Quanex has signed a non-exclusive agreement to license a method to produce insulating material from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The low-cost material can be used as an additive to increase thermal insulation performance and improve energy efficiency when applied to a variety of building products.
Cloud-Based Software Helps Farmers on the Ground
Producers already use the software for many purposes. For example, many citrus growers want to take inventory of their trees, including the size of each tree. Gathering this data normally requires farmers to manually count trees and measure them. The software streamlines that process. They can also use the software to see which parts of their fields – or which fruit varieties — perform better.
Lynne Ecker: A Nuclear Materials Scientist
Ecker became chair of Brookhaven’s Nuclear Science and Technology Department in October 2018, bringing expertise in nuclear reactor materials.
Tracking coordinated disinformation campaigns online made easier with new BotSlayer tool
Indiana University’s Observatory on Social Media has launched a new tool, BotSlayer, that instantly detects coordinated attempts to manipulate public opinion using social media.
Machine learning in agriculture: scientists are teaching computers to diagnose soybean stress
Machine learning could lead to automated processes that would allow soybean producers to diagnose crop stresses more efficiently. A multi-disciplinary team at Iowa State University recently received a grant to develop the technology, which could lead to unmanned aerial vehicles surveying fields and automatically analyzing crop images.
Percussionist, flutist record at The Tank for Sonic Arts
“It’s like playing in the best cathedral in Europe—except it’s this water tank.” That how percussions Aaron Ragsdale describe recording new pieces with flutist Tammy Yonce at the Tank Center for Sonic Arts.
Scientists Measure “Tones” of Black Holes for the First Time
A team of scientists including Will Farr, PhD, an astrophysicist at Stony Brook University, has found a way for the first time to detect multiple tones of a black hole ringing like a bell — something that most astrophysicists thought would not be possible for a decade or more.
Papillomaviruses may be spread by blood
Papillomavirus has traditionally been considered strictly a sexually transmitted disease, but a recent study found that rabbit and mouse papillomaviruses could be transferred by blood to their respective hosts.
Saturn’s Rings Shine in New Hubble Portrait
Saturn’s signature rings are still as stunning as ever. The second in the yearly series, this Hubble Space Telescope image taken on June 20, 2019, is part of the Outer Planets Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) project.
Science Snapshots: messenger proteins, new TB drug, artificial photosynthesis
Science Snapshots: messenger proteins, new TB drug, artificial photosynthesis
Are Children Interested in Politics? University of Kentucky Researcher Provides Insight in New Study
With the 2020 U.S. presidential election fast approaching, should the youngest members of society be engaged in the political discussion? Findings of a new collaborative study — conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky, University of Kansas, University of Texas at Austin, Whitman College and University of Texas at Tyler — aim to answer that question by providing insight into children’s reactions to the 2016 presidential election.
Fact or Fiction? Debunking the Founder Myth
The myth of the iconic founder amplified by the media is as misleading as it is seductive. David Touve, senior director of ventures at UVA Darden’s Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, dispels some of the most common misconceptions about entrepreneurs.
Failed Cancer Drug Looks Promising For Scleroderma And Other Fibrotic Conditions
Sixteen years ago, a research group at Mayo Medical School published results showing that a protein called TRAIL can kill cells that cause liver fibrosis but no one seemed to follow up on these findings. Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have improved on this protein and shown that it selectively kills cells that cause the hardening of skin associated with scleroderma, effectively reversing the condition in mice genetically engineered to mimic the disease. A report on these results was published earlier this year in Nature Communications.
Kim Kardashian West impacted by autoimmune disease, a major women’s health issue.
Named a major women’s health issue by the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health, it is no surprise that the number of celebrities impacted by autoimmune disease is on the rise. Kim Kardashian West recently opened up about the impact of autoimmune disease on her life. Other celebrities with autoimmune disease diagnoses include Venus Williams, Selena Gomez, and Missy Elliott.
Predictors of Response to Guadecitabine Found in Relapsed/Refractory AML Patients
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a leukemia which arises from bone marrow tissue, often see remission following their initial treatment, but for patients whose cancer returns, there are few options. One such option is guadecitabine, a novel DNA hypomethylating drug which slows problematic changes to a person’s epigenetic profile, but the drug is ineffective in a select number of relapsed or refractory AML patients and there has not been a way to determine who stands to benefit and who does not.
However, researchers from the Coriell Institute for Medical Research have found certain biomarkers which can indicate a patient’s likelihood for success. Their findings were published in Clinical Epigenetics in July.
No Long-Term Negative Effects of “Time-Out” in Children, Study Finds
Contrary to misleading reports in the media and online, the disciplinary strategy of “time-out” is not associated with increased behavior problems or other long-term negative effects in children, reports a study in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
Standardized Medical Residency Exam May Reduce Pool of Diverse and Qualified Candidates
Test scores bias entry to radiation-oncology residency programs, and potentially other programs.
Psychedelics in Psychiatry? Studies Show Benefits of Hallucinogenic Drugs for Mental Health Treatment
A growing body of evidence suggests that LSD, psilocybin, and other hallucinogenic drugs may have therapeutic benefits for patients with psychiatric disorders, according to a research review in the September issue of Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Cowboys Saddle Up to Support Cancer Research
For 37 years, Cowboys for Cancer Research has been fundraising to support the fight against cancer. The non-profit group raises funds for research through donations, endowment funds and events like the upcoming Dinner-Dance-Silent Auction.
World’s largest optical lens shipped to SLAC
When the world’s newest telescope starts imaging the Southern sky in 2023, it will take photos using optical assemblies designed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers and built by Lab industrial partners. A key feature of the camera’s optical assemblies for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, under construction in northern Chile, will be its three lenses.
New Federal Guidelines for BRCA Testing: Should You Be Screened?
More women than ever are being encouraged to undergo screening for BRCA gene mutations, based on newly announced U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. The task force recommends that:
Tulane expert available to speak about the U.S. response to Hurricane Dorian’s destruction on The Bahamas
On Sept. 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck the Abaco Islands in The Bahamas as a category 5 hurricane and a day later hit Grand Bahama Island at the same category. As of Sept. 9, the death toll was at least…
Cancer Predisposition Clinic Aims To Change Trajectory Of Genetically Based Cancer
Children’s of Alabama’s Cancer Predisposition Clinic physicians develop personalized screening for children who have inherited cancer predisposition syndromes with hopes that early detection will lead to improved outcomes.
Study led by NUS scientists show that drinking tea improves brain health
A recent study led by researchers from the National University of Singapore revealed that regular tea drinkers have better organised brain regions compared to non-tea drinkers.
Expert in operations receives Roger Martin Award for Emerging Leaders
Toronto – Sean Zhou, a professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, who is known for his research work in the areas of sustainable operations and inventory management, is the 2019 recipient of the Roger Martin Award for Emerging…
Scientists discover new breakthrough in cancer hair loss treatment
Scientists have determined a new way to protect the hair follicle from chemotherapy in an effort to prevent hair loss as a result of cancer treatments. Researchers based at The University of Manchester have discovered a new strategy for how…
UM awarded 2nd Latin American research ethics grant
Grant will help foster academic research integrity in Latin America
Innovative model created for NASA to predict vitamin levels in spaceflight food
Mathematical tool from UMass Amherst researchers will ensure proper nutrition for astronauts on long
NSF awards two ‘convergence accelerator’ pilot grants to UNC Charlotte
Two faculty teams at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have received awards in phase 1 of the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator program, a major new research investment by the agency, designed to “accelerate use-inspired convergence research in…
Parents to learn signs of sepsis
Sepsis takes the life of more than one million children every year, but thanks to a boost in researc
Controversial insecticides shown to threaten survival of wild birds
New research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) shows how the world’s most widely used insecticides could be partly responsible for a dramatic decline in songbird populations. A study published in the journal Science on Sept. 13 is the first…
Knotty problem of cell reprogramming solved, USC scientists report
The researchers found a way to repurpose cells more reliably than current methods by untangling DNA,
Four billion particles of microplastics discovered in major body of water
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (September 12, 2019)- A new study from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and Eckerd College estimates the waters of Tampa Bay contain four billion particles of microplastics, raising new questions about the impact of pollution…
Elaborate Komodo dragon armor defends against other dragons
Just beneath their scales, Komodo dragons wear a suit of armor made of tiny bones. These bones cover the dragons from head to tail, creating a “chain mail” that protects the giant predators. However, the armor raises a question: What…
Improving care for an aging population
UTA receives significant philanthropic gift to further excellence in adult gerontology
Satellite study of Amazon rainforest land cover gives insight into 2019 fires
LAWRENCE — Throughout August and early September 2019, media around the world have reported on the extensive forest fires ravaging Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. Much of the concern stems from the Amazon’s significance to regulating the world’s climate. According to the…
Researchers produce synthetic Hall Effect to achieve one-way radio transmission
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have replicated one of the most well-known electromagnetic effects in physics, the Hall Effect, using radio waves (photons) instead of electric current (electrons). Their technique could be used to create advanced communication…
Humans more unique than expected when it comes to digesting fatty meals
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA, September 12, 2019–People have very individualized inflammatory responses to eating a high-fat meal. These were the somewhat unexpected results of a study recently published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry by researchers at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)…
Heterogeneity in the workplace: ‘Diversity is very important to us — but not in my team’
Diversity in the workplace is highly sought in theory, but often still lacking in practice. A new study shows that people tend to favor diversity for others, but prefer to work with people who are as similar to themselves as…
UBC researchers design roadmap for hydrogen supply network
Hydrogen supply chain model can enable the adoption of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars across B
All on the table
Researchers call for a more comprehensive assessment of the global food system
Expert feedback improves antibiotic prescribing decisions in paediatrics
Especially inexperienced physicians can profit from feedback on their individual decisions
Why is Earth so biologically diverse? Mountains hold the answer
What determines global patterns of biodiversity has been a puzzle for scientists since the days of von Humboldt, Darwin, and Wallace. Yet, despite two centuries of research, this question remains unanswered. The global pattern of mountain biodiversity, and the extraordinarily…
Search tightens for genes driving prostate cancer
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is set up to fund individual projects in fields like genomics, computational biology, and pathology. Now researchers at University of Colorado Cancer Center are taking advantage of an innovative new program in cancer systems biology…
Repeated periods of poverty accelerate the ageing process
Genetics, lifestyle and environment are all factors that somehow influence when and how we all age. But the financial situation is also important. Now, researchers from the Center for Healthy Aging and the Department of Public Health have found that…
The ‘pathobiome’ — a new understanding of disease
Cefas and University of Exeter scientists have presented a novel concept describing the complex microbial interactions that lead to disease in plants, animals and humans. Microbial organisms and viruses cause many diseases of plants and animals. They can also help…
Epilepsy surgery: The earlier the better, overview study shows
A person with drug resistant epilepsy who gets an early surgical intervention has a better chance of becoming seizure free. This is shown in a systematic review and meta-analysis in which Sahlgrenska Academy researchers, in collaboration with the Swedish Council…
Introducing ‘phyjama,’ a physiological-sensing pajama
UMass Amherst materials chemists, computer scientists introduce smart sleepwear at International Wea
New book provides a roadmap for companies to address demands from multiple stakeholders
Toronto – Companies are increasingly facing intense pressures to address stakeholder demands from every direction: consumers want socially responsible products; employees want meaningful work; investors now screen on environmental, social, and governance criteria; “clicktivists” create social media storms over company…
‘Fire inversions’ lock smoke in valleys
Research shows why fire inversions happen and offers new air quality prediction tools