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Science News Archive 2020


Page 89 of 512

Judges' decisions in sport focus more on vigour than skill

Researchers found that in fights resolved by judges' decisions, winners tended to fight more vigorously than losers. Conversely, fighting skills were essential for winning in fights determined by knockout or technical knockout. The study suggests that the rate of attack is a dominant factor in determining success in combat sports.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new playbook: COVID-19, athletes' hearts and return to play

A new report from sports cardiologists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Emory University School of Medicine offers guidance for athletes' return to play after COVID-19. For asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic athletes, detailed cardiac screening is not recommended, but those with moderate to severe symptoms should be screened for h...

Focused efforts needed to help health IT reach its promise

A RAND Corporation study finds that health systems need better mechanisms for creating and disseminating best practices to leverage technology effectively. The study suggests that payment reform may not be sufficient to drive change and that significant investments in hardware and software are needed.

Effect of electroacupuncture on chronic low back pain

A randomized clinical trial found that electroacupuncture significantly reduced pain severity among adults with chronic low back pain. The study compared the effects of electroacupuncture to a placebo treatment, with results indicating a notable decrease in pain severity.

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.

Cancer's dangerous renovations to our chromosomes revealed

Researchers at the University of Virginia have discovered that cancer alters the three-dimensional structure of chromosomes to create a comfortable home for itself inside cells. This remodeling is linked to changes in gene expression and can be targeted with specific drugs, offering new approaches to cancer treatment.

Detect with PKAchu

Biologists developed fluorescent mice to visualize protein kinase A (PKA) activation in the retina. They found that light stimulation activates PKA for nearly 15 minutes in rod cells, which are essential for night vision.

Vampire bats social distance when they get sick

Researchers found that vampire bats with illness associate less with others, spend less time near groupmates, and are less connected to healthy bats. This sickness-induced social distancing reduces transmission rates without requiring cooperation from others.

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.

Energy at risk: the impact of climate change on supply and costs

Climate change is expected to increase cooling demand and decrease heating demand globally, while also affecting energy infrastructure efficiency and reliability. Regional differences in climate change impacts are observed, with South Asia and Latin America being the most vulnerable regions.

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.

For vampire bats, social distancing while sick comes naturally

Researchers found that vampire bats with activated immune systems and feeling sick interacted with fewer bats, spent less time near others, and were less well-connected to the social network. This behavior helps reduce the spread of disease in highly social animals like vampire bats.

Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease

Researchers determined the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease, revealing novel packing and solvent content. The findings provide valuable insight into inhibition mechanisms and may aid optimization of promising inhibitors for therapeutic development.

Cauliflower coral genome sequenced

The sequencing of the cauliflower coral genome provides a resource for studying genetic adaptation to different environmental conditions. The analysis revealed approximately 27,500 genes, with a higher percentage of repetitive elements than closely related corals.

What EEGs tell us about COVID-19 and the brain

Research identifies commonalities in COVID-19 patients' brain activity, highlighting potential long-term effects on older males. Abnormal EEG readings suggest permanent brain damage, prompting the need for comprehensive care including brain imaging.

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.

Photovoltaics industry can help meet Paris agreement targets

A new model predicts the photovoltaic industry can meet Paris Agreement targets with 70-80 terawatts of cumulative capacity from solar cells by 2055. The industry needs to increase production rate by a factor of 30 within 10 years, driven by productivity improvements and material sustainability.

New cancer diagnostics: A glimpse into the tumor in 3D

A new technology makes it possible to analyze all the tissue removed from a tumor in 3D without cutting, significantly increasing the reliability of diagnosis. This revolutionizes pathology and provides new insights into cancer development, potentially leading to improved treatment options.

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.

Antarctica yields oldest fossils of giant birds with 21-foot wingspans

Fossils found in Antarctica reveal the largest individuals of an extinct group of seabirds, which lived for up to 60 million years, dwarfing today's largest bird. The discovery sheds light on bird evolution and highlights the diversity of Antarctic birds during a warmer climate 50 million years ago.

Postpartum depression may persist three years after giving birth

A recent NIH study found that approximately 1 in 4 women experience high levels of depressive symptoms at some point in the three years post-childbirth. Women with underlying conditions like mood disorders and gestational diabetes are more likely to have persistent symptoms.

Small mussels in the Baltic are getting even smaller

Researchers at Stockholm University found that Baltic Sea blue mussels are getting smaller due to changes in phytoplankton availability, which is linked to climate change. The study also discovered an increase in tiny mussels, which may compensate for the reduction in size but could lead to reduced water filtration rates.

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.

USTC develops single crystalline quaternary sulfide nanobelts

Researchers at USTC have designed a simple method to synthesize single crystalline wurtzite CZIS and CZGS nanobelts with exposed (0001) facets, showing excellent photocatalytic performances under visible-light irradiation. This work demonstrates the significance of surface engineering in quaternary sulfide photocatalysts.

Theoreticians show which quantum systems are suitable for quantum simulations

A joint research group has developed a way to simulate the quantum physical properties of complex solid state systems using real systems of atoms. The team's approach uses mathematical and numerical methods to investigate which quantum systems are suitable for simulations, paving the way for progress in robust quantum computing.

Cancer cells mediate immune suppression in the brain

A recent study published in Cell reveals that microglia, a type of immune cell, promote breast cancer metastasis to the brain by suppressing T-cells. The activation of VISTA checkpoint suppresses immune response, allowing cancer cells to spread and form secondary tumors.

Astronomers are bulging with data

For the first time, astronomers have surveyed over 250 million stars in the Milky Way's bulge, measuring their chemical composition and gaining new insights into the galaxy's formation. The data will help scientists understand how the Milky Way formed its central bulge and gain a better understanding of other galaxies.

Study reveals fibulin 5 is required for Schwann cells' myelination

A study published in STEM CELLS revealed that fibulin 5 plays a crucial role in the development of Schwann cells, which produce the myelin sheath surrounding neuronal axons. The research suggests that fibulin 5 may be used to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other demyelinating disorders.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Promising strategies for durable perovskite solar cells

Researchers developed feasible approaches for durable perovskite photovoltaics by addressing internal instability, chemical degradation, and environmental factors. Compositional engineering and bonding passivation are promising methods to improve device durability.

The sweet spot of flagellar assembly

Researchers identified a critical glycosylation step and a control protein that regulate flagellum assembly. The discovery sheds light on bacterial motility and provides insights into protein synthesis and cytoskeleton formation.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Study reinforces drug's potential to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Researchers at Washington State University have discovered mavacamten, a molecule that suppresses excessive force generated by hyper-contractile muscle cells in the human heart. The drug reduces maximal force of contraction by nearly 20-30% compared to controls, suggesting its potential as a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Black Hispanic individuals hardest hit by COVID-19

A new study finds that Hispanic Black individuals have the worst COVID-19 outcomes, including higher hospitalization and death rates, compared to Hispanic multiracial and white individuals. The study highlights the need for more accurate demographic data collection to address these disparities.

Best way to detect 'deepfake' videos? Check for the pulse

Researchers from Binghamton University and Intel Corp. developed a tool called FakeCatcher to detect 'deepfakes,' which boast an accuracy rate above 90%. The tool analyzes the subtle differences in skin color caused by the human heartbeat, using photoplethysmography (PPG) signals.

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.

Precaution: Lessons from COVID-19

Researchers from SUTD analyzed strategies employed by countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for controlled movement, containment through border controls, and efficient testing to prevent transmission. The study emphasizes the importance of a collective global strategy to contain outbreaks effectively.

Swiss fatalism protects against negative feelings in the pandemic

A Swiss study reveals that a certain fatalistic attitude can protect individuals from negative feelings during the Covid-19 pandemic. The researchers found that in Switzerland, fatalistic attitudes were associated with less fear and fewer negative emotions compared to Israel.

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.

Empathy may be in the eye of the beholder

A recent study from UC Davis found that people's views on empathy are complicated and depend on who is receiving it. Empathizers are liked and respected only when the character they're empathizing with is also well-liked, but not when the character is disliked. This challenges the notion that empathy is always a virtue.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions

A new study suggests that renewable energy targets can actually exacerbate sustainability issues, such as rolling blackouts in California. The researchers argue for a more nuanced approach, considering trade-offs between different policy instruments and long-term objectives.

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.

Impacts of family structure on puberty onset in girls

Girls living in single-parent households before age two are at higher risk of starting puberty earlier than their peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that infant attachment insecurity and socioeconomic status may contribute to this association.

Low-cost airlines have adapted best to COVID-19

Low-cost airlines proved more resilient during the pandemic due to their lower exposure to international long-haul traffic. They operated in regional markets and benefited from consolidation since 2001, increasing their market share from 5.3% to 37.3%.

Computer vision helps find binding sites in drug targets

Scientists developed BiteNet, a machine learning algorithm using computer vision to analyze protein structures and detect binding sites. The approach expands the array of possible pharmacological targets and improves speed and accuracy.