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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 262


Page 262 of 512

Common hypertension medications may reduce colorectal cancer risk

A large study found that taking common hypertension medications such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs can lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The benefits were seen in patients over 55 and those with a history of colon polyps, but only for the first three years after a negative baseline colonoscopy.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJul 6, 2020

Researchers develop software to find drug-resistant bacteria

A new software program can identify drug-resistant genes in bacteria with up to 90% accuracy. The WSU research team developed a machine-learning algorithm that uses features of AMR proteins to identify AMR genes, providing a more efficient way to predict antimicrobial resistance.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 6, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

COVID-19 shines spotlight on gender inequity in academia

The pandemic amplifies existing biases against women in academia, including underrepresentation in administrative positions and pay disparities. Women with intersecting identities face even greater challenges due to racial and ethnic bias.

SourceTexas Tech University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Fathers are more likely to be referred for nutrition or exercise counseling

A new study found that overweight and obese fathers are more likely to receive nutrition or exercise counseling than men without children. This increased referral rate may be attributed to the father's commitment to their child's health, highlighting a potential opportunity for healthcare providers to positively influence family outcomes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJul 6, 2020

Study reveals secret life of lithium in sun-like stars: Created not just destroyed

Researchers discovered that Sun-like stars create lithium later in their lives, after swelling into red giants, contradicting previous theories. This finding will help improve understanding and modeling of Sun-like stars, including their contribution to the lithium content of our Galaxy and planets like Earth.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 6, 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.

When it comes to DNA repair, it's not one tool fits all

Researchers have discovered that DNA resection pathways are highly specific and designed to repair distinct types of DNA damage, challenging the notion of redundancy in these mechanisms. This understanding has significant implications for cancer therapy and the development of new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Multisample technique to analyze cell adhesion

Researchers at KAUST developed a new fluorescent multiplex cell rolling assay (FMCR) to analyze cell adhesion, speeding up the process and enabling analysis of multiple cell types. The technique has applications in studying cellular processes in inflammation or cancer cell metastasis.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJul 6, 2020

Low-threshold topological nanolasers based on the second-order corner state

A team of scientists demonstrates a low-threshold topological nanolaser in a 2D topological photonic crystal nanocavity, achieving high performance comparable to conventional semiconductor lasers. The design features a second-order corner state that provides robustness against defects and enhances light-matter interaction.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJul 6, 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.

Herpesvirsuses hedge their bets to optimize survival

Researchers discover that cytomegalovirus enters a dormant state by varying protein levels in viral particles, allowing the virus to survive and persist for life. This 'bet-hedging' strategy enables the virus to balance between infectiousness and latency.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Machine learning reveals vulnerabilities in 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used machine learning to reverse-engineer 3D-printed composite parts, demonstrating a method to capture fiber orientation with high accuracy. The study highlights the potential risks of intellectual property theft in 3D printing and emphasizes the need for secure toolpaths.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateJul 6, 2020

Using Epo against Covid-19

Researchers suggest Epo may mitigate severe disease progression and protect patients from neurological effects in Covid-19. Initial case studies indicate a positive effect of Epo treatment, with one patient showing rapid recovery after treatment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020

Order from noise: How randomness and collective dynamics define a stem cell

Researchers found that random movements allow cells to overcome pushing forces and return to the stem cell niche. The team's findings suggest that the dynamics and geometry of tissues play a crucial role in defining stem cell number and dynamics, potentially opening new insights into organ renewal.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 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.

Nitrogen saturation in US Midwest lakes

Researchers discovered that 85.8% of lake water samples were supersaturated with nitrogen gas, suggesting a lack of balance between nitrogen inputs and fixation. The findings highlight the need for terrestrial nitrogen sources to mitigate nitrogen loss in the lakes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Genetics of aggression in honey bees

Researchers identified over 1,100 genetic variants associated with colony-wide aggression levels in response to simulated attacks. A chromosomal region containing genes involved in brain development was found to be strongly linked to the evolution of gentler Africanized honey bees.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Highest peak power and excellent stability

Researchers have developed a new system delivering few-ps pulses at 2 μm wavelength with peak power of 17 GW, exceeding previous records. The system features excellent stability and brilliant beam quality, making it suitable for applications in nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, and materials processing.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalOptics Letters·DateJul 6, 2020

Yellow pond-lily prefers cyclic flowers to spiral ones

Researchers discovered that yellow pond-lily (Nuphar lutea) exhibits a cyclic flower structure, with sepals forming two whorls and petals in a single whorl. This finding provides valuable information about the evolutionary history of angiosperms and their first flowers.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·DateJul 6, 2020

EIC Center at Jefferson Lab announces 6 new research awards

The EIC Center at Jefferson Lab has awarded six fellowships to early-career researchers working on advancing the science program of the Electron-Ion Collider. The fellowships provide $36,000 stipends and support R&D efforts towards realizing the potential of the collider.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateJul 6, 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.

Correlating global events with rise of complex life

Researchers date Shuram excursion to 574-567.3 million years ago, suggesting global synchronicity and decoupling of complex life from biogeochemical events. The study challenges traditional views on the coevolution of Ediacaran life and environment.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

One million epilepsy patients in China missing out on beneficial surgery

A study published in Neurology suggests that at least one million Chinese people with epilepsy could be candidates for a standard operation to leave them seizure-free. The study found 108 patients with lesions that could potentially be cured by surgery, with a high success rate of around 70-80%.

SourceMonash University·JournalNeurology·DateJul 6, 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.

Asthma does not seem to increase the severity of COVID-19

Rutgers researchers conclude that asthma sufferers are no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than non-asthmatic individuals, despite older age and comorbid conditions being reported risk factors for COVID-19. Further study is needed to understand the physiological basis of this phenomenon.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJul 6, 2020

IU School of Medicine study paves way for earlier autism diagnosis in Indiana

A new early autism screening system has improved access to evaluations and lowered the age of diagnosis, with a mean age of 30 months compared to national average of 48-plus months. The system was developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals across Indiana, enabling primary care physicians to identify children at risk for ASD.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 6, 2020

Consumers prefer round numbers even when the specific number is better news

A recent study published by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that people tend to perceive non-round numbers as unique and jarring, leading to a negative evaluation. This effect has implications for public health messaging, economic marketing, and organizational behavior.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJul 6, 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.

New study looks at opioid use and driving outcomes among older adults

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that older adults taking opioids are at a higher risk of crashing, with a 5.4% increase in reported crashes compared to non-users. However, they also tend to self-regulate their driving habits and report lower self-rated driving ability.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020

New guideline: Don't routinely screen for EAC in patients with chronic GERD

A new Canadian guideline found no benefit to routine screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor conditions in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The guideline recommends physicians continue current practice, not screening patients without alarm symptoms.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 6, 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.

High-order synthetic dimensions in waveguide photonic lattices

High-dimensional synthetic lattices emerge in photon-number space when excited by N indistinguishable photons, allowing for parallel quantum random walks with different numbers of steps on various graphs. This discovery enables the realization of an infinite number of lattices and graphs with distinct properties.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhotonics Research·DateJul 6, 2020

Global success for Canadian companies depends on prior R&D investment, receptiveness to new learning

A new study found that global success for Canadian companies depends on prior R&D investment and the company's ability to learn from international exposure. The research shows that Canadian companies that go international are more productive and successful due to investments in R&D and learning from new markets.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·DateJul 6, 2020

New research reveals privacy risks of home security cameras

Researchers found that home security camera traffic can be monitored by attackers to predict occupancy and future activity, leaving users vulnerable to burglary. The study highlights the need for measures to protect user privacy when using IP-connected cameras.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateJul 6, 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.

Palm trees most abundant in American rainforests

A new study reveals that palm trees are the most abundant tree species in American rainforests, outnumbering other tropical forest plants by a significant margin. The research, led by scientists at Uppsala University and University of Campinas, Brazil, has quantified palm numbers globally for the first time.

SourceUppsala University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateJul 6, 2020

St. Jude researchers create an analytic tool that opens a new frontier of cancer discovery

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have developed a computational tool called cis-X to identify alterations that drive tumor formation in the human genome. The method analyzes abnormal expression of tumor RNA and identifies novel pathogenic variants and oncogenes activated by such variants in regulatory noncoding DNA.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 6, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Walking along blue spaces such as beaches or lakes benefits mental health

A new study published in Environmental Research found that short, frequent walks in blue spaces significantly improve well-being and mood. Researchers measured participants' blood pressure and heart rate before, during, and after walks in a beach environment versus urban environments.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJul 6, 2020

Algorithm predicts risk for PTSD after traumatic injury

A new algorithm developed by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center can predict PTSD risk in trauma survivors with high precision. The tool uses routinely collected medical data and has been tested on 377 adult trauma survivors, with 90% of those categorized as PTSD risks developing long-lasting symptoms within a year.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 6, 2020

Deterministic reversal of single magnetic vortex circulation by an electric field

Chinese researchers successfully reversed single magnetic vortex circulation using an electric field, demonstrating a promising approach for future spintronic devices with higher storage density and lower power consumption. The study reveals a new magnetoelectric coupling mechanism for controlling nanoscale chiral spin textures.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJul 6, 2020

Tiny dinosaur relative from Madagascar

Researchers report a small fossil reptile named Kongonaphon kely, related to dinosaurs and pterosaurs, which suggests that these giant animals originated from extremely small ancestors. The analysis of body size evolution and fossil wear indicates a diet of insects.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 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.

BU researchers design artificial genes to sense cellular responses to drugs

Boston University researchers have developed artificial genes called biosensors that can detect changes in signaling molecules, which are molecular on/off switches inside cells. These biosensors have the potential to improve drug development by allowing researchers to study G-proteins more accurately and easily.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2020

Cancer treatment in young women need not mean the end of their fertility

A 20-year study found that 16% of cancer patients used their frozen eggs and embryos, with a remarkable 71% birth rate among those who did. Fertility preservation can be effective for young women diagnosed with cancer, with ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte freezing offering good options.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 6, 2020

Permian-Triassic mass extinction and biodiversity

A study analyzed biogeographic distributions of 52,318 marine fossils and found the latitudinal diversity gradient flattened rapidly during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction due to intense global warming and reduced ocean oxygen levels. The curve gradually returned to resemble modern biodiversity patterns after around 5 million years.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

A tiny ancient relative of dinosaurs and pterosaurs discovered

A newly described species from Madagascar suggests that dinosaurs and pterosaurs originated from extremely small ancestors. The discovery sheds light on the origins of flight in pterosaurs and the presence of 'fuzz' on the skin of both groups.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 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.

Lack of lockdown increased COVID-19 deaths in Sweden, analysis finds

A new analysis by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Sweden's lack of lockdown during COVID-19 led to more deaths and greater healthcare demand than countries with earlier interventions. However, Sweden fared better than expected when considering public-health mandates alone, similar to France, Italy, and Spain.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 6, 2020

New evidence helps form digital reconstruction of most important medieval shrine

The digitally reconstructed shrine of Saint Thomas Becket has been created using new evidence and features iron grilles that enclosed the shrine. The reconstruction is based on surviving fragments discovered in Canterbury Cathedral and suggests the shrine was built between 1180 and 1220.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the British Archaeological Association·DateJul 6, 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.

U of SC: How non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes Alzheimer's-like neuroinflammation

A recent study reveals the cause behind the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological problems, including Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms. The unique role of an adipokine called Lipocalin-2 in causing neuroinflammation may explain the prevalence of MAFLD among individuals with neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·DateJul 6, 2020

Wireless powering of medical implants

Researchers developed an approach to wirelessly power implantable devices via a skin-worn light-emitting patch, which transfers photons to a photovoltaic device integrated with the implant. The method was successfully tested in mice, demonstrating its efficacy.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020