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Science News for April 24, 2020


Highly concentrated aqueous electrolytes could replace solvents used in batteries

A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo has identified a promising technological alternative to solvents used in batteries. Highly concentrated aqueous electrolytes offer significant advantages over conventional methods, including being nontoxic and cheaper. However, challenges such as hygroscopicity and corrosion need to...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCurrent Opinion in Electrochemistry·DateApr 24, 2020

Facing a pandemic while pregnant

A pregnant woman shares her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the emotional toll of isolation and uncertainty on her mental health. She also discusses how healthcare providers can better support pregnant patients during this time, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 24, 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.

Fueling the world sustainably: Synthesizing ammonia using less energy

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a catalyst that enables the production of ammonia at just 50°C, using half the energy required by existing techniques. This breakthrough has significant implications for sustainable agricultural food production and reduces carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

Water molecules dance in three

Researchers have accurately described the interaction energy among three water molecules for the first time. The study uses advanced spectroscopy and quantum calculations to analyze the intermolecular vibrations of water trimers.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 24, 2020

Researchers solve 'link discovery' problem for terahertz data networks

A team of researchers from Brown and Rice University has developed a means of performing link discovery with terahertz radiation, enabling ultra-fast wireless data transmission. The approach uses a device called a leaky waveguide to exploit the properties of terahertz waves and track client devices in real-time.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Higher levels of NETs in blood associated with more severe COVID-19

Researchers found a link between higher blood levels of NETs and a more severe disease course in patients with COVID-19. NETs, a product of neutrophil cell death, may be relevant to understanding the inflammatory storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJCI Insight·DateApr 24, 2020

Two steps closer to flexible, powerful, fast bioelectronic devices

Researchers develop biocompatible ion-driven soft transistors that can perform real-time neurologically relevant computation. A mixed-conducting particulate composite enables the creation of electronic components out of a single material, allowing for non-invasive recording and processing of brain activity.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 24, 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.

Dramatic loss of food plants for insects

Researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Zurich have found a significant decline in food plants for insects in the canton of Zurich over the past 100 years. This has resulted in a decrease in the abundance of species visited by bees, bumblebees, wasps, butterflies, hoverflies, flies, and beetles.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEcological Applications·DateApr 24, 2020

Hubble marks 30 years in space with tapestry of blazing starbirth

The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a breathtaking portrait of a firestorm of starbirth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This iconic image, nicknamed the 'Cosmic Reef,' showcases the telescope's enduring legacy and transformative impact on modern astronomy.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 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.

Sanfilippo C syndrome: New brain cell models to evaluate therapies

Researchers have developed brain cell models of neurons and astrocytes to better understand the mechanisms of Sanfilippo C syndrome. The studies show that these cell models can reproduce the main features of the disease, allowing for the assessment of potential therapies.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine·DateApr 24, 2020

New active ingredient against allergic asthma

Researchers from TUM have identified a substance that worm larvae use to modulate the host's immune response, activating anti-inflammatory pathways and reducing inflammatory mediators. This active molecule shows promise as a new treatment for chronic airway inflammation in allergic asthma.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 24, 2020

Quantum electrodynamics experiment

Researchers at Heidelberg University have successfully constructed the symmetries of quantum electrodynamics using ultracold atoms. The findings could lead to the development of large-scale quantum devices capable of simulating complex physical phenomena.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2020

Environment-friendly compound shows promise for solar cell use

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new lead-free chalcogenide perovskite that could provide a safer and more effective option for solar cells. The compound, barium zirconium sulfide (BaZrS3), is highly resistant to moisture and sunlight, making it an attractive alternative to traditional materials.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 24, 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.

Summary of preliminary data about obesity and severity of COVID-19

Researchers from DZD and Boston Children's Hospital highlight the importance of body weight and metabolic health in understanding COVID-19 severity. Studies suggest that obesity may increase the risk of severe illness, independent of cardiometabolic diseases.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·DateApr 24, 2020

Training instance segmentation neural network with synthetic datasets for seed phenotyping

A team of scientists has developed a system utilizing image analysis and artificial intelligence to analyze the shape of large numbers of seeds from a single image. The trained model detected and segmented individual seeds with high accuracy and analyzed seeds of other crops, accelerating crop breeding and analysis.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 24, 2020

COVID-19: The downside of social distancing

A team of researchers argues that social distancing is at odds with human nature, which naturally seeks social contact in times of danger. This contradiction poses a significant challenge to public health and policy-making.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 24, 2020

Colliding solitons in optical microresonators

Researchers at EPFL's lab have developed a method to generate soliton collisions in optical microresonators, allowing for the study of complex soliton interactions. By controlling the speed mismatch between two laser-driven solitons, they can induce binding or crossing behaviors, revealing important physics of the system.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review X·DateApr 24, 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.

How the immune system reacts to hepatitis C viruses

Researchers discovered that hepatitis C virus interacts with the immune system through the interferon-stimulated gene C19orf66, disrupting viral replication machinery and inhibiting its ability to replicate. The study found increased production of C19orf66 in hepatitis C patients, suggesting a potential antiviral effect.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 24, 2020

Nursing homes prepared for pandemics, but COVID-19 reveals gaps

A survey of Michigan nursing homes reveals significant improvements in pandemic preparedness since the last study in 2007. Nearly all nursing homes now have a plan in place, staff trained on response protocols and communication lines established with hospitals and public health departments.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 24, 2020

Brain insulin sensitivity determines body weight and fat distribution

A long-term study found that brain insulin sensitivity determines both body weight and the distribution of fat in the body. Participants with high insulin sensitivity in the brain experienced a significant reduction in visceral fat and weight, which was maintained over nine years.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 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.

Learn from past to protect oceans

Historical examples of sustainable and unsustainable fishing practices reveal common 'recipes for failure' that offer warnings for modern-day ocean management. Successful societies achieved balance between economic growth, social equity, and sustainability by managing resources fairly and responding to change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateApr 24, 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.

Achievement requires passion and grit

A recent study reveals that passion is significantly more important for men's success than in women, who exhibit stronger correlations between factors. Women's achievement is tied to the intertwined factors of passion, grit and positive mindset.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNew Ideas in Psychology·DateApr 24, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center describe ventilator triage policies developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American College of Physicians Ethics Committee also warns against using universal do-not-resuscitate orders and life-years approaches to ration resources, citing ethical concerns.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 24, 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.

Syphilis eludes immune attack by altering a single gene

Researchers found that syphilis bacteria alter a single gene, called tprK, which provides instructions for a protein on its surface. This change allows the bacterium to evade the immune system and resist eradication, contributing to its ability to hide in the body for decades.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 24, 2020

Feeling the pressure: How blood vessels sense their environment

A novel protein, thrombospondin-1 (Thbs1), plays a crucial role in mechanotransduction in blood vessel walls, enabling cells to adapt to changing mechanical forces. The absence of Thbs1 can lead to weakened blood vessel walls, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 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.

Organic heterostructures composed of one- and two-dimensional polymorph

Researchers have fabricated organic heterostructures with enormous structural diversity and novel optical/electronical properties using polymorphism. These structures exhibit multiple output channels, structure-dependent optical signals, and good optical waveguide performance.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateApr 24, 2020

Substituting the next-best protein

Researchers found that FDA-approved drugs Betaxolol and Pravastatin can increase muscle strength in mouse models of DMD by stimulating utrophin production. This approach could lead to novel therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, potentially offering advantages over traditional gene replacement methods.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

The most promising strategies for defeating coronavirus: A review study

This study reviews possible clinical strategies for defeating coronavirus, including the use of vaccines, broad-spectrum antivirals like remdesivir, and gene therapy. The authors propose these approaches as promising alternatives to develop effective treatments against SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateApr 24, 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.

New high-energy-density physics research provides insights about the universe

Researchers have discovered two new phenomena - interspecies radiative transition and breakdown of dipole selection rule - in the transport of radiation in atoms and molecules under high-energy-density physics conditions. This finding enhances understanding of HEDP and could lead to insights into how stars evolve in the universe.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

A 'corset' for the enzyme structure

Enzyme structure varies depending on whether it's measured in a test tube or a living cell, according to researchers at the University of Bonn. This fundamental principle has implications for drug research and studies involving biomolecules.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 24, 2020

Traffic officer protein governs speed of sugar/fat conversion pathway

A protein sensor called MICU1 restricts sugar and fat conversion in cells during starvation, but could be fine-tuned to promote more conversion in people with metabolic conditions. This discovery offers a potential solution for cardiovascular- and metabolic syndrome-related diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalScience Signaling·DateApr 24, 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.

Holistic approach best for tackling nonmedical drug use, study finds

A new study suggests that interventions targeting biological, social, environmental and mental health obstacles are most effective in helping individuals overcome non-medical drug use. For alcohol addiction, simple interventions focusing on alcohol use yield the best results.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateApr 24, 2020

Warming climate undoes decades of knowledge of marine protected areas

A new study finds that climate-driven transformations render marine reserves ineffective in protecting biodiversity and fish biomass. Marine reserves still protect some species, but conservation efforts require re-evaluation. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate other pressures.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

An eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar discovered by FAST

Researchers have discovered the first pulsar in Globular Cluster M92 using FAST telescope. The pulsar, PSR J1717+4307A, is an eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar in a circular orbit with a companion star. This discovery provides insights into pulsars and their role in probing dense stellar cores.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 24, 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.

Scientists discover just how runny a liquid can be

Researchers discovered the minimal value of viscosity, governed by the Planck constant and proton-to-electron mass ratio, using an equation that relates it to these physical constants. This finding has practical implications for developing new fluids with low viscosity.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 24, 2020

FSU researchers discover new structure for promising class of materials

Researchers at Florida State University have created a hollow nanostructure for metal halide perovskites, which shows potential for more efficient photon-related technologies. The new structure exhibits pronounced quantum size effects and is the first to display negative curvature.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 24, 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.