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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 361


Page 361 of 512

Key progress on the MRI compatible DBS electrodes and simultaneous DBS-fMRI

Researchers have developed a novel MRI compatible graphene fiber DBS electrode, enabling full activation pattern mapping by simultaneous deep brain stimulation and fMRI. This breakthrough showed a close relationship between fMRI activation and DBS therapeutic improvement in Parkinsonian rat models.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

Alcoholics Anonymous method can mesh well with other treatments for alcohol misuse

A Baylor University researcher suggests that clinicians should be aware of their misconceptions about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and educate themselves about the program to integrate it into their work with clients. Both AA and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aim to help individuals accept personal responsibility for their actions.

SourceBaylor University·JournalTraining and Education in Professional Psychology·DateApr 28, 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.

Plastic pollution reaching the Antarctic

Researchers have found an increase in marine debris collected on beaches of Bird Island and Signy Island, with most items being plastic. Scientists also discovered that fishing vessels contribute significantly to plastic pollution, threatening seabirds and other wildlife in the region.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalEnvironment International·DateApr 28, 2020

Drug prevents severe cardiac events in children undergoing chemotherapy for AML

Dexrazoxane has been shown to preserve cardiac function and reduce risk of severe cardiac events in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study suggests dexrazoxane should be considered for cardioprotection in all pediatric patients undergoing standard chemotherapy for AML.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 28, 2020

Agricultural pickers in US to see unsafely hot workdays double by 2050

A new study predicts that US agricultural workers will experience double the number of unsafe days due to extreme heat by 2050, with health risks tripling. The research suggests that adapting working conditions, such as using lighter protective clothing and taking breaks, can mitigate these risks.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 28, 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.

Offspring may inherit legacy of their father's Toxoplasma infection

Australian researchers discovered that Toxoplasma-infected male mice passed altered epigenetic signatures to their offspring, affecting brain development and behavior. The study raises concerns about potential long-term impacts of infections in human fathers on their children's health.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 28, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

BIM & Lean Construction well-established in major firms but lacking within industry's SMEs

Research at the University of Huddersfield warns that smaller construction firms are missing out on cutting-edge techniques like BIM and Lean Construction, which can improve efficiency and productivity. The study found that SMEs are not adopting these practices, despite their potential to transform the industry.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalCanadian Journal of Civil Engineering·DateApr 28, 2020

Study reveals pharmacy-level barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder in Appalachian Kentucky

A new study found that pharmacies in Appalachian Kentucky are limiting buprenorphine dispensing due to concerns about DEA caps, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, and stigma against people who use drugs. This limits access to effective treatment for opioid use disorder, which affects fewer than two in ten individuals.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateApr 28, 2020

Finding the genes to build a better cancer treatment

Scientists at Washington State University have discovered candidate genes that could be used to manufacture Taxol more quickly and efficiently. The genes, characterized by lead researcher Mark Lange, will enable engineers to develop organisms that can produce the cancer-fighting drug.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2020

Simulating borehole ballooning helps ensure safe drilling of deep-water oil, gas

A device that simulates borehole ballooning has been developed to help prevent serious drilling accidents and irreversible damage. The device can accurately simulate conditions like fracture opening pressures, rock types, and mud circulation pressures, and its experimental results have validated theoretical research on the topic.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 28, 2020

Dental care and oral health under the clouds of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for better dental care and oral health strategies. Research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted through direct contact and respiratory droplets, with oral mucosa being an initial site of entry.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJDR Clinical & Translational Research·DateApr 28, 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.

Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip

A team of researchers from Argonne National Laboratory has developed a simple pretreatment step that enables membranes to be enhanced using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method involves dipping membranes in tannic acid, which provides nucleation sites for ALD coatings. This technique now opens up new possibilities for improving me...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 28, 2020

Arctic wildlife uses extreme method to save energy

Researchers at Lund University discovered a unique energy-saving strategy used by Arctic birds during the polar night, involving weakening their immune system. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy on keeping warm and finding food, but may pose risks when climate change alters migratory patterns and disease transmission.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 28, 2020

Heart disease more likely for adults with dysfunctional childhoods

A new Northwestern University study links childhood trauma and family dysfunction to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in adulthood. Adults who experienced high levels of adversity in childhood are more than 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 28, 2020

Understanding how fluids heat or cool surfaces

Researchers found that fluid flow across flat surfaces has three distinct zones, including a lengthy transitional zone, which significantly affects heat transfer calculations. This discovery could improve the accuracy of heat exchanger designs and engineering practices in various industries.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Heat Transfer·DateApr 28, 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.

Foot feathering in domesticated breeds of pigeons and chickens use same gene regulatory networks

Researchers found that regulatory mutations in TBX5 and PITX1 genes cause foot feathering in both domesticated breeds of chickens and pigeons. This study demonstrates a remarkable convergence in the evolution of this trait across species, suggesting that favored mutations have been spread through strong phenotypic selection.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 2020

Spinal cord gives bio-bots walking rhythm

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed spinobots that can walk using a rat muscle and spinal cord tissue. The integration of the spinal cord gives them a natural walking rhythm, which could have implications for neurocomputing and restorative medicine.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateApr 28, 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.

Rat spinal cords control neural function in biobots

Researchers successfully combined rat spinal cords with tissue-engineered muscles, creating a biohybrid system that produces electrical activity causing contraction. This innovation could lead to breakthroughs in understanding diseases like Lou Gehrig's and developing new surgical training tools.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateApr 28, 2020

New device simulates feel of walls, solid objects in virtual reality

A new device developed at Carnegie Mellon University uses multiple strings attached to the hand and fingers to simulate the feel of obstacles and heavy objects in virtual reality. The device provides more realistic haptic feedback than other techniques, enabling users to feel the contours of virtual objects and sense resistance.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateApr 28, 2020

Mobile telehealth system in China facilitates clinical communication during COVID-19

A mobile telehealth system in China has been successfully implemented to facilitate clinical communication among healthcare providers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The system allows for secure sharing of patient information, overcoming a significant challenge faced by hospitals treating isolated patients.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateApr 28, 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.

How blood cells deform, recover when traveling through tiny channels

Red blood cells deform and recover when passing through tiny channels, revealing a possible new method to diagnose diseases such as malaria. The researchers found that the shape recovery behavior depends on flow speed, viscosity, and elastic properties of the cell's outer membrane.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateApr 28, 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.

New DNA test will improve tracking of Salmonella food-poisoning outbreaks

Researchers have developed a sensitive and specific assay to detect different serotypes of Salmonella, enabling rapid tracing of infection origins. The new DNA test can distinguish between subtypes of Salmonella in just eight minutes and has the potential to simplify and accelerate food-borne illness investigations.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateApr 28, 2020

Foot feathering birds flock genetically together

Researchers found that genetic variants at Tbx5 and Pitx1 contribute to foot feathering in both chickens and pigeons. A 17,000 base-pair long deletion near Pitx1 removes the same exact region in both species, indicating similar mutations and molecular pathways.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 2020

HKUST researchers unlock genomic secrets of scaly-foot snail

A team of HKUST researchers has analyzed the genome sequence of the scaly-foot snail, a deep-sea creature with armor-like scales. The study reveals that the snail's unique morphology is largely determined by genes already present in other mollusks, such as squid and pearl oysters.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

How the heart affects our perception

Researchers found that brain activity changes with heartbeat, suppressing certain components associated with consciousness during systole, leading to reduced detection of weak stimuli. Additionally, a large heartbeat-evoked potential indicates focus on internal bodily signals over external environmental cues.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2020

How animals 'dial up' the pain they experience from certain stimuli

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a molecular mechanism that amplifies pain signals in the nervous system. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating chronic pain conditions such as neuropathies, arthritic pains, and migraines.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience Signaling·DateApr 28, 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.

Work-related stress linked to increased risk for peripheral artery disease

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people with work-related stress were 1.4 times as likely to have a record of peripheral artery disease in hospitalization registers. Work-related stress, or job strain, refers to psychological and social stress at work.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 28, 2020

Can an existing HIV medication slow the spread of COVID-19?

A clinical trial is set to examine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using the existing HIV medication Kaletra can halt or slow the spread of COVID-19. Researchers will track participants exposed to confirmed cases, administering the medication for 14 days, the estimated incubation period for COVID-19.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·DateApr 28, 2020

Fused-ring electron acceptor with 3D exciton and charge transport

Researchers at Peking University developed a new fluorinated fused-ring electron acceptor with 3D stacking and exciton and charge transport, leading to improved efficiency in organic solar cells. The OSCs based on FINIC showed an efficiency of 14.0%, significantly higher than nonfluorinated INIC-based cells.

SourcePeking University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 28, 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.

How mistakes help us recognize things

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that mistakes in short-term memory, such as misperceiving the motion direction of dots, contribute to our ability to recognize and integrate visual information over time. This 'blurring' of perception helps us perceive a stable environment despite constant changes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

Hubble watches comet ATLAS disintegrate into more than 2 dozen pieces

The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged the breakup of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS), revealing approximately 30 fragments on April 20 and 25 pieces on April 23. The comet's fragmented appearance changes substantially between the two days, sparking debate among researchers about the cause of fragmentation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 28, 2020

Gene defects linked to eczema, wheeze and nasal disease among babies

A new study has discovered a link between gene defects and eczema, wheeze, and nasal blockage among babies as young as six months. The research suggests that treatment targeted towards children carrying these genetic defects started soon after birth could improve their lives.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 28, 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.

C-Path receives letter of support from EMA on type 1 diabetes biomarker initiative

The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has received a letter of support from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to facilitate the development and validation of pancreatic islet autoantibodies as enrichment biomarkers for type 1 diabetes clinical trials. This collaboration aims to accelerate drug development in T1D by identifying patient...

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·DateApr 28, 2020

Study indicates artificial intelligence could help stem tide of school violence

Researchers developed an AI system that analyzes linguistic patterns to predict a youth's risk for committing acts of school violence. The system matches the clinical judgements and accuracy of psychiatrists 94 percent of the time, demonstrating its potential to help address youth violence at schools.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateApr 28, 2020

Next-generation batteries take major step toward commercial viability

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a method to stabilize lithium-sulfur batteries, extending their cycle life by four times. This breakthrough enables more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective battery production, with potential applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJoule·DateApr 28, 2020

Visual-spatial learning disorder is more common than thought, finds study

A new study estimates that nearly 3 million US children have visual-spatial learning disorder, affecting math, executive function, and fine motor skills. The disorder is often overlooked due to its name and lack of consensus among physicians on diagnosis and treatment.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 28, 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.

Ayurveda and yoga for COVID-19 prevention

Experts in Ayurveda and yoga propose using these traditional practices to boost immune function and prevent COVID-19 infection. The authors discuss various methods, including local prophylaxis with herbal drinks and steam inhalation, as well as systemic approaches focusing on diet, sleep, and mental relaxation.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 28, 2020

Study of nearly 10,000 women explores feasibility and safety of multi-cancer blood test

Researchers developed a multi-cancer blood test that detected some cancers, including ovarian cancers, and successfully screened for non-cancer causes before diagnostic tests. The test showed promise as a minimally invasive option to increase cancer detection rates in populations already following standard screening approaches.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2020

Oregon State University research wins Marcus Wallenberg Prize

Richard Waring, a renowned researcher at Oregon State University, has been awarded the prestigious Marcus Wallenberg Prize along with Joe Landsberg and Nicholas Coops. The prize recognizes their groundbreaking work on a computer model predicting forest growth in changing climates.

SourceOregon State University·DateApr 28, 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.

MA3Bi2I9 single-crystal enables X-ray detection down to nanograys per second

Researchers developed ultra-sensitive and stable X-ray detectors using 0D MA3Bi2I9 single-crystals, achieving low operating doses of 0.62 nGyair s-1 and high sensitivity comparable to 3D perovskite detectors. The discovery promises a promising X-ray detector candidate for medical applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalJournal of Energy Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2020

COVID-19 in US prisons, jails

The US prison and jail system faces significant challenges in preventing COVID-19 transmission, according to a new study. The authors emphasize the need for effective policies and programs to minimize the spread of the virus.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 28, 2020

Study reveals rich genetic diversity of Vietnam

A new study analyzing Vietnam's population reveals a rich genetic diversity with heterogeneous ancestry profiles in each language family. The research finds evidence of extensive contact between Vietnamese groups and other populations, challenging previous studies' suggestions of an indigenous origin.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 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.