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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 95


Page 95 of 512

Reviewing multiferroics for future, low-energy data storage

A new UNSW study comprehensively reviews the magnetic structure of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3), a multiferroic material that displays both magnetic and electronic ordering at room temperature. This unique property allows for low-energy switching in data storage devices, making it a promising material for future, low-energy data storage.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 22, 2020

Project to investigate Southeast Asia plastic pollution

An international team led by the University of Exeter and National University of Singapore is investigating plastic pollution in Southeast Asia's marine ecosystems. The three-year project will assess life cycles and impacts on wildlife, identifying solutions to prevent plastic pollution.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateOct 22, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Humans are born with brains 'prewired' to see words

Researchers found connections between newborn brain's visual word form area and language network, suggesting an innate sensitivity to visual words. The study suggests that the pre-reading VWFA is more connected functionally to the language network than other areas.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 22, 2020

Stigma impacts psychological, physical health of multiracial people

Research finds that multiracial people experience depression, stress, and lower self-esteem due to frequent racial identity denial. Policy changes, such as legitimizing multiracial identity and integrating check-all-that-apply racial measures for data collection, can help combat stigmas and promote inclusivity.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateOct 22, 2020

New tool can diagnose strokes with a smartphone

Researchers have developed a machine learning model that analyzes speech and facial movements to diagnose strokes with high accuracy, potentially saving valuable time in diagnosing the condition. The tool was tested on over 80 patients and achieved 79% accuracy comparable to clinical diagnostics by emergency room doctors.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 22, 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.

Soil fungi act like a support network for trees, study shows

A new study found that trees' participation in fungal networks in forest soil is linked to their growth, carbon storage, and ability to withstand drought. The research suggests that these networks can provide significant growth advantages to trees with more connections.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateOct 22, 2020

Preventive drugs halve malaria cases in African schoolchildren

A meta-analysis of preventive malaria treatments among school-age children found that treatment cuts malaria prevalence by 46% and subsequent cases by 50%. Preventive treatment also improves learning outcomes and reduces anaemia cases.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateOct 22, 2020

Researchers discover 'spooky' similarity in how brains and computers see

A new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that the brain detects 3D shape fragments in the early stages of object vision, a strategy also used in artificial intelligence networks. This discovery may hold future opportunities to leverage correlations between natural and artificial intelligence.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 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.

Antiretroviral therapy can't completely stop accelerated cell aging seen in HIV

A new study by UCLA researchers found that antiretroviral therapy given over two years was unable to completely restore age-appropriate epigenetic patterns in HIV-infected adults. This suggests that even successfully treated HIV-infected individuals are at an increased risk for early development of diseases commonly associated with aging.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPathogens and Immunity·DateOct 22, 2020

How does the immune system develop in the first days of life?

Researchers found that newborns' immune systems activate soon after birth and increase key factors of innate immunity, including the complement system. This development is critical for protecting against pathogens in infancy, where infections are prevalent.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 22, 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.

Collaboration sparks new model for ceramic conductivity

An interdisciplinary collaboration has updated the small polaron hopping model to reflect different pathways for conduction in ceramics, enabling researchers to customize metal oxide properties. The new model reveals large energetic barriers associated with switching conduction paths between cations.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 22, 2020

Pituitary puzzle gets a new piece, revising evolutionary history

A new USC-led study provides evidence that the endoderm also forms part of the pituitary's front lobe in some vertebrates, revising the developmental and evolutionary story of the gland. The research uses cutting-edge technology to label and track embryonic cells, revealing an unexpected contribution from the innermost embryonic layer.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2020

Do asymptomatic kids with COVID-19 carry less virus?

A study of 339 asymptomatic and 478 symptomatic children found that those without symptoms had relatively low viral loads compared to their symptomatic counterparts. The timing of infection and diagnostic testing may impact viral load levels in asymptomatic children.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateOct 22, 2020
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.

OSIRIS-REx TAGs surface of asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully collected samples from the surface of asteroid Bennu, with the sampling head touching down within three feet of the targeted location. The majority of sample collection occurred within the first 3 seconds, and the spacecraft spent approximately 5 of the 6 seconds of contact collecting surface material.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 22, 2020

Scientist develops new way to test for COVID-19 antibodies

Scientists have developed a new diagnostic method that uses cell-free testing to measure neutralizing antibodies against the novel coronavirus. The test has shown promising results, with 92% of participants having antibodies and demonstrating effectiveness in blocking viral binding.

SourceSeattle Children's·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 22, 2020

For the first time: Realistic simulation of plasma edge instabilities in tokamaks

Researchers at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP) have successfully simulated plasma edge instabilities in tokamaks, revealing trigger and course of instability. The simulation matches experimentally observed values, providing a crucial step towards predicting and avoiding ELM instabilities in future fusion devices.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateOct 22, 2020

FEFU scientists helped design a new type of ceramics for laser applications

Researchers created a new type of ceramic nanocomposite (Ho3+:Y2O3-MgO) that can be used in high-capacity lasers operating in the medium infrared range. The material has increased thermal and mechanical resistance due to its almost pore-free structure, allowing it to transmit over 75% of light in the medium IR wavelengths.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalCeramics International·DateOct 22, 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.

Finally, a way to see molecules 'wobble'

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a way to visualize molecules in 3D, showing their position, orientation, and wobble. This technology, called CHIDO, could shed light on biological processes involved in diseases like COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2020

Researchers solve 'protein paradox' and suggest way to exploit cancer weakness

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered how MCM proteins regulate DNA replication pace and preserve essential skill for life continuation in cells. Their findings suggest a potential way to exploit cancer weaknesses by manipulating molecular roadblocks that slow down DNA replication.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 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.

NIA awards up to $2 million to AFAR renew Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center

The National Institute on Aging has awarded up to $2 million to the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) to continue its role as the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center. The award will support AFAR's efforts to enhance visibility, facilitate collaboration, and improve training among aging research centers nationwide.

SourceAmerican Federation for Aging Research·DateOct 22, 2020

Researchers identify how night-shift work causes internal clock confusion

Researchers identify how night-shift work causes internal clock confusion by disrupting cell secretions during shift changes. This disruption leads to increased insulin resistance and other health issues, as cells in the body do not adjust quickly enough to shifts in sleep patterns.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateOct 22, 2020

AI detects hidden earthquakes

A new AI-based method has been developed to detect small, imperceptibly tiny earthquakes that occur on the same faults as bigger earthquakes. This technology could provide insights into how earthquakes interact and spread out along the fault, allowing for a clearer view of earthquake patterns.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2020

Eliminating COVID-19: What the world can learn from NZ and Taiwan

Taiwan and New Zealand eliminated community transmission of COVID-19 through early action, robust surveillance, and strong public health infrastructure. Effective measures included mask mandates, contact tracing, and quarantine, with Taiwan's response being particularly effective due to its well-planned pandemic preparedness.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·DateOct 22, 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.

Bat-winged dinosaurs that could glide

Two small dinosaurs, Yi and Ambopteryx, had bat-like wings but struggled to fly, instead gliding between trees. Their unique wing membranes allowed them to glide, but not powered flight. The study supports that dinosaurs evolved flight in multiple ways before modern birds evolved.

SourceMcGill University·JournaliScience·DateOct 22, 2020

Samara Polytech chemists designed portable analyzers

Researchers at Samara Polytech develop cost-effective, portable analyzers for quick analysis of objects under study. The devices require no sampling and use light to illuminate the object, detecting signals through a light-guide cable.

SourceSamara Polytech (Samara State Technical University)·JournalACS Sensors·DateOct 22, 2020

Multi-mucus barrier segregates colon microbiota from host tissue

A continuous colonic mucus system forms a protective barrier between gut microbiota and host tissue in mice. The barrier consists of two types of O-glycan rich mucus that form in different regions of the colon, with proximal mucus encapsulating fecal pellets and distal mucus strengthening the barrier during elimination.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 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.

Toward a new staging system for prostate cancer, and why it matters

A new staging system called STAR-CAP has been developed to predict outcomes and inform treatment decisions for men with non-metastatic prostate cancer. The system, which uses patient, tumor, and outcome data from nearly 20,000 patients, has been validated and shows strong prognostic power.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 22, 2020

Discoveries reshape understanding of gut microbiome

Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have redefined how the gut microbiome operates and coexists with bacteria. The findings show that the microbiome controls the creation of mucus, which acts as a barrier between bacteria and immune cells in the colon.

SourceOklahoma Medical Research Foundation·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2020

DNA in fringe-lipped bat poop reveals unexpected eating habits

Researchers found evidence that fringe-lipped bats eat other bats and hummingbirds, challenging previous assumptions about their foraging behavior. The study used DNA analysis to understand the bats' diets and behavioral experiments to confirm these findings.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateOct 22, 2020
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.

Comparing canine brains using 3D-endocast modelling

Researchers used digital endocranial cast models to compare canine brain shapes, finding that the shortening of the facial skeleton affects brain regions, primarily the olfactory bulb and frontal lobe. This could have profound implications for dog behavior and cognition.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateOct 22, 2020

'Mini-lungs' reveal early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers have grown three-dimensional models of key lung tissue, known as 'mini-lungs,' to study how SARS-CoV-2 damages the lungs. The models revealed that viral replication occurs rapidly within six hours, triggering an immune response and leading to cell death and damage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 22, 2020

COVID-19 study: Meaning in life and self-control protect against stress

A comprehensive study found that individuals with a strong sense of meaning in life and high levels of self-control were better equipped to cope with the psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that these traits acted as buffers against mental distress, with older participants showing higher resilience.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateOct 22, 2020

Nursery automation focus of new effort led by UTIA

A new effort led by UTIA aims to help nursery growers adopt automation technologies, addressing the industry's labor shortage. The LEAP Team will identify labor constraints and opportunities, as well as prioritize automated technologies for nursery production systems.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateOct 22, 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.

A new technique predicts how earthquakes would affect a city's hospitals

A new methodology helps disaster preparedness officials in large cities create regional contingency plans to ensure emergency responders can get patients to likeliest-to-stay-open hospital facilities after a quake. The technique estimates death and injury risks, projects hospital damage, and maps best routes for patient transportation.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2020

Global MRI data offers hope for improving treatment of brain injuries

Researchers are combining global MRI data to predict outcomes and develop new treatments for traumatic brain injury, a major cause of disability. By pooling resources and analyzing large datasets, they aim to tackle complex questions about brain function and recovery.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalBrain Imaging and Behavior·DateOct 22, 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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Industry, government, and academic researchers propose general clinical endpoints to facilitate evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. These endpoints include asymptomatic infection as a study endpoint.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 22, 2020

Future VR could employ new ultrahigh-res display

Stanford researchers developed a new ultrahigh-res OLED display technology that enables televisions, smartphones, and virtual reality devices to reach resolutions of up to 10,000 pixels per inch. The displays are also brighter and have better color accuracy than existing versions.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 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.

Time is not on their side: physicians face barriers to voting

Two new UT Southwestern studies report that only half of practicing physicians are registered to vote, with time being the most common barrier faced by resident physicians. The researchers say finding ways to increase voter participation among doctors is critical as the nation tackles healthcare issues.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 22, 2020

Findings shed light on the ancient origins of speed control during movement

A Northwestern University research team discovered a highly ordered relationship between inhibitory neurons and motor neuron activity in zebrafish, revealing a compartmental scheme to regulate different speeds of movement. This finding provides insight into human movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2020