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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 187


Page 187 of 512

Importance of rainfall highlighted for tropical animals

Researchers develop a new concept to understand how precipitation affects tropical animals, including feeding behavior, predation, and physiological responses. The hygric niche framework has implications for conservation and climate change mitigation in the tropics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stronger together in the microbiome: How gut microbes feed each other to overcome dietary deficiencies, change host behavior, and improve reproduction

A team of researchers found that two specific gut bacteria establish a metabolic cross-feeding mechanism, enabling them to grow in diets lacking essential nutrients. This interaction also affects the fly's feeding behavior, reproduction, and brain function, making the microbiome more resilient to dietary changes.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2020

Computers excel in chemistry class

Researchers developed a machine learning model that analyzes molecular structure to predict enthalpy of formation with better accuracy than traditional approaches. The model's accuracy improves with more data, enabling the development of fully automated algorithms for predicting complex chemical phenomena.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateAug 25, 2020

Restoring the world's forests requires partnering with local communities

A new study highlights the critical importance of partnering with indigenous people and local communities in tropical forest restoration. The research estimates that 294.5 million people live within areas with good potential for forest restoration, and over one billion people live nearby such land.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 25, 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.

ESMO announces winners of its awards 2020

Prof. Hans-Joachim Schmoll receives the ESMO Award 2020 for his pioneering work in developing medical oncology as a specialty, while Prof. Nadia Harbeck wins the Lifetime Achievement Award for her global cancer research and education contributions.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateAug 25, 2020

Moving bits, not watts

Researchers propose moving workloads to different regions to reduce excess renewable energy generation, saving companies money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan could absorb up to 62% of curtailed electricity capacity in California, equivalent to 100,000 households' annual energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJoule·DateAug 25, 2020

Studying water polo for kicks

Water polo players use efficient 'eggbeater' kicks to elevate themselves in the water, exceeding biomechanical predictions. The high efficacy of this technique may lead to optimized sports performance and new underwater propulsion methods.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSports Biomechanics·DateAug 25, 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.

Majority of groundwater stores resilient to climate change

A new study published in Earth System Dynamics reveals that only a minority of the world's large aquifers are depleting, with most experiencing non-linear and irregular trends in groundwater storage. Extreme rainfall events play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater resources in dry environments.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateAug 25, 2020

NASA gathers nighttime images of Laura becoming a Hurricane

Hurricane Laura strengthened as a hurricane, with NASA providing infrared imagery showing its structure and rainmaking capabilities. The storm is over 350 miles in diameter, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 45 miles from the center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 25, 2020

Study evaluates immersive virtual reality as a sleep aid for teens

A recent study found that immersive virtual reality and slow breathing techniques can help promote bedtime relaxation and improve overall sleep quality in adolescents. The study revealed an average reduction of 6 minutes in sleep latency and a 3% increase in sleep efficiency among participants.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 25, 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.

Hydroxychloroquine reduces in-hospital COVID-19 mortality

A recent Italian observational study reveals that hydroxychloroquine treatment reduces the risk of death for hospitalized COVID-19 patients by 30%. The study, coordinated by I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, analyzed data from 3,451 patients and found positive results despite using lower doses than those in other countries.

SourceIstituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed I.R.C.C.S.·JournalEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine·DateAug 25, 2020

Quantum simulation for 3D chiral topological phase

Researchers simulated a 3D chiral topological insulator using nitrogen-vacancy centers, observing dynamical bulk-surface correspondence and symmetry protection in momentum space. They measured spin textures on band inversion surfaces, revealing perfect (broken) topology depending on the preserved or broken chiral symmetry.

SourcePeking University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 25, 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.

Childhood obesity could increase the risk of multiple sclerosis

Research from Queen Mary University of London finds that childhood and adolescent obesity is projected to contribute up to 14 per cent of overall risk of Multiple Sclerosis in 2035. High body mass index (BMI) is also associated with an increased risk, particularly in the USA and Australia.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 25, 2020

To stop COVID-19 spread in schools, start with local data and do the math

A new UCSF study found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic children mirrors the number of confirmed cases in the general population. Researchers developed an equation to estimate the number of infected students in a classroom based on local data, revealing risks ranging from 11% to 79%.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 25, 2020

Lockdowns have economic and social costs for world's poorest families

A new research study documents the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures on low socioeconomic families in rural Bangladesh, revealing increased financial hardship, food insecurity, domestic violence and mental health challenges. The study highlights the need for welfare support and social protection for women and their families during ...

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateAug 25, 2020

Sedentary behaviour on the rise across Europe

The study found that sedentary behavior increased by 3.9% in Spain, 7.4% in Germany, 17.8% in France, and 22.5% in Great Britain between 2002 and 2017. The authors suggest that increasing physical activity and reducing screen time could help mitigate the risks associated with prolonged sitting.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Memory protein

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that a disordered protein exhibits slow relaxations, defying expectations, and 'remembers' its previous stretching. This behavior is similar to glassy materials like memory foam and crumpled paper.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 25, 2020

Oncotarget: Paradox breaker BRAF inhibitors in BRAF mutant colorectal cancer

The BEACON CRC trial demonstrated a survival advantage for patients with chemo-refractory BRAF mutant CRC treated with the combination of BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and EGFR inhibitor cetuximab. PLX8394, a paradox-breaker BRAF inhibitor, showed comparable efficacy to encorafenib in reducing pathway reactivation.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateAug 25, 2020

High human population density negative for pollinators

A study from Lund University found that population density, not vegetation cover, has the biggest impact on species richness of pollinators in residential areas. Urban environments with high population densities have fewer species of wild bees and hoverflies.

SourceLund University·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·DateAug 25, 2020

Discovery of new genes that influence the success of cancer treatment

Researchers have discovered new genes that play a crucial role in determining the success of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. These genes, which encode for repair mechanisms used by cancer cells, can be missing or dysfunctional in some patients, making them more likely to respond to radiation therapy.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 25, 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.

Researchers see an increase in fraudulent COVID-19 posts on social media

A new study from UC San Diego School of Medicine found nearly 2,000 fraudulent postings likely tied to fake COVID-19 health products, financial scams, and other consumer risks. The researchers used Natural Language Processing and machine learning to detect suspicious posts on Twitter and Instagram.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateAug 25, 2020

Galactic bar paradox resolved in cosmic dance

A new study resolves the Galactic bar paradox by proposing that the central region of the Milky Way is connected to the spiral arm in a 'cosmic dance', causing contradictory estimates of motion. The bar's size and rotational speed fluctuate rapidly, making it appear larger and slower at certain times.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 25, 2020

Sandwich catalysts offer higher activity and durability

Researchers at POSTECH have developed a new type of sandwich catalyst that can efficiently generate hydrogen energy through water electrolysis. The catalyst shows high activity and durability, outperforming conventional materials, with the potential to be applied to cost-effective hydrogen production processes.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 25, 2020

Clinical trial shows potential benefit to anti-platelet therapy

A new clinical trial, TAILOR-PCI, found that genetic testing can identify patients who may benefit from alternative antiplatelet therapy. The study showed a statistically significant 40% reduction in blood clotting events in patients with the CYP2C19 gene variation who received genotype-guided treatment.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA·DateAug 25, 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.

UBCO researcher uses computer modelling to predict reef health

A UBC Okanagan researcher has developed an agent-based model to simulate the behavior of coral reefs and identify traits that contribute to their resilience. This will help design reef management and restoration strategies to stem losses and ensure the long-term health of coral ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateAug 25, 2020

Magnetic stimulation dramatically improves fecal incontinence

Researchers have identified a non-invasive and targeted treatment to correct nerve damage and address the pervasive problem of fecal incontinence. Magnetic stimulation of nerves regulating muscles in the anus and rectum improves function and reduces episodes of fecal incontinence in patients.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateAug 25, 2020

A multicenter look at gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy

A new study published in Pediatrics reports positive safety and early outcome data from 21 children with spinal muscular atrophy treated with gene therapy. The treatment, onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi, is shown to be effective through age 2 years with proper screening and monitoring, but requires closer attention for potential liver is...

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Legacy

A new study led by UT Southwestern scientists suggests that breastfeeding changes the body's insulin sensitivity, particularly in highly insulin-sensitive organs like the liver and fat tissue. This increase in insulin sensitivity may provide a buffer against insulin resistance even decades later, lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalDiabetes·DateAug 25, 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.

Sleep and diabetes study receives $3M grant

A new study aims to determine if sleep optimization interventions can help adults with Type 1 diabetes improve their sleep and glycemic control. Participants will receive a wearable sleep tracker and brief phone counseling sessions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateAug 25, 2020

Hydrochloric acid boosts catalyst activity

A research team from Technical University of Munich has developed a synthesis process that drastically increases the activity of catalysts for removing sulfur from crude oil. The new process uses concentrated hydrochloric acid to improve catalytic performance.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 25, 2020

New blood, new hope: Transfusions protect the brain from stroke damage

Researchers at West Virginia University discovered that blood substitution therapy can rescue the brains of mice from ischemic damage and improve outcomes. The study found that replacing 20% of the blood reduces damage to the brain, and the technique may be administered beyond the current three-hour window for stroke treatment.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2020

Researchers introduce new theory to calculate emissions liability

A new study reveals that oil and natural gas pipelines are major contributors to carbon emissions, with seven out of eight pipelines being foreign-owned. The study prioritizes climate lawsuits targeting these facilities, which could lead to increased insurance costs for fossil-fuel companies.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalEnergies·DateAug 25, 2020

Metabolic syndrome linked to worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients

A new Tulane University study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had metabolic syndrome were over three times more likely to die from the disease. The study also showed that patients with metabolic syndrome were nearly five times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, need a ventilator, or develop ARDS.

SourceTulane University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateAug 25, 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.

Video is not always effective in science communication

Researchers found that a video about coral reefs had less willingness to pay among audience members compared to those shown a slideshow with text and photographs. The study highlights the importance of information type and amount in science communication.

SourceResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature·JournalEcosystem Services·DateAug 25, 2020

Why we distort probability

A team of researchers from New York University and Peking University found that human cognitive limitations lead to distorted probabilities and errors in decision-making. The model predicted human performance better than previous models, suggesting that people do as well as they can under their limitations.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2020

Socially isolated elderly more likely to use hospital and emergency room resources

A study published in Population Health Management found that socially isolated elderly individuals are more likely to experience future hospital admissions and emergency room visits. The research highlights the importance of providing support services to prevent unnecessary healthcare utilization.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalPopulation Health Management·DateAug 25, 2020

Enzyme prisons

Scientists found that most cAMP molecules are bound to proteins, creating nanometer-scale 'prisons' that regulate signaling pathways. This discovery could lead to new targets for cancer and cardiovascular research.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCell·DateAug 25, 2020

Research shows potential to improve paints, coatings

The study shows that Janus particles can be used to improve the performance of paints and coatings, making them more water-repellent and better adhering. The researchers found that the particles self-stratify into layers on the surface, creating a unique combination of properties.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

One step closer to earlier diagnosis of bipolar disorder and psychoses

A study from the Danish psychiatry project iPSYCH identified genetic risk factors for developing bipolar disorder and psychoses among people with depression. The results may contribute to ensuring correct diagnosis is made earlier, leading to better treatment outcomes.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateAug 25, 2020

Fifty new planets confirmed in machine learning first

A new machine learning algorithm confirms 50 new exoplanets, ranging from Neptunes to Earth-sized worlds, by distinguishing between real and false positives. The technique outperforms previous methods, can be automated, and improves with further training.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 25, 2020

Sleep duration, efficiency and structure change in space

Researchers studied sleep patterns of astronauts before, during and after spaceflight to find that they slept an average of only 5.7 hours in space, with a 17.7% reduction in sleep efficiency. Sleep architecture also changed, with decreases in non-REM and REM sleep.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 25, 2020

Mineral dust ingested with food leaves characteristic wear on herbivore teeth

Paleontologists found that different types of mineral dust cause distinct signs of wear on plant-eating vertebrates' teeth. Larger quartz particles caused severe abrasion, while small particles generated smooth surfaces. This study improves diet reconstruction accuracy using fossil teeth analysis.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 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.