the viability of mini-brains in clinical research.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateSep 30, 2019

Cooking food alters the microbiome

A new study reveals that cooking food fundamentally alters the microbiomes of both mice and humans. Cooking raw foods can harm certain microbes, while cooked foods may be more calorie-dense, affecting gut bacteria. In a human trial, participants showed significant changes in their microbiome after switching between raw and cooked diets.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 30, 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.

First prostate cancer therapy to target genes delays cancer progression

A new treatment approach for metastatic prostate cancer has shown promising results, delaying disease progression by more than double and potentially extending lives. The treatment targets genetic alterations that enable cancer cells to repair themselves, leading to significant extensions in time before the disease grows and spreads.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateSep 30, 2019

Great apes have you on their mind

A new study suggests that great apes, including chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, possess a theory of mind, enabling them to understand others' mental states. The team observed that the apes anticipated an agent's actions based on their own experiences with different barriers.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2019

Solar cells with new interfaces

Scientists from NUST MISIS and University of Rome Tor Vergata developed a new approach to design perovskite solar cells using MXene, increasing efficiency by more than 25% compared to original prototypes. The innovative material enhances charge extraction through interfaces.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 30, 2019

ORNL scientists shed light on microbial 'dark matter' with new approach

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a method to isolate specific microbes from complex human oral microbiome samples using antibody engineering. They successfully isolated three different species of TM7 and another uncultivated bacterial group, SR1.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

Human milk fat substitute from seed oil

Scientists created a human milk fat substitute from seed oil by modifying its metabolism to produce triacylglycerols with a specific fatty acid structure. This innovation could provide a cheap and sustainable source of human milk fat substitute for infant formula.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2019

Expanding Medicaid means chronic health problems get found & health improves, study finds

A new study by Michigan Medicine and University of Michigan found that nearly one in three low-income people with chronic illnesses discovered a new condition after enrolling in expanded Medicaid. Half of those with chronic conditions reported improved overall health within a year of coverage, with similar improvements in mental health.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2019

Material for nuclear reactors to become harder

Researchers from NUST MISIS created a unique composite material that can withstand temperatures up to 700°C, outperforming individual components in terms of microhardness. The material's multilayer structure, made possible by high-pressure torsion, enables improved thermal stability and strength.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalMaterials Letters·DateSep 30, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

'Relaxed' enzymes may be at the root of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease causes damage to the peripheral nervous system, affecting balance and motor skills. Researchers found that mutated enzymes take on an unusual shape, leading to unwanted interactions with nearby proteins and potential disease severity.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2019

Silicon technology boost with graphene and 2D materials

The integration of graphene and 2D materials with silicon technology promises to overcome current challenges and enhance device component function and performance. This could lead to breakthroughs in computational systems, non-computational applications, such as cameras and sensors, and even push performance gains in memory and data st...

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature·DateSep 30, 2019

Sleeping pills reduce suicidal thoughts in patients with severe insomnia

A study found that patients with severe insomnia who took a sedative-hypnotic sleep aid showed significant improvement in reported insomnia severity and reduced suicidal thinking. The treatment was particularly effective in reducing suicidal thoughts in patients with the most severe insomnia.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

How meaning is represented in the human brain

Researchers detect non-linguistic experience in brain activity during reading, combining with linguistic information to decode sentence meaning. This breakthrough may guide future efforts in language disorders and artificial intelligence.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateSep 30, 2019

Microbes in warm soils released more carbon than those in cooler soils

A new study finds that warmer tropical soils release more car-bon, leading to a 9% increase in atmospheric CO2 by the century's end. The increased microbial activity and changes in soil microbes also promote a positive feedback loop, exacerbating global warming.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 30, 2019

Best medications to reduce drooling for those with developmental disability

Researchers found anticholinergic drugs like glycopyrrolate significantly reduced drooling, but caused adverse effects such as behavioral changes and dehydration. The study suggests choosing a medication with fewer side effects for those with severe motor impairment.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

Quantum material goes where none have gone before

Physicists at Rice University have created a new alloy that exhibits unusual electronic properties when traversing the final frontier of quantum criticality. The cerium palladium aluminum alloy behaves like a spin liquid, a metallic system with exotic properties that can be found in other strongly correlated materials.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 30, 2019

NIH forms new collaborative influenza vaccine research network

The NIH has initiated a collaborative influenza vaccine research network to develop more durable and broadly protective vaccines. The CIVICs program will support the development of universal influenza vaccines with longer-lasting protection against a wider variety of influenza viruses.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateSep 30, 2019

No need to cut down red and processed meat consumption

A major Canadian-led study has found that most adults can continue to eat red and processed meat without significant impacts on heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. The researchers concluded that a small reduction in risk was associated with reducing meat consumption by three servings per week.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2019

Turning Phoenix green

A study by Arizona State University found that urban agriculture can meet 90% of Phoenix's current annual fresh produce consumption. The city could also increase green space by 17% and reduce CO2 emissions by displacing energy use equivalent to 6,000 homes.

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

Preparing for the future

A new multidisciplinary study examines projected changes to the Santa Barbara coast and provides recommendations for adaptation. Key impacts include rising temperatures, increased flooding and erosion, and more frequent droughts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalOcean & Coastal Management·DateSep 30, 2019

Autonomous electric minibus in development to tour Timanfaya

The UC3M has developed a completely autonomous electric vehicle to replace combustion vehicles in the Timanfaya National Park. The minibus features level 5 autonomy, allowing it to operate without human control, and advanced AI perception systems for navigation and localization.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·DateSep 30, 2019

New guidelines: No need to reduce red or processed meat consumption

A panel of experts based on rigorous systematic reviews found little to no health benefits for reducing red or processed meat consumption. Most adults can continue their current levels of red and processed meat intake without negative health effects.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2019

Optoceutics: A new technique using light for regenerative medicine

Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have developed a new technique called Optoceutics, which uses visible light to specifically direct the fate of tissue cells. This breakthrough has significant potential for regenerative medicine and treating cardiovascular diseases.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 30, 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.

Novel treatment combination for patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer

A phase III study showed that the combination of encorafenib, binimetinib, and cetuximab significantly improved overall survival (9.0 months) and objective response rates compared to standard care. The treatment was well-tolerated, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in treating BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 30, 2019