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Science News Archive 2020


Page 109 of 512

Swine coronavirus replicates in human cells

A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill reveals that the swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) strain has the potential to spread to humans. The virus efficiently replicates in human airway and intestinal cells, raising concerns about its threat to public health.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Divisive dialogue: Why do we engage in virtual political talk?

A study by UNLV social media expert Natalie Pennington and Iowa State professor Kelly Winfrey examines what motivates people to engage in politics online. The research suggests that interpersonal relationships outweigh political motivations for some individuals, but high-influence goals drive others to share their views.

Thawing permafrost releases organic compounds into the air

Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that thawing permafrost releases volatile organic compounds, including monoterpenes and diterpenes, which can be highly reactive and contribute to cloud formation. The study's findings introduce new uncertainties to climate change modeling.

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.

Machine learning model helps characterize compounds for drug discovery

A new machine learning model has been developed to help characterize compounds in the development of new drugs. The model uses tandem mass spectrometry and is based on a small amount of positive and negative training data, making it useful for automating characterization of compounds by chemists.

Process to recover metals from batteries licensed by Momentum Technologies

The Membrane Solvent Extraction (MSX) process developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows for the recovery of highly pure cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese from spent lithium-ion batteries. This technology contributes to a circular economy by recycling end-of-life products without generating hazardous waste.

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.

Stay in touch with your emotions to reduce pandemic-induced stress

A new study led by Emily Kroska found that people who acknowledge and address their emotions during stressful times report lower stress levels than those who avoid identifying with their emotions. By maintaining relationships and engaging in valued activities, individuals can increase their psychological flexibility and reduce distress.

Army researchers collaborate on universal antibody test for COVID-19

Researchers developed a process to measure COVID-19 antibody levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which is faster, easier and less expensive than traditional methods. The ELISA tests had an 80% or greater probability of predicting virus neutralization titers.

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.

Study upends understanding about joint injuries

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lubricin, a protein that lubricates joints, increases in dogs with ACL injuries before signs of arthritis appear. The discovery has implications for human ACL and other orthopedic injuries, suggesting increased lubricin may be a biomarker for predicting future osteoarthritis.

Mapping out rest stops for migrating birds

A new metric, stopover-to-passage ratio, helps determine when birds fly over a site or stop to refuel or rest. The study reveals critical importance of habitats around the US Gulf Coast for sustaining migratory birds, with over half stopping at these sites.

Join GSA online for the nation's premier aging conference

The Gerontological Society of America invites media representatives to attend its 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting Online. The event will feature hundreds of scientific sessions and live discussions with researchers. Registration is free and provides access to all scientific sessions and the virtual exhibit hall.

Ultra-sensitive nanothermometer under ambient conditions

Researchers have developed an ultra-sensitive hybrid nanothermometer that can detect small temperature changes in ambient conditions. The device uses a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond and a magnetic nanoparticle to measure thermal signals with a precision of 76 microkelvin per second.

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.

Turning excess noise into signal

Scientists have developed a simple method to comprehensively assess spectrometer performance within seconds using only incoherent excess noise. This approach enables high-quality visible light OCT imaging with improved spectral resolution uniformity, revealing new insights into the mouse photoreceptor layer.

'Honey bee, it's me'

Honey bees rely on chemical cues from shared gut microbial communities to recognize nestmates, rather than genetic relatedness. This study shows that a bee's particular cuticular hydrocarbon profile is dependent on its microbiome.

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.

Distracted learning a big problem, golden opportunity for educators, students

Research shows that distracted learning significantly impairs students' attention, working memory, and learning outcomes. Educators can empower students to manage distractions by fostering an internal locus of control and promoting active learning. Strategies include removing extraneous devices, using work-reward systems, and incorpora...

Novel software assesses phonologial awareness

A new software tool called ATLAS measures children's phonological awareness, a critical skill for literacy development. The study found that the software was effective in assessing over 1,100 children aged 3-7 with varying levels of speech and language impairment.

Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to cognitive deficits, altered behavior

A new study by neuroscientists at Washington State University found that regular cannabis exposure in rats during pregnancy may cause long-term cognitive deficiencies, asocial behavior, and anxiety in their offspring. The research also revealed significant behavioral changes and cognitive deficits that persisted into adulthood.

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.

Companies bet big on chemical plastic recycling

Industry is shifting towards chemical recycling as a solution to tackle the problem of plastics, breaking down them into their building blocks. The process has environmental benefits but also raises concerns about reducing plastic consumption and increasing disposable packaging production.

An innovative method to tune lasers toward infrared wavelengths

A team of researchers at INRS has discovered a method to tune the spectrum of a laser to the infrared using a simple and much less expensive system: a hollow-core fiber filled with nitrogen. This approach delivers optical pulses shorter than those of the input laser and with high spatial quality.

Reviving cells after a heart attack

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from endothelial cells have been shown to revive heart cells after a heart attack and keep them functioning while deprived of oxygen. The researchers demonstrated this functionality in human tissue using a heart-on-a-chip model.

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.

Research demonstrates a molecular dance that keeps your heart beating

A team of researchers has discovered the atomic-level mechanism that governs the length of heart muscle protein filaments, a critical component in maintaining healthy heart function. The study provides new insights into genetic mutations that cause devastating hereditary heart conditions.

Robot swarms follow instructions to create art

A recent study shows that robot swarms can follow instructions to create paintings, using a system where an artist selects areas of the canvas to be painted a certain color. The resulting images are abstract and pleasing to the eye, with unique areas of color flowing into each other.

Volcanic eruptions may explain Denmark's giant mystery crystals

Researchers discovered that volcanic eruptions in Greenland and Iceland could have caused cooling episodes during the Eocene Epoch, solving a long-standing mystery about glendonites. This finding suggests that abrupt climate change is possible even in otherwise warmer climates.

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.

Ancient maths could foil future cyber hackers

A University of Reading mathematician is collaborating with Microsoft to study ancient mathematical problems, including Diophantine equations, to aid in the development of encryption software. The project aims to create more secure data protection against quantum computers that can solve complex mathematical problems quickly.

Maltreatment tied to higher inflammation in girls

Research shows that childhood maltreatment affects girls more than boys, leading to higher levels of low-grade inflammation. Girls who experienced abuse at a young age are at risk for significant health problems later in life.

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.

Cultural diversity and racism in the Ancient World

A new display at Swansea University's Egypt Centre will showcase artefacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other ancient civilizations to educate visitors about issues like identity, racism, and xenophobia. The exhibit aims to spark meaningful discussions on these topics, drawing from the rich material available in the ancient world.

A billion tiny pendulums could detect the universe's missing mass

Researchers at NIST have proposed a novel method to find dark matter by detecting its gravitational interaction with visible matter. A billion millimeter-sized pendulums would act as sensors, sensitive to particles ranging from 1/5,000 of a milligram to a few milligrams, covering the so-called Planck mass.

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.

A new toolkit for capturing how COVID-19 impacts crime

A new set of assessment tools shows promise in capturing how the COVID-19 pandemic affects patterns of criminal activity. The toolkit uses resilience theory to examine the impact of exceptional events on crime patterns, with preliminary evidence linking the pandemic to increased domestic violence and declines in other forms of crime.

A new land surface model to monitor global river water environment

A new land surface model CAS-LSM was developed to assess impacts of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances on global river temperature and nitrogen transport. The model found increased river temperatures in tropical zones due to climate change, with power plants warming local rivers by up to 60% in Asia.

Scientists identify sensor protein that underlies bladder control

Researchers at Scripps Research have identified the PIEZO2 protein as a crucial part of how our body detects bladder fullness. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism underlying normal bladder function and may lead to new treatments for bladder control and urination issues, particularly among the elderly.

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.

SHEA updates guidance for healthcare workers with HIV, hepatitis

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has updated its guidance for healthcare personnel living with HIV or hepatitis, citing low transmission rates and advances in treatments. The new recommendations aim to protect both patients and healthcare workers while ensuring privacy and health.

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.

STAT3 identified as important factor in emotional reactivity

Researchers have identified STAT3 as an important factor in emotional reactivity, establishing a link between the immune system, serotonergic transmission, and affective disorders. STAT3 deficiency reduces emotional reactivity in mice, suggesting its role as a molecular mediator in regulating emotional behavior.