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Science News Archive April 2020


Page 8 of 37

In preparing for COVID-19 cases, plan early, communicate often

Experts from Weill Cornell Medicine emphasize the importance of planning early for beds, equipment, and personnel, as well as utilizing remote communication platforms. The authors also highlight the need for daily communication among healthcare professionals to alleviate anxiety and ensure essential care.

Rice engineers: Make wastewater drinkable again

Researchers at Rice University developed a plan to recycle wastewater, reducing the need for surface water by 28%. The 'direct potable reuse' method could also improve water quality and travel times, providing a more efficient and sustainable water supply system.

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.

Deformation of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Researchers studied Comet 67P, finding features that shed light on the mechanical properties of materials forming the comet. The study suggests a revised model of cometesimal rheology requiring water ice and organic material binding action.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New model of the GI tract could speed drug development

MIT engineers have devised a way to speed up drug development by rapidly testing how well drugs are absorbed in the small intestine. The new system uses pig intestinal tissue grown in the lab to test thousands of different versions of a drug in just hours.

Blood test offers early warning of chemotherapy-related heart problems

Scientists have identified biomarkers that signal potential heart damage from cancer treatment, allowing for early diagnosis and intervention. The findings could lead to better patient care and outcomes by enabling doctors to adjust chemotherapy types or dosages before cardiac damage occurs.

Study analyzes contamination in drug manufacturing plants

The MIT-led consortium analyzed 18 incidents of viral contamination in biopharmaceutical drugs and found that most were caused by Chinese hamster ovary cells. The study recommends companies use rapid virus detection systems and new technologies to inactivate or remove viruses from cell culture media.

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.

'Ethnic spaces' make minority students feel at home on campus

New research from the University of Washington finds that designated ethnic spaces make underrepresented minority students feel more engaged and valued. The study reveals that these spaces are crucial in signaling to students of color that they belong at the university.

CUNY SPH Weekly COVID-19 Survey update week 7

A recent survey found that only 8% of NYC respondents had been tested for COVID-19, with a significant disparity in test rates among different racial and ethnic groups. Meanwhile, economic assistance programs have shown a positive impact on those affected by the pandemic.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Is it safe to vape while breastfeeding?

A new animal study suggests that maternal nicotine exposure during breastfeeding can affect offspring's skull and face development. The research team found that exposure to nicotine during lactation was associated with abnormalities in craniofacial development.

Personalized nutrition smart patch to reduce diabetes risk

A new wearable smart patch is being developed to help people personalize their diets and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The device will measure key dietary biomarkers and send the information to an app, enabling users to precisely track how their bodies respond to different foods.

Researchers identify key mechanisms involved in pulmonary fibrosis development

Researchers discovered that the loss of NEDD4-2 protein leads to impaired mucociliary clearance and dysregulation of the TGF? signaling pathway, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis progression. The study provides a novel animal model for IPF research, enabling further investigation of disease mechanisms and development of new treatments.

The cause of the red coloration in stalagmites

Researchers found that organic substances produced by decomposed vegetation cover on top of caves create the red coloration, which is linked to climate conditions. The study used various analysis techniques to identify these compounds and established a link between the red color and mid-Holocene climate changes.

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.

Hurricanes twist evolution in island lizards

A new study reveals that hurricanes trigger evolutionary changes in island lizards, resulting in larger toepads in populations frequently affected by the storms. The research, spanning 12 island populations and 188 Anolis species, shows a significant correlation between hurricane frequency and toepad size.

The North Atlantic right whale population is in poor condition

A recent study found that North Atlantic right whales are in poorer body condition than Southern right whales, likely due to vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and changes in food supply. This decline affects the species' reproduction, growth, and survival.

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.

Soil in wounds can help stem deadly bleeding

Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered that soil silicates can help control bleeding after injury by triggering clotting. The presence of soil in wounds activates a blood protein called coagulation Factor XII, leading to the formation of a plug and limiting blood loss.

Parkinson's disease may start in the gut

Researchers have mapped out cell types behind various brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease, indicating that the disease may start in the gut. Oligodendrocytes were found to be affected early on, suggesting they play a key role in the early stages of the disease.

Researchers weave human tissue into new blood vessels

Researchers have developed a textile approach to tissue engineering using woven human tissue threads, which can create any shape and display excellent mechanical properties without synthetic materials. This innovative approach has the potential to aid in repairing damaged blood vessels, skin, nerve injuries, and other tissues and organs.

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.

COVID-19 and pregnancies: What we know

Researchers warn of COVID-19's impact on pregnant women and newborns, highlighting the need for infection control measures and vaccine evaluation in clinical trials. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of viral transmission and its effects on maternal health.

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.

Rainfall variability and cropland expansion

A study found that repeated annual rainfall shortages contribute to increased cropland expansion and deforestation in the developing world. The authors also noted that regions with adequate water infrastructure experience reduced cropland expansion and forest cover loss.

It takes a neutron beam to find a proton

A team of researchers has used neutron crystallography to determine the structure of a large oxidase protein with high-resolution structural details. They found unusual proton behavior between a cofactor and an amino acid residue, and established a complete picture of topa quinone 30 years after its discovery.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

'Dirty' mice could help make a more effective flu vaccine

A new study suggests that using mice with pre-existing illnesses could improve the accuracy of flu vaccine development and efficacy. The researchers found that dirty mice showed more extensive lung damage from influenza A virus than clean mice, indicating a potentially less effective vaccine in these animals.

Engineers develop precision injection system for plants

Researchers created a novel microneedle technology that can target plant tissues for delivering life-saving treatments to crops ravaged by diseases. The method uses silk-based biomaterials and drug-delivery devices to precisely access plant vasculature.

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.

What's the best way to identify male hemp seedlings?

A new study found that commercially available genetic tests for determining hemp plant sex may not be accurate, which could increase yields and reduce prices of CBD production. Researchers at Salisbury University tested three primer pairs and found two to be effective in identifying male seedlings.

Scientists use bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil

A new study shows that salt-tolerant bacteria can be used to enhance salt tolerance in various plant types. Researchers found promising initial results with Kentucky Bluegrass, increasing yield 8.4 times in dry weight compared to control plants.

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.

Beta cells from stem cells

Researchers developed an improved pluripotent stem cell differentiation protocol to generate beta cells in vitro, leading to more mature and functional beta cells. The use of CD177 as a quality control marker increases the efficiency and homogeneity of beta cell generation.

Coupled magnetic materials show interesting properties for quantum applications

Researchers have discovered a novel way to couple the excitations of magnetic spins in two different thin films, leading to strong coupling and potential applications in spintronic and quantum systems. This dynamic coupling enables the exchange of energy between the two layers, allowing for longer-lasting magnetization dynamics.

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.

QUT researchers to head to Antarctica in preservation efforts

A team of QUT researchers is developing advanced robotic systems to gather data on the Antarctic environment, informing scientific models of climate change responses. The Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future program will provide practical solutions to complex environmental challenges.

Erosion process studies in the Volga Region assist in land use planning

Researchers analyzed sediment yield data from 14 rivers in the Middle Volga Region to assess erosion trends over 50 years. The study found a decrease in erosion activity and volumes of its products, as well as reduced unevenness in river water flow, prompting practical applications for land use planning and resource management.

Scientists double understanding of genetic risk of melanoma

Researchers identified 33 new regions and confirmed 21 previously reported regions linked to melanoma risk, shedding light on the immune system's role in the disease. The study also uncovered associations between melanoma and common genetic variants in the TP53 gene.