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Science News Archive September 2019


Page 17 of 43

The life aquatic made clear with freshwater lens

Researchers at Swansea University have created a system that uses a freshwater lens to improve visibility in cloudy waters, allowing scientists to identify fish species with greater accuracy. This breakthrough technology has the potential to monitor wildlife communities around marine renewable developments globally.

Genetically tailored instruction improves songbird learning

Researchers at UCSF found that tailoring instruction to individual birds' genetic predispositions can improve their learning abilities. In contrast, standardized tutoring programs failed to engage birds from families with different song tempo preferences.

Mechanism modeling for better forecasts, climate predictions

Mechanism modeling can improve the accuracy of air-sea fluxes, which are crucial for predicting marine atmospheric boundary layer processes. By accounting for the impact of waves, currents, and wind coupled together, models can better represent the interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Combination therapies could help treat fatal lung cancers

A new study found that combining a G12C KRAS inhibitor with two other compounds can significantly shrink lung tumours in mice and human cancer cells. This combination block the mTOR and IGF1R pathways, making it a promising avenue for treating lung adenocarcinomas with the deadly G12C KRAS mutation.

Compound may play role in halting panceatic cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that the compound 4-HAP can reduce metastatic tumor formation in mouse models of human pancreatic cancer. By stiffening cells and overwhelming their ability to invade nearby tissue, 4-HAP may help halt the progression of disease-like behavior in pancreatic cancer cells.

Researchers find way to study proteins moving (relatively) slowly

Scientists at Ohio State University have developed a tool to measure protein behavior at slower speeds than previously possible, allowing researchers to ask deeper questions about protein function and behavior. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of how proteins regulate cellular processes and interact with other molecules.

These pink sea urchins have teeth that sharpen themselves

Pink sea urchin teeth are specially equipped to sharpen themselves through a controlled chipping mechanism, maintaining their sharp edge. The unique structure of the teeth, consisting of ceramic composites and calcite fibers, allows for this self-sharpening process, which is also relevant for designing synthetic materials.

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.

Babies' gut bacteria affected by delivery method, Baby Biome project shows

A large-scale study found that vaginally born babies have different gut bacteria than those delivered by Caesarean. Researchers discovered that the mode of delivery impacted the gut microbiome, with vaginal delivery promoting mother's gut bacteria and Caesarean deliveries resulting in hospital-borne bacteria.

C-Path's Martha A. Brumfield named Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year

Dr. Martha A. Brumfield, a renowned leader in pharmaceutical development and regulatory science, has been awarded the Jon W. McGarity Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year honor. Her contributions to accelerating medical product development and building collaborative solutions have significantly benefited patients and their families.

Preference for fentanyl higher amount young, white, frequent opioid users

A study of people who use illicit opioids found that 27% prefer drugs with fentanyl, and these users are more likely to be younger, white, and daily users. The study suggests that harm-reduction strategies should target users who fit this profile, particularly those using portable drug-checking technologies.

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.

Towards better hand hygiene for flu prevention

Researchers found that ethanol-based sanitizers can't fully deactivate influenza A viruses in wet mucus, requiring nearly four minutes of exposure. Washing hands with antiseptic soap deactivates the virus within 30 seconds, regardless of mucus consistency.

Study shows Texas leads in worksite lactation support initiatives

A recent study by UTHealth School of Public Health found Texas ranks among the top quarter of US states for its worksite lactation support initiatives. The research identified eight minimum requirements for comprehensive programs, which can help increase breastfeeding rates and provide flexibility for employees.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Microbe chews through PFAS and other tough contaminants

A soil bacterium, Acidimicrobium A6, has shown promise in breaking down difficult-to-remove pollutants like PFAS. After 100 days of observation, the bacteria removed 60% of PFAS specifically PFOA and PFOS in lab vials, demonstrating a potential solution for environmental remediation.

Scientists forecasted late May tornado outbreak nearly 4 weeks in advance

A team of scientists at Northern Illinois University successfully forecasted the nation's extensive tornado outbreak in late May 2019, three to four weeks before it occurred. The prediction used historical weather-pattern records and methodologies to predict severe weather across the continental United States with extended lead times.

Actions to save coral reefs could benefit all ecosystems

Researchers suggest a bolder approach to safeguarding coral reefs by focusing on land as well as the ocean. Implementing strategies like renewable energy, aquaculture, and restoring vegetation can reduce global emissions and enhance people's livelihoods. Current approaches to coral reef conservation are failing, and addressing the root...

Gigantic asteroid collision boosted biodiversity on Earth

Researchers from Lund University found that a massive asteroid impact 470 million years ago led to a unique ice age and increased biodiversity in the inner solar system. The study suggests that dust from such an event could be used to cool the planet and mitigate climate change.

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.

Study: Obesity associated with abnormal bowel habits -- not diet

A new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found a strong association between obesity and chronic diarrhea, independent of dietary, lifestyle, or medical factors. Obesity was 60% more likely to cause chronic diarrhea compared to normal weight individuals.

Sesame yields stable in drought conditions

Researchers found that sesame performs well under drought conditions, with consistent yields even when water-deficit conditions decreased sorghum's yield by 25% and cotton's yield by 40%. Sesame has multiple market value uses, including food consumption, cooking oil production, and livestock feed.

Study quantifies impact of NCI-sponsored trials on clinical cancer care

A recent study by the SWOG Cancer Research Network found that nearly half of phase 3 cancer clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were associated with new cancer care guidelines or new drug approvals. The analysis suggests that NCTN trials contribute to cost-effective evidence guiding cancer patient care.

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.

Undervalued wilderness areas can cut extinction risk in half

New maps reveal that over 3 million square kilometers of wilderness have been lost since the 1990s, threatening species extinction. However, conserving these areas can halve the world's extinction risk, according to a recent study published in Nature.

Rethinking scenario logic for climate policy

A new study proposes a novel scenario framework for climate policy, focusing on capping global warming at a maximum level with either temperature stabilization or reversal. This approach addresses the limitations of current scenarios, which prioritize reaching specific climate goals in 2100 over long-term negative effects.

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.

Microbe from New Jersey wetlands chomps PFAS

A newly discovered bacterium, A6, can break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by transferring electrons from ammonium or hydrogen gas, rendering them harmless. The degradation process could potentially biodegrade PFAS in contaminated soil and groundwater under appropriate environmental conditions.

Artificial intelligence probes dark matter in the universe

Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze dark matter maps, achieving 30% more accurate results than traditional methods. The AI was trained on simulated data and applied to actual KiDS-450 dataset, showing promising potential for future cosmological applications.

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.

Psoriasis drug target offers potential for osteosarcoma

Researchers found that targeting IL23, an immune molecule central to osteosarcoma development, can successfully shrink tumours in mice. The study provides hope for new treatments and repurposed therapy for this rare form of cancer.

Shedding light on dark matter

A team of researchers, led by Hagit Shatkay, is developing computational methods to accelerate discovery in astroparticle physics, a crucial step towards understanding dark matter. By analyzing noisy sensor data from an underground experiment, the team aims to detect and identify dark-matter particles.

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.

New factor in the development of childhood lymphoma

A study found a germline mutation in the CD137 gene to be associated with childhood lymphoma, highlighting its key role in immune surveillance against EBV infection. The research aims to develop targeted therapeutics to stop this disease process.

When is a child an adult?

Research finds that pediatricians in many countries do not meet the needs of adolescents, who face complex health burdens including chronic conditions and mental health disorders. The study suggests that investment in adolescent health training is necessary to improve care and address global health disparities.

NASA infrared data shows heavy rain potential along gulf from Imelda

NASA's AIRS instrument captured temperatures in Tropical Depression Imelda, providing insight into the storm's rainfall potential over eastern Texas. Forecasters incorporated the data into their forecasts, predicting heavy rains and significant flash flooding along the Gulf Coast.

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.

Modifying the structure to meet the demands

Recent developments in COFs' postsynthetic functionalization have introduced wide ranges of organic to inorganic functional constituents, enhancing stability and performance. The authors emphasize the importance of functionalization for creating COF-based smart materials, highlighting challenges in their future development.

Wilderness areas halve extinction risk

A University of Queensland and CSIRO study finds that wilderness areas reduce species extinction risk by half, highlighting the urgent need for protection. Vital 'at-risk' wilderness areas require immediate conservation efforts to prevent loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption.

Study explores how rock expands near soil surface in Southern Sierra Nevada

Researchers discovered that rock expansion, rather than chemical decomposition, is the primary cause of subsurface porosity in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This finding has significant implications for water resource management in the US, as saprolite can store large volumes of water and maintain forest health during droughts.

Porcupinefish inspires sturdy superhydrophobic material

Scientists have created a durable and flexible super-water-repelling material by drawing inspiration from the spiky yet flexible skin of the porcupinefish. The material retains its water repellency after being repeatedly bent or twisted, making it suitable for applications such as self-cleaning, anti-icing, and corrosion prevention.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New tool improves beekeepers' overwintering odds and bottom line

A new tool from the US Department of Agriculture predicts the probability of honey bee colonies surviving winter based on colony size and varroa mite infestation. This allows beekeepers to decide whether to overwinter colonies in cold storage, reducing costs and improving financial viability.

Evidence underpinning approval of new cancer drugs raises questions

A recent study found that around half of cancer drug trials approved in Europe between 2014 and 2016 were at high risk of bias, indicating potential exaggeration of treatment effects. The findings highlight the need for improved trial design and reporting to ensure real benefits for patients.

Study helps parents build resilience to navigate child's cancer

Researchers at Seattle Children's developed an intervention, PRISM-P, to help parents cope with their child's cancer diagnosis. The program improves resilience and benefit finding among parents, who experience higher anxiety and depression after treatment. Parents report feeling overwhelmed by caregiving roles and unmet support needs.

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.

Testing chemicals for birth defects using stem cells, not mice

Researchers at UC Riverside are part of a US EPA plan to eliminate animal testing by 2035. They're developing a way to test chemicals using lab-grown human tissue, not live animals, to identify musculoskeletal birth defects. This non-animal approach will help reduce animal suffering and improve the accuracy of toxicity predictions.

Study shows pre-disaster collaboration key to community resilience

Researchers found that continuous communication, strategic partnerships, education, and integrated systems are crucial for effective disaster response. Community-based organizations and public health agencies must work together before a disaster strikes to build resilience in disaster-prone areas.

Modeling a model nanoparticle

Researchers developed a universal computer model for metal nanoparticle adsorption, accounting for structural characteristics, metal composition, and adsorbates. The model enables predicting adsorption trends on novel nanoparticles, accelerating nanomaterials design.

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.

Inconsistencies between electronic health record, physicians' observed behaviors

A study of nine emergency department residents found significant discrepancies between the electronic medical record and physicians' behaviors during patient encounters. The review of systems and physical examinations documented by physicians were often inaccurately recorded, with limitations including a small sample size and potential...

3D virtual reality models help yield better surgical outcomes

A UCLA-led study found that using 3D virtual reality models before kidney tumor surgeries resulted in shorter operating times, less blood loss during surgery, and a shorter hospital stay. The technology provides surgeons with better visualization of patient anatomy, allowing for more precise surgical planning.