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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 204


Page 204 of 512

Researchers demonstrate fundamentally new approach to ultrasound imaging

North Carolina State University researchers have developed a novel ultrasonic imaging device that can optically display an acoustic signal on the surface of a piezoelectric transducer. This approach eliminates electrical signal processing altogether, resulting in reduced costs and increased efficiency. The technology has the potential ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 13, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hubble helps uncover the mystery of the dimming of Betelgeuse

New observations by Hubble reveal a massive dust cloud formed when superhot plasma was unleashed from an upwelling of a large convection cell on the star's surface, blocking light from about a quarter of Betelgeuse's surface.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 13, 2020

Flavonoids' presence in sorghum roots may lead to frost-resistant crop

Researchers found that plant genetic variation influences root flavonoids and soil microbial community composition, which can be impacted by frost. The study suggests that flavonoid production and interactions with microorganisms may provide tolerance to cold and frost stress in sorghum.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·DateAug 13, 2020

Review: Consequences of systemic racism in urban environments

Research integrates ecology, evolution and social sciences to highlight relationships between systemic racism and ecological heterogeneity. Neighborhood wealth and racial composition are found to be stronger predictors of urban socio-ecological patterns than wealth.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 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.

Becoming a nerve cell: Timing is of the essence

Researchers discovered that mitochondria regulate the key event of neural stem cells becoming nerve cells during brain development. The study found that mitochondrial dynamics are important to cell fate choice and that this influence is limited to a specific time window, twice as long in humans compared to mice.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

New type of taste cell discovered in taste buds

Researchers identified a previously unknown subset of Type III cells that are broadly responsive to different tastes, revolutionizing our knowledge of taste detection. This discovery provides new insights into how taste information is sent to the brain and suggests that taste buds are more complex than initially thought.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 13, 2020

'Critical' questions over disease risks from ocean plastics

A new study by the University of Exeter and Cefas highlights the potential risks of microplastics carrying pathogens, which could threaten food production and safety. The research found high levels of bacteria on microplastic particles, including those that can cause disease in humans and animals.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateAug 13, 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.

USC scientists identify the order of COVID-19's symptoms

Researchers found that COVID-19 symptoms progress from fever, cough, and muscle pain to nausea and vomiting before potentially leading to diarrhea. This knowledge can help doctors diagnose patients earlier and reduce hospitalization time.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateAug 13, 2020

Single-cell analysis provides new insights into mitochondrial diseases

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital used single-cell analysis to uncover new details about mitochondrial diseases, including lower levels of disease-causing mutations in certain immune cells. This discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and monitoring of the diseases, as well as potential new therapeutic strategies.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 13, 2020

UChicago scientists discover way to make quantum states last 10,000 times longer

A team of UChicago scientists developed a technique that allows quantum systems to stay operational for up to 22 milliseconds, four orders of magnitude higher than before. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize quantum communication, computing, and sensing by enabling new research opportunities in quantum engineering.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 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.

Study focuses on a different kind of liquid biopsy to detect cancer

A new liquid biopsy test has been developed to detect cancer by analyzing protein biomarkers from tumors in the blood. The study found that this approach showed a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting different types of cancer, including breast, colon, and lung cancers.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalCell·DateAug 13, 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.

Contaminants from Mount Polley tailings spill continue to affect Quesnel lake

A new study finds that the Mount Polley tailings spill in 2014 is still affecting Quesnel Lake, with turbidity increasing each spring and fall due to resuspended contaminants. The phenomenon raises concerns about long-term impacts on the lake's ecology, including effects on fish populations and algal communities.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalWater Resources Research·DateAug 13, 2020
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.

Restoring degraded tropical forests generates big carbon gains

Research reveals that forest restoration can replenish carbon storage and preserve biodiversity, with actively restored forests recovering 50% faster than naturally regenerating ones. The study found that degraded forests can recover up to 2.9 tons of aboveground carbon per hectare annually if protected from agricultural conversion.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

New tools catch and release molecules at the flip of a light switch

Researchers at Princeton University developed OptoBinders, light-switchable molecular tools that control cellular processes. These antibody-like proteins can bind or release targets in response to blue light, offering new capabilities for protein purification, biofuel production, and targeted cancer therapies.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 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.

When you're smiling, the whole world really does smile with you

Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that smiling can alter perception of facial expressions and body language, generating more positive emotions. The study found that facial muscular activity stimulates the amygdala, releasing neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·DateAug 13, 2020

COVID-19 outcomes in french nursing homes with staff confinement

Researchers studied COVID-19 outcomes in French nursing homes that implemented voluntary staff confinement, finding improved mortality rates among residents. The study suggests that staff confinement can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care settings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 13, 2020

New study shows increase in domestic violence injuries during COVID-19

A new study found a significant increase in domestic violence injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more severe injuries reported despite fewer patients seeking help. The study suggests that fear of contracting infection and limited access to ambulatory sites may be preventing victims from reporting abuse.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateAug 13, 2020

Positive contact between muslims and christians in soccer league built cohesion, with limitations

A recent study found that Muslim teammates improved Christian players' behavior towards their peers in an Iraqi soccer league, but this effect did not generalize to other social contexts. The research highlights the value of intergroup interventions for achieving post-war peace, but also reveals limitations in building lasting social c...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 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.

Study suggests new potential approach against fatal childhood brain cancer

Researchers discovered that simultaneously targeting two energy-production pathways within cancer cells can help overcome the effects of a cancer-causing mutation in DIPG. In mouse models, inhibiting both pathways at once significantly improved survival rates compared to targeting each pathway individually.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·DateAug 13, 2020

Child disability can reduce educational outcomes for older siblings

A recent study published in The Economic Journal found that child disability can have a significant impact on the educational outcomes of their older siblings. The researchers analyzed data from Florida and Denmark and found that the second-born child was more adversely affected cognitively than the first-born child when the third-born...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateAug 13, 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.

Systemic racism has consequences for all life in cities

A review paper examines the influence of systemic inequalities on ecology and evolution, finding that racism reduces biodiversity, increases urban heat island effects, and augments climate crises. The authors advocate for environmental justice and anti-racism practices to transform biological research and conservation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

Research recommends integrated approaches to managing reniform nematodes in cotton

Researchers at Mississippi State University recommend using an integrated approach that combines seed-applied nematicides with in-furrow nematicides to manage reniform nematodes in cotton. This approach can improve cotton yields while reducing production costs, making it a economically viable option for farmers.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Health Progress·DateAug 13, 2020

Programmed bacteria have something extra

Researchers successfully engineered bacteria to produce a synthetic building block, a 21st amino acid, which prompts the bacteria to produce a protein that fluoresces under metabolic stress. This breakthrough enables the design of novel proteins and organisms with useful functions.

SourceRice University·JournalChem·DateAug 12, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Some dinosaurs could fly before they were birds

Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 12, 2020

Stay-at-home orders significantly associated with reduced spread of COVID-19, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that stay-at-home orders significantly slowed the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. The study analyzed data from 45 states with stay-at-home orders and found an average doubling time increase of 12.27 days, indicating significant slowing of disease spread.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateAug 12, 2020

Yoga shown to improve anxiety, study shows

A new study found that yoga significantly improved symptoms for those with generalized anxiety disorder, but not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy. Yoga was more effective than stress management, with 54% of participants experiencing improved symptoms compared to 33% in the control group.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateAug 12, 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.

Glass blowing inspires new class of quantum sensors

A team of scientists, led by RMIT University, has developed a new class of quantum sensors using high-performance diamond particles embedded in conventional glass fibers. This breakthrough enables the creation of cheap quantum sensor networks for applications such as underwater monitoring and mining.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAPL Materials·DateAug 12, 2020

New generation of drugs show early efficacy against drug-resistant TB

A new international study has shown that a newly developed treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is highly effective, with an 85% success rate among patients with serious comorbidities. The regimens, bedaquiline and delamanid, offer a promising alternative to the historical standard of care, which has approxim...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 12, 2020

New advance in superconductors with 'twist' in rhombohedral graphite

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a nanomaterial that mimics the 'magic angle' effect in twisted bilayer graphene, offering an alternative medium to study superconductivity. The new findings show strong electron-electron interactions in rhombohedral graphite, which could lead to game-changing effects in materi...

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature·DateAug 12, 2020

Japanese biologists discover new species of sea worm in the southern ocean

A team of Japanese researchers has discovered a new species of sea worm in the Southern Ocean, expanding our understanding of the region's biodiversity. The newly identified species, Flabelligena hakuhoae, is one of six described species within the genus Flabelligena.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateAug 12, 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.

'Reelin' in a new treatment for multiple sclerosis

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that depleting the key protein Reelin can protect against multiple sclerosis symptoms and promote recovery. By reducing monocyte adhesion on blood vessel walls, Reelin levels may be a novel way to treat MS.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 12, 2020

OECD countries' politicians follow each other

The study found that democratic countries tend to copy each other's decisions, while the timing of implementation is crucial in containing the spread. The researchers conclude that political decisions during the pandemic were influenced by internal pressure and a desire for decisiveness.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 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.