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Science News Archive 2020


Page 92 of 512

Medicine and grief during the COVID-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing difficulties with grieving in the US. Healthcare professionals, who are particularly vulnerable to burnout, report increased levels of grief and despair, leading to concerns about their well-being.

Discovery adds new species to Rice lab's ghoulish insect menagerie

Researchers at Rice University and UNAM have discovered four new wasp species, including Allorhogas gallifolia, which may interact with other species on galls in complex ways. The discovery adds to the lab's 'ghoulish insect menagerie' and expands understanding of ecosystem interactions.

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.

Personal and financial costs of ADHD in Australia revealed

Research by Murdoch Children's Research Institute reveals significant personal and financial costs of ADHD in Australia, including $12.75 billion in annual social and economic losses. Early identification and treatment may help improve outcomes for children with ADHD.

For pregnant women with heart disease, multidisciplinary care may be essential

A recent study conducted at Columbia University Irving Medical Center suggests that multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics teams can improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce hospital readmission rates among pregnant women with cardiovascular disease. The study found low rates of maternal and fetal complications, as well as a lower rate of ho...

Motorists' smartphones may help highways bosses keep roads safe

A new study suggests that smartphone acceleration sensors can provide a low-cost measure of road roughness, allowing engineers to prioritize maintenance and reduce costs. This approach could also be used to assess the condition of rural roads in developing countries.

Rice rolls out next-gen nanocars

Researchers at Rice University have designed new nanocars with permanent dipole moments to increase their speed and drivability on a gold surface. The cars, weighing 114 atoms, will be driven via the internet by teams worldwide, competing in the 2022 international Nanocar Race.

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.

Wildlife flock to backyards for food from people

Researchers found that feeding animals is the strongest influence on animal activity in yards, with species like squirrels and raccoons being most common. The study confirms the urban-wildlife paradox, showing that suburban areas can have an abundance of wildlife compared to wild areas.

Can scientists take the STING out of common respiratory viruses?

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that most rhinoviruses require human protein STING to infect cells and cause disease. The discovery opens a new avenue for controlling infection and could lead to targeted therapies for treating common colds and acute wheezing episodes.

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.

Odds are good for unique 2D compound

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a unique 2D material that enables the valleytronics phenomenon, touted as a possible platform for information processing and storage. The material has been found to be scalable and less susceptible to environmental degradation.

Penn Study supports use of radiation before CAR therapy for multiple myeloma

A new Penn study found administering radiation therapy to multiple myeloma patients waiting for CAR T cells to be manufactured was safe and did not interfere with cellular therapy. Patients who received radiation 34 days or fewer before infusion had similar rates of severe side effects as those who did not receive radiation.

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.

Common liverwort study has implications for crop manipulation

A new study on genetic pathways in the common liverwort has significant implications for crop manipulation by revealing a unique role of ACC as a biologically active molecule. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of plant hormone ethylene production and suggests potential avenues for manipulating its signaling pathways

Modern computational tools may open a new era for fossil pollen research

A team of scientists developed machine-learning models to differentiate among several existing Amherstieae legume genera and classified existing pollen accurately over 80% of the time. The results support previous hypotheses suggesting that Amherstieae originated in Africa and later dispersed to South America.

Divide and conquer: a new formula to minimize 'mathemaphobia'

A new study by the University of South Australia aims to break the cycle of maths anxiety by building student confidence in maths. The research shows that boosting student confidence can counteract negative emotions and lead to better maths achievement.

Global 'BiteMap' reveals how marine food webs may change with climate

A new study maps the appetites of coastal predators, showing that rising temperatures can shape entire communities of predators and alter biodiversity. The global 'BiteMap' was created using handmade squid baits called 'squid pops,' which were used to entice fish and crabs to reveal their feeding patterns.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Bait consumption by marine predators

Marine predators consume more bait in mid-latitudes than near the equator, according to a new study. The researchers found that feeding intensity declines with increasing distance from the equator, and that warmer waters have little impact on bait consumption rates.

Localized vaccination surveillance could help prevent measles outbreaks

A new study suggests that localized vaccination surveillance can help predict and prevent measles outbreaks by analyzing geographic clustering of non-vaccinators. The researchers found that even at high overall vaccination coverage, clustering of non-vaccinators increases the probability and size of an outbreak.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Couples share heart disease risk factors and behaviors

A study of over 5,000 couples found that nearly all shared unhealthy habits, such as low-quality diet and inadequate exercise. The vast majority fell into the non-ideal category for cardiovascular health, with most sharing these behaviors. Improving one partner's health may positively impact their loved one.

The Darwinian diet: You are what you eat

Researchers studied attine ants and their fungal crops, finding that the ants' ability to target specific nutritional needs evolves as they develop more advanced farming practices. The findings suggest that humans can learn from nature's agricultural systems, which prioritize nutritional sustainability over industrial-scale production.

Irregular appearances of glacial and interglacial climate states

Researchers have found that interglacials were more frequently skipped in the past than previously thought. The study used a new approach to analyze climate data, separating temperature and sea level change influences, and found repeated irregularities during the last 2.6 million years.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

High-thermoresistant biopolyimides become water-soluble like starch

Researchers at JAIST have developed a new method to create water-soluble polyimides with high thermoresistance, featuring high transparency and tunable mechanical strength. The biopolyimides were synthesized using bio-based resources and treated with alkaline metal hydroxide to yield water-soluble salts.

Ancient lake contributed to past San Andreas fault ruptures

Researchers suggest that a large lake overlying the southern San Andreas fault in California could have affected rupture timing. A 1,000-year record of earthquakes and geological analysis indicate that high water levels on Lake Cahuilla increased stress on the rocks underneath, weakening faults and potentially leading to earlier ruptures.

War songs and lullabies behind origins of music

Researchers argue music's primary function is to signal attention to infants, while also forming alliances with groups. This theory challenges existing music origin theories, including social bonding and auditory cheesecake hypotheses.

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.

Who does the electoral college favor?

Researchers found that the 2020 election has less of a tilt to Republicans than in 2016, and that a close popular vote margin could lead to either outcome. The study suggests Biden may not need as large a popular vote margin as Clinton did in 2016.

Dog training methods help JHU teach robots to learn new tricks

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used positive reinforcement to train a robot named Spot to perform several tasks in days, compared to months. The team devised a reward system that works for robots like treats do for dogs, earning numeric points for correct behaviors.

How to figure out what you don't know

New research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory highlights the importance of model evaluation in neuroscience. By building and comparing several models of neural signaling, researchers found that good predictive power does not necessarily indicate a model's representation of real neural networks.

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.

COVID-19 vaccines: McGill researchers track the global race

McGill University professors have created an online COVID-19 vaccine tracker providing real-time updates on vaccine progress and characteristics. The tracker helps manage expectations about vaccine availability and promotes transparency in the regulatory process.

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.

The BrainHealth project could create a resilient economy

The BrainHealth Project aims to redefine brain health as a critical asset, improving emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. By investing in employees' brain health, organizations can tap into their limitless potential, catalyze innovative thinking, and strengthen productivity.

The first ever international Wounds Week was a resounding success

The first international Wounds Week was a resounding success, bringing together experts to discuss wound infection, identification, prevention, and management of pressure. Key findings include the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and wound hygiene in preventing infections.

Illinois study tracks evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations

A University of Illinois study tracks the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations, finding stabilization in key proteins that could improve COVID-19 treatments. The research suggests these stabilizations may help increase viral infectivity and shed light on vaccine development.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

3D printing the first ever biomimetic tongue surface

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a biomimetic tongue surface using 3D printing, replicating the complex texture and mechanical properties of a human tongue. The new technology enables testing of oral processing properties of food, nutritional technologies, and pharmaceuticals without relying on human trials.

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.

Taking the itch out of cancer immunotherapy

A study published in Communications Biology found that inflammation from high IL-6 levels leads to psoriasis-like dermatitis. Researchers propose targeting IL-6 as a potential approach to preventing the condition.

State gun laws may help curb violence across state lines: study

A study by Columbia University researchers found that strong state gun laws are associated with lower rates of firearm homicides within the state and across state lines. Weaker laws in one state contribute to higher homicide rates in neighboring states, particularly when guns can flow undetected into areas with already weak laws.

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.

Summer road trip finds small streams have big impacts on Great Lakes

Researchers found that small tributaries to Lake Michigan play a big role in feeding algae blooms and impacting coastal waters. Small streams often had high nutrient loads and contained higher percentages of soluble reactive phosphorus, making them significant contributors to water quality concerns.

Nutrient contributions of tributaries to Lake Michigan

Monitoring of 235 Lake Michigan tributaries reveals that small and abundant tributaries have high nutrient loads, often in dissolved inorganic forms. These plumes can overlap and amplify the impact on water quality, suggesting that small tributaries could be a critical target for eutrophication mitigation.

Destroying cancer cells with non-surgical ultrasound treatment

Researchers at KIST demonstrated the mechanism behind secondary cavitation clouds generated during HIFU treatment, allowing for precise removal of target tissue. The study laid the groundwork for ultra-precision focused ultrasound technology, enabling safe and effective destruction of tumor cells without surgery.

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.

Scientists to improve food plant worker safety, product supply

A Cornell University-led project aims to reduce COVID-19 cases and transmission among food processing facility workers while maintaining production capacity. The researchers will collaborate with industry partners to explore optimal strategies using computer modeling and outreach.

Earth's niobium and core formation

Researchers report that niobium readily dissolves in iron under high temperatures and pressures consistent with the Earth's core formation. This finding supports core formation models suggesting that the core did not form under highly reducing or oxidizing conditions, but rather was constrained by the sequestration of niobium.