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Science News Archive January 2020 - Page 15


Page 15 of 40

Synthetic nerve conduit bridges the gap in arm nerve repair

Researchers developed a synthetic conduit that bridges large nerve gaps, supporting recovery and accelerating neuronal healing. The device boosts nerve regeneration and improves motor skills in macaques, showing superior recruitment of cells that insulate nerves.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 22, 2020

Program reduces narcotic prescriptions after surgery with over-the-counter pain medicine

A Houston Methodist study found that using long-acting local anesthetics and scheduled non-narcotic pain medication reduced opioid prescriptions from 87% to 10% after surgery. The program successfully managed pain after surgery using over-the-counter pain medication, decreasing the chance of patients becoming addicted to narcotics.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateJan 22, 2020

Kids born to moms with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia at greater risk for obesity

A new longitudinal study shows a link between multiple metabolic disorders in mothers during pregnancy and children's body mass indexes later in life. The study found that when a mother experiences both gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, the child has an increased risk of high childhood BMI over time.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalArchives of Gynecology and Obstetrics·DateJan 22, 2020

Mushrooms are older than we thought

Researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles discover oldest known mushroom fossil, dating back 715-810 million years, using advanced molecular analysis techniques. The findings suggest that fungi played a crucial role in the colonization of Earth's surface around 500 million years ago.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 22, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Urine reuse as fertilizer is not likely to transfer antibiotic resistance

A study by Krista Wigginton and colleagues found that urine-derived fertilizer loses 99% of its ability to confer resistance on soil bacteria after incubation. This suggests that upcycling urine is unlikely to transfer antibiotic resistance, reducing the environmental impact of this sustainable practice.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 22, 2020

Integrate micro chips for electronic skin

Researchers from Dresden and Osaka present a pioneering active matrix magnetic sensor system that overcomes the obstacle of interconnecting individual sensors. The system consists of organic thin-film transistors integrated within a single platform, demonstrating high magnetic sensitivity and robustness against mechanical deformation.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 22, 2020

A roadmap for adding ivermectin to the malaria toolbox

A comprehensive roadmap has been established to evaluate and implement ivermectin as a complementary vector control tool against malaria. The roadmap aims to decrease malaria transmission by targeting the vector population, bypassing challenges of insecticide resistance and residual transmission.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJan 22, 2020

PET/MRI identifies notable breast cancer imaging biomarkers

Researchers have identified several potentially useful breast cancer biomarkers that indicate the presence and risk of malignancy. PET/MRI imaging revealed differences in biomarkers between healthy contralateral breast tissue of patients with malignant and benign breast tumors.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 22, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Poor mental health 'both cause and effect' of school exclusion

Research finds that poor mental health can both cause and effect school exclusion, with early intervention crucial for preventing exclusion and improving outcomes. Children who were excluded from school often had poor mental health and faced family adversity.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalChild and Adolescent Mental Health·DateJan 22, 2020

Study shines light on spread of Candida auris

Researchers develop model to investigate Candida auris spread, finding it grows faster and colonizes skin exceptionally well. The study establishes a new strategy to prevent biofilm formation, which may lead to new strategies to target the pathogen.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·DateJan 22, 2020

Genetic identification of human remains from the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship

A research team at the University of the Basque Country is using genetic analysis to identify human remains from the Spanish Civil War and dictatorship. By comparing DNA samples from remains with those from family members, they are able to determine the profile of the remains and gather enough information to enable identification.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalForensic Science International·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Locomotor engine in the spinal cord revealed

A novel principle of organisation has been discovered in the spinal cord, which coordinates locomotion by forming three recurrent rhythm-generating circuit modules acting as gears. This discovery provides new insights into how brain commands are translated into rhythmic and appropriately paced locomotion.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNeuron·DateJan 22, 2020

Brewing a better espresso, with a shot of math

A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth has discovered that using fewer coffee beans ground more coarsely can lead to a stronger, more consistent espresso. This method reduces costs while maintaining quality, with potential savings estimated at over $1.1 billion annually.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalMatter·DateJan 22, 2020

Both simple and advanced imaging can predict best stroke patients for thrombectomy

A multicenter study found that both simple and advanced computed tomography (CT) can accurately predict which stroke patients will benefit from endovascular thrombectomy. Patients with favorable imaging profiles on both CT and CT perfusion had higher odds of receiving endovascular therapy and improved functional independence rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJan 22, 2020

Potential way to halt blinding macular degeneration identified

Scientists have discovered a potential way to halt blinding macular degeneration by targeting an enzyme called Dicer, which is lost with age and leads to damage in the retina. The approach uses gene therapy to restore the enzyme, offering a new treatment option for both dry and wet forms of AMD.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Signals from inside the Earth: Borexino experiment releases new data on geoneutrinos

Researchers in the Borexino collaboration have extracted a signal of geoneutrinos coming from the Earth's mantle with improved statistical significance. The results provide lower limits for uranium and thorium abundances in the Earth's mantle, indicating radioactive decay processes generate more than half of the Earth's internal heat.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJan 22, 2020

Brewing a better espresso, with a shot of math

A team of researchers found that using fewer coffee beans and grinding them more coarsely can produce a consistent and strong espresso. This approach could lead to economic gains for cafes and sustainability benefits for the industry.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateJan 22, 2020

Adults with pain at greater risk for cannabis use disorder, finds study

A new study from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons found that non-medical cannabis use is significantly more common in adults with pain than those without pain. Adults with moderate to severe pain are at a higher risk for frequent non-medical cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Fungal diversity and its relationship to the future of forests

Research from Stanford University found that climate change could cause the loss of over a quarter of ectomycorrhizal fungal species in North American pine forests. The study projected how climate change might affect fungal diversity, with some regions experiencing significant decreases and others gains.

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateJan 22, 2020

Scientists identify gene that puts brakes on tissue growth

Researchers have identified a genetic signaling pathway that limits tissue growth in planarian flatworms, allowing for precise regeneration and repair. The mob4 gene suppresses tissue growth by preventing the production of Wnt, a protein involved in cancer cell regeneration.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Deep-sea osmolyte makes biomolecular machines heat-tolerant

Researchers successfully used deep-sea osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) to control biomolecular machines over a wide temperature range. TMAO suppresses thermal denaturation of kinesins in a concentration-dependent manner, allowing them to propel microtubules for a prolonged time.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalChemical Communications·DateJan 22, 2020

Industry funding of patient groups lacks governance and transparency

A systematic review of observational studies found that industry funding of patient groups is common, with estimates ranging from 20% to 83%. Few patient groups have formal policies governing corporate sponsorship, and financial transparency is inadequate. The researchers call for greater transparency in reporting industry funding and ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

What it's like to live without a sense of smell

A new study reveals that almost every aspect of life is disrupted by a loss of smell, including personal hygiene, sex intimacy, and social relationships. Sufferers experience negative emotions, feelings of isolation, and impaired daily functioning.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalClinical Otolaryngology·DateJan 22, 2020

New study provides insights for detecting the invasive brown treesnake

A new study by USGS and Dickinson College researchers provides valuable information on optimizing search methods and locations for detecting invasive brown treesnakes at low densities. The study revealed that snake behavior is the primary cause of low detection rates, allowing teams to target areas more precisely during survey efforts.

SourceDickinson College·JournalEcosphere·DateJan 22, 2020

Helping roadside soils bounce back after construction

Research by North Carolina State University's Rich McLaughlin team found that tilling and adding amendments to soil can greatly improve infiltration rates, reducing runoff and water pollution. Grasses and wildflowers also showed promise in improving infiltration, with wildflowers potentially providing additional benefits for pollinators.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateJan 22, 2020

Decline in late stage cancer diagnoses after health reform law

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that the expansion of health insurance coverage in Massachusetts led to a 7% decline in advanced stage colorectal cancer diagnoses. This early diagnosis increase is attributed to increased access to screening and diagnostic services.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalMedical Care·DateJan 22, 2020

Domesticated wheat has complex parentage

Research reveals that domesticated wheat originated from the interbreeding of wild emmer wheat with cultivated varieties in southeast Turkey. This process occurred around 9,500 years ago, contradicting earlier theories of a single origin point.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Blood tests can predict timing of final menstrual period

Researchers found that measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels can predict when a woman's final menstrual period will occur. AMH serves as an indicator of remaining egg supply, decreasing with age. This new test allows for more accurate predictions within 12 to 24 months in women's late 40s and early 50s.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 22, 2020

Ghostly particles detected in condensates of light and matter

Researchers have observed 'quantum depletion' in a non-equilibrium Bose-Einstein condensate, discovering that 'light-like' condensates don't behave as expected. The team detected 'ghost excitations' arising from quantum depletion, resolving a long-standing problem in exciton-polariton condensates.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Full influenza vaccination among children cuts hospitalization in half

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Disease found that full influenza vaccination among children reduces the risk of hospitalization associated with influenza by 54%. The study, conducted in Israel, tested the effectiveness of childhood vaccination against influenza and risk of hospitalization due to complications.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 22, 2020

CPRIT grant bolsters Rice biosciences

Rice University has received a $6 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to bolster its growing biosciences initiative. Synthetic biologist Caroline Ajo-Franklin will lead the effort, exploring biological-inorganic interfaces and developing sensors to monitor chemotherapy agents in real-time.

SourceRice University·DateJan 22, 2020

The secret of strong underwater mussel adhesion revealed

Researchers at POSTECH have discovered the key to strong underwater mussel adhesion, finding that Dopa and Lysine molecules work together in a synergistic effect. Their study used molecular biology techniques to analyze adhesive proteins in mussels and confirmed two molecules with strong adhesion even in underwater conditions.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·DateJan 22, 2020

New tool for investigating brain cells, Parkinson's, and more

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed a chemical compound, UBP1700, that inhibits certain NMDARs while allowing others to function. This allows for the precise investigation of NMDAR activity in both healthy and diseased brains.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Self-moisturizing smart contact lenses

Researchers developed self-moisturising smart contact lenses to tackle dry eye syndrome, a common problem associated with contact lens wear. The new system uses electroosmotic flow to maintain moisture levels, powered by biobatteries and showing promise for future applications.

SourceTohoku University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJan 22, 2020

Ben-Gurion University researchers slash pre-drug screening time from years to days

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a powerful tool that streamlines the development of disease therapies, transforming a multi-year process into just a few days. The new approach simultaneously evaluates thousands of mutations in protein-protein complexes, increasing understanding of m...

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

The Lancet Global Health: Guided self-help intervention reduces refugees' psychological distress and improves wellbeing in humanitarian crises

A guided self-help approach was safe and effective in reducing psychological distress and improving functioning among female South Sudanese refugee women living in Uganda. The intervention resulted in meaningful improvements in symptoms of depression, PTSD, and explosive anger, with benefits seen across different trauma histories and l...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJan 22, 2020

Sticky antibiotic provides glue for successful treatment

Researchers discovered how an antibiotic, vancomycin, forms a mucoadhesive complex with gut mucins, trapping it and prolonging its exposure to the infectious microbe. This finding could lead to delayed transit of the antibiotic, improving its effectiveness in treating debilitating gut infections like PE.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 22, 2020

A new approach to reveal the multiple structures of RNA

Researchers at SISSA developed a new method to characterize RNA's different configurations, combining experimental data and simulations to study dynamic molecular systems. The approach identifies dominant and minority structures, shedding light on the molecule's role in protein synthesis regulation.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Light at the end of the tunnel for most individuals with low-vision

A special issue of Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reports remarkable progress in treating conditions of partial blindness. Research explores various aspects of vision loss due to diseases like glaucoma or optic neuropathy, with a focus on stop-cell death and induce regeneration to restore vision.

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateJan 22, 2020

Are BMD and CT-FEA effective surrogate markers of femoral bone strength?

Bone mineral density (BMD) and finite element analysis (FEA) reflect actual femur strength, making them effective surrogate markers for hip bone strength. These estimates predict hip fracture risks, potentially leading to shorter and less expensive clinical trials.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateJan 22, 2020

Breastfeeding and childbearing linked to lower early menopause risk

A new study found that women who breastfed their infants exclusively had a lower risk of early menopause compared to those who did not. The study, which observed over 108,000 women, also found that longer breastfeeding times were associated with a lower risk of early menopause.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 22, 2020
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.

Novel coronavirus: ECDC updates risk assessment for Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its risk assessment for Europe due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The agency warns that further global spread is likely, with a moderate likelihood of imported cases being detected in EU/EEA countries. Adherence to infection prevention and control pra...

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·DateJan 22, 2020