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Science News Archive April 2020


Page 25 of 37

NEH award will help researchers expand work on architect fay jones

Researchers at the University of Arkansas will expand their current prototype for a touch-based kiosk and interactive website, A House of the Ozarks, using a $250,000 National Endowment for the Humanities grant. The project, Housing the Human and the Sacred, will also include five additional structures designed by Jones.

Super-charging drug development for COVID-19

A promising COVID-19 drug, valinomycin, has been produced in a cell-free system, achieving higher concentrations than previously achieved in cells. This approach enables faster optimization and increased yields, which could be crucial in the fight against the pandemic.

Illuminating the future of renewable energy

A new photosensitizer compound created by West Virginia University researchers has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels and other technologies. The compound, made from zirconium, can convert light into electrical energy, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for renewable energy.

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.

Risk of suicide, homicide, unintentional firearm deaths at home

A study of 647 firearm deaths in homes in King County, Washington from 2011-2018 found that personal protection was cited as a reason for owning a firearm. The researchers discovered that firearm deaths were more likely to be suicide, homicide or unintentional rather than self-defense

Precipitation will be essential for plants to counteract global warming

A new study from Columbia University reveals that the balance between soil water and energy availability determines whether plant growth is limited by precipitation or temperature. This finding highlights the crucial role of precipitation in supporting plant photosynthesis, particularly during the late growing season.

Australian bats as retrovirus reservoirs

Eastern Australian bats harbor diverse KoRV-related viruses, with metagenomic analysis revealing their presence in multiple species. The discovery of a novel retrovirus, Hervey pteropid gammaretrovirus (HPG), suggests that bats can actively reproduce retroviruses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Origin of the first known interstellar object 'Oumuamua

Scientists have found that the unique characteristics of interstellar object 'Oumuamua can be explained by tidal forces felt during close encounters with stars. The study suggests that rocky objects like 'Oumuamua could originate from planetary systems, providing a new perspective on their formation and evolution.

Making big data processing more energy efficient using magnetic circuits

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a method to make big data processing more energy efficient using magnetic components. By leveraging lateral inhibition in artificial neurons, they achieved an energy reduction of 20-30 times compared to standard back-propagation algorithms.

Exploring the link between education and climate change

A new study by an international team of researchers finds that improving educational attainment leads to a large improvement in population's vulnerability to climate change. However, it also tends to increase emissions driving climate change, suggesting a tradeoff between these goals.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Plants control microbiome diversity inside leaves to promote health

A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that plants have genetic systems to host and nurture the right microbiome, promoting healthy growth. Increased microbiome diversity correlates with plant health, while abnormal compositions lead to tissue damage and symptoms similar to human inflammatory bowel disease.

Limitations on end-of-season photosynthesis

A study using satellite data and in-situ sensor observations found that the end date of plant photosynthesis is constrained by both temperature and water limits. As temperatures decrease, soil water demands increase to support continued vegetation growth, potentially leading to expansions of regions with limited photosynthesis.

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.

Economic impacts of olive tree pathogen

A study by Kevin Schneider and colleagues found that the bacterial strain Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca could have significant economic impacts on olive tree cultivation in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Replanting with resistant varieties or removing infected plants can mitigate these losses.

Offshore oil and gas platforms release more methane than previously estimated

A new study from the University of Michigan found that offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico emit approximately one-half a teragram of methane each year, comparable to large emitting oil and gas basins. The effective loss rate of produced gas is roughly 2.9%, significantly higher than current inventory estimates.

Analyzing rising income inequality

Researchers found rising income inequality in private sectors worldwide except Canada and Hungary. Enacting policies to protect low-skilled workers and limit firm outsourcing may help reduce inequality, according to the study.

The building blocks of gum disease

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered the structure of adhesive pili in Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major bacterial pathogen causing gum disease. The study sheds light on how these pili assemble and provides insights into combating diseases associated with P. gingivalis.

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.

Foxglove plants produce heart medicine; can science do it better?

Two studies on foxgloves published by University at Buffalo biologist Zhen Wang investigate the production of cardiac glycosides. The research aims to improve the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of farming foxgloves, which currently takes two years to produce a small amount of the compound digoxin.

Modeling psilocybin's effects on brain activity

A study modeling psilocybin's effects on brain activity reveals the importance of coupling neuronal and neurotransmitter systems at the whole-brain level. The findings support the development of treatments for depression, anxiety, and addiction using this psychedelic drug.

Tailoring treatment for triple-negative breast cancer

A new study has identified a molecular pathway responsible for the progression and spread of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). By blocking the signaling pathway, researchers found that tumors grew and spread more slowly. The findings suggest that patients with low ELF5 protein levels should be given interferon-gamma signaling-block...

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.

Tight spaces tip presence of petrochemicals

Researchers at Rice University have found that the size of the space trapping petrochemicals is the primary factor behind puzzling NMR signals, leading to better interpretation of logs in unconventional shale formations. The discovery is crucial for extracting oil and gas safely and economically.

Spider venom key to pain relief without side-effects

Researchers at the University of Queensland have designed a novel tarantula venom mini-protein that can relieve severe pain without addiction. The mini-protein, Huwentoxin-IV, binds to specific pain receptors and has been tested in mouse models with promising results.

Discovery of a drug to rescue winter depression-like behavior

Researchers identify celastrol as a potential therapeutic target for treating winter depression, a condition characterized by low mood and social withdrawal. The study uses medaka fish as an animal model to understand the underlying mechanisms of winter depression.

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.

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.

Seeing the light: Astronomers find new way novae light up the sky

A team of researchers has found that shocks from a nova explosion cause most of its brightness, rather than nuclear burning on the surface of the white dwarf. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, used unprecedented space observations to detect bright gamma-rays and optical data from the star V906 Carinae.

UCI-led team designs carbon nanostructure stronger than diamonds

Researchers at UCI have successfully designed a novel plate-cell architecture for nanometer-sized carbon structures that are stronger than diamonds. The design has been shown to improve on the average performance of cylindrical beam-based architectures by up to 639% in strength and 522% in rigidity.

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.

OSU research program awarded $12.7 million grant for Superfund research

The Oregon State University-led research program will focus on the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on human health, including cancer, neurological systems, and developmental disorders. Researchers will work with communities impacted by hazardous waste sites to better understand the risk posed by PAHs.

Medicare coverage varies for transgender hormone therapies

A new study found substantial variability in Medicare coverage and out-of-pocket costs for feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapies among older transgender individuals. The proportion of Medicare plans offering unrestricted coverage ranged from 5-100%, while out-of-pocket costs varied between $180-$2,176.

NASA missions help reveal power of shock waves in nova explosion

A trio of satellites, including NASA's Fermi and NuSTAR space telescopes, observed a nova outburst in 2018 and captured direct evidence that most of the explosion's visible light arose from shock waves. The data confirmed that shock waves play a major role in powering some stellar explosions.

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.

Cybersecurity, tech infrastructure requires international trust

Researchers highlight the importance of trust in fostering international cooperation in cybersecurity and tech infrastructure. Incident response teams from the US and Europe collaborate with Russian counterparts to prevent sabotage and maintain grid security.

'I saw you were online': How online status indicators shape our behavior

A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that people often misunderstand online status indicators and adjust their behavior accordingly. Over half of participants reported being aware that someone had noticed their status, while over half logged in to check others' statuses.

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.

Research provides new insights into menopause and weight gain

A new UCLA study has identified a key gene, reprimo, which regulates body temperature and may contribute to menopause-related weight gain. The research suggests that manipulating this gene could provide a safer alternative to hormone replacement therapy for alleviating symptoms.

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.

Cell membrane proteins imaged in 3D

Scientists developed a new technique to image proteins in 3D with nanoscale resolution using lanthanide-binding tags, enabling researchers to identify precise protein locations within individual cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into disease mechanisms and potential treatments.

Toxic cell atlas guides new therapies for neurodegeneration

Scientists have created a comprehensive atlas of toxic immune cells that damage the brain, revealing a potential new drug target for multiple sclerosis and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. The 'atlas' was generated using a novel method called Tox-seq, which links gene expression to function in single cells.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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