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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 10


Page 10 of 37

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
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.

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

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
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.

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
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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 iPhone 17 Pro

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

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
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 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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

New research highlights blood clot dangers of COVID-19

Recent reports show a strong association between elevated D-dimer levels and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. Microvascular thrombotic processes may play a role in respiratory failure, suggesting a new severe infectious lung disease with no proven therapies.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateApr 23, 2020

Not so sweet

Researchers found that cool temperatures reduce the appeal of sweetness by activating other sensory cells via protein rhodopsin 6, which is typically associated with light detection. This suppresses communication between sweet-sensing taste neurons and the brain, leading to reduced feeding behavior in fruit flies.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 23, 2020

Fishers livelihood measured by more than catch

A study by Michigan State University examines the complex relationships between small-scale fishing activities, including pre- and post-harvest interactions, to understand the impact on fishers' livelihoods. The research highlights the importance of trust and collaborative relationships in shaping these dynamics.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 23, 2020

Digital solutions for dementia care

Researchers found that telehealth services using videoconferences can save travel time, equip families with strategies to promote independence, and reduce costs for non-pharmacologic interventions. The study provides evidence-based information and skills to support people with dementia and their care partners.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateApr 23, 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.

New study takes the pulse of a sleeping supervolcano

Researchers from Uppsala University discovered that hot magma from inside the Earth is forcing its way into a giant reservoir, keeping the Andean supervolcano alive. The study provides new insights into how large volcanoes work and could help increase chances of survival in case of a future eruption.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 23, 2020

High-altitude adaptations connected with lower risk for chronic diseases

Research team finds that high-altitude adaptations in the Himalayas may lower risk for hypertension and diabetes-associated anemia. The study, led by Katherine Wander of Binghamton University, found that a Tibetan-descended population living in Southwest China had lower rates of these conditions compared to low-altitude Han populations.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateApr 23, 2020

Hummingbirds show up when tropical trees fall down

A tropical treefall created a 2.5-acre gap that attracted hundreds of hummingbird species, doubling the diversity and presence of these birds in the area. The researchers documented 16 unique individuals of one species, the snowy-bellied hummingbird, within just one year after the treefall.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Field Ornithology·DateApr 23, 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.

Stirling receives £1.2 million to study global sustainability

The University of Stirling has received £1.2 million to study global sustainability, with a focus on resolving conflicts between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project will use hydropower as a model system to identify and mitigate issues caused by competing objectives.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·DateApr 23, 2020

Everything is not fine: Kids can tell when parents suppress their stress

Research finds that children physically respond when parents hide their emotions, making them less warm and engaged with each other. The study suggests that parents should give themselves permission to feel emotional to better problem-solve and honor their child's feelings.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateApr 23, 2020

Insects: Largest study to date finds declines on land, but recoveries in freshwater

The largest study to date has found that global insect populations are declining on land by an average of 0.92% per year, resulting in a 24% decrease over 30 years. However, freshwater insects have shown an average annual increase of 1.08%, corresponding to a 38% increase over 30 years.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2020

An obesity protein discovery may lead to better treatments

A USC-led team of scientists has discovered the precise shape of the melanocortin 4 receptor, a key player in human metabolism. The findings could lead to more effective therapies for obesity and other metabolic diseases, which affect millions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2020

Asteroid visiting Earth's neighborhood brings its own face mask

The Arecibo Observatory is tracking a near-Earth asteroid called 1998 OR2, which has unique topographic features that resemble a face mask. The asteroid's size and rotation period have been confirmed through observations, and monitoring its trajectory will help improve impact-risk mitigation technologies.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateApr 23, 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.

Key nose cells identified as likely COVID-19 virus entry points

Researchers have identified goblet and ciliated cells in the nose as likely initial infection points for COVID-19 coronavirus. The study found that these cells express key entry proteins used by the virus to infect cells, making them highly accessible to the virus.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 23, 2020

A Europe covered in grasslands or forests: innovation and research on climate models

A new study investigates the biogeophysical impacts of forestation on European climate, revealing that a continent covered in trees would generate up to one degree of extra seasonal heating in winter. The research used a multi-model ensemble approach and compared two ideal scenarios: a forested Europe and a grassland-covered Europe.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateApr 23, 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.

No time to waste to avoid future food shortages

Researchers are developing innovative solutions to increase crop production under climate change conditions, including improving photosynthesis and making crops more resistant to drought. The goal is to double cereal production by 2050 to ensure global food security.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateApr 23, 2020

How hearing loss in old age affects the brain

A study found that age-related hearing loss damages the brain's hippocampus, a key memory organ. The findings suggest that progressive hearing impairment impairs memory formation by altering neurotransmitter receptors.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateApr 23, 2020