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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 510


Page 510 of 512

Bioinspired sonar reflectors

Researchers have developed bioinspired shapes that serve as acoustically conspicuous guideposts for sonar-guided autonomous vehicles. These bioinspired sonar reflectors were tested in experiments and showed promising results, enabling robots to navigate through new environments with improved accuracy.

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

Nerve stimulation may benefit women with fibromyalgia

A recent clinical trial found that nerve stimulation via TENS significantly improved movement-related pain and fatigue in women with fibromyalgia. The treatment, given along with standard treatments, offers a non-invasive self-management option for chronic pain management.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJan 6, 2020

JUUL delivers substantially more nicotine than previous generation e-cigs and cigarettes

A new study by UCSF researchers found that JUUL delivers significantly higher levels of nicotine to the bloodstream compared to previous-generation e-cigarettes and cigarettes. The study also revealed that JUUL impairs blood vessel function similarly to cigarette smoke, which can have severe cardiovascular consequences.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalTobacco Regulatory Science·DateJan 6, 2020

Progesterone from an unexpected source may affect miscarriage risk

A recent study found that disruptions in progesterone signaling between maternal and embryonic tissue may be linked to recurrent miscarriage. The study discovered that migratory cells from the placenta produce enzymes necessary for progesterone production, which are lower in women with a history of recurrent miscarriages.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateJan 6, 2020

Volunteer tourism can aid disaster recovery

A new study finds that volunteer tourism can aid disaster recovery in communities by considering local conditions and the community's needs. The study examined the impact of volunteer tourism programs in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake, showing its potential to contribute to recovery and resilience.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalAnnals of Tourism Research·DateJan 5, 2020

Robotic trunk support assists those with spinal cord injury

A Columbia Engineering team has invented a robotic device called the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST) that can help people with spinal cord injuries sit more stably. The study found that TruST enabled patients to expand their active sitting workspace by an average of 25%, improving their trunk control and balance limits.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalSpinal Cord Series and Cases·DateJan 5, 2020

Clusters of gold atoms form peculiar pyramidal shape

Researchers have discovered that freestanding gold clusters of twenty atoms take on a pyramidal shape with a triangular ground plane and additional triangles. The study reveals the cluster's unusual electronic structure, which is similar to noble gas atoms or aromatic molecules, making them less reactive.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 3, 2020

Atlantic and Pacific oscillations lost in the noise

A team of meteorologists found no consistent evidence for decadal oscillatory signals in global surface temperature observations. The researchers suggest that any apparent oscillation may be due to external influences like greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. The study has implications for decade-scale climate predictability.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2020

Versatile bile acids

Two Harvard Medical School studies show that bile acids promote differentiation and activity of T cells involved in regulating inflammation. Gut microbes convert bile acids into immune-signaling molecules that activate regulatory T cells and effector helper T cells. The work suggests possible therapeutic pathways for modulating intesti...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJan 3, 2020

Hearing through lip-reading

Researchers found that brain activity in healthy adults synchronized with sound waves produced by a silent woman speaking, indicating the brain can process auditory information from visual cues. This ability arises from visual cortex activity synchronizing with lip movement and signal transmission to other areas for sound synthesis.