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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 22


Page 22 of 37

When damaged, the adult brain repairs itself by going back to the beginning

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that adult brain cells revert to an embryonic state after injury, allowing them to regenerate new connections. The study identifies the essential genetic pathway involved in this process, which sustains regeneration by a gene known as Huntingtin.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Light from stretchable sheets of atoms for quantum technologies

The researchers have demonstrated a world record for the largest spectral, color-tuning range from an atomically thin quantum system. By stretching the material, they induced mechanical expansion of the quantum source, resulting in dramatic tuning range of colors emitted by quantum light.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 15, 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.

COPD as a lung stem cell disease

Abnormal stem cells in COPD patients drive key features of the disease, including mucins that block airways and fibrosis and inflammation. Researchers have identified specific cells responsible for COPD pathology and are screening them against drug libraries to discover new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2020

Researchers create tools to help volunteers do the most good after a disaster

Researchers developed tools to help emergency response and relief managers assign volunteers efficiently. The 'Largest Weighted Demand' (LWD) policy assigns volunteers to the task with the most work left, prioritizing importance. However, for tasks with unclear workloads, alternative policies like 'Largest Queue Clearing Time' (LQCT) m...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalOmega·DateApr 15, 2020

Two is better than one

A team of scientists has developed a new 2D catalyst that can improve the efficiency of water purification using hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst, composed of two co-catalysts on one nanosheet, was designed to increase the efficiency of the process without additional chemical treatment.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 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.

Antiviral drug baloxavir reduces transmission of flu virus among ferrets

Researchers found baloxavir treatment reduced infectious viral shedding and transmission of the flu virus among infected ferrets. The study suggests antivirals could reduce community-based viral spread and support the idea that decreasing viral shedding could also reduce influenza transmission in humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 15, 2020

Speeding-up quantum computing using giant atomic ions

Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a method to speed up quantum computing using giant Rydberg ions, which can exchange quantum information in under a microsecond. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of scalable quantum computers for complex calculations.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Mouse study shows 'chaperone protein' protects against autoimmune diseases

Researchers discovered a key role for H2-O chaperone protein in protecting the immune system from autoimmunity, which causes diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that the absence of H2-O disrupted normal helper T cell function, leading to autoimmune reactions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 15, 2020

Bornean treeshrews can take the heat

Researchers measured oxygen consumption in wild-caught lesser treeshrews across various temperatures. The study found that Bornean treeshrews have a high upper limit of the thermoneutral zone, contradicting current assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateApr 15, 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.

National clinical trial to treat hospitalised patients with COVID-19

A new clinical trial aims to find effective alternative solutions for critically ill COVID-19 patients, reducing the need for treatment with a ventilator and improving patient outcomes. The RECOVERY-RS Respiratory Support trial will compare standard care with non-invasive treatments using masks or high-flow oxygen.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateApr 15, 2020

New textile could keep you cool in the heat, warm in the cold

Researchers develop strong, comfortable fabric that adapts to changing weather conditions by absorbing and releasing thermal energy. The fabric, made from silk and chitosan with phase-changing polymer PEG, can be worn indoors or outdoors, reducing the need for air conditioning or heat.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2020

Logging threatening endangered caribou

A recent study by University of Guelph researchers found that logging in Ontario's boreal stands is threatening the population of endangered woodland caribou. The team analyzed video collars attached to 30 caribou, as well as GPS-tracking radio collars on wolves and caribou, to monitor their movements and find evidence of predation.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateApr 15, 2020

Economists find carbon footprint grows with parenthood

A new study found that households with children emit over 25% more carbon dioxide than childless households. Parents' concerns about the environment do not translate to a reduction in carbon footprint, but rather increased transportation and food consumption. This disparity is likely due to time constraints and the need for convenience.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 15, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New COVID-19 test quickly and accurately detects viral RNA

Researchers have created a faster and more accurate COVID-19 test using plasmonic photothermal sensing, detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in minutes. The test can discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 and its close relative, reducing false-positive results.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 15, 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.

Genetics linked to childhood emotional, social and psychiatric problems

Research analyzing genetic data of over 42,000 children reveals a strong link between childhood emotional and psychiatric issues and increased risk of adult depression, insomnia, and other conditions. Higher genetic vulnerability scores were associated with reduced educational attainment and emotional wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 15, 2020

Studying pterosaurs and other fossil flyers to better engineer manmade flight

Researchers study pterosaur fossils to understand their wing anatomy and flight capabilities, revealing novel tactics for bioinspired flight technology. By analyzing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of these ancient creatures, scientists may be able to overcome hurdles still hindering man-made flight.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2020

Face up to eating disorders, and seek help

A recent study found that young adults in Australia are leaving it 'too late' to seek help for eating disorders due to various barriers. Concerns about autonomy, fear of being a burden, and perceptions of the illness's severity prevent many from seeking professional advice.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateApr 15, 2020

China's viticulture in transition

China's wine culture dates back over 9,000 years, with archaeological evidence showing the oldest known alcoholic drink. Viticulture emerged around 8,000 years ago in Georgia, but China played a significant role in Eurasian wine history.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·DateApr 15, 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.

ECMO physicians offer guidance in the context of resource-scarce COVID-19 treatment

In the context of a resource-scarce COVID-19 treatment, ECMO physicians outline their approach to care and provide guidelines for medical centers to respond to patients' needs. The guidance emphasizes optimizing resource utilization to prioritize patients with severe respiratory failure but without other significant co-morbidities.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateApr 15, 2020

Discovering the secrets of the enigmatic caspase-6

Caspase-6 plays a critical role in regulating the ZBP1-NLRP3 inflammasome, facilitating PANoptosis during viral infection. Modulation of caspase-6 could be beneficial for treating viral diseases like influenza and other inflammatory diseases including cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2020

COVID-19 puts new science to the pressure test

Scientists are working at breakneck speeds to develop new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for COVID-19. Researchers are testing existing drugs, developing brand-new diagnostics, and utilizing gene-editing tools like CRISPR to combat the novel coronavirus.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 15, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Skin that computes

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara find the skin's elasticity helps process tactile information, enabling efficient data compression. This discovery may lead to new prosthetic limb designs and improved tactile sensing for robots.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 2020

Improving the treatment of periodontitis

A study by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin reveals that the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis plays a key role in periodontitis, causing inflammation and tissue destruction. The parasite's elimination may improve treatment outcomes for patients with gum disease.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateApr 15, 2020

Substances trapped in nanobubbles exhibit unusual properties

Researchers created a universal model of nanobubbles to study the behavior of trapped substances. The model predicts bubble shape under thermodynamic conditions and describes molecular structure.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateApr 15, 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.

Breastfeeding may lead to fewer human viruses in infants

Research found that breastfeeding significantly influences viral populations in infant guts, providing a protective effect against pathogenic viruses. Even small amounts of breastmilk can reduce the risk of early gastrointestinal disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

T2K results restrict possible values of neutrino CP phase

The T2K Collaboration has published new results showing the strongest constraint yet on the parameter governing the breaking of matter-antimatter symmetry in neutrino oscillations. The analysis of data collected through 2018 reveals a significant enhancement of the oscillation probability of neutrinos, favoring values close to δcp=90º.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

COVID-19: Exercise may protect against deadly complication

Research suggests exercise can prevent or reduce severity of ARDS, a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Regular physical activity increases production of antioxidant EcSOD, which may provide protection against severe respiratory disease.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalRedox Biology·DateApr 15, 2020

Milk pioneers: East African herders consumed milk 5,000 years ago

Researchers discovered evidence of milk processing in ancient pottery from east Africa, confirming the story that bones have been telling us about pastoralist societies' way of life. The findings suggest that herders who specialized in cattle were drinking milk and survived better due to lactase persistence.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 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.

KIST develops nanometer-thick electromagentic shielding film using MXene

A Korean research team has developed an ultrathin MXene film with exceptional absolute electromagnetic shielding performance, outperforming any other material reported to date. The film's thickness can be customized to provide 99% electromagnetic shielding efficiency.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 15, 2020

Journey to the center of the Earth

Scientists have successfully determined the density of liquid iron and sound propagation speed through it at extremely high pressures. They found the density of the molten outer core to be about 8 percent less dense than pure liquid iron, suggesting the presence of additional lighter elements.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 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.

Applying mathematics to accelerate predictions for capturing fusion energy

Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new technique to predict fusion energy performance using advanced mathematical modeling. This approach combines millisecond behavior with longer-term forecasts, enabling accurate predictions of plasma temperature profiles and heat fluxes at significantly reduced computa...

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 15, 2020

WPI researcher's paper on COVID-19 published in Viruses journal

A WPI researcher's paper on the novel coronavirus has been published in a leading virology journal, revealing key findings on its structure and potential targets for treatment. The study found similarities between the COVID-19 virus and SARS, suggesting new antiviral strategies.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalViruses·DateApr 15, 2020

Unusually clear skies drove record loss of Greenland ice in 2019

The study found that exceptional atmospheric circulation patterns contributed significantly to the record ice loss, which may be underestimated by current climate models. The lack of snowfall and resulting clear skies led to increased melting and runoff, resulting in a sea level rise of about 1.5 millimeters.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateApr 15, 2020

Speeding-up quantum computing using giant atomic ions

Researchers have developed a new approach to speed up trapped ion quantum computing using giant Rydberg ions, increasing computational capacity exponentially. The experimental work confirms that the system can scale up without slowdowns, enabling large-scale quantum computation.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

What is an individual? Information Theory may provide the answer

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding individuality in biology using Information Theory, focusing on dynamical processes and environmental influences. This perspective suggests that individuals are best thought of as continuous, emergent entities rather than stationary objects.,

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalTheory in Biosciences·DateApr 15, 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.