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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 302


Page 302 of 512

Impressive result for mental health therapy

The study, published in Journal of Mental Health, demonstrates the positive clinical outcomes of NewAccess in addressing known barriers to access of evidence-based early intervention for depression and anxiety in Australia. The program offers free therapy with no co-payment, accessible by phone, face-to-face, or self-referral.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Mental Health·DateJun 8, 2020

Disjunct distribution across the equator

A new species of riffle beetle, Podonychus gyobu, is described from Kyushu, Japan, with a disjunct distribution across the equator to Indonesia. The genus was previously known only in Indonesia and has a unique characteristic of having six-segmented antennae.

SourceEhime University·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 8, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

American Roentgen Ray Society statement on health care and racial inequities

The American Roentgen Ray Society reaffirms its mission to improve health through a community of allies dedicated to knowledge and quality care for all. Recent events highlighting racial injustice in the US healthcare system have prompted ARRS to reiterate its commitment to addressing these inequities.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 8, 2020

Patterns in permafrost soils could help climate change models

New research reveals consistent patterns in permafrost soils across Alaska's North Slope, allowing scientists to predict how carbon and greenhouse gases are released. The findings will help improve climate models by providing direct permafrost soil information, filling a knowledge gap that has been around for 30 years.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 8, 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.

New tool helps nanorods stand out

Rice University scientists developed an easy and affordable tool to count and characterize nanoparticles using the open-source SEMseg program. The tool simplifies nanoparticle analysis by extracting pixel-level data from low-contrast SEM images and recombining it into sharp images.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateJun 8, 2020

Temperate insects as vulnerable to climate change as tropical species

A new study finds that temperate insects are as threatened by climate change as tropical species due to their inactive periods. The researchers analyzed insect populations and found temperatures close to optimal or critical limits, risking population decline and ecosystem disruption.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2020

Radiocarbon dating with subannual precision

Researchers used subannual precision radiocarbon dating to analyze tree rings in the Por-Bajin monument, revealing a sudden increase in atmospheric 14C in 775 CE. The analysis allowed them to pinpoint the exact year and season of construction as summer 777 CE.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 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.

Drivers of global mean sea level variability

A multivariate analysis of sea level data reveals that barystatic and steric contributions drive most interannual variability in GMSL, with ENSO playing a significant role. The study highlights the magnitude of these contributions associated with ENSO events.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

3-D shape of human genome essential for robust inflammatory response

Research published in Nature Genetics found that the three-dimensional structure of the human genome is essential for a rapid and robust inflammatory response. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental relationship between genome folding and cell function, highlighting the importance of architectural proteins like CTCF.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 8, 2020

New algorithm helps select patients for urgent surgery or chemotherapy during pandemic

A new algorithm has been developed to select breast cancer patients in need of urgent surgery or chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The algorithm uses data from international trials to identify postmenopausal patients with primary ER+HER2- breast cancer who have less endocrine-sensitive tumours and should be prioritized for ear...

SourceThe Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust·Journalnpj Breast Cancer·DateJun 8, 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.

Replacing GDP with Gross Ecosystem Product reveals value of nature

A new study suggests replacing GDP with Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) can provide decision-makers with clear and compelling evidence of the value of nature. The study, conducted in China's Qinghai province, found that GEP was greater than GDP in the year 2000.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Radiocarbon dating pins date for construction of Uyghur complex to the year 777

Researchers have used a recently developed radiocarbon dating method to determine the exact construction date of an eighth-century Uyghur complex in southern Siberia. The findings suggest that the complex was built as a Manichaean monastery, explaining its abandonment, and provide new insights into the purpose of this archaeological site.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Astronomers find elusive target hiding behind dust

Astronomers have discovered a region around a protostar containing complex organic molecules, dubbed a 'hot corino,' which is crucial for the formation of life. The finding resolves a long-standing puzzle about why some binary systems show evidence of hot corinos but not others.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 8, 2020

A sharper view of flood risk

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology devised a new analytical tool to predict flood risk by adapting a classical statistical model for analyzing extreme rainfall in large datasets. The model demonstrated potential in capturing observed patterns in northeast America, promising improved prediction capabilities.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·DateJun 8, 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.

Global oncology pharmacists face restricted access to essential PPE items

Oncology pharmacy practitioners worldwide are struggling with limited and restricted PPE supply, making it difficult for them to provide high-quality cancer care. In a study, half of the surveyed countries reported impaired access to essential medications, including anti-infective agents and anticancer medications.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice·DateJun 8, 2020

First global map of rockfalls on the Moon

Researchers have created the first global map of rockfalls on the Moon, revealing that asteroid impacts are responsible for over 80% of observed rockfalls. The map, based on over two million images, shows that even ancient lunar surfaces continue to be affected by erosion through rockfall.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020

Kidney problems more prevalent in NYC COVID-19 patients

A recent study found that hospitalized NYC COVID-19 patients had higher rates of kidney complications and needed mechanical ventilation more frequently than other patient groups. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients treated at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center between March and April 2020.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalThe BMJ·DateJun 8, 2020

Why the Victoria Plate in Africa rotates

Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam found that the rotation of the Victoria microplate is controlled by the configuration of weaker and stronger lithospheric regions. They used 3D numerical models to compute the dynamics of the last 10 million years, showing a best fit with GPS-derived data.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 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.

Drug repurposing for bone mass gain

Researchers repurposed two ED medications to boost bone health, with tadalafil and vardenafil enhancing bone formation and preventing resorption. The findings suggest a potential new therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis treatment.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Artificial brains may need sleep too

Artificial neural networks became unstable after continuous unsupervised learning, but exposure to Gaussian noise mimics slow-wave sleep stabilized them. This finding has implications for the development of biologically realistic AI systems.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·DateJun 8, 2020

Novel computer-assisted chemical synthesis method cuts research time and cost

Researchers at Hokkaido University have successfully synthesized a non-natural fluorinated amino acid using a novel computer-assisted method. The Artificial Force Induced Reaction (AFIR) method predicts feasible reaction pathways, significantly reducing synthesis time and cost, with yields of up to 99.99%.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 8, 2020

Newly identified gene reduces pollen number of plants

A new gene has been discovered that reduces pollen number in plants, a trait previously thought to be detrimental. The RDP1 gene promotes protein production, suggesting a potential advantage in self-fertilizing species.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 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.

WPSI recommends screening for anxiety in women and adolescent girls

The Women's Preventive Services Initiative recommends screening for anxiety in women and adolescent girls to detect specific types of anxiety and co-occurring conditions. Researchers found strong evidence that screening instruments are moderately to highly accurate.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 8, 2020

Monkeys appreciate lifelike animation

Researchers found that Rhesus monkeys avoid lifeless monkey faces but show social facial expressions towards a natural-looking avatar with fur and details. The study suggests using this type of avatar in social cognition studies for standardization and replicability.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 8, 2020

Research team builds better rock models

A new method for creating digital replicas of rock samples is being developed by geoscience researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. This technique allows scientists to learn about rock samples without touching them and can be used to calculate important rock properties such as permeability and electrical conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·DateJun 8, 2020

Spontaneous formation of nanoscale hollow structures could boost battery storage

Researchers discovered that nanometer-scale antimony crystals form hollow structures during charging, allowing more ion flow and improving battery performance. The self-hollowing structures could also be used in sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries, expanding material options for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 8, 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.

New technique pinpoints locations of individual molecules in their cellular neighborhoods

A new microscopy technique has pinpointed the locations of individual proteins within bacterial cells, revealing their precise positions and interactions. The technique, called CIASM, combines fluorescent imaging with cryogenic electron tomography to produce high-resolution images of molecules in their cellular neighborhoods.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Atmosphere arsenic and health risks

Researchers analyzed atmospheric arsenic concentrations from 2005 to 2015, finding the highest levels in Chile and eastern China. The study highlights the growing health risks posed by airborne arsenic in India, surpassing China's levels by 2015.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Boys' poor reading skills might help explain higher education gender gap

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that boys' poor reading skills in adolescence, combined with social attitudes about women attending college, can explain why fewer men than women enroll in higher education. The research analyzed data from over 400,000 boys and girls across 18 countries.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Do COVID-19 apps protect your privacy?

A recent study analyzed 50 COVID-19-related apps and found that most require access to users' personal data, but only a few indicate secure storage. The researchers warn that governments' use of tracking technology could lead to mass surveillance and chilling effects on individual privacy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 8, 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.

Limits of human color perception

Researchers found that people are often unaware of color removal from their visual periphery in virtual reality, suggesting limitations to human color awareness. The studies used 178 participants and revealed that peripheral color detection is less accurate than previously believed.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Functional polymers to improve thermal stability of bioplastics

Functional star-shaped polymers exhibit improved thermostability, making them suitable for medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. The study establishes a relationship between the synthesis conditions and the structure of the obtained compounds.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalReactive and Functional Polymers·DateJun 8, 2020

You are what you eat is as important for fish as it is for people

A recent UBC study measured the biochemical properties of zooplankton in the Strait of Georgia, finding that seasonal changes in plankton food web pathways drive variability in plankton fatty acid composition. This shift confers a higher nutritional value to zooplankton in the summer, benefiting juvenile salmon and herring.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2020

Researchers develop ultra-sensitive device for detecting magnetic fields

A team of Brown University physicists has developed a new type of compact, ultra-sensitive magnetometer that could be useful in applications involving weak magnetic fields. The device uses the anomalous Hall effect and is up to 20 times more sensitive than traditional Hall effect sensors.

SourceBrown University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 8, 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.

Infants have a basic knowledge of the role and limitations of language

A study published in Cognition found that 14-month-old infants expect to communicate with others who speak the same language, and that their environment influences these expectations. Infants from bilingual environments were more likely to predict successful communication across languages.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCognition·DateJun 8, 2020

Super-cooled metallic ammonia gives clues about electron behavior

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have successfully created metallic ammonia, allowing for a clearer understanding of the behavior of delocalized electrons. The study's findings open up new possibilities for synthesizing important organic compounds using this unique solution.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2020

Specific kidney proximal tubular injury caused by SARS-CoV-2

A study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection led to renal Fanconi syndrome in 75% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, characterized by proteinuria, phosphate loss, and increased uric acid excretion. The condition often preceded severe acute kidney injury, and intensive care patients were more frequently affected.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·JournalClinical Kidney Journal·DateJun 8, 2020

'Playing hard to get' really works; here's why

Researchers found that making the chase harder increased a potential mate's desirability, as those who are selective in their partner choices are perceived as more valued. Participants who exerted efforts to see a potential partner were also rated as more sexually desirable than those with little effort.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateJun 8, 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.

Weird science

A new study found that primary school students' perceptions of science and scientists are influenced by media stereotypes, with many feeling that a career in science is too difficult or high-pressure. Despite this, most students do not see gender as a barrier to becoming a scientist, showing progress in normalizing women in STEM.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Inclusive Education·DateJun 8, 2020

Preventing pancreatic cancer metastasis by keeping cells 'sheltered in place'

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have shown that a protein called Slug regulates cell movement and can be inhibited to suppress pancreatic cancer metastasis. The study also identified two druggable targets, ERK and eIF2 alpha, which hold promise as treatments for the deadly disease.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 8, 2020

Shedding a new light on 2D materials

A team led by Nathan Youngblood and Feng Xiong investigated how light affects 2D materials like MoTe2 for improved data storage. They found that reducing material dimensions increases efficiency due to energy proportional to area rather than volume.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJun 8, 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.

Recycling old genes to get new traits -- How social behavior evolves in bees

A team of researchers found that sweat bees switch from solitary to social behavior by repurposing ancient genes, challenging the long-held assumption that new genetic variants are always necessary for evolution. The study provides evidence that environmental influences can drive the evolution of complex traits like social behavior.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Explaining Saturn's polar hexagon

Researchers used model simulations to study Saturn's polar hexagon, discovering a potential mechanism for its formation. The simulations produced latitudinal flow jets and vortices that resembled those observed on Saturn, suggesting a possible explanation for the stable pattern.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020