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Science News Archive January 2020


Page 10 of 40

The great e-scooter hack

E-scooters pose significant safety concerns, but new research highlights additional security and privacy risks including data breaches and spoofed GPS systems. The study identifies vulnerable points in the ride-sharing ecosystem that can be exploited by malicious actors.

How personality predicts seeing others as sex objects

A study by Emory University psychologists found that individuals with certain personality traits, particularly psychopathy and meanness, are more likely to view others as mere sex objects. This attitude is associated with sexual objectification and can be a precursor to harassment and violence.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unanticipated response to estrogen at the single cell level

A study found that individual mammalian cells in a population fail to respond synchronously to estrogen stimulation, neither do individual gene copies. However, a small molecule inhibitor increased the response of individual alleles to hormone, establishing a previously unrecognized mode of regulation at the single cell level.

Successfully predicting bone marrow failure caused by drugs, radiation, and disease

A new organ-on-a-chip technology advance from Harvard University enables scientists to effectively replicate drug- and radiation-induced toxicity responses observed in human patients. The chip also replicated blood cell formation defects seen in patients with a rare genetic disorder, accurately predicting previously unknown abnormalities.

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.

Fire and plant flowering and reproduction

Scheduled fires synchronize bloom time of Echinacea angustifolia, increasing mating opportunities and nearly doubling seed production. The study promotes plant population health and maintains diversity in fire-dependent ecosystems.

Simple test identifies patients at high risk for future dialysis or transplant

A low-cost test screening for excess protein in the urine accurately identifies patients at higher risk for progressive kidney disease after being hospitalized for acute kidney injury. Targeting treatment to these high-risk patients could reduce future need for dialysis or kidney transplants and save billions of dollars.

Nearly all middle school teachers are highly stressed, MU study finds

Researchers found that 94% of middle school teachers experience high stress, with varying coping mechanisms. The study suggests reducing teaching burden is critical for improving student outcomes academically and behaviorally. School districts can provide initiatives and programs to promote mental health and reduce teacher stress.

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.

Discovery could lead to new treatment for rare blood disease

A new treatment approach for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood disease, has been proposed by University of Alberta researcher Robert Gniadecki. He found that cancer cells originate from the blood, not the skin, and suggests treating malignant clones in the blood rather than waiting until they reach the skin.

Altruism and market integration

A nationwide lost-letter experiment in Italy found a positive association between market integration and likelihood of someone mailing a letter to a stranger. The study suggests that market exchange facilitates prosocial behavior beyond group boundaries.

Protein AKAP8 suppresses breast cancer metastasis

Researchers found that protein AKAP8 inhibits breast cancer metastasis by interfering with proteins that promote metastatic behavior. AKAP8 also predicts metastatic breast cancer outcomes in patients and can inhibit progression in animal models.

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.

An egg a day not tied to risk of heart disease

A large multinational study found no harm from consuming eggs, with moderate intake (one egg per day) not increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease or mortality. The study analyzed data from 146,011 individuals across 21 countries and found no association between egg consumption and blood cholesterol levels.

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.

Consequences of Zika virus attack on glial cells

A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Zika virus infection causes damage to astrocytes, leading to oxidative stress, DNA breakage, and permanent mutations. This damage can contribute to brain malformations like microcephaly and potentially other neurological disorders.

Kiss and run: How cells sort and recycle their components

Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a cellular machine called FERARI that sorts out reusable proteins for recycling, introducing a new 'kiss-and-run' mechanism. This process saves energy and time by reusing valuable cell components, potentially mitigating diseases associated with disrupted recycling processes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

More youth suicide found in poor communities across US

A study found that counties with high poverty levels had a 37% higher youth suicide rate, with firearm suicides increasing by 87%. This highlights the need for targeted prevention efforts to address poverty-related factors contributing to youth suicide.

Switching grape varieties can help save world's wine-growing regions: UBC study

A new UBC study finds that swapping out grapes for more drought and heat-tolerant varieties can ease the transition to a warmer world, with up to 51% of current winegrowing regions potentially lost to climate change. Diversification may limit losses to 24%, with specific regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux adapting to new varieties.

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.

Seismic biomarkers in Japan Trench fault zone reveal history of large earthquakes

Researchers found multiple faults with evidence of over 10 meters of slip during past large earthquakes in the Japan Trench fault zone, revealing a complex history of seismic activity. The technique used to analyze organic molecules in sedimentary rocks provides new insights into the likelihood of future tsunamis and earthquake hazards.

Histamine: an unexpected defender against heart and kidney damage

A University of Tsukuba study reveals that histamine, a key factor in inflammation, can control the severity of cardiorenal syndrome in mice. Histamine agonist drug prevents further damage in a mouse model of cardiorenal dysfunction, showing protective changes in gene expression.

How employees' rankings disrupt cooperation and how managers can restore it

Researchers found that performance rankings dramatically disrupt cooperation in groups, but sharing individuals' histories of pro-social contributions can largely offset this effect. By displaying prosocial reputations, managers can create systems of cooperation that withstand the negative impact of performance rankings.

Recreational fishers catching more sharks and rays

A new study reveals that recreational catches of sharks and rays have grown to account for 54,000 tonnes of the total 900,000 tonnes caught every year. Many species are already threatened due to commercial fishing and illegal activities.

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.

Superfast insights into cellular events

Researchers at Goethe University have developed a new NMR method that allows them to follow tiny structural changes in RNA chains in real-time. This breakthrough enables the study of RNA refolding and its role in regulating transcription processes, which are crucial for cellular functions.

AI can jump-start radiation therapy for cancer patients

New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center shows how AI can generate optimal treatment plans in near real-time, streamlining the process and reducing delays of up to a week. This can decrease the odds of cancer spreading by 12-14%.

Blood pressure drug linked to lower risk of gout

A new study found that amlodipine lowered long-term gout risk compared to two other commonly prescribed blood pressure medications. The study, conducted by physician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, demonstrated the antihypertensive drug's association with a lower risk of gout.

Gene scissors against incurable muscular disease

Researchers at Technical University of Munich used CRISPR-Cas9 gene scissors to correct the mutated dystrophin gene in living pigs, improving muscle function and life expectancy. The therapy has shown promising results in a clinically relevant large animal model, mirroring Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans.

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.

Unmet need for physicians, services among US adults

A 20-year study found that insured US adults faced worsening access to healthcare due to cost constraints, with increases in unmet needs for physician visits and services. Meanwhile, some preventive services showed improvements, such as increased guideline-recommended cholesterol tests and flu shots.

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.

Prairie plants need fiery romance

Researchers found that prescribed fires are critical for successful reproduction in prairie plants, causing synchronized flowering which increases mating opportunities and seed production. The study observed the sex lives of individual plants for 21 years and found nearly doubled annual seed production after a prescribed burn.

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.

A way to look younger is right under your nose, UCLA-led study finds

A UCLA-led study used machine learning to analyze before-and-after photos of 100 female patients who underwent rhinoplasty, finding that the procedure can make women appear up to 3 years younger. The study estimated a person's age by cropping and extracting features from photographs.

'Profound' evolution: Wasps learn to recognize faces

Researchers at Cornell University discovered that wasps can recognize individual faces, a rare ability among insects. This finding sheds light on how intelligence evolves and has implications for other species, including humans.

Keto diet works best in small doses, Yale researchers find

Research suggests that a ketogenic diet provides health benefits in short-term, but negative effects occur after about a week. The keto diet works best in small doses, increasing tissue-protective cells called gamma delta T-cells, which lower diabetes risk and inflammation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A brain link to STI/HIV sexual risk

Emerging adult women who are at increased risk for STIs/HIV due to inconsistent condom use exhibit a decreased brain response to rewarding and motivational circuits to sexual cues. This contrasts with previous studies in men, where a heightened brain response was linked to greater sexual risk behaviors.

Driven by Earth's orbit, climate changes in Africa may have aided human migration

A recent study suggests that climate changes in Africa, driven by Earth's orbit and vegetation patterns, may have provided resource gradients for humans, driving migration outward to areas with more water and plant life. The model showed large increases in rainfall and vegetation at specific time periods, potentially creating advantage...

Can mindfulness keep offshore energy workers safe?

Researchers partner with energy companies to test whether mindfulness exercises can improve safety and reduce burnout among offshore workers. The study aims to develop an easy-to-implement safety program with a broad impact on the industry.

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.