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Science News Archive 2020


Page 8 of 512

Brain tissue yields clues to causes of PTSD

A post-mortem analysis of brain tissue from people with PTSD reveals distinct differences in gene expression patterns between those with and without the disorder. These changes affect two cell types - interneurons and microglia - which may contribute to impaired stress response, particularly in women.

Variety: Spice of life for bumble bees

Researchers found that bumble bees collect a wide range of pollen from different plant species to satisfy their protein needs, whereas honey bees focus on a limited number of target plants. This study highlights the importance of considering diverse foraging behavior in nature conservation efforts.

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.

Big step with small whirls

Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully created a multilayer system where two different types of skyrmions coexist at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the potential use of skyrmions in ultrafast data processing, promising an extremely compact form of data storage.

Archaeology: The aroma of distant worlds

A team of researchers has found evidence that people in the Levant were eating turmeric, bananas, and soy in the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, tracing back to South and East Asia. Long-distance trade in culinary goods connected distant societies since at least the Bronze Age.

Do I know you? Researchers evaluate how masks disrupt facial perception

A study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers found that wearing masks reduces facial recognition accuracy by 15%, making it harder to identify people we know. The altered processing style, focusing on individual facial features instead of the entire face, can cause significant errors.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

First patient enrolled in stem cell therapy trial for traumatic injury

A Phase II clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MultiStem cellular therapy for treating injured patients with severe hemorrhage. The study aims to mitigate complications resulting from traumatic injuries, including secondary infections and organ failure conditions.

Antibiotics for C-sections effective after umbilical cord clamped

A large study challenges the conventional practice of administering antibiotics before C-section incisions, finding them equally effective when given after clamping. This discovery may benefit newborns' developing microbiomes, potentially affecting immune system development and future health.

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.

How one pain suppresses the other

Researchers investigate the body's own pain control system using Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) and find that two different stimuli can reduce pain to a similar degree. The study used electrical stimulation of the skin as a new test stimulus, allowing for objective measurement of brain activity.

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.

Modeling rainfall drop by drop

Researchers at KAUST developed a high-frequency rainfall model using new rain gauges that measure rainfall drop by drop, providing unprecedented insight into minute-to-minute rainfall dynamics. The model captures the 'skewness' of high-frequency precipitation data and generates synthetic precipitation data for water management.

The 1st International BioDesign Research Conference

The 1st International BioDesign Research Conference was a groundbreaking event that brought together 64 world-renowned experts to present on biosystem design and synthetic biology. The conference featured 126 abstracts and 35 satellite video presentations, showcasing the latest research in this field.

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.

A community-level intervention reduces alcohol-related crashes

A community-level alcohol intervention in California resulted in a significant reduction of alcohol-involved crashes among drivers aged 15-30. The study found that the intervention, which included sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, translated into approximately 310 fewer crashes across the intervention cities.

Scientists solve 'flea mystery'

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Bristol solve the 'flea mystery' by classifying fleas as a group of highly modified scorpionflies. The study suggests that fleas evolved from small, nectar-feeding scorpionflies that later developed specialized blood-sucking mouthparts.

How cancers hurt themselves to hurt immune cells more

Researchers discovered that melanoma cells employ 'frameshifting' to starve themselves of tryptophan, a key amino acid needed for protein production. This process allows cancer cells to survive and evade T cell attacks.

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.

Study sheds new light on how the brain distinguishes speech from noise

Researchers found that acetylcholine, a neuromodulator, enhances neural discrimination of tones from noise stimuli, potentially contributing to processing important acoustic signals like speech. The study also identified novel connections between the modulatory centers and the auditory system.

Protecting against atherosclerosis at the molecular level

CREB3L3 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting SREBP's expression. Absence or overexpression of CREB3L3 exacerbates high blood lipid levels and atherosclerosis. The study provides insight into the molecular basis of atherosclerosis and its potential therapeutic targets.

Study sets baseline for sleep patterns in healthy adult dogs

A new study from North Carolina State University has established a baseline for understanding sleep patterns in healthy adult dogs, shedding light on the effects of age, sex, and weight on their activity cycles. The research aims to improve detection and treatment of chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction in dogs.

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.

Satellite data identifies companies fishing in high seas

A study using satellite data linked companies to fishing activity in high seas waters, shedding light on commercial fishing practices. Researchers found approximately two-thirds of detected fishing effort was attributed to 1,120 corporations owning nearly 2,500 vessels.

Experts call for Europe-wide COVID-19 targets

A group of over 300 global scientists is urging European governments to adopt a coordinated approach to managing the pandemic by setting clear COVID-19 case number targets. The proposed strategy aims to achieve low case numbers, enhance mitigation measures, and develop long-term common vision to protect people's health, societies, and ...

In liver, a stressed cell can be bad news for its neighbors

Researchers found that a protein called Cx43 allows stress signals from one liver cell to spread to neighboring cells, causing dysfunction. Mice with deleted Cx43 were protected from insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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.

New mechanism of force transduction in muscle cells discovered

The study reveals that metavinculin modulates mechanical force transduction on the molecular level, potentially resisting high peak forces observed in muscle tissues. Mice lacking metavinculin did not exhibit cardiomyopathy, suggesting a more complex pathophysiological role for the protein.

Plants can be larks or night owls just like us

A study found that a single DNA base-pair change in a specific gene can influence whether a plant is a lark or night owl, affecting its flowering time and ability to withstand climate change. The research could help farmers select plants with clocks best suited to their location.

Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 'Practices of Comparing' extended

The German Research Foundation is extending the SFB 1288, 'Practices of comparing', with €11.9 million in funding for an additional four years. The interdisciplinary research network will continue to study the historically variable practices of comparing and their ordering and changing power.

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.

Will we still need Covid-19 volunteers in the new year?

Local Authorities and the Voluntary and Community Sector are best placed to support the response to the Covid-19 crisis locally. Thousands of volunteers have helped their neighbours stay fed, safe, and connected, and will continue to play a central role during the festive period and into next year.

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.

Humpback whale songs provide insight to population changes

Researchers analyzed acoustic data from humpback whale songs to track population changes in the North Pacific. The study found a significant decrease in acoustic energy levels between 2014-15 and 2018-19, mirroring the declining number of whales during this period.

Key building block for organic molecules discovered in meteorites

Researchers found prebiotic organic molecule hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) in three carbon-rich meteorites, validating theories of its role in forming organic compounds. HMT is thought to be a stable source for ammonia and formaldehyde, which can form other important biological molecules.

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.

Researchers propose process to detect and contain emerging diseases

A global team of researchers has proposed a four-part approach to detect and contain zoonotic diseases in Africa. The strategy involves gathering information on diseases that can jump from animals to humans, testing hospital patients with fevers, analyzing blood serum in high-risk groups, and utilizing archived samples.

Inverted fluorescence

Researchers have discovered a new class of fluorescent dyes that can convert visible light into ultraviolet light, overcoming one of the biggest challenges to harnessing sunlight for energy. This breakthrough could enable more efficient solar-powered water splitting and other high-energy reactions.

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.

New study identifies greatest risk factors of mortality from COVID-19

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients who are men, obese, or have complications from diabetes or hypertension have a higher risk of dying. The analysis also showed that age remains the strongest predictor of mortality from COVID-19.

Sound waves spin droplets to concentrate, separate nanoparticles

Researchers at Duke University have created a new method to concentrate and separate nanoparticles using sound waves, working in under a minute instead of traditional centrifugation methods which take hours or days. The technique can be used for precision bioassays, cancer diagnosis, and more.

Land ecosystems are becoming less efficient at absorbing CO2

Scientists found that 86% of land ecosystems globally are becoming progressively less efficient at absorbing CO2 as atmospheric levels increase. This decline, known as the CO2 fertilization effect, is caused by limitations in water and nutrient availability, potentially weakening plants' ability to mitigate climate change.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.