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Science News Archive 2020


Page 124 of 512

Scientist maps CO2 emissions for entire US to improve environmental policymaking

A new map provides detailed greenhouse gas emissions data across the US, enabling policymakers to identify problem areas and develop targeted policies. The Vulcan Project, developed by Northern Arizona University, offers a standardized system for quantifying and visualizing emissions down to individual power plants and neighborhoods.

Arrokoth: Flattening of a snowman

Researchers investigate how Arrokoth's pancake-flat shape emerged from the formation process of the Solar System. They suggest that the body may have started as a merger between a spherical and an oblate body, or that its shape developed gradually due to favorable orbital conditions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Dog and human brains process faces differently

A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience has revealed striking similarities and differences in how dog and human brains process visual information about others. Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns between twenty dogs and thirty humans, finding both analogous and divergent patterns of species- and fac...

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.

New shortcut enables faster creation of spin pattern in magnet

Researchers have discovered a new approach to create a spin pattern in a magnet, enabling faster creation of skyrmions. This discovery offers an additional method for more efficient magnetic data storage, with potential applications in cloud data centers.

OSU assumes cyberinfrastructure responsibility for OOI

Oregon State University (OSU) will take over systems management of Ocean Observatories Initiative's cyberinfrastructure in September 2023. The team will handle data storage and delivery for the OOI, which consists of five instrumented observatories collecting over 800 instruments' data.

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.

Impact of HPV vaccination mandates on social inequalities

A UC Riverside study found that HPV vaccination mandates did not lead to increased vaccine uptake or equal access among diverse populations. Mandates aimed at standardizing age of uptake were ineffective in improving compliance rates, highlighting the need for more targeted strategies.

Some planets may be better for life than Earth

A study by Washington State University scientists has identified two dozen exoplanets that could potentially support complex life. These superhabitable planets are characterized by being older, slightly warmer, and possibly wetter than Earth, with some orbiting stars that may be more suitable for life than our sun.

Australian first chromosome 15 disorders biobank

The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute will establish a biobank of biological samples from people with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome, two rare genetic diseases affecting 1 in 15,000 people. The biobank will help researchers better understand the causes of these disorders and develop new treatments.

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.

Reducing the high social cost of death

A nationwide survey in Japan reveals that deeper grief correlates with lower quality of life, increased medical reliance, and higher rates of medical costs. Factors like funeral satisfaction and social support can predict who needs help in bereavement.

A small switch with a big impact

Scientists have discovered that tiny point mutations in a gene can modify T cells to be less aggressive, leading to reduced inflammation and autoimmune responses. This finding has potential implications for stem cell transplantation, where T-cell transfusion is used to prevent severe side effects.

Blocking vibrations that remove heat could boost efficiency of next-gen solar cells

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee discovered a way to slow phonons, waves that transport heat, in photovoltaic materials. This discovery holds promise for improving novel hot-carrier solar cells, which convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently than conventional solar cells by harnessing...

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.

New algorithm could unleash the power of quantum computers

A new algorithm called Variational Fast Forwarding (VFF) can simulate quantum systems for longer periods than current quantum computers can handle. This allows scientists to tackle complex problems that were previously unsolvable due to decoherence, which degrades quantum coherence.

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.

Gemini South's high-def version of 'A Star is Born'

Astronomers using Gemini South's adaptive optics system have captured detailed images of the Carina Nebula with a resolution comparable to the Webb Space Telescope. The high-def images reveal intricate structures within the nebula, including parallel ridges and fragments being sheared off by strong winds.

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.

NASA gages Tropical Storm Delta's strength in infrared

Tropical cyclones exhibit non-uniform strength, with stronger sides extending higher into the troposphere. NASA's AIRS instrument captured cloud top temperatures of -63°F, indicating a strong storm capable of heavy rain. The storm's structure has improved since Sunday, with deep convection and a more circular shape.

Excess folic acid during pregnancy harms brain development of mice

Researchers found that excessive folic acid intake during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the brain development of embryos. The study suggests a 'Goldilocks effect,' where too little or too much folic acid is harmful, and more investigation is needed to determine the optimal dosage for pregnant women.

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.

IL-21 protein a key part of immune response to central nervous system infections

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that IL-21 is critical for the development of effective immune responses to chronic infections in the central nervous system. Injecting IL-21 into cerebrospinal fluid reduced deficiencies in mice with impaired CD4 T-cell production and gene expression related to TRM cells.

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.

Watching your waste

A recent study led by ASU researcher Chris Wharton found that a values-based intervention can reduce household food waste by an average of 28%. The intervention used clear plastic bins to track food waste and highlighted the impact of cost, health, and environmental concerns. Participants reported that watching their waste build up pro...

Invasional meltdown in multi-species plant communities

A new experiment reveals that fungal endophytes, which live inside plants, play a key role in invasion success and invasional meltdown in multi-species communities. The study found that alien species share fewer soil microbes with each other than with native species, making them less negatively affected by each other.

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.

South American mammal extinction and biotic exchange

A study on fossils reveals that native South American mammals were disproportionately extinct, leading to a higher number of North American ancestors in the region. This biotic exchange event resulted from the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

How malaria parasites withstand a fever's heat

A Duke University-led team has discovered how malaria parasites can survive fevers by producing a special lipid molecule and binding to heat shock proteins. This could lead to new ways to fight resistant strains of the disease. The findings also suggest caution when using fever reducers with artemisinin-based compounds.

UTA research to provide real-time data on gas leaks

Kathleen Smits' innovative approach links environmental data with gas concentration readings to understand leak severity and migration. The research aims to examine reoccurrence of leaks, urbanization effects, and repaired leaks that continue to vent, providing critical insights for industry and regulators.

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.

Green pavement markings could make Texas streets safer for cyclists

A new research project funded by TxDOT aims to examine the effectiveness of green pavement markings on Texas streets. The study will investigate the use, safety, longevity, and performance of these markings, which are painted green to increase visibility for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

Memory of the Venus flytrap

Research team successfully visualized intracellular calcium concentrations in the Venus flytrap, revealing that its short-term memory can be explained by changes in calcium concentration. The study demonstrates how a single contact event triggers a burst of calcium ions, which then trigger a second stimulus to close the trap.

Lighting the path to recycling carbon dioxide

Researchers at KAUST developed semiconductive photocatalysts that efficiently absorb solar energy, reducing the energy required for a bioelectrochemical process to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions while generating useful products.

Back pain with sciatica more likely to improve after early physical therapy

A new study found that patients with sciatica who received four weeks of physical therapy experienced less disability in the year following their initial doctor's visit compared to those who followed a wait-and-see approach. Physical therapy significantly improved patient outcomes, including reduced pain and increased activity levels.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Turning diamond into metal

By straining diamond to change its electronic properties, researchers can dial it from insulating to highly conductive, or metallic. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new optical devices, quantum sensors, and high-efficiency solar cells.

Sustainability of irrigated agriculture in US High Plains

A new study models groundwater use and crop production as a predator-prey interaction, predicting declining irrigated food production in the US High Plains. By 2050, Nebraska is expected to have nearly 10 times the groundwater-based food production of Texas due to higher recharge rates.

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.