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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 89


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.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 27, 2020

New approach to diagnosing genetic diseases using RNA sequencing increases yield

A new study from Baylor College of Medicine found that starting genetic analysis with RNA sequencing can increase diagnostic yield by up to 17% in rare genetic diseases. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of noncoding changes and enhances confidence in diagnoses.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 27, 2020

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...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateOct 27, 2020
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.

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.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalHealthcare·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalGenome Biology·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceKyoto University·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateOct 27, 2020

The Lancet Healthy Longevity: Residential context important factor in risk of COVID-19 mortality among older adults, Stockholm study suggests

A new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity suggests that older adults living in care homes have a higher risk of COVID-19 mortality compared to those living in single houses or apartment buildings. The researchers found that living arrangements, such as the type of home and neighborhood characteristics, were important factor...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalNature Energy·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalSeizure·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateOct 27, 2020

Fatal police shootings among black Americans remain high, unchanged since 2015

Researchers found a significant disparity in fatal police shootings between Black and white individuals, with Black victims experiencing lethal encounters at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of police violence on marginalized communities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 27, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceStockholm University·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCell·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 27, 2020
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.

Biodiversity monitoring programmes need a culture of collaboration

A lack of coordination among stakeholders hinders biodiversity monitoring, but integrating contributors can improve data collection. This is crucial for identifying factors leading to declines in biodiversity and creating sustainable conservation strategies.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalOne Earth·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceWashington State University·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·DateOct 27, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalBioEssays·DateOct 27, 2020
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.

Scientists discover how a common mutation leads to 'night owl' sleep disorder

A study by researchers at UC Santa Cruz reveals the molecular mechanisms behind the 'night owl' sleep disorder, which affects one in 75 people of European descent. The genetic mutation identified alters a key component of the biological clock, causing people to stay up late and sleep in late.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateOct 27, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Pediatrics·DateOct 27, 2020

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%.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·DateOct 27, 2020

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.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalCommunications Biology·DateOct 27, 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.