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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 93


Page 93 of 512

On-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons could advance quantum devices

Researchers have developed an on-surface synthesis method to create graphene nanoribbons with precise electronic properties, advancing quantum devices. The approach uses a titanium dioxide surface and achieves atomic-scale precision, decoupling the material from the substrate and enabling unique quantum properties.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2020

Hard physical work significantly increases the risk of dementia

A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that people doing hard physical work have a 55-per cent higher risk of developing dementia. Despite previous findings suggesting physical activity reduces dementia risk, this study highlights the importance of 'good' form of physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateOct 26, 2020

Soft epidermal devices for sweat biomarker measurements

Researchers developed a wearable device to monitor stress levels using sweat biomarkers, measuring cortisol, glucose, and vitamin C. The device tracks circadian rhythms and can be controlled via a smartphone, offering noninvasive monitoring of stress levels.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 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.

Tracking plague across Eurasia

A study analyzing genomic sequences from historical plague victims suggests that a wildlife reservoir in Eurasia, near Europe's edge, may have seeded epidemics. The research also reveals a common strain responsible for the 1722 Great Plague of Marseille and separate introductions to Scandinavia and the Caucasus region.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2020

Cell-Free DNA provides a dynamic window into health

Researchers used cell-free DNA to monitor infectious and immune-related diseases, including COVID-19 infection, and identified tissue-of-origin through methylation markers. This technology has potential clinical applications in screening for tissue damage, detecting cancer early, and patient care.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·DateOct 26, 2020

Insights into the genetic architecture of penicillin allergy

A genome-wide association study identified a significant signal from the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region on chromosome 6, specifically the HLA-B *55:01 allele, associated with a 33% higher relative odds of penicillin allergy. This finding is based on self-reported data and electronic health records of over 1 million individuals.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·DateOct 26, 2020
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.

Wrinkled 'super pea' could be added to foods to reduce diabetes risk

A new study suggests that incorporating wrinkled 'super peas' into foods, such as whole pea seeds or flour, could help tackle the global type 2 diabetes epidemic by preventing 'sugar spikes'. The research found that consuming these peas resulted in a more stable increase in blood sugar levels compared to regular peas.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Food·DateOct 26, 2020

Infrared radiation in tropical cyclone development

A study found that infrared radiation trapped by deep clouds strengthens the storm's circulation, promoting moisture saturation and rotation. The phenomenon could help improve forecasting of destructive storms.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2020

Time-keeping brain protein influences memory

A brain protein that regulates time-keeping also plays a crucial role in normal memory formation, according to new research in fruit flies. Memory regulation by this protein, PDF, likely occurs without direct signaling to the main memory structure.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateOct 26, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Artificially sweetened drinks may not be heart healthier than sugary drinks

Research from the American College of Cardiology found that high consumption of both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks is associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The study analyzed data from over 104,000 participants and found that consuming either type of beverage increased the risk of cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 26, 2020

Making biodiesel from dirty old cooking oil just got way easier

Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food scraps and plastic rubbish into high-value products. The new catalyst can make biodiesel from low-grade ingredients containing up to 50% contaminants.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateOct 26, 2020

Emerging treatment helps reverse heart failure in some patients

Researchers report a promising emerging treatment that combines medications with temporary use of an artificial heart pump to reverse structural damage in the heart. In a multicenter study, 40 advanced heart failure patients were treated with this protocol, resulting in high rates of LVAD removal and improved cardiovascular health.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalCirculation·DateOct 26, 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.

UCalgary researchers discover new tactic to stop the growth of a deadly brain cancer

Researchers at UCalgary's Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre have made a breakthrough in combating glioblastoma by reprogramming the immune system to fight cancer instead of fueling it. By disrupting interleukin 33, a substance that recruits immune cells to tumours, survival rates increased from two months or less to over a year.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 26, 2020

Ionic liquid electrolyte for potassium batteries

A nonflammable ionic liquid electrolyte has been developed for potassium batteries, allowing for the creation of safe and efficient batteries. The battery demonstrated high energy and power density, retaining around 89% of its original capacity after 820 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 99.9%.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2020

Risk score predicts prognosis of outpatients with COVID-19

A new AI-based tool, CoVA, has been developed to predict the prognosis of patients with COVID-19, identifying those at highest risk for complications. The tool was tested on over 9,381 adult outpatients and demonstrated excellent performance in predicting hospitalization, critical illness, or death within seven days.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 26, 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.

Gender, age divide in new bullying study

Researchers at Flinders University found that students' emotional resilience is linked to their chances of being victimized, with less resilient students more likely to suffer from harassment. Higher levels of resilience and wellbeing tended to go with being bullied less often, being a boy, and being younger.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPsychology in the Schools·DateOct 25, 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.

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.

Cause of Alzheimer's disease traced to mutation in common enzyme

A study by Tokyo Metropolitan University reveals that a specific MARK4 mutation causes tau protein to aggregate in the brain, leading to Alzheimer's disease. The mutated enzyme makes tau proteins sticky and insoluble, causing neurons to die and memory functions to impair.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 24, 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.

Prasanna Balachandran shortcuts search for multi-functional materials

Balachandran's data-driven approach predicts which alloys will perform well in extreme environments, narrowing the search for high-performance materials. His work combines artificial intelligence with quantum mechanics to make the search more productive and cost-effective.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateOct 23, 2020

Marine biology -- Sponges as biomonitors of micropollution

A research team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München found that marine sponges can accumulate microparticles, including plastics and textile fibers, in their tissues. The study suggests that sponges could serve as useful bioindicators for monitoring microscopic pollutants in the seas.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateOct 23, 2020

Bioplastics no safer than other plastics

A recent study published in Environment International found that bioplastics contain high levels of toxic chemicals, similar to conventional plastics. The researchers tested 43 different plastic products and found that 80% contained more than 1000 different chemicals.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironment International·DateOct 23, 2020
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.

Why do minorities have higher rates of kidney failure?

A new study found that Blacks and Hispanics experience higher rates of kidney failure compared to whites, driven by faster declines in kidney function after chronic kidney disease onset. This disparity can be addressed by slowing the progression of kidney disease in these populations.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·DateOct 23, 2020

Happiness and the evolution of brain size

Researchers found that serotonin can stimulate the production of basal progenitor cells in the fetal human brain, potentially contributing to the evolutionary expansion of the neocortex. This new function of serotonin may help explain the development of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNeuron·DateOct 23, 2020

SPOTlight supercharges cell studies

A new method called SPOTlight allows for the isolation of single live cells with unique profiles from heterogenous populations. The platform uses a digital micromirror device to give individual cells a long-lasting tag, enabling researchers to observe cellular dynamics and subcellular structures over time.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2020

Media alert: new articles in the CRISPR Journal

The CRISPR Journal announces its October 2020 issue, featuring expert reactions to the National Academies' Heritable Human Genome Editing report. The journal also presents a comprehensive survey of global laws and regulations on hereditary human genome editing, highlighting both countries that prohibit and permit such research.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·DateOct 23, 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.

New algorithm predicts likelihood of acute kidney injury

A new AI-based tool can help clinicians predict which hospitalized patients are at high risk of developing acute kidney injury, allowing for earlier treatment and potentially better outcomes. The Dascena algorithm outperformed the standard method in predicting AKI 72 hours prior to onset.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·DateOct 23, 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.

Exploring the source of stars and planets in a laboratory

Researchers propose new method to verify star and planet formation theory by simulating the Princeton Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) Experiment. The study finds that instabilities can be seen before the upper limit of experimental rotation rate is reached, shedding light on the growth of celestial bodies.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review E·DateOct 23, 2020

High-impact clinical trials yield results that could improve kidney care

Recent clinical trials have shown promising results for finerenone, which slows diabetic kidney disease progression and reduces cardiovascular events when added to standard care. Empagliflozin also demonstrated benefits in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest new treatment options for patients ...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·DateOct 23, 2020

Time crystals lead researchers to future computational work

A team of researchers has proposed a method to use time crystals to simulate massive networks with very little computing power. They used graph theory and statistical mechanics to fill the gap in understanding time crystals and their applications.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2020
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.

Researchers create human airway stem cells from patients' cells

Scientists successfully created airway basal stem cells in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells, which may lead to new treatments for airways and lungs damaged by various diseases. The study's findings could also enable the development of disease models and targeted drug approaches.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 23, 2020

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. to publish Journal of Correctional Health Care

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. will publish Journal of Correctional Health Care, a national, peer-reviewed journal focusing on correctional health care. The journal provides education for healthcare providers serving the incarcerated population, covering topics such as clinical care, mental health, and substance abuse treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Correctional Health Care·DateOct 23, 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.

ESMO Asia Virtual Congress 2020

The ESMO Asia Virtual Congress 2020 examined the efficacy of new therapies for prevalent cancer types in the Asia-Pacific region. The scientific program featured key research areas, including neo-adjuvant immuno-oncology and molecular stratification.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateOct 23, 2020