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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 286


Page 286 of 512

Forest loss escalates biodiversity change

A new study reveals that global forest loss is amplifying both gains and losses in species diversity, leading to changes in ecosystems. The research found that some tropical areas experience significant declines in animal species due to forest loss.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScience·DateJun 18, 2020

The Parkinson's disease gut has an overabundance of opportunistic pathogens

A study by Haydeh Payami and colleagues identifies a significant overabundance of opportunistic pathogens in the guts of persons with PD, compared to control subjects. The findings suggest that these microbes may play a role in triggering the disease, but more research is needed to confirm this association.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·DateJun 18, 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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new Practice Points on the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID-19 disease. The guidelines emphasize the importance of N95 respirators in healthcare settings and recommend surgical masks for non-medical individuals to reduce transmission risk. ACP also emphasizes the need for c...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020

Latest findings on bitter substances in coffee

A recent study by Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology found that five different bitter coffee constituents, including kahweol and cafestol, interact with human bitter taste receptors. The results suggest that these substances can reduce bitterness and affect gastric acid secretion.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 17, 2020

BU awarded grant to expand mental health, social support to women veterans

Boston University School of Medicine's Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) has received a $1.9 million grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to provide online groups, peer support, and social connections for female veterans. The program aims to improve mental health, social support, and well-being for women veterans across the US.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJun 17, 2020

Nanomaterial gives robots chameleon skin

Researchers at UC Riverside developed a new film made of gold nanoparticles that can respond to any type of movement, enabling robots to mimic chameleons. The material's complex patterns can be displayed through programming, opening up various applications such as underwater exploration and authentication features.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New structural 'map' solves mysteries of gigantic gene regulator

Researchers have solved the structure of a critical protein region in SMCHD1, which plays a key role in 'switching off' genes. The new map reveals how inherited changes in this region cause certain diseases, including muscular dystrophy and developmental disorders.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience Signaling·DateJun 17, 2020

New techniques improve quantum communication, entangle phonons

Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a new quantum communication technique that bypasses traditional channels, allowing for secure information transfer without photon loss. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient communication systems, opening up new possibilities for future technologies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 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.

Vitamin D could help mitigate chemotherapy side effects

Researchers from the University of South Australia suggest that Vitamin D could mitigate chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis by suppressing inflammation and enhancing T-cell function. The study highlights the potential benefits of Vitamin D in reducing damage to the gut microbiome caused by chemotherapy agents.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·DateJun 17, 2020

Combination biomarker predicts response to immune checkpoint therapy in patients with advanced bladder cancer

Researchers discovered a novel combination of biomarkers from baseline tumor tissues that predict improved clinical responses and prolonged survival in patients with advanced bladder cancer. ARID1A mutations and CXCL13 expression were associated with better overall survival, suggesting potential patient selection improvements.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 17, 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.

Art and science in dialogue: Schaufler Residency@TU Dresden 2021

Anton Ginzburg, a New York-based artist, will explore concepts of creativity and cultural labour in a historical context at the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden. The residency aims to initiate a dialogue between science and art on AI's influence on contemporary artistic practices.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·DateJun 17, 2020

'Remarkably high' rate of suicide among elderly patients after hip fracture

A nationwide study in South Korea found that elderly patients with hip fractures are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide within the first six months following surgical treatment. The study also suggests that mental stress and emotional status evaluation are crucial for management.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateJun 17, 2020

Using a Gaussian mathematical model to define eruptive stages of young volcanic rocks

Researchers applied a new Gaussian mathematical model to high-precision laser 40Ar/39Ar dating data from the Tengchong area, resolving 3 volcanic eruptive stages: Pliocene (3.78 Ma), early Middle Pleistocene (0.63 Ma) and late Middle Pleistocene (0.139 Ma). The method reduces uncertainty and defines stages with high precision.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateJun 17, 2020

Study calls for reallocation of subsidies for biocontrols to fight fall armyworm

A new CABI-led study suggests that governments should reallocate subsidies to encourage the use of lower-risk control options like biopesticides. The research also emphasizes the importance of enforcing pesticide regulations and mass media campaigns to inform farmers about recommended pesticides and sustainable management options.

SourceCABI·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJun 17, 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.

Without intervention, a 70% reduction in strokes or death in patients with brain AVMs

A recent clinical trial published in The Lancet Neurology found that patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can experience a significant reduction in stroke risk and mortality when left alone to follow their natural course. In contrast, standard medical interventions may pose more harm than benefit.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateJun 17, 2020

Fish evolution in action: Land fish forced to adapt after leap out of water

A new study led by UNSW reveals that blenny fish's transition from water to land is driven by dietary flexibility, which allows them to survive and thrive on land. The researchers found that once on land, these remarkable creatures face restrictions on food availability, triggering major evolutionary changes in their morphology.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateJun 17, 2020

Non-invasive fetal oxygen monitor could make for safer deliveries

Researchers at UC Davis have created a device to directly measure fetal blood oxygen saturation during labor, which could lead to better information on the health of the fetus before birth. This technology has the potential to reduce the rate of C-sections and improve outcomes in difficult deliveries.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 17, 2020

Quantum diamond sensing

Researchers developed a new quantum sensing technique that allows high-resolution NMR spectroscopy on small molecules in dilute solution, achieving femtomole molecular sensitivity. This breakthrough enables chemical analysis and magnetic resonance imaging at the level of individual biological cells.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 17, 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.

Arctic Ocean acidification worse than previously expected

The Arctic Ocean is projected to absorb 20% more CO2 by the end of the 21st century, leading to stronger ocean acidification. This increase in CO2 will negatively impact calcifying organisms such as mussels and corals, having serious consequences for the entire food chain.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

African lion counts miss the mark, but new method shows promise

A recent study developed a new technique for photographing and data analytics to count lions, which has shown promising results in understanding their populations and movements. The current estimates of African lion populations are thought to be unreliable due to the use of outdated methods such as track counts and audio lure surveys.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateJun 17, 2020

Envy divides society

A game theoretical study by Claudius Gros shows that envy can lead to the emergence of social classes in a society. The study simulates individual behaviour in a competitive environment, where agents with different skills and opportunities interact.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 17, 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.

Virtual demolition

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a system that can virtually remove buildings, trees, or moving objects from real-time landscape simulations using deep learning and video game graphics engines. This technology may become standard for urban planning in busy areas with many distractions present, allowing for the visualizati...

SourceOsaka University·JournalEnvironmental Modelling & Software·DateJun 17, 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.

An excessive amount of propionic acid (PPA) in food preservatives may hinder brain development

A recent study published in Molecular Brain suggests that an imbalance of human gut microorganisms and excessive propionic acid consumption may contribute to autism. The researchers found that propionic acid disrupts autophagy, a natural cell mechanism, leading to reduced dendritic spine formation and hindering child brain development.

SourceKorea Brain Research Institute·JournalMolecular Brain·DateJun 17, 2020

Knock-knock? Who's there? How coral let symbiotic algae in

A team of Carnegie scientists solved a marine science mystery by identifying the cell type and genes responsible for coral recognition and uptake of photosynthetic algae. This breakthrough can aid coral conservation and increase understanding of other coral species threatened by warming oceans.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 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.

Patient-personalized sequencing pipeline steps up sensitivity of tumor DNA monitoring

A patient-personalized sequencing pipeline, INVAR, enhances the sensitivity of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in plasma samples. This technique analyzes hundreds of patient-specific mutations to detect ctDNA, enabling more accurate monitoring and potentially early relapse spotting.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 17, 2020

Tick surveillance and control lagging in US, study shows

A new survey of US tick-management programs reveals a public health gap in surveillance and control efforts. The study found that less than half of programs engage in active tick surveillance and only 12% conduct or support tick-control efforts.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJun 17, 2020

Bouillon fortified with a new iron compound could help reduce iron deficiency

A new iron compound, containing phytate and corn protein hydrolysate, has been found to be easily absorbed by the intestine without compromising food quality. The compound is bound to amino acids and has been shown to increase iron uptake in human intestinal cells, particularly in those with iron absorption inhibitors.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 17, 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.

Research finds deployment affects mental health of veterans differently

A large-scale study of over 212,000 active duty Army personnel found that those with stable positive character strengths prior to deployment were less likely to struggle with mental health issues after returning home. In contrast, those with lower character strengths experienced further declines and were at higher risk for major mental...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Personality·DateJun 17, 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.

Centenarian study suggests living environment may be key to longevity

A Washington State University study found that living in neighborhoods with high walkability, socioeconomic status, and age diversity may contribute to longevity. Researchers analyzed data on nearly 145,000 Washingtonians who died at age 75 or older between 2011 and 2015.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 17, 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.

Managing pain after sports medicine surgery

Researchers found that 45% of patients had low levels of pain effectively managed by a non-opioid regimen, with no reported side effects. Patients who required opioids were more likely to have anxiety/depression and higher pain scores, highlighting the potential for reduced opioid use in surgical settings.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateJun 17, 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.

Using tiny electrodes to measure electrical activity in bacteria

Researchers at Linköping University have developed an organic electrochemical transistor to study extracellular electron transfer in bacteria. They successfully detect and amplify the signal, allowing for detailed analysis of charge release by bacteria.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJun 17, 2020

Women commuting during rush hour are exposed to higher levels of pollutants

A new George Mason University study reveals women commuters exposed to higher levels of pollutants during rush hour trips, with no correlation between trip length and exposure levels. The research aims to inform strategies for reducing air pollution's health effects, particularly for vulnerable populations.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJun 17, 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.