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Science News for April 15, 2020


A new tool to predict volcanic eruptions

Researchers have developed a new tool to predict volcanic eruptions by analyzing the composition of gases in the atmosphere. The tool uses precise measurements to identify the contribution of the atmosphere and Earth's mantle to these gases, allowing for more accurate predictions of future eruptions.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

'Frailty' from age 40 -- what to look out for

A new study found that people aged 40-49 are at a high risk of 'pre-frailty', a precursor to frailty and increased mortality risk. The study suggests that individuals can take proactive steps to improve their health by addressing factors such as poor nutrition, mental state, lung function, and sleep quality.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Geriatrics·DateApr 15, 2020

MDI Biological Laboratory-led program reveals high arsenic in well water

A new program analyzing Maine and New Hampshire well water samples found that 25% exceed the New Hampshire maximum safety level of 5 ppb, while 62% of homeowners haven't had their water tested. The results highlight the need for improved testing and mitigation strategies to protect residents from arsenic-related health risks.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateApr 15, 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.

Mahogany tree family dates back to last hurrah of the dinosaurs

Researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered that the mahogany family dates back to the last hurrah of the dinosaurs, with a fossil found in Canada dating back to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The discovery pushes back the known origin of mahogany by 15-20 million years.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateApr 15, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The importance of probiotic names -- and why some of them have changed

A global group of scientists proposes splitting the existing genus Lactobacillus into two genera, with 25 new genera having distinct names. This change aims to improve scientific accuracy and reflect closely related bacterial genes.

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateApr 15, 2020

From deep water to the surface: the nexus between climate, upwelling and marine ecosystems

Researchers studied the nexus between climate, upwelling, and marine ecosystems, finding that each Eastern Boundary Upwelling System (EBUS) has unique drivers and climate variability. The study highlights the importance of considering local and remote forcing factors in predicting long-term variations in upwelling.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 15, 2020

Shedding light on dark traps

Researchers discover deep trap clusters at grain boundaries in perovskites, reducing efficiency and stability. The findings could streamline efforts to increase the efficiency of perovskites for mass-market production.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 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.

How probiotic Bifidobacteria could help celiac disease patients

Researchers have identified specific Bifidobacteria strains that can break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments, reducing immune response damage. These findings pave the way for new treatments and improved patient outcomes for celiac disease patients.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 15, 2020

Could high blood pressure at night have an effect on your brain?

A new study shows that people with high blood pressure and reverse dipping may have small areas in the brain damaged from vascular disease, leading to memory problems. Those with high blood pressure and reverse dipping also had lower scores on a memory test, with average scores of about 33 compared to 40 for those without these conditi...

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 15, 2020

Goals, opportunities, guides for advancing soft tissue and soft materials research

Researchers at UMass Amherst have outlined high-priority goals and opportunities for advancing knowledge on cavitation science, which occurs in soft materials and tissues during traumatic brain injury. The team proposes using cavitation as a unique tool to understand soft tissues and develop new medical devices.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 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.

NASA observes rainfall from tornado-spawning storms in the southern US

NASA analyzed severe storms in the southern US, creating an animation of powerful thunderstorms that brought heavy rainfall and spawned destructive tornadoes. The analysis used NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) algorithm to estimate near-realtime precipitation rates.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 15, 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.

Additions to resource industry underwater robots can boost ocean discoveries

Researchers from Australian Institute of Marine Science suggest adding cameras, audio recorders, and sample collectors to remotely operated vehicles to increase scientific data gathering. This could lead to better understanding of marine infrastructure impact on ecosystems and improve ecological management and regulatory compliance.

SourceAustralian Institute of Marine Science·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateApr 15, 2020

New grant aims to develop digital approaches for patient assessment

Researchers will develop techniques for analyzing MRI and echocardiogram images to improve patient assessment and diagnosis. The collaboration aims to co-develop practical solutions for both the US and India, addressing high healthcare loads and improving diagnostic accuracy.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·DateApr 15, 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.

Where did the antimatter go? Neutrinos shed promising new light

The T2K experiment has shown that neutrinos oscillate more often than antineutrinos, pointing to almost maximum asymmetry between their behaviors. This finding offers a promising explanation for the disappearance of antimatter in the universe and may be confirmed by future experiments.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

How expectations influence learning

Neuroscientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have found that the thalamus plays a key role in decision-making during learning, while the insular cortex is active when participants make correct or incorrect decisions. This suggests that expectations influence brain activity and sensory perception.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateApr 15, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A survey of 450 general practitioners in Lombardy, Italy reveals the challenges faced by GPs in preventing and managing COVID-19. The study highlights the need for effective clinician education to improve COVID-19 prevention measures.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

Strongest evidence yet that neutrinos explain how the universe exists

A new study by the T2K Collaboration confirms that neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently, which could explain why matter persists over antimatter in the universe. This result brings scientists closer to answering the fundamental question of why the universe is dominated by matter.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Depression, anxiety may be side effects as nation grapples with COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread emotional distress and increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Healthcare providers are also at risk due to shortages of personal protective equipment and prolonged work hours.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020

Crohn's disease: Preserving inflammation-free phases

Researchers discovered that microscopic alterations in stem cell niche can predict Crohn's disease recurrence. A therapeutic approach using dichloracetate (DCA) restored intestinal stem cell functionality and maintained the intestinal barrier.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalGut·DateApr 15, 2020

Breeding a hardier, more nutritious wheat

A newly developed wheat variety contains higher levels of fructans, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can promote healthy gut bacteria. The breeders used genomic selection to reduce the development time and cost of creating such a high-fructan wheat variety.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateApr 15, 2020

Acoustic growth factor patterning

A new combination of 3D printing and acoustic droplet ejection technology enables precise control over growth factor presentation, promoting osteogenic differentiation in C2C12 mouse myoblast cells. This technique has vast potential for various tissue types beyond bone engineering.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

An antibody treatment combats life-threatening sepsis in rodents

Researchers have developed an antibody treatment that improves survival in rodent models of sepsis by targeting a protein called tetranectin. The therapy boosts survival even when started late after sepsis onset, suggesting its potential for treating severe bacterial infections and secondary sepsis in COVID-19 patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 15, 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.

T2K insight into the origin of the universe

Researchers at Lancaster University's T2K experiment have found that almost half of the possible parameter values governing matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe have been disfavoured. This discovery suggests a basic property of neutrinos, one of the fundamental particles making up the Universe.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

New geochemical tool reveals origin of Earth's nitrogen

Researchers used a new geochemical tool to analyze volatile elements in Earth's interior, revealing that nitrogen has been present since the planet's formation. The method, which identifies air contamination, provides valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and may also be used to monitor volcanic activity.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 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.

Impact of donor lymphocyte infusion and intensified conditioning for relapsed/refractory leukemia

A large cohort study found that donor lymphocyte infusion and intensified conditioning improve outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia, achieving high 3-year leukemia-free survival rates. The study also showed that these interventions have varying impacts on different types of leukemia and donor recipients.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateApr 15, 2020

Satellite galaxies of the Milky Way help test dark matter theory

Researchers used satellite galaxies Draco and Fornax to test the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) model, which explains diverse dark matter distributions. SIDM produces novel signatures in subhalos that differ from the prevailing Cold Dark Matter theory.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 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.

When damaged, the adult brain repairs itself by going back to the beginning

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that adult brain cells revert to an embryonic state after injury, allowing them to regenerate new connections. The study identifies the essential genetic pathway involved in this process, which sustains regeneration by a gene known as Huntingtin.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Light from stretchable sheets of atoms for quantum technologies

The researchers have demonstrated a world record for the largest spectral, color-tuning range from an atomically thin quantum system. By stretching the material, they induced mechanical expansion of the quantum source, resulting in dramatic tuning range of colors emitted by quantum light.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 15, 2020

COPD as a lung stem cell disease

Abnormal stem cells in COPD patients drive key features of the disease, including mucins that block airways and fibrosis and inflammation. Researchers have identified specific cells responsible for COPD pathology and are screening them against drug libraries to discover new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 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.

Researchers create tools to help volunteers do the most good after a disaster

Researchers developed tools to help emergency response and relief managers assign volunteers efficiently. The 'Largest Weighted Demand' (LWD) policy assigns volunteers to the task with the most work left, prioritizing importance. However, for tasks with unclear workloads, alternative policies like 'Largest Queue Clearing Time' (LQCT) m...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalOmega·DateApr 15, 2020

Two is better than one

A team of scientists has developed a new 2D catalyst that can improve the efficiency of water purification using hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst, composed of two co-catalysts on one nanosheet, was designed to increase the efficiency of the process without additional chemical treatment.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2020

Antiviral drug baloxavir reduces transmission of flu virus among ferrets

Researchers found baloxavir treatment reduced infectious viral shedding and transmission of the flu virus among infected ferrets. The study suggests antivirals could reduce community-based viral spread and support the idea that decreasing viral shedding could also reduce influenza transmission in humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 15, 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.

Speeding-up quantum computing using giant atomic ions

Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a method to speed up quantum computing using giant Rydberg ions, which can exchange quantum information in under a microsecond. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of scalable quantum computers for complex calculations.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Mouse study shows 'chaperone protein' protects against autoimmune diseases

Researchers discovered a key role for H2-O chaperone protein in protecting the immune system from autoimmunity, which causes diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that the absence of H2-O disrupted normal helper T cell function, leading to autoimmune reactions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 15, 2020

Bornean treeshrews can take the heat

Researchers measured oxygen consumption in wild-caught lesser treeshrews across various temperatures. The study found that Bornean treeshrews have a high upper limit of the thermoneutral zone, contradicting current assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateApr 15, 2020

National clinical trial to treat hospitalised patients with COVID-19

A new clinical trial aims to find effective alternative solutions for critically ill COVID-19 patients, reducing the need for treatment with a ventilator and improving patient outcomes. The RECOVERY-RS Respiratory Support trial will compare standard care with non-invasive treatments using masks or high-flow oxygen.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateApr 15, 2020

New textile could keep you cool in the heat, warm in the cold

Researchers develop strong, comfortable fabric that adapts to changing weather conditions by absorbing and releasing thermal energy. The fabric, made from silk and chitosan with phase-changing polymer PEG, can be worn indoors or outdoors, reducing the need for air conditioning or heat.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 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.

Logging threatening endangered caribou

A recent study by University of Guelph researchers found that logging in Ontario's boreal stands is threatening the population of endangered woodland caribou. The team analyzed video collars attached to 30 caribou, as well as GPS-tracking radio collars on wolves and caribou, to monitor their movements and find evidence of predation.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateApr 15, 2020

Economists find carbon footprint grows with parenthood

A new study found that households with children emit over 25% more carbon dioxide than childless households. Parents' concerns about the environment do not translate to a reduction in carbon footprint, but rather increased transportation and food consumption. This disparity is likely due to time constraints and the need for convenience.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 15, 2020

New COVID-19 test quickly and accurately detects viral RNA

Researchers have created a faster and more accurate COVID-19 test using plasmonic photothermal sensing, detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in minutes. The test can discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 and its close relative, reducing false-positive results.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 15, 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.

Genetics linked to childhood emotional, social and psychiatric problems

Research analyzing genetic data of over 42,000 children reveals a strong link between childhood emotional and psychiatric issues and increased risk of adult depression, insomnia, and other conditions. Higher genetic vulnerability scores were associated with reduced educational attainment and emotional wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 15, 2020

Studying pterosaurs and other fossil flyers to better engineer manmade flight

Researchers study pterosaur fossils to understand their wing anatomy and flight capabilities, revealing novel tactics for bioinspired flight technology. By analyzing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of these ancient creatures, scientists may be able to overcome hurdles still hindering man-made flight.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 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.

Face up to eating disorders, and seek help

A recent study found that young adults in Australia are leaving it 'too late' to seek help for eating disorders due to various barriers. Concerns about autonomy, fear of being a burden, and perceptions of the illness's severity prevent many from seeking professional advice.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateApr 15, 2020

China's viticulture in transition

China's wine culture dates back over 9,000 years, with archaeological evidence showing the oldest known alcoholic drink. Viticulture emerged around 8,000 years ago in Georgia, but China played a significant role in Eurasian wine history.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·DateApr 15, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

ECMO physicians offer guidance in the context of resource-scarce COVID-19 treatment

In the context of a resource-scarce COVID-19 treatment, ECMO physicians outline their approach to care and provide guidelines for medical centers to respond to patients' needs. The guidance emphasizes optimizing resource utilization to prioritize patients with severe respiratory failure but without other significant co-morbidities.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateApr 15, 2020

Discovering the secrets of the enigmatic caspase-6

Caspase-6 plays a critical role in regulating the ZBP1-NLRP3 inflammasome, facilitating PANoptosis during viral infection. Modulation of caspase-6 could be beneficial for treating viral diseases like influenza and other inflammatory diseases including cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2020

COVID-19 puts new science to the pressure test

Scientists are working at breakneck speeds to develop new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for COVID-19. Researchers are testing existing drugs, developing brand-new diagnostics, and utilizing gene-editing tools like CRISPR to combat the novel coronavirus.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 15, 2020

Skin that computes

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara find the skin's elasticity helps process tactile information, enabling efficient data compression. This discovery may lead to new prosthetic limb designs and improved tactile sensing for robots.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 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.

Improving the treatment of periodontitis

A study by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin reveals that the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis plays a key role in periodontitis, causing inflammation and tissue destruction. The parasite's elimination may improve treatment outcomes for patients with gum disease.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateApr 15, 2020

Substances trapped in nanobubbles exhibit unusual properties

Researchers created a universal model of nanobubbles to study the behavior of trapped substances. The model predicts bubble shape under thermodynamic conditions and describes molecular structure.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateApr 15, 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.

Breastfeeding may lead to fewer human viruses in infants

Research found that breastfeeding significantly influences viral populations in infant guts, providing a protective effect against pathogenic viruses. Even small amounts of breastmilk can reduce the risk of early gastrointestinal disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

T2K results restrict possible values of neutrino CP phase

The T2K Collaboration has published new results showing the strongest constraint yet on the parameter governing the breaking of matter-antimatter symmetry in neutrino oscillations. The analysis of data collected through 2018 reveals a significant enhancement of the oscillation probability of neutrinos, favoring values close to δcp=90º.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020
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: Exercise may protect against deadly complication

Research suggests exercise can prevent or reduce severity of ARDS, a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Regular physical activity increases production of antioxidant EcSOD, which may provide protection against severe respiratory disease.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalRedox Biology·DateApr 15, 2020

Milk pioneers: East African herders consumed milk 5,000 years ago

Researchers discovered evidence of milk processing in ancient pottery from east Africa, confirming the story that bones have been telling us about pastoralist societies' way of life. The findings suggest that herders who specialized in cattle were drinking milk and survived better due to lactase persistence.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2020

KIST develops nanometer-thick electromagentic shielding film using MXene

A Korean research team has developed an ultrathin MXene film with exceptional absolute electromagnetic shielding performance, outperforming any other material reported to date. The film's thickness can be customized to provide 99% electromagnetic shielding efficiency.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

Journey to the center of the Earth

Scientists have successfully determined the density of liquid iron and sound propagation speed through it at extremely high pressures. They found the density of the molten outer core to be about 8 percent less dense than pure liquid iron, suggesting the presence of additional lighter elements.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 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.

Applying mathematics to accelerate predictions for capturing fusion energy

Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new technique to predict fusion energy performance using advanced mathematical modeling. This approach combines millisecond behavior with longer-term forecasts, enabling accurate predictions of plasma temperature profiles and heat fluxes at significantly reduced computa...

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 15, 2020

WPI researcher's paper on COVID-19 published in Viruses journal

A WPI researcher's paper on the novel coronavirus has been published in a leading virology journal, revealing key findings on its structure and potential targets for treatment. The study found similarities between the COVID-19 virus and SARS, suggesting new antiviral strategies.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalViruses·DateApr 15, 2020

Unusually clear skies drove record loss of Greenland ice in 2019

The study found that exceptional atmospheric circulation patterns contributed significantly to the record ice loss, which may be underestimated by current climate models. The lack of snowfall and resulting clear skies led to increased melting and runoff, resulting in a sea level rise of about 1.5 millimeters.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateApr 15, 2020

Speeding-up quantum computing using giant atomic ions

Researchers have developed a new approach to speed up trapped ion quantum computing using giant Rydberg ions, increasing computational capacity exponentially. The experimental work confirms that the system can scale up without slowdowns, enabling large-scale quantum computation.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 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.

What is an individual? Information Theory may provide the answer

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding individuality in biology using Information Theory, focusing on dynamical processes and environmental influences. This perspective suggests that individuals are best thought of as continuous, emergent entities rather than stationary objects.,

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalTheory in Biosciences·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

Shedding light on dark traps

Researchers identify 'deep trap' caused by clusters of smaller atomic-sized defect sites at grain boundaries, leading to power losses and instability. The discovery could streamline efforts to increase efficiency of perovskites, bringing them closer to mass-market production.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Lung-heart super sensor on a chip tinier than a ladybug

A new sensor chip smaller than a ladybug records multiple lung and heart signals, body movements, and sounds to offer the big picture of a patient's heart and lung health. The chip's high resolution and quantified data could identify pathologies and enable clinical readings in the future.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020

Prescribing an overdose: A chapter in the opioid epidemic

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that more than half of Americans starting highly regulated opioids may be receiving inappropriate treatment. The research team used pharmacy and medical claims data to identify nearly 300,000 instances of prescriptions for medications reserved for people with opioid tolerance. However, less ...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 15, 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.

Nanosensor can alert a smartphone when plants are stressed

Researchers embed carbon nanotube sensors in plant leaves to detect hydrogen peroxide signaling waves, allowing for real-time tracking of plant stress responses. The new approach enables comparison across different plant species, providing insights into how plants counteract damage and respond to various types of stress.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 15, 2020

Research finds teachers just as likely to have racial bias as non-teachers

A new study finds that teachers exhibit almost identical levels of pro-White racial bias as non-teachers, highlighting the need for additional support and training to mitigate implicit biases in schools. The research suggests that schools are microcosms of society, and teachers require help in combating their biases.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateApr 15, 2020