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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 255


Page 255 of 512

An $18 million boost to materials science research at UC San Diego

The UC San Diego lab funded by the grant will focus on developing new materials with improved properties for medical diagnostic tests, therapeutics, and decontamination. The center will also provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to work together and chart new avenues for innovation in materials science.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateJul 9, 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.

Unraveling the mystery of wheat herbicide tolerance

Researchers used alien substitution lines to pinpoint chromosomal region 5A as key player in wheat's natural tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides. They found minimal injury in some plant lines due to their ability to naturally detoxify the chemical, while others were highly sensitive to high rates of the herbicide.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2020

Liquid water is more than just H2O molecules

Researchers at Skoltech found a significantly higher concentration of short-lived ions (H3O+ and OH-) in pure liquid water than previously thought. This discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the intricate structure of water, including its role in redox processes, catalytic reactions, and electrochemical systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pasteurizing breast milk inactivates SARS-CoV-2

New research finds that pasteurizing breast milk inactivates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), making it safe for use. The Holder method, a common technique used by over 650 human breast milk banks worldwide, is effective at neutralizing viruses in human milk.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 9, 2020

Sodium found to regulate the biological clock of mice

A study by McGill researchers found that sodium concentrations can influence circadian rhythms in mice, activating neurons associated with the master clock. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating negative health effects of long distance travel or shift work.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2020

Lead fallout from Notre Dame fire was likely overlooked

A new study estimates that nearly a ton of lead dust settled within a kilometer of the Notre Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire. The study found significantly higher lead levels in areas downwind of the fire, exceeding France's limit of 300 milligrams per kilogram of soil.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeoHealth·DateJul 9, 2020

Living close to green space benefits gut bacteria of urban, formula-fed infants

A new study found that living close to green space can mitigate changes in infant gut bacteria associated with formula feeding. Formula-fed babies living near natural environments had a gut microbiome more similar to breastfed babies, with increased presence of Proteobacteria.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalEnvironment International·DateJul 9, 2020

CT of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) versus CT of influenza virus pneumonia

Most COVID-19 lesions are located in the peripheral zone and close to the pleura, whereas influenza virus pneumonia is more prone to show mucoid impaction and pleural effusion. However, differentiating between the two conditions remains challenging due to overlapping CT manifestations.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 9, 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.

Scientists reveal comprehensive proteomic map of human lung adenocarcinoma

A comprehensive proteomic analysis of 103 Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma revealed molecular characteristics associated with clinical outcomes and potential prognostic biomarkers. The study identified 27 potential plasma biomarkers and several drug targets for LUAD, providing new insights into the disease.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·DateJul 9, 2020

Feeling with the heart

Researchers found that brain activity and perception of sensory stimuli change with the cardiac cycle, suppressing heartbeat perception but affecting other stimuli perception. The study may provide insight into anxiety conditions associated with heart rate changes.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2020

Breakthrough with cancer vaccine

The new vaccine targets key tumour cells, maximising effectiveness while minimising side effects. It can be produced as an 'off the shelf' clinical grade formulation, addressing financial and logistical issues.

SourceTranslational Research Institute·JournalClinical & Translational Immunology·DateJul 9, 2020

Evolution makes the world less ragged

A team of international researchers found that evolution tends to dampen or smooth out variations in ecological patterns across landscapes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed over 500 studies and identified 14 mechanisms affecting the direction of evolution's impact.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 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.

A memory game could help us understand brain injury

A new memory game helps researchers understand how brain regions process sensory information and remember skills after traumatic brain injury. The game reveals that certain areas of the brain, such as S1 and S2, have both localized and distributed processing roles.

SourceBoston University·JournalNeuron·DateJul 9, 2020

Arctic Ocean 'regime shift'

Phytoplankton blooms have drastically altered the Arctic's ability to transform atmospheric carbon into living matter, with net primary production increasing by 57% between 1998 and 2018. The surge in phytoplankton biomass may represent a significant 'regime shift' for the Arctic ecosystem, with implications for food supply and carbon ...

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2020

Gall fly outmaneuvers host plant in game of "Spy vs. Spy"

Researchers discovered that goldenrod plants respond to gall fly sex pheromones by priming their chemical defenses, reducing gall formation, but varying effects depending on male fly age. Younger males result in fewer galls, while older males yield more galls.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateJul 9, 2020

Aquaculture's role in nutrition in the COVID-19 era

The article discusses four possible scenarios for the future of aquaculture, including a growth-first nationalistic approach, sustainable localized production, and a globally competitive market. These scenarios aim to maximize aquaculture's nutrition benefits while ensuring environmental sustainability.

SourceAmerican University·JournalReviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture·DateJul 9, 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.

How fear transforms into anxiety

A University of New Mexico research team has identified brain-wide neural correlates of the transition from fear to anxiety, shedding new light on the brain's response to fearful events and why some people don't easily recover. The study found that vulnerability to anxiety correlates with elevated activity in specific regions of the br...

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·DateJul 9, 2020

Native bees also facing novel pandemic

A growing evidence suggests a fungal pathogen known as Nosema is infecting native bees worldwide, with little known about its impact on these species. This infection threatens pollination and ecosystems, as native bees contribute to agricultural crop pollination and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 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.

Magnetic memory states go exponential

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a structure that can support exponentially many discrete magnetic states, opening the door to ultra-high-density magnetic memory and novel computing applications.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 9, 2020

Otago researchers find link between rape and breathing problems

Researchers have found that a history of rape is associated with dysfunctional breathing and late-onset asthma diagnosis, particularly in women. Nearly 20% of women reported being raped, and those who experienced trauma were more likely to develop respiratory problems at 38 years old.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJul 9, 2020

Oil spill clean- up gets doggone hairy

Researchers found that natural-origin sorbent materials, including peat moss, dog fur, and human hair products, can be effective in cleaning up oil spills on land. Sustainable options like dog fur and human hair show promise as cheaper and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic fabrics.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalEnvironments·DateJul 9, 2020

Shining light into the dark

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze microscopic samples without using external light, reducing interference and damage to living specimens. The 'glow in the dark' approach uses chemical stimuli to activate chemicals, enabling precise control over localized oxidative hotspots.

SourceCurtin University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJul 9, 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.

Daytime aardvark sightings are a sign of troubled times

Research reveals that aardvarks feeding in daylight during droughts may be starving due to lack of food. A long-term study showed that drought caused a shift from nighttime to daytime activity, which was not enough to save the aardvarks from starvation.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 9, 2020

Teva presents latest data on AJOVY® ▼ (fremanezumab) at EHF Congress

AJOVY (fremanezumab) demonstrates clinically significant reductions in headache and migraine-related disability in the majority of patients studied. The treatment achieves downward shifts in disability severity and improves HIT-6 and MIDAS scores, particularly for patients with difficult-to-treat migraine.

SourceKetchum UK·JournalEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing·DateJul 9, 2020

Care for cats? So did people along the Silk Road more than 1,000 years ago

Researchers reconstructed a 1,000-year-old cat skeleton found along the Silk Road, revealing that the animal had been fed and cared for by humans. The study suggests cultural exchange and changes in animal husbandry practices in Central Asia during this time period.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2020
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.

Cherned up to the maximum

Researchers have observed that palladium gallium (PdGa) reaches the maximum allowed Chern number of four, a fundamental aspect yet to be settled in topological physics. The team also demonstrated control over the sign of the Chern number by manipulating the crystal's handedness during growth.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2020

New study supports remdesivir as COVID-19 treatment

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center report that remdesivir potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cell cultures and improved lung function in mice. The study provides the first rigorous demonstration of potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 9, 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.

Flaring, massively

Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateJul 9, 2020

Access to nature requires attention when addressing community health needs

A new study highlights the importance of access to nature in addressing community health needs, citing benefits to physical, mental, and social health. Researchers recommend incorporating assessments of nature access into patient encounters and refer patients to community groups increasing green areas.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJul 9, 2020

Cosmic cataclysm allows precise test of general relativity

The study confirms that the speed of light is constant in vacuum, as predicted by Einstein's general relativity theory. No energy-dependent time delay was detected in the arrival times of gamma rays from a high-energy gamma-ray burst, supporting GR. Strong constraints on the quantum gravity energy scale were also set.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 9, 2020

Looking at linkers helps to join the dots

Researchers discovered a phase transition in quantum dot films, where conductivity increases when linker molecules replace long capping molecules. This breakthrough could lead to better solar panels and digital displays.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJul 9, 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.

Amygdala changes in male patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Researchers at Kumamoto University found that DNA methylation in the serotonin transporter gene is inversely correlated with amygdala volume in male patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study suggests a potential biomarker for onset prediction, diagnosis, and therapeutic effects.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalSchizophrenia Bulletin·DateJul 9, 2020

Brookhaven and Forge Nano to mature noble gas-trapping technology

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed nanocages to trap noble gases, including xenon and krypton, which can improve nuclear reactor efficiency and reduce radioactive waste. The team plans to scale up the production of these materials with partner Forge Nano.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateJul 9, 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.

Dissecting fruit flies' varying responses to life-extension diet

A study of fruit flies has found that analyzing small molecules involved in cell metabolism can help understand how calorie-restricted diets affect aging and lifespan. The research identified several genes linked to changes in metabolite levels, shedding light on the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and diet.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 9, 2020

Study of giant ant heads using simple models may aid bio-inspired designs

Researchers created a basic model of an ant body using ellipsoids to understand center of balance and evolution among body segments. The study reveals how ants maintain balance despite large head sizes, with implications for bio-inspired machine design.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalIntegrative and Comparative Biology·DateJul 9, 2020

Study says inhalers ok to use amid COVID-19 concerns

Researchers at University of Huddersfield found that the benefits of using inhalers and nebulisers containing steroids outweigh the risks despite COVID-19 concerns. The study confirms that patients with asthma or COPD can continue using their regular medicines, including steroids.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalRespiratory Medicine·DateJul 9, 2020

Sea surface temperature has a big impact on coral outplant survival

Researchers from Arizona State University found that coral outplant survival drops below 50% if sea surface temperatures exceed 30.5 degrees Celsius, highlighting the importance of considering temperature conditions in reef restoration efforts.

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 9, 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.

Engineering: Reducing noise transmitted through an open window

A new device reduces perceived loudness of urban noises by up to half through sound wave cancellation. The device, consisting of 24 speakers and a sensor, is tested in a replica room with various noise sources, demonstrating up to a 10 decibel reduction.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2020

Rochester community initiative increases teenage use of effective contraception

A University of Rochester Medical Center partnership increased long-acting reversible contraception adoption among adolescents in Rochester by 20 times compared to the national average. The Hoekelman Center's community outreach initiative empowered adults to educate teens, providing accurate information and resources.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 9, 2020

Revealing winners & losers in projected future climates

Research reveals subtropical species are winners in future climates due to their ability to adapt to rising temperatures, while temperate species are most vulnerable. The study provides a catalogue of genes that informs about the adaptive capacity to climate change.

SourceFlinders University·DateJul 9, 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.