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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 181


Page 181 of 512

Tungsten isotope helps study how to armor future fusion reactors

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used a tungsten isotope to study the erosion and contamination of plasma in fusion reactors. The experiments aimed to understand how tungsten can be used to armor the reactor without contaminating the plasma, which is essential for achieving sustainable fusion energy.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateAug 28, 2020

Portland State lab finds finds new levels of detail about key membrane proteins

Researchers at Portland State University used cryo-electron microscopy to image connexin-46/50 membrane proteins at an unprecedented level of resolution, revealing new insights into their structure and function. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective targeted treatments for diseases.

SourcePortland State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 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.

"Jumping" DNA regulates human neurons

Scientists discovered that transposable elements influence human brain development by partnering with two specialized proteins known as Krép-el-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins. These partnerships regulate gene expression in neurons and influence the development and function of adult organs.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 28, 2020

How to treat high blood pressure without ruining your sex life

Men with untreated high blood pressure have poorer penile blood flow than those with normal blood pressure, but treatment reverses the effect. The study also found that certain medications can worsen erectile dysfunction in men with normal or high-normal blood pressure.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateAug 28, 2020

Which OCD treatment works best? New brain study could lead to more personalized choices

Researchers found that exposure-based therapy was more effective in reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while stress-reduction therapy showed better results for those with lower brain activation in certain areas. The study aims to develop a personalized treatment approach for OCD, which may help improve therapy ou...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 28, 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.

Cochlear implants should be recommended for adults more often

A new consensus statement recommends cochlear implants for adults with moderate to severe hearing loss, which can restore clarity and improve communication. The panel of experts emphasizes that these devices are not only for young children but also suitable for adults who have lost hearing later in life.

SourceWashU Medicine·DateAug 27, 2020

New era in brain monitoring technology

A new generation of long-term brain monitoring technologies records neural activity to provide a reliable alternative to subjective seizure diaries. These devices, such as the Wyss Center's Epios system, offer flexible configurations and could enable optimized and personalized treatment for each patient.

SourceWyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering·JournalEpilepsia·DateAug 27, 2020

Princeton labs report new platform for stereocontrol

A new platform for stereocontrol has been developed by Princeton University's MacMillan and Hyster labs, enabling the dynamic rendering of traditionally static stereocenters. This breakthrough allows for more efficient synthesis of complex molecules with specific stereochemistry.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 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.

Beating HIV and COVID-19 may depend on tweaking vaccine molecules

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discover that high-valency antigens can lead to a more-is-better immune system reaction, while low-valency antigens result in a smaller, more targeted B cell response. The study suggests that selecting antigens with the right valency will depend on the disease being targeted.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalImmunity·DateAug 27, 2020

Prior Zika virus infection increases risk of severe dengue disease

A study published in Science found that prior Zika virus infection significantly increases the risk of both symptomatic and more severe forms of dengue disease. This interaction, known as antibody-dependent enhancement, could make it harder to design a safe and effective vaccine.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

Dealing a blow on monetarism

Researchers from Lobachevsky University analyze data on M2 monetary aggregate, monetary base, and money multiplier to study impact of financial innovations on money supply. They find evidence of endogenous origin of money supply in Russian economy for both periods of time, confirming structuralism and preference for liquidity.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalFinancial Journal·DateAug 27, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Songbirds reduce reproduction to help survive drought

Research from the University of Montana found that tropical songbirds reduce reproduction during severe droughts, but this shift actually increases their survival rates. Long-lived species experience higher survival rates during drought years than non-drought years.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 27, 2020

Playfulness can be trained - here's why you should do it

Researchers from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg found that playfulness can be induced through daily exercises that boost playful behavior. The study showed a temporary improvement in participants' well-being and demonstrated the potential for practical applications, such as improving work-life balance and relationships.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·DateAug 27, 2020

Student research team develops hybrid rocket engine

A University of Illinois student research team successfully designed a hybrid rocket engine that uses paraffin and Nytrox, overcoming previous failures with nitrous oxide. The team's perseverance was aided by collaborations with Purdue University and Zucrow Laboratories.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateAug 27, 2020

Brain-inspired electronic system could vastly reduce AI's carbon footprint

Researchers have found a way to improve the accuracy of brain-inspired computing systems using memristors, which are at least 1,000 times more energy-efficient than conventional transistor-based AI hardware. This could lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions from training one AI model.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Using the past to maintain future biodiversity

Researchers analyzed past warming events to understand how species and ecosystems will cope with future climate change, identifying potential causes of extinction and ways to improve early-warning systems. The study informs effective conservation practice and policy for managing biodiversity under ongoing and future climate change.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

Gout treatment may aid patients with congenital heart disease

A small pilot study found that treating gout with probenecid improves heart function and exercise performance in children with a specific type of heart defect. The study suggests that repurposing this medicine to treat heart problems in these patients may be effective without adverse effects.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPediatric Cardiology·DateAug 27, 2020

Zika infection enhances Dengue disease risk

A recent study found that prior Zika virus infection can enhance the risk of severe dengue disease. The research used a cohort from Nicaragua to confirm previous reports on cross-reactive antibodies between Zika and dengue viruses. The findings have important implications for developing effective vaccines against both diseases.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 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.

Unravelling the potential of the unconscious mind

A team of researchers has successfully harnessed the power of the unconscious mind to make profitable decisions. By monitoring nonconscious brain activity, participants were able to learn and improve their choices without being aware of it. This breakthrough suggests that confidence may play a crucial role in guiding behavior.

SourceATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2020

DNA repair - Locating and severing lethal links

A team of scientists has discovered how the enzyme SPRTN recognizes and cleaves DNA-protein crosslinks, which are formed when proteins attach to DNA. This new mechanism is crucial for cell viability and the suppression of tumorigenesis, and has implications for cancer therapy.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalMolecular Cell·DateAug 27, 2020

Photonics researchers report breakthrough in miniaturizing light-based chips

Researchers at the University of Rochester have created the smallest electro-optical modulator yet, a key component of photonics-based chips. The breakthrough uses lithium niobate to control how light moves through its circuits, paving the way for larger-scale photonic integrated circuits with improved performance.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2020

Decoded: The structure of the barrier between three cells

A team of researchers has discovered the crucial role of two proteins, Anakonda and M6, in maintaining a functional barrier at tricellular junctions. The study found that the M6 protein anchors the Anakonda protein to the cell membrane, preventing it from being destabilized and allowing for the formation of a stable epithelial barrier.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 27, 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.

How sticklebacks dominate perch

A 40-year study reveals that the rise of sticklebacks, a key predator of algae, is driven by reduced numbers of larger fish species. This shift from predator-dominated to algae-dominated ecosystems has significant implications for ecosystem restoration and management.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 27, 2020

Artificial intelligence learns continental hydrology

A new method combines Deep-Learning, hydrological models and Earth observations to quantify small as well as large-scale changes to the water storage on the South American continent. The study shows that the method is particularly reliable for tropical regions, where rain forests and vast surface waters are located.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 27, 2020

Russian scientists predicted increased unrest in the United States back in 2010

Russian scientists used cliodynamics theory to predict increased unrest in the United States, verifying their models with recent protests. They applied mathematical models based on structural-demographic theory to analyze historical events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 27, 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.

Earth may always have been wet

Scientists analyzed enstatite chondrites, rare meteorites with primitive composition, to estimate the Earth's initial water content. Their findings indicate that the planet's rocks probably contained enough water to supply three times the amount of oceans, with only a small percentage delivered by comets or asteroids.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 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.

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals DNA "grammar"

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals that DNA shape is determined by precise rules governing CTCF protein sequences. This discovery opens doors to engineering DNA structure for pharmaceuticals, treating diseases like cancer.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalGenome Biology·DateAug 27, 2020

Sulfur-scavenging bacteria could be key to making common component in plastic

Researchers found a new microbial pathway producing ethylene, providing a potential avenue for biomanufacturing a common plastic component. The discovery also sheds light on a long-standing mystery about how ethylene is produced in anaerobic soils and points to potential paths to prevent crop damage from high levels of ethylene.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

Researchers develop a fast, accurate, low-cost COVID-19 test

Researchers have developed a rapid and accurate diagnostic test for COVID-19 that delivers results in under 40 minutes. The new test, called CRISPR-COVID, uses CRISPR-based technology to detect the virus, offering a cost-effective alternative to existing methods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 27, 2020
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.

Unexpected abundance of hydrogen in meteorites reveals the origin of Earth's water

New study finds enstatite chondrite meteorites contain sufficient hydrogen to deliver at least three times the mass of Earth's oceans, contradicting assumptions that the planet is dry. The findings support the idea that Earth's water originated from the nebular material from which the planet accreted.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

How to make AI trustworthy

A new tool, DeepTrust, generated automatic indicators of data and prediction trustworthiness in neural networks, addressing the need for trust in AI. The researchers used subjective logic to assess neural network architectures, providing insights into testing reliability and maximizing accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·DateAug 27, 2020

NASA's Terra Satellite sees the end of Bavi

Tropical Storm Bavi made landfall in northwestern North Korea, weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 40 knots. The storm has transitioned to an extra-tropical cyclone, retaining hurricane-force winds as it moves across northeastern China.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 27, 2020

AI as good as the average radiologist in identifying breast cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that one AI algorithm is as accurate as the average radiologist in identifying breast cancer from mammograms. The study compared three AI algorithms and showed significant differences between them, with one outperforming others and rivaling human detection accuracy.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateAug 27, 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.

A.I. tool promises faster, more accurate Alzheimer's diagnosis

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's without expensive scans or in-person testing, with over 95% accuracy. The software also explains its conclusions, allowing physicians to double-check the accuracy of its diagnoses.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateAug 27, 2020

Duchenne: "Crosstalk" between muscle and spleen

The study found a connection between dystrophic muscles and the lymphatic system in mice with Duchenne disease. The researchers identified changes in protein expression in the spleen, which suggests that the disease causes secondary effects on the immune response and inflammatory processes.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournaliScience·DateAug 27, 2020

FEFU scientists are paving way for future tiny electronics and gadgets

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University propose controlling spin-electronic properties of thin-film magnetic nanosystems through surface roughness. This approach maximizes useful spin-electron effects, enabling the development of new-generation tiny electronics and superfast computer memory.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalNPG Asia Materials·DateAug 27, 2020
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.

Mosquito immune system mapped to help fight malaria

Researchers discovered new types of mosquito immune cells and molecular pathways implicated in controlling the malaria parasite. A rare cell type called a Megacyte was found to have high levels of a key molecule needed for immune priming, which could limit malaria transmission.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

COVID-19 less deadly and causes milder symptoms in children

Children are less likely than adults to develop severe Covid-19 or die from the disease, with only six deaths reported among a total of 651 participants. Researchers identified new symptoms of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), including headaches and low platelet counts.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 27, 2020

Optical imaging enters sub-nanometer era

Researchers at USTC achieved sub-molecular resolution in single-molecule Raman spectroscopy imaging and photoluminescence imaging. They demonstrated the effects of local plasmon-exciton interaction on fluorescence intensity, peak position and peak width on the sub-nanometer scale.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 27, 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.

Molecular dispersion enhances quasi-bilayer organic solar cells

Researchers develop a strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of quasi-bilayer organic solar cells by dispersing donor components into the acceptor-dominant phase, achieving a champion PCE of 15.4%. The incorporation of donors improves charge transport balance and suppresses bimolecular recombination.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateAug 27, 2020

Our energy hunger is tethered to our economic past

Researchers found that current energy consumption is tied to unchangeable past economic production, which led to an increase in carbon emissions. The study suggests that improving efficiency may actually accelerate civilization growth and consumption, making it harder to reduce CO2 emissions.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 27, 2020

Trapping of acetylene

Researchers developed a Ni-MOF that can capture acetylene with extraordinary efficiency and selectively from ethylene streams. The material has a synergistic combination of tailor-made pore sizes and chemical docking sites, making it especially efficient.

SourceWiley·DateAug 27, 2020

A chiral surprise in the rainforest

Scientists discovered that the ratio of chiral alpha-pinene molecules varies with altitude, time of day, and season in the Amazon rainforest. Insects, particularly termites, are found to be a significant source of plus-alpha-pinene, previously unknown in forest emissions.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateAug 27, 2020