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Science News Archive 2020


Page 1 of 512

UK's unique national pancreas tissue bank opens for business

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank has been established to provide quality-controlled tissue and fluids for research on pancreatic diseases. The bank holds over 45,000 unique samples, including blood, urine, saliva, and tissue from patients with various types of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateDec 9, 2020

Scientists: Xenon improves properties of maxillofacial and orthopedic implants

Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that xenon positively affects physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of calcium phosphate coatings used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, and traumatology. The coatings formed using xenon show better adhesion, which prevents peeling off too quickly.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalBiomedical Materials·DateDec 15, 2020

COVID-19's impact on cancer prevention and control in Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly challenges cancer prevention and control in Africa, diverting resources away from cancer patients. However, this crisis also creates opportunities for innovation and improved access to cancer care.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 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.

Asian tiger mosquito poses low risk for Zika virus outbreaks

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has been shown to transmit the Zika virus and trigger large outbreaks in a simulated environment. However, experimental studies suggest that the mosquito's infection rate is low, making it unlikely to cause major Zika virus epidemics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 31, 2020

St Petersburg University scientists discover an ancient island arc in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan

Researchers from St Petersburg University have discovered a complex of rocks forming an ancient island arc in the Songkultau Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, dated to around 500 million years ago. The finding provides valuable insights into the geological history of Central Asia and has implications for understanding large ore deposits.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalGeoscience Frontiers·DateDec 31, 2020

Microfabricated elastic diamonds improve material's electronic properties

Researchers have created microfabricated elastic diamonds that can stretch up to 10% without losing their shape. This controlled elasticity changes the diamond's electronic properties, including a reduced bandgap, making it suitable for advanced electronics and quantum information technologies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2020

Researchers measure, model desalination membranes to maximize flow, clean more water

Researchers from Iowa State University and Penn State University developed a method to measure and model desalination membranes, leading to improved water flow and salt removal. By creating uniform membrane density at the nanoscale, they found that membranes with fewer hot spots perform better.

SourceIowa State University·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Traditional Ghanaian medicines show promise against tropical diseases

Researchers identified traditional Ghanaian medicines that work in the lab against schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis. Eight extracts showed good activity against these diseases, as well as trypanosomes, which cause other human diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 31, 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.

Transfusions with higher red blood cell levels do not improve preterm baby outcomes

A large randomized clinical trial compared thresholds for blood transfusions in premature babies and found no advantage in survival or neurological impairment. The study, led by Dr. Rosemary Higgins of George Mason University, suggests that current guidelines for blood transfusions may not be optimal.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 31, 2020

RedHill announces positive top-line data from P2 COVID-19 study of opaganib

Preliminary data from the non-powered U.S. Phase 2 study showed that orally-administered opaganib was safe and demonstrated consistent trends of greater improvement in reducing oxygen requirement across key primary and secondary efficacy outcomes. The opaganib-treated arm demonstrated a greater improvement in reaching room air, reducti...

SourceRedHill Biopharma·DateDec 31, 2020

Study: in social media safety messages, the pictures should match the words

A new study by Ohio State University found that social media posts with matched imagery and text are more effective in recalling safety messages among young parents. Participants spent significantly longer on posts with matched messages, indicating better understanding and recall of safety knowledge.

SourceOhio State University·JournalHealth Communication·DateDec 31, 2020

Spontaneous robot dances highlight a new kind of order in active matter

Active matter systems, which can move under their own power, have been found to spontaneously order without higher-level instructions. Researchers developed a theory that predicts certain types of active matter will enter

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 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.

Combined approach could boost breast cancer immunotherapy, study suggests

Researchers found that combining CAR T cells with a proinflammatory environment created by STING pathway activation can improve their ability to attack tumor cells. This approach, combined with therapeutic antibodies, led to the complete eradication of breast tumors in mice.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateDec 31, 2020

Study points the way to boost immunotherapy against breast cancer, other solid tumors

A new study suggests that adding a small molecule to CAR-T cell therapy can boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy against breast cancer and other solid tumors. Researchers found that the addition of cGAMP activated an immune response, leading to enhanced T cell proliferation and tumor growth reduction.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateDec 31, 2020

See live cells with 7 times greater sensitivity using new microscopy technique

Researchers have developed a new method to enhance the sensitivity of quantitative phase imaging, enabling the observation of tiny particles in living cells without labels or stains. The technique, called ADRIFT-QPI, produces images with seven times greater sensitivity than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·DateDec 31, 2020

OSU studies find Oregon's Medicaid expansion improved prenatal care access, birth outcomes

Two recent studies from Oregon State University found that Oregon's Medicaid expansion led to increased prenatal care among low-income women and improved health outcomes for newborn babies. The expansion resulted in a nearly 2 percentage point increase in first trimester prenatal care utilization.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateDec 31, 2020

Model predicts global threat of sinking land will affect 635 million people worldwide

A new analysis suggests that subsidence, the sinking of ground's surface, will impact 19% of the world's population - 21% of GDP - by 2040. The model identifies areas with high susceptibility to subsidence, particularly in Asia, where 635 million inhabitants are exposed.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 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.

Desalination breakthrough could lead to cheaper water filtration

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Penn State have developed a new understanding of desalination membranes, which can clean more water while using significantly less energy. The breakthrough could lead to increased access to clean water and lower water bills for individual homes and large users alike.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2020

Stretching diamond for next-generation microelectronics

Researchers have successfully stretched diamond to achieve large, uniform tensile elastic straining, opening up new possibilities for advanced functional devices. The findings suggest the potential of strained diamonds as prime candidates for microelectronics, photonics, and quantum information technologies.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2020

Multiple mosquito blood meals accelerate malaria transmission

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that mosquitoes feeding on blood multiple times increase malaria transmission potential, shortening the incubation period and making disease control more challenging. The research suggests that younger mosquitoes with reduced reproductive ability may contribute to infection, undermining curre...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 31, 2020

Novel public-private partnership facilitates development of fusion energy

Researchers at PPPL and Commonwealth Fusion Systems successfully simulated particle confinement in the SPARC tokamak device, crucial for achieving commercial fusion energy. The study predicts well-confined alpha particles will minimize damage to the facility, paving the way for plasma self-heating and improved techniques for control.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalJournal of Plasma Physics·DateDec 30, 2020

Blood vessel cells implicated in chronic inflammation of obesity

Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a type of cell responsible for triggering chronic inflammation in fat tissue. The study found that these cells, called fibro-inflammatory progenitors (FIPs), produce signals that encourage inflammation when exposed to high-fat diets.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Metabolism·DateDec 30, 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.

Moving due to unaffordable housing may jeopardize healthcare

A study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that people who move due to unaffordable housing are at increased risk of failing to receive necessary medical care, leading to long-term health problems. The research highlights the need for preventive action to mitigate the adverse effects of cost-related moves on healthcare access.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

Largest study of Asia's rivers unearths 800 years of paleoclimate patterns

Researchers used tree rings to reconstruct river discharge histories, finding that Asian rivers behave in a coherent pattern with large droughts and pluvial periods often occurring simultaneously. The study's findings have important implications for water management, particularly in countries with multiple river basins.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalWater Resources Research·DateDec 30, 2020

Higher red cell transfusion threshold offers no advantage for treating preterm infants

A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that providing a higher threshold of red cells offers no survival benefit for preterm infants and does not reduce neurological impairment. The study used data from 845 infants with varying hemoglobin thresholds to compare outcomes.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020
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.

Peer-reviewed report on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine publishes

The mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19, with no safety concerns or evidence of enhanced respiratory disease. The trial enrolled over 30,000 participants and showed a significant reduction in symptomatic cases among those who received the vaccine.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

LSU Health New Orleans discovers potential new RX strategy for stroke

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a potential new RX strategy for stroke, combining an LSU Health-patented drug with selected DHA derivatives to protect brain cells and increase recovery. The study found that this combination therapy significantly reduced lesion volumes and improved behavioral scores, offering hope ...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalBrain Circulation·DateDec 30, 2020

Scientists explore deficits in processing speed in individuals with spinal cord injury

A research team studied processing speed deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and found similar brain activation patterns with older healthy individuals. The study suggests that SCI individuals compensate for processing speed deficits by relying on executive control and memory areas of the brain.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalBrain Topography·DateDec 30, 2020

Anti-transpirant products unnecessary in cycad propagation

A University of Guam study has found that retaining leaves during cycad stem cutting propagation and using anti-transpirant products have no effect on success rates. Healthy cycads can recover from root or leaf loss with proper care.

SourceUniversity of Guam·JournalTropical Conservation Science·DateDec 30, 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.

Dating apps don't destroy love

A UNIGE study found that people who met their partners on dating applications have stronger cohabitation intentions and desires to have children. The results also show that couples formed through apps have diverse socio-educational profiles, leading to increased long-distance relationships.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 30, 2020

Bionic idea boosts lithium-ion extraction

Scientists have developed a bioinspired material that enhances lithium-ion extraction by controlling interlayer spacing and achieving stable ordered nanostructures. The new membrane shows higher toughness and efficiently controls Li+ permeation rate, outperforming other materials.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMatter·DateDec 30, 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.

Published data from Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial show 94.1 percent efficacy

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated a 94.1 percent efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections and severe illness, according to the results of the ongoing phase 3 clinical trial. The study enrolled over 30,000 participants and found that cases of severe COVID-19 occurred only in those who received the placebo.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

Frailty is a factor in higher mortality for women awaiting liver transplants

A new study by researchers at UCSF and Columbia University highlights the role of frailty in the gender gap in mortality rates for women waiting for liver transplants. Women awaiting liver transplants are found to be more likely to become too ill to undergo surgery or die before receiving a liver, with frailty being a significant risk ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateDec 30, 2020

The map of nuclear deformation takes the form of a mountain landscape

Scientists found two secondary minima in the potential energy landscape of nickel-64, corresponding to oblate and prolate ellipsoidal shapes. The prolate one is deep and well-isolated, leading to a prolonged trapping time, unlike heavy nuclei.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 30, 2020

A pursuit of better testing to sort out the complexities of ADHD

Researchers review cognitive testing studies and propose using computer simulations to gauge behavioral problems in children with ADHD. The approach aims to provide more information on the complexity of symptoms, enabling clinicians to make life easier for kids with ADHD.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateDec 30, 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.

Scientists find the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season

Researchers found the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season, leading to discrepancies between simulations and observations in both cold and warm seasons. The study suggests using an ensemble approach to consider seasonal variations in model errors, improving future simulation and prediction of Arctic sea ice.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateDec 30, 2020

New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs

New research from Karolinska Institutet reveals the development of lung macrophages, immune cells that can protect or harm lungs. Classical monocytes migrate into airways and lung tissue, becoming protective macrophages, while non-classical monocytes develop into pro-inflammatory macrophages.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalImmunity·DateDec 30, 2020

Stopping RAS inhibitors tied to worse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease

Researchers found that stopping RAS inhibitors reduced the risk of requiring dialysis but increased the risk of cardiovascular events and death. The study suggests that doctors must carefully weigh the benefits and harms of these medications in patients with advanced CKD.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 29, 2020

Protein twist and squeeze confers cancer drug resistance

Researchers at Kyoto University's iCeMS have discovered how a transporter protein twists and squeezes compounds out of cells, including chemotherapy drugs from some cancer cells. This mechanism, driven by ATP energy, facilitates the export of toxic compounds and confers drug resistance.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFEBS Letters·DateDec 29, 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.

Flag leaves could help top off photosynthetic performance in rice

Researchers found significant variation in flag leaf ability to adjust to fluctuating light, with some varieties producing carbohydrates nearly twice as fast as others. This discovery could lead to improved water-use efficiency and more resilient crops.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateDec 29, 2020

Detective work in theoretical physics

Researchers from the University of Münster and Düsseldorf provide an in-depth summary of the dynamical density functional theory, a method used to describe interacting particles. The article covers various branches of physics and applications in chemistry, solid state physics, and biophysics.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalAdvances In Physics·DateDec 29, 2020

Army research leads to more effective training model for robots

New research by the U.S. Army reduces unpredictability of current training reinforcement learning policies, enabling robots to reason and adapt to changing battlefield conditions. The breakthrough enhances the Army's future operating concept by incorporating risk sensitivity, safety constraints, exploration, and divergence to a prior.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateDec 29, 2020
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.

Significant disparities in telemedicine use, especially among older and POC patients

A recent study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals significant disparities in telemedicine use, particularly among older adults and patients from minority populations. The study found that patients over 55 were less likely to participate in telemedicine visits, with those over 75 being 33% less likely.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 29, 2020

Story tip from Johns Hopkins expert on Covid-19

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that COVID-19 pandemic led to decreased suicides in the overall population, but increased suicides among Black Marylanders. The researchers highlight the importance of identifying high-risk groups and vulnerable populations to reduce suicide numbers.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateDec 29, 2020

Imaging of ballistic wounds, bullet composition and implications for MRI safety

A new imaging technique has been developed to identify non-ferromagnetic projectiles that are safe for MRI, enabling patients with ballistic embedded fragments to receive medical treatment. The technique uses radiography and CT images to distinguish between ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic bullets, allowing for safer MRI scans.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateDec 29, 2020

UCLA scientists develop high-throughput mitochondria transfer device

Researchers have developed a simple, high-throughput method for transferring isolated mitochondria into mammalian cells, allowing for the study of mitochondrial DNA diseases and potential treatments. The new device, MitoPunch, enables the transfer of mitochondria into thousands of recipient cells simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 29, 2020

A single gene 'invented' haemoglobin several times

Researchers found that haemoglobins in diverse species, including humans, molluscs and crustaceans, originate from a single ancestral gene. This discovery suggests that the appearance of haemoglobin in these species was not an independent invention but rather a result of evolutionary inheritance.

SourceCNRS·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateDec 29, 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.

An explanation for the lack of blood oxygenation detected in many COVID-19 patients

Patients with COVID-19 often suffer from severe pneumonia despite low arterial blood oxygen levels, contradicting typical symptoms of hypoxemia. Researchers suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the carotid body may alter its ability to detect oxygen levels, leading to silent hypoxemia.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalFunction·DateDec 29, 2020

Electrons hop to it on twisted molecular wires

Researchers at Osaka University developed twisted molecular wires that can conduct electricity with reduced resistance. The creation of smaller islands that are closer in energy maximized the conductivity, and temperature measurements confirmed the role of electron hopping.

SourceOsaka University·DateDec 29, 2020

UOC to study whether intermittent fasting slows down ageing in postmenopausal women

Researchers from UOC Faculty of Health Sciences will investigate the impact of intermittent fasting on organ ageing in postmenopausal women. The study aims to validate ageing markers and determine if fasting leads to changes in organ ageing, with potential benefits for women's quality of life.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·DateDec 29, 2020

UC researcher urges caution using remdesivir to treat COVID-19

A University of Cincinnati study found that remdesivir permanently stops the activity of an enzyme needed for medication breakdown, increasing toxicity with certain heart and anticancer drugs. The researcher recommends using remdesivir with caution in patients with specific enzymes and in proper dosages.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalFundamental and Clinical Pharmacology·DateDec 29, 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.

Polysaccharides from red algae affect mice immune systems, say FEFU scientists

Researchers found that red algae polysaccharides can suppress the activity of immune cells in lab mice, reducing leukocyte count and congenital immunity cell activity. However, it is unclear whether this effect is beneficial or detrimental, and further study is needed to understand its potential as a pharmacological substance.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateDec 29, 2020