Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2020 - Page 39


Page 39 of 40

Time for a closer look at Pyrethroid insecticides

A recent study found a 50% increase in total mortality and three-fold increase in heart disease deaths in individuals with high 3-PBA levels, a metabolite of pyrethroids. The study's findings challenge the assumption that these insecticides are safe, particularly for vulnerable populations.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Microbes from humics lakes produced omega-3 fatty acids from microplastics

A study published in Scientific Reports found that microbes from humic lakes can transform polyethylene into beneficial fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. This discovery suggests that microplastic degradation may be more pronounced in certain environments than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 3, 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.

Color superlensing to assist in surpassing diffraction barrier

A new type of metalens made from a dielectric-metal composite film can overcome diffraction limits, paving the way for high-resolution nanoscale optical technologies and sensors. The ultra-high resolution is achieved through an unusual behavior of the material in optical and infrared ranges.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 3, 2020

Atlantic and Pacific oscillations lost in the noise

A team of meteorologists found no consistent evidence for decadal oscillatory signals in global surface temperature observations. The researchers suggest that any apparent oscillation may be due to external influences like greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. The study has implications for decade-scale climate predictability.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2020

Versatile bile acids

Two Harvard Medical School studies show that bile acids promote differentiation and activity of T cells involved in regulating inflammation. Gut microbes convert bile acids into immune-signaling molecules that activate regulatory T cells and effector helper T cells. The work suggests possible therapeutic pathways for modulating intesti...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJan 3, 2020

China's inland surface water quality significantly improves

China's inland surface water quality improved significantly from 2003-2017 due to reduced pollution emissions in industrial, rural, and urban residential sectors. Annual mean concentrations of chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen declined by 63% and 78%, respectively, at the national level.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 3, 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.

Using gene therapy to treat chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Researchers developed an adeno-associated virus vector to deliver anti-pTau antibodies directly into the hippocampus of mouse models with CTE, reducing pTau levels across the CNS. The study suggests this strategy could be effective in humans and may offer a new treatment option for CTE.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateJan 3, 2020

Hearing through lip-reading

Researchers found that brain activity in healthy adults synchronized with sound waves produced by a silent woman speaking, indicating the brain can process auditory information from visual cues. This ability arises from visual cortex activity synchronizing with lip movement and signal transmission to other areas for sound synthesis.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateJan 2, 2020

Starry eyes on the reef: Color-changing brittle stars can see

Researchers discovered that brittle stars use whole-body colour change to enable vision and navigate complex coral reefs. They found that the colour change restricts light reaching sensitive cells during the day, allowing for coarse vision.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 2, 2020

Ten not-to-be-missed PPPL stories from 2019 -- plus a triple bonus!

PPPL made significant strides in fusion energy development, including the creation of a supersonic plasma jet that could study stellar bodies light years away. The Laboratory also partnered with Princeton University to study low-temperature plasma and developed an award-winning apprenticeship program for early career technicians.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateJan 2, 2020
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.

Few people consider religious affiliation of hospital they choose

A recent study surveyed 1,446 adults and found that just 6.4% consider the religious affiliation of hospitals they choose, while 71.4% said their care should not be curtailed by religious dogma. The research highlights conflicts in care for women who are often denied certain reproductive healthcare at Catholic hospitals.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 2, 2020

Researchers identify starting point for designing drugs that cure Clostridium difficile

Scientists combined advanced molecular imaging techniques to characterize and understand how Clostridium difficile toxins work, providing a new target for effective treatment of the most dangerous strains. The study's findings will guide the design of drugs targeting C. difficile infections.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2020

Global call to action on FH aims to improve diagnosis and treatment

A global coalition is calling for early screening and coordinated lifetime care for familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition affecting 34 million people worldwide. The initiative aims to prevent premature cardiovascular disease and save lives by leveraging scientific data, novel therapies, and technological advances.

SourceFamily Heart Foundation·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJan 2, 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.

Innovation is widespread in rural areas, not just cities

A new study at Penn State found that incremental improvements made by businesses outside of their firm are crucial for economic growth and employment. The 'latent' innovation index assigns scores to counties based on opportunities for improvement, showing that rural areas can foster innovation too.

SourcePenn State·JournalResearch Policy·DateJan 2, 2020

HIV patients lose smallpox immunity despite childhood vaccine, AIDS drugs

A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women who received a childhood smallpox vaccine still retained some immunity to the virus, despite receiving antiretroviral therapy. This limited response suggests that while HIV treatment can boost overall immune function, it may not restore specific memor...

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 2, 2020

Math test score gap between white and non-white students in Brazil due to complex factors

A Brazilian study analyzed math test scores for 9th-grade students, revealing that performance gaps between different racial groups can largely be attributed to socio-economic factors. However, for high-scoring students, structural factors like discrimination and stereotypes play a greater role in perpetuating the gap.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalThe Review of Black Political Economy·DateJan 2, 2020
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.

FDA approves UVA-developed artificial pancreas

The FDA has approved an artificial pancreas system that automatically monitors and regulates blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes. The system, developed by the University of Virginia, uses a continuous glucose sensor and insulin pump to provide seamless integration and automatic insulin dose adjustment.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateJan 2, 2020

BP looks to ORNL, ADIOS to help rein in data

Researchers at BP partner with ORNL to tackle the challenge of managing large seismic datasets, which can reach half a petabyte in size. The Adaptable I/O System (ADIOS) provides a flexible way to describe data, allowing for efficient compression and processing.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateJan 2, 2020

Diabetes can independently lead to heart failure, population study shows

A population study found that diabetes is an independent risk factor for heart failure, with 21% of diabetic patients developing heart failure over a 10-year period. This study supports the concept of diabetic cardiomyopathy and highlights the need for further research into this association.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 2, 2020

Climate signals detected in global weather

A group of scientists has conducted a new analysis that concludes the 'weather-is-not-climate' paradigm is no longer applicable. They found that daily weather data can reveal long-term warming trends, provided global spatial patterns are considered.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 2, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Stanford researchers build a particle accelerator that fits on a chip

A Stanford team created a silicon chip that accelerates electrons using infrared laser pulses, achieving speeds of up to 94% of the speed of light. This prototype chip is a breakthrough in miniaturizing accelerator technology, making it more accessible for research and medical applications.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2020

GMRT discovers a gigantic ring of hydrogen gas around a distant galaxy

Astronomers using the GMRT have discovered a massive ring of hydrogen gas surrounding a galaxy, with a diameter of 380,000 light-years. The origin and formation mechanism of such rings remain unknown, despite previous thought that they are associated with galaxy-galaxy collisions.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 2, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Earliest evidence for rhizomes roasting in Africa 170 thousand years ago

Archaeologists discovered charred remains of starchy plant parts from Border Cave, South Africa, providing direct evidence for collecting and cooking carbohydrate-rich rhizomes. The findings suggest that Middle Stone Age humans relied on these plants as a staple food source.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2020

Mediterranean diet may help preserve the kidney health of transplant recipients

A new study found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of kidney function decline and failure in transplant recipients. Those with higher Mediterranean Diet Scores experienced 29% less risk of function loss and 32% less risk of failure.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 2, 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.

MIPT physicists find ways to overcome signal loss in magnonic circuits

Physicists from MIPT and Russian universities have developed a parametric model to predict optimal waveguide configurations for magnonic circuits. The research reveals that spin wave interference can cause significant signal loss, leading to a breakthrough in designing efficient magnonic logic elements.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJan 2, 2020

Newly identified dendritic action potentials give humans unique brain power

Dendritic action potentials amplify human brain computational power, enabling single neurons to solve complex problems previously thought to require multi-layer neural networks. The investigation reveals a new class of dendritic calcium action potentials in L2/3 neurons.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2020

Engrams emerging as the basic unit of memory

Experiments in rodents reveal engrams exist as multiscale networks of neurons, forming complex networks for memory storage. Engram cells can be manipulated through synaptic plasticity and dendritic spine formation, allowing for the retrieval and persistence of memories.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2020
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.

Closer to identifying leukemic stem cells

Scientists at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute developed an innovative diagnostic assay to identify leukemic stem cells, a key cause of relapse and resistance to treatment. The assay uses advanced cytomics methods to analyze multiple functional characteristics of myeloblasts, revealing differential responses to chemotherapy

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateJan 2, 2020

Climate change and deforestation could decimate Madagascar's rainforest habitat by 2070

A study in Nature Climate Change predicts Madagascar's entire eastern rainforest habitat will be eliminated by 2070 unless strict protections are implemented. The research identifies priority areas for protection, highlighting the critical role of ruffed lemurs as seed dispersers and their sensitivity to habitat degradation.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 2, 2020

Color-changing fiber and theory reveal fundamental mystery of knots

Researchers developed an experimental and theoretical analysis to understand how knots work, revealing key topological factors that determine stability. The framework could be used to design new classes of knots with specific behaviors.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 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.

Unattainable standards of beauty for today's woman

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that Victoria's Secret models have become thinner over the past 20 years, with smaller busts and hips, but their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) has remained constant. This trend reflects a changing ideal of beauty that is moving away from the characteristics of average American women.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAesthetic Surgery Journal·DateJan 2, 2020

Craft-beer boom linked to record-number of US states growing hops

A study by Penn State researchers found that the growth of craft breweries in the US is linked to an unprecedented expansion of hop production across 29 states. The number of breweries more than quadrupled from 992 to over 4,000 between 2007 and 2017, resulting in a five-fold increase in hop farms and acreage.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Wine Economics·DateJan 2, 2020

Operating room reproductive hazards for female surgeons

Research highlights occupational reproductive hazards for female surgeons in the operating room, affecting physical health and fertility. The study emphasizes the need to mitigate these risks through improved working conditions and safety measures.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJan 2, 2020

Study: Hearing develops in tandem with form and function

Researchers discovered hair bundle development occurs in a feedback loop where form follows function and function drives form. In mice, stereocilia widen simultaneously with the onset of mechanotransduction, suggesting a critical importance of early development for reversing hearing loss.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 2, 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.

Lower risk for malignant melanoma after bariatric surgery

A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of malignant melanoma and other skin cancers in severely obese individuals. The study, which followed over 2,000 participants, showed a 57% decrease in malignant melanoma risk for those who underwent bariatric surgery.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateJan 2, 2020

Rhythmicity of cluster headache

A study found that cluster headache attacks exhibit a dynamic circadian and seasonal pattern, with changes in the attack timing throughout the disease course. Patients with more lifetime bouts showed a less variable pattern compared to those without circadian rhythmicity.

SourceInternational Headache Society·JournalCephalalgia·DateJan 2, 2020

Snake-like proteins can wrangle DNA

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a novel mechanism by which snake-like proteins, known as coiled coils, interact with DNA to form loops that regulate genetic messages. These loops are formed through a braiding process, where the coiled coils writhe and twist around each other, bringing together sites on DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Tests measure solar panel performance beyond established standards

A series of five-year tests measured solar panel performance, providing data for better error correction factors and choosing the most efficient panels. The results highlight a simple data aggregation method that yields reasonable results without bias.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJan 2, 2020

Bystander CPR less likely for people living in Hispanic neighborhoods

A study by Penn Medicine found that residents of Hispanic neighborhoods are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander and have a lower chance of survival following cardiac arrest. The study analyzed over 27,000 cardiac arrest events and showed a significant disparity in CPR delivery rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic neighborhoods.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateJan 2, 2020

REE mineral-bearing rocks found in eastern Mojave Desert

A rare earth element deposit has been identified in the Mountain Pass region of the eastern Mojave Desert, USA. The deposit is believed to be magmatic carbonatite and spans a significant subsurface extent, according to a recent study published in Geosphere.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateJan 2, 2020
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.

ORNL researchers advance performance benchmark for quantum computers

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a quantum chemistry simulation benchmark to evaluate the performance of quantum devices. The benchmark characterizes the 'mixed state' of how the environment and machine interact, providing insight into systematic error mitigation in current quantum hardware. This work aims to...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateJan 2, 2020