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Science News Archive April 2020


Page 36 of 37

Chilling concussed cells shows promise for full recovery

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a potential treatment approach for concussions by cooling brain cells to an optimal temperature. The study found that cooling cells to 33 degrees Celsius provided the most protective benefit after 24 and 48 hours post-injury.

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.

A sensational discovery: Traces of rainforests in West Antarctica

A team of researchers discovered pristinely preserved forest soil from the Cretaceous, including plant pollen and spores, in West Antarctica. The soil confirms that the region was home to temperate, swampy rainforests with an annual mean temperature of 12 degrees Celsius, much warmer than today's South Pole.

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.

Predicting in-flight air density for more accurate landing

Researchers developed an onboard algorithm to estimate air density, providing critical real-time data for steering during entry, descent, and landing stages. The algorithm uses data from sensors and prior knowledge to improve accuracy and certainty of landings.

Significant global investment could save 11 million children

A significant, sustained global investment in treating children with cancer could save 11 million lives. The potential return on investment is a triple gain of almost $2 trillion to the global economy. The Lancet Oncology Commission report analyzed the benefits of investing $594 billion in interventions such as primary care and treatment.

Most of Earth's carbon was hidden in the core during its formative years

A team of scientists reports that most of Earth's carbon was hidden in the core during its formative years, with laboratory experiments mimicking the conditions of the planet's formation. The findings suggest that a significant amount of carbon likely exists in the core, influencing chemical and dynamic activities.

Elephant welfare can be assessed using two indicators

Researchers at the University of Turku found that elephants with higher cortisol levels also had higher heterophil to lymphocyte ratios, indicating a positive correlation between biological measures of stress. Additionally, elevated stress was linked to weight loss in Asian elephants.

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.

Chemistry education goes online

Experts emphasize the importance of using accessible technology, maintaining short lecture lengths, and adapting exams to online platforms. Online instructors also share strategies for building rapport with students from a distance, including regular email communication and conversational teaching styles.

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.

Babies with brain tumors could benefit from targeted treatment

A new study found that babies and young children with brain tumours tend to have better outcomes due to specific genetic weaknesses that can be targeted by existing drugs. Clinical trials are set to open to test the benefit of these precision medicines, offering a potential first-line treatment for infant brain tumours.

Tiny fly from Los Angeles has a taste for crushed invasive snails

Researchers at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County discovered that female phorid flies feed on crushed invasive snails, a behavior previously only observed in social insects like ants. The study found that species of other snail genera failed to attract the flies, hinting at a peculiar interaction worth further study.

Natural light flicker can help prevent detection

Researchers found that dynamic illumination, like water caustics in coral reefs, can increase attack latency for fish. This delay can be maximized in shallow water with fine scale and sharp water caustics.

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.

Guidelines on caring for ICU patients with COVID-19

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 panel has released comprehensive guidelines for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19, including infection control, laboratory diagnosis, and ventilator support. The guidelines were developed in just three weeks by a team of 36 experts from around the world.

About the distribution of biodiversity on our planet

A study led by Marius Roesti of the University of Bern found that predation by large fish is stronger in temperate zones than near the equator, contradicting the biotic interactions hypothesis. The researchers analyzed over 900 million predator attacks and found that fish species richness peaks at the equator.

Stanford researchers forecast longer, more extreme wildfire seasons

A new study by Stanford researchers finds that long-term warming and decreased autumn precipitation are increasing the risk of extreme fire weather conditions in California. The risk has more than doubled over the past four decades, with human-caused global warming making these conditions more likely.

Study finds fish have diverse, distinct gut microbiomes

A new study reveals that fish on Caribbean coral reefs harbor unique gut microbial communities, with some microbes living broadly in the ocean while others are resident to specific species. The researchers found 59 dominant types of microbes in five fish species.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Plant disease primarily spreads via roadsides

A recent study on fungal diseases in Åland found that roadsides are a primary source of powdery mildew fungi, which can spread efficiently through the air. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to identify complex mechanisms in nature and shed light on how diseases transmit and evolve.

Shining a spotlight on the history of gender imbalance in Hollywood

A new analysis of over 26,000 movies produced in the US from 1911 to 2010 reveals a sharp decline in female representation among actors, directors, and producers during the Studio System era. Female producers and directors may help further the careers of other women in the industry.

Golden age of Hollywood was not so golden for women

Researchers analyzed a century of data to find that female representation in the film industry hit an all-time low during the Golden Age. The study found that women's roles were consistently below 50% across job types and genres, with a sharp drop in the 1920s.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rice insight gives Large Hadron Collider better eyesight

Rice University researchers are receiving $3 million to upgrade sensors for the Large Hadron Collider. The upgrades will enable the collider to discover even deeper truths about elemental matter. The research team is responsible for designing and managing the installation of next-generation sensors in the Compact Muon Solenoid.

Discovery by UMass Lowell-led team challenges nuclear theory

A UMass Lowell-led team discovered that a symmetry in atomic nuclei is not as fundamental as previously believed, opening up new avenues for understanding the universe. The researchers created over 400 strontium-73 nuclei and compared them to bromine-73 nuclei, finding that they behaved differently.

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.

Scientists see energy gap modulations in a cuprate superconductor

Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have direct spectroscopic evidence for a pair density wave coexisting with superconductivity, revealing modulating energy gap structures and pairing of electrons. This finding may help understand the complex phase diagram of high-Tc cuprate superconductors.

Inherited mutation can predispose children to a type of brain tumor

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a novel predisposition gene, ELP1, in the SHH subgroup of pediatric medulloblastoma, affecting 40% of cases. The study found that patients with this mutation tend to do well on therapy and may benefit from tailored treatment in the future.

Possible lives for food waste from restaurants

Researchers from the University of Córdoba have developed a methodology to assess restaurant food waste and select the best valorization path. The study identifies that food waste can be turned into various valuable products, including biodiesel, electricity, and bioplastic, which could help industries within the circular economy.

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.

New discovery: Evidence for a 90-million-year-old rainforest near the South Pole

Researchers found fossil traces of a temperate rainforest in Antarctica dating back 90 million years, revealing a warmer climate than previously thought. The discovery suggests that the continent had an exceptionally warm climate during the Cretaceous period, with annual mean air temperatures similar to modern-day Hobart, Australia.

Managing negative thoughts helps combat depression in Parkinson's patients

A Rutgers University study found that cognitive behavioral therapy can help alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease. The treatment was individually tailored to target negative thoughts and behaviors, resulting in improved mental health status for 40% of participants.

Health warning labels on alcohol and snacks may reduce consumption

A recent study found that image-and-text health warning labels on alcoholic drinks and energy-dense snacks can significantly reduce consumption. Labels depicting bowel cancer were associated with the highest level of negative emotions, while those on high-density snacks were judged more acceptable.

Understanding brain tumors in children

Researchers have identified a hereditary genetic defect that disrupts protein production in children with medulloblastoma, a common malignant brain tumor. The study found that 40% of children and young people with this subtype of medulloblastoma have a congenital genetic predisposition for the disease.

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.

Surprising hearing talents in cormorants

Researchers discovered that cormorants have adapted their ears for excellent underwater hearing, surprising given they spend most of their time on land. The ear structure's modifications enable the birds to detect sound pressure in both air and water with similar sensitivity.

Lucy had an ape-like brain

A three-million-year-old brain imprint reveals that Australopithecus afarensis infants may have relied on caregivers for a prolonged period. The study found no evidence of human-like brain reorganization, but suggested protracted brain growth similar to modern humans.

AI finds 2D materials in the blink of an eye

Researchers developed a machine learning system that can automatically detect and label 2D materials in microscope images, reducing the time required for their development. The system was trained using labeled examples and achieved accuracy in under 200 milliseconds, enabling faster testing of new electronic devices.

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.

Duke to lead $50 million study of COVID-19 prevention in healthcare workers

The Duke Clinical Research Institute is leading a $50 million study to evaluate hydroxychloroquine as a preventive drug for COVID-19 in healthcare workers. The study, called HERO, aims to assess the impact of the novel coronavirus on healthcare workers' health and examine whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent infections.

Uncertain climate future could disrupt energy systems

An international team of scientists has proposed a method to design climate-resilient energy systems. The study found that urban areas are expected to hold more than two-thirds of the world's population by 2050, and distributed energy systems will play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Study shows six decades of change in plankton communities

A new study found profound long-term changes in plankton communities, which are the base of the marine food web. Changes in sea surface temperature have led to a significant reorganisation of plankton populations, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.

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.

Smartphone videos produce highly realistic 3D face reconstructions

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a method to build accurate 3D reconstructions of faces from smartphone videos, outperforming other camera-based processes with sub-millimeter accuracy. The digital face might be used in gaming, virtual or augmented reality, animation, biometric identification, and medical procedures.

PREDICT receives extension for COVID-19 pandemic emergency response

The PREDICT Project has received a 6-month extension from the US Agency for International Development to provide emergency support for COVID-19 outbreak response, including early detection of SARS CoV-2. The project will also investigate the animal source of SARS CoV-2 using data and samples collected over 10 years.

Benefits of exercise on metabolism: More profound than previously reported

A recent study published in Cardiovascular Research found that exercise has a profound impact on metabolism, leading to dramatic changes in metabolites related to energy production and waste elimination. The research also identified a specific metabolite called DMGV that may predict who does not benefit from exercise.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

American robins now migrate 12 days earlier than in 1994

A new study reveals that American robins are migrating earlier by about five days each decade, likely due to shifting snow conditions. The birds' flight schedules are being fine-tuned by environmental cues such as snow conditions and when food becomes available.

New sensors could offer early detection of lung tumors

Researchers developed a new approach to detecting lung cancer using nanoparticles that can interact with enzymes linked to the disease. The sensors were tested in mice and found to accurately detect tumors at an early stage, reducing false positives.

Tracking tau

A study published in Nature reveals that the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) plays a key role in the spread of pathological tau proteins between neurons. By inhibiting LRP1 expression, researchers were able to reduce tau spread in mice, offering new hope for potential treatments.

Overcoming carbon loss from farming in peatlands

Researchers have discovered that certain plant materials can help store more carbon in soils and reduce erosion. Using two-step experiments with biomass crops, they found that miscanthus and willow performed better than sorghum in storing long-term carbon, making sustainable farming on peatlands possible.