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Science News Archive February 2020


Page 25 of 40

'Ghost' of mysterious hominin found in West African genomes

Researchers discovered genetic contributions from an unknown archaic hominin in modern West Africans through computer modeling. The study suggests recent or multiple interactions between anatomically modern humans and various populations of archaic hominins, hinting at a complex history.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Can we trust AI not to further embed racial health inequalities?

Growing concern that AI may exacerbate existing health disparities due to biased data, particularly in skin color recognition for melanoma detection. Experts warn that market incentives alone cannot overcome historical gaps in medical research for ethnic minority groups.

Are robots designed to include the LGBTQ+ community?

Developers need to acknowledge importance of inclusivity for LGBTQ+ community in robot design. Technology reflects societal biases, and excluding queer perspectives is a problem that should be recognized in research and design.

Two UH chemists are named 2020 Sloan Research Fellows

Jakoah Brgoch and Judy Wu are recognized as 2020 Sloan Research Fellows for their groundbreaking research in computational and experimental inorganic chemistry. Their work has the potential to revolutionize fields such as energy, manufacturing, and neuroscience.

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.

Gut feelings: Gut bacteria are linked to our personality

A large human study found that gut microbiome composition and diversity are related to differences in personality, including sociability and neuroticism. People with larger social networks tend to have a more diverse gut microbiome, while those with higher stress or anxiety have lower diversity.

Preclinical study links human gene variant to THC reward in adolescent females

A preclinical study found that a human gene variant affects the brain's reward processing circuit and increases vulnerability to THC reward in adolescent females, leading to higher preference for cannabis. The study suggests genetic factors can contribute to increased susceptibility to cannabis dependence in select populations.

Overweight from cosmetics

Researchers found a positive correlation between butylparaben exposure and increased body-mass index in children until their eighth birthday. Parabens may disrupt the regulation of natural satiety in the brain through epigenetic modifications, leading to higher food intake.

Evaluating skin cancer history by sexual orientation, gender identity

Two studies found that individuals with non-heterosexual orientations and non-cisgender identities have a higher lifetime prevalence of skin cancer. The research highlights significant disparities in skin cancer rates among LGBTQ+ populations in the US, underscoring the need for targeted prevention efforts.

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.

Antibiotics discovered that kill bacteria in a new way: McMaster

A new group of antibiotics, corbomycin and complestatin, have been discovered with a unique approach to killing bacteria by blocking the function of the bacterial cell wall. The researchers demonstrated its effectiveness in mice against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

New data shows rising repeat ER visits for opioid-related emergencies

A study analyzing 9,295 patients in four Indiana hospital systems found that those with multiple ED visits, heroin use, and Medicaid or uninsured status were more likely to have future emergency department encounters. Consolidating patient information can improve risk assessment and treatment opportunities for at-risk patients.

New study shows Deepwater Horizon oil spill larger than previously thought

A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill spread beyond the known satellite footprint, impacting a wider range of marine wildlife. The research team developed a new framework to better manage future oil spills, taking into account invisible and toxic oil.

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.

Study: One-third of plant and animal species could be gone in 50 years

A new study by University of Arizona researchers estimates that one in three plant and animal species may face extinction by 2070 due to climate change. The study analyzed data from hundreds of plant and animal species surveyed around the globe, finding that maximum annual temperatures are the key variable driving local extinctions.

Cancer cells alter protein production machinery to hasten metastasis

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center identified an adaptation by cancer cells that facilitates their spreading to distant sites. Targeted therapies disrupting the ribosome function and inhibiting cancer cell growth slows the spread of breast cancer in a mouse model.

EPA fails to follow landmark law to protect children from pesticides in food

A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group found that the EPA has failed to apply an extra margin of safety to legal limits for pesticides in food, putting children at risk. The study examined 47 non-organophosphate pesticides and found that only five cases had the required tenfold safety factor applied.

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.

Bubble-capturing surface helps get rid of foam

A new method using bubble-attracting sheets of specially textured mesh can significantly reduce or eliminate foamy bubbles in industrial processes. The system works by attracting and shedding bubbles, allowing them to dissipate quickly and reducing the need for chemical additives.

Right beneath the skin we all have the same bacteria

A new study found that the same bacteria are present in the dermis layer of skin across all ages and genders, contradicting the long-held assumption that each person's microbiome is unique. This discovery has significant implications for understanding skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Taming age survival of Asian elephants three times higher than in the 1970s

Researchers found that calf mortality at taming age differs from wild elephants and that calves with less experienced mothers are more likely to die. However, overall calf survival has massively improved over the decades, thanks to changes in management, such as daily veterinary care and access to natural habitats.

Hybrid microscope could bring digital biopsy to the clinic

Researchers developed a hybrid microscope that combines optical and infrared measurements with machine learning algorithms to create digital biopsies. The hybrid microscope closely correlates with traditional pathology techniques and outperforms state-of-the-art infrared microscopes in terms of resolution, consistency, and coverage.

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.

Genetics enhance sex's role as a stroke, heart attack risk factor

Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 people and found that genetics significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart attack in men compared to women. The study suggests that genetic scores could be used to identify healthy middle-aged adults at higher risk and develop preventive measures.

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.

Component of human breast milk enhances cognitive development in babies

A study published by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that the carbohydrate 2'FL in breast milk positively influences neurodevelopment and enhances cognitive development in babies. The researchers analyzed breast milk composition and feeding patterns to determine the effects of 2'FL on infant cognitive development.

Something from nothing: Using waste heat to power electronics

A University of Tsukuba-led research team created a thermocell with a material exhibiting temperature-induced phase transition, boosting output voltage from tens of millivolts to around 120 mV. This design enables efficient energy harvesting from waste heat to power small electronics sustainably.

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.

Predators to spare

Marine biologists found that redundancy in urchin predators and protection afforded to them help keep sea urchin populations in check, particularly in protected areas. The study highlights an underappreciated benefit of marine reserves and offers a new perspective on strategies to manage ecosystems for resilience.

Gay and bisexual men have higher rate of skin cancer

Rates of skin cancer were higher among gay and bisexual men compared to heterosexual men. However, bisexual women had a lower rate of skin cancer than heterosexual women. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing skin cancer risk in sexual minority populations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

SwRI models hint at longer timescale for Mars formation

Scientists modeled early impact events on Mars, revealing a heterogeneous mantle and challenging previous estimates of the planet's formation time. The new research provides insight into the Red Planet's evolution and composition.

UK medical schools failing to deal with racism, finds BMJ investigation

Investigation by The BMJ reveals that UK medical schools are unprepared to deal with racism and racial harassment experienced by black and ethnic minority students. Only half of the 40 public undergraduate medical schools in the UK collect data on complaints, with just 11 recorded since 2010.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Why are ethnic minority doctors less successful than white doctors?

Doctors from black and ethnic minority backgrounds are up to three times more likely to fail exams than their white peers. Improved learning experiences and inclusive curriculums can help address this institutional problem. Strong leadership and tackling prejudice are key to creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Multi-center neuroimaging study offers new insights on schizophrenia

A new study analyzing MRI scans of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome found significant brain volume differences compared to control groups, including lower volumes in specific structures and higher volumes in others. The study provides a unique window into how psychiatric problems develop over time.

Automated system can rewrite outdated sentences in Wikipedia articles

A system created by MIT researchers can pinpoint and replace specific information in Wikipedia sentences while retaining humanlike grammar and style. This technology has potential to automatically update factual inconsistencies in Wikipedia articles, reducing time and effort spent by human editors.

Designer probiotic treatment for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers have designed a novel probiotic strain that can seek out solid tumors and safely deliver immune checkpoint inhibitors, leading to tumor regression. The probiotic platform can also be used to deliver multiple immunotherapies simultaneously, enabling effective therapeutic combinations for difficult-to-treat cancers.

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.

Sex hormone-related protein levels may impact stroke risk in women

Research suggests that low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) may be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in postmenopausal women. The study, which examined data from over 13,000 women, found that those with the lowest SHBG levels were 51% more likely to have had a stroke.

X-ray microscopy at BESSY II: Nanoparticles can change cells

A recent study at BESSY II used X-ray microscopy to investigate how nanoparticles interact with cells. Researchers found that nanoparticles can change the number and type of cell organelles, such as increasing mitochondria and decreasing lipid droplets. This suggests that different nanoparticle coatings may have similar effects on cells.

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.

Many teens are victims of digital dating abuse; boys get the brunt of it

A recent study found that over one-quarter of teens experience digital dating abuse, including harassment and control via technology. Boys are more likely to be victims than girls, while traditional forms of abuse also emerge as a significant issue. Risk factors include depressive symptoms, sending sexts, and cyberbullying.

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.