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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 27


Page 27 of 37

Cost-effective oxygen concentrators

ETH Zurich researchers have designed cost-effective oxygen concentrators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The devices use a novel membrane technology and can be replicated almost anywhere in the world using locally available materials.

TU Dresden chemists develop noble metal aerogels for electrochemical hydrogen production

Researchers from TU Dresden have developed novel noble metal aerogels that exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic properties, outperforming commercial platinum catalysts in a range of applications. These advanced materials show promise for efficient electrochemical hydrogen production, including green hydrogen and fuel cells.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 9, 2020

Money can't buy love -- or friendship

Researchers at UB and Harvard Business School found that people who base their self-worth on financial success experience pressure and lack of autonomy, leading to negative social outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving personal relationships in maintaining good mental health.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 9, 2020

Risk aversion as a survival strategy in ants

Ants adapt their behavior to avoid traps by associating visual cues with negative experiences. Researchers studied two species of ants that changed their route on the second attempt after experiencing a setback.

SourceCNRS·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 9, 2020

Firework-related eye injuries

From 1999 to 2017, approximately 64,000 firework-related eye injuries were treated in US emergency departments. The study found that men and children under 18 were more likely to be injured.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateApr 9, 2020

Special issue explores consumer access and power

The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing explores the complex relationship between consumer power and access, examining how technology, wealth, and industry organization influence this dynamic. Key findings highlight the importance of perceived access to healthcare, financial capability, and trait hope in improving consumer outcomes.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateApr 9, 2020

Research sheds light on how silver ions kill bacteria

Researchers used advanced imaging to study proteins at the molecular level in live E. coli bacteria. Silver ions caused paired DNA strands to separate and protein binding to weaken, resulting in faster protein movement. This new understanding could help develop better antibiotics using silver nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 9, 2020

USC scientists develop a better redox flow battery

USC scientists have developed a new redox flow battery that stores electricity in solutions, sorts electrons, and releases power when needed. The technology uses iron sulfate and anthraquinone disulfonic acid (AQDS) to store electrochemical energy, with advantages over competitors in terms of cost, durability, and scalability.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 9, 2020

Rethinking biosecurity governance

The article highlights the need for a new approach to biosecurity governance, grounded in experimentation. Key findings include the importance of framing governance experiments with hypotheses, developing capacity to quickly identify difficult cases, and fostering cross-biology communities for iterative improvement.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

Neanderthal cord weaver

Researchers discovered evidence of cord making on a flint fragment from Abri du Maras in France, dating back 40,000 years. The remains showed twisted fibres made of cellulose, likely from coniferous trees, highlighting the cognitive abilities and knowledge of Neanderthals.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2020

Looking for dark matter

Physicists Rees McNally and Tanya Zelevinsky have proposed two novel methods of searching for dark matter by measuring tiny perturbations in fundamental constants. These methods involve using gravity sensors and LIGO gravitational wave detectors to detect a small extra 'push' or acceleration on normal matter caused by dark matter clumps.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 9, 2020

Canada lynx disappearing from Washington state

A massive monitoring study found Canada lynx on only 20% of its potential habitat in Washington state, highlighting the impact of climate change and wildfire on their survival. The research suggests that lynx are a key indicator species for climate change, with warming temperatures and reduced snowpack threatening their ability to thrive.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateApr 9, 2020

Ear's inner secrets revealed with new technology

Scientists have developed a new technology to study the inner ear using synchrotron X-rays, providing insights into cochlear implant success. The method allows for three-dimensional mapping of blood vessels in the inner ear, which may lead to improved electrode design and better hearing results.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2020

Immunotherapy treatment after chemotherapy significantly slows metastatic bladder cancer

A clinical trial found that immunotherapy significantly slowed the worsening of urothelial cancer when given after platinum-based chemotherapy, with a 60% longer time to cancer progression compared to the control group. The switch maintenance immunotherapy approach is expected to become a standard of care for metastatic bladder cancer.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 9, 2020