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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 6


Page 6 of 37

Offspring may inherit legacy of their father's Toxoplasma infection

Australian researchers discovered that Toxoplasma-infected male mice passed altered epigenetic signatures to their offspring, affecting brain development and behavior. The study raises concerns about potential long-term impacts of infections in human fathers on their children's health.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 28, 2020

BIM & Lean Construction well-established in major firms but lacking within industry's SMEs

Research at the University of Huddersfield warns that smaller construction firms are missing out on cutting-edge techniques like BIM and Lean Construction, which can improve efficiency and productivity. The study found that SMEs are not adopting these practices, despite their potential to transform the industry.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalCanadian Journal of Civil Engineering·DateApr 28, 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.

Study reveals pharmacy-level barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder in Appalachian Kentucky

A new study found that pharmacies in Appalachian Kentucky are limiting buprenorphine dispensing due to concerns about DEA caps, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, and stigma against people who use drugs. This limits access to effective treatment for opioid use disorder, which affects fewer than two in ten individuals.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateApr 28, 2020

Finding the genes to build a better cancer treatment

Scientists at Washington State University have discovered candidate genes that could be used to manufacture Taxol more quickly and efficiently. The genes, characterized by lead researcher Mark Lange, will enable engineers to develop organisms that can produce the cancer-fighting drug.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2020

Simulating borehole ballooning helps ensure safe drilling of deep-water oil, gas

A device that simulates borehole ballooning has been developed to help prevent serious drilling accidents and irreversible damage. The device can accurately simulate conditions like fracture opening pressures, rock types, and mud circulation pressures, and its experimental results have validated theoretical research on the topic.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 28, 2020

Dental care and oral health under the clouds of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for better dental care and oral health strategies. Research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted through direct contact and respiratory droplets, with oral mucosa being an initial site of entry.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJDR Clinical & Translational Research·DateApr 28, 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.

Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip

A team of researchers from Argonne National Laboratory has developed a simple pretreatment step that enables membranes to be enhanced using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method involves dipping membranes in tannic acid, which provides nucleation sites for ALD coatings. This technique now opens up new possibilities for improving me...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 28, 2020

Arctic wildlife uses extreme method to save energy

Researchers at Lund University discovered a unique energy-saving strategy used by Arctic birds during the polar night, involving weakening their immune system. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy on keeping warm and finding food, but may pose risks when climate change alters migratory patterns and disease transmission.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 28, 2020

Heart disease more likely for adults with dysfunctional childhoods

A new Northwestern University study links childhood trauma and family dysfunction to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in adulthood. Adults who experienced high levels of adversity in childhood are more than 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 28, 2020

Understanding how fluids heat or cool surfaces

Researchers found that fluid flow across flat surfaces has three distinct zones, including a lengthy transitional zone, which significantly affects heat transfer calculations. This discovery could improve the accuracy of heat exchanger designs and engineering practices in various industries.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Heat Transfer·DateApr 28, 2020

Foot feathering in domesticated breeds of pigeons and chickens use same gene regulatory networks

Researchers found that regulatory mutations in TBX5 and PITX1 genes cause foot feathering in both domesticated breeds of chickens and pigeons. This study demonstrates a remarkable convergence in the evolution of this trait across species, suggesting that favored mutations have been spread through strong phenotypic selection.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 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.

Spinal cord gives bio-bots walking rhythm

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed spinobots that can walk using a rat muscle and spinal cord tissue. The integration of the spinal cord gives them a natural walking rhythm, which could have implications for neurocomputing and restorative medicine.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateApr 28, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rat spinal cords control neural function in biobots

Researchers successfully combined rat spinal cords with tissue-engineered muscles, creating a biohybrid system that produces electrical activity causing contraction. This innovation could lead to breakthroughs in understanding diseases like Lou Gehrig's and developing new surgical training tools.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateApr 28, 2020

New device simulates feel of walls, solid objects in virtual reality

A new device developed at Carnegie Mellon University uses multiple strings attached to the hand and fingers to simulate the feel of obstacles and heavy objects in virtual reality. The device provides more realistic haptic feedback than other techniques, enabling users to feel the contours of virtual objects and sense resistance.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateApr 28, 2020

Mobile telehealth system in China facilitates clinical communication during COVID-19

A mobile telehealth system in China has been successfully implemented to facilitate clinical communication among healthcare providers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The system allows for secure sharing of patient information, overcoming a significant challenge faced by hospitals treating isolated patients.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateApr 28, 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.

How blood cells deform, recover when traveling through tiny channels

Red blood cells deform and recover when passing through tiny channels, revealing a possible new method to diagnose diseases such as malaria. The researchers found that the shape recovery behavior depends on flow speed, viscosity, and elastic properties of the cell's outer membrane.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateApr 28, 2020

New DNA test will improve tracking of Salmonella food-poisoning outbreaks

Researchers have developed a sensitive and specific assay to detect different serotypes of Salmonella, enabling rapid tracing of infection origins. The new DNA test can distinguish between subtypes of Salmonella in just eight minutes and has the potential to simplify and accelerate food-borne illness investigations.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateApr 28, 2020

Foot feathering birds flock genetically together

Researchers found that genetic variants at Tbx5 and Pitx1 contribute to foot feathering in both chickens and pigeons. A 17,000 base-pair long deletion near Pitx1 removes the same exact region in both species, indicating similar mutations and molecular pathways.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

HKUST researchers unlock genomic secrets of scaly-foot snail

A team of HKUST researchers has analyzed the genome sequence of the scaly-foot snail, a deep-sea creature with armor-like scales. The study reveals that the snail's unique morphology is largely determined by genes already present in other mollusks, such as squid and pearl oysters.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

How the heart affects our perception

Researchers found that brain activity changes with heartbeat, suppressing certain components associated with consciousness during systole, leading to reduced detection of weak stimuli. Additionally, a large heartbeat-evoked potential indicates focus on internal bodily signals over external environmental cues.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2020

How animals 'dial up' the pain they experience from certain stimuli

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a molecular mechanism that amplifies pain signals in the nervous system. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating chronic pain conditions such as neuropathies, arthritic pains, and migraines.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience Signaling·DateApr 28, 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.

Work-related stress linked to increased risk for peripheral artery disease

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people with work-related stress were 1.4 times as likely to have a record of peripheral artery disease in hospitalization registers. Work-related stress, or job strain, refers to psychological and social stress at work.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 28, 2020

Can an existing HIV medication slow the spread of COVID-19?

A clinical trial is set to examine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using the existing HIV medication Kaletra can halt or slow the spread of COVID-19. Researchers will track participants exposed to confirmed cases, administering the medication for 14 days, the estimated incubation period for COVID-19.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·DateApr 28, 2020

Fused-ring electron acceptor with 3D exciton and charge transport

Researchers at Peking University developed a new fluorinated fused-ring electron acceptor with 3D stacking and exciton and charge transport, leading to improved efficiency in organic solar cells. The OSCs based on FINIC showed an efficiency of 14.0%, significantly higher than nonfluorinated INIC-based cells.

SourcePeking University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 28, 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.

How mistakes help us recognize things

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that mistakes in short-term memory, such as misperceiving the motion direction of dots, contribute to our ability to recognize and integrate visual information over time. This 'blurring' of perception helps us perceive a stable environment despite constant changes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

Hubble watches comet ATLAS disintegrate into more than 2 dozen pieces

The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged the breakup of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS), revealing approximately 30 fragments on April 20 and 25 pieces on April 23. The comet's fragmented appearance changes substantially between the two days, sparking debate among researchers about the cause of fragmentation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 28, 2020

Gene defects linked to eczema, wheeze and nasal disease among babies

A new study has discovered a link between gene defects and eczema, wheeze, and nasal blockage among babies as young as six months. The research suggests that treatment targeted towards children carrying these genetic defects started soon after birth could improve their lives.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 28, 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.

C-Path receives letter of support from EMA on type 1 diabetes biomarker initiative

The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has received a letter of support from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to facilitate the development and validation of pancreatic islet autoantibodies as enrichment biomarkers for type 1 diabetes clinical trials. This collaboration aims to accelerate drug development in T1D by identifying patient...

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·DateApr 28, 2020

Study indicates artificial intelligence could help stem tide of school violence

Researchers developed an AI system that analyzes linguistic patterns to predict a youth's risk for committing acts of school violence. The system matches the clinical judgements and accuracy of psychiatrists 94 percent of the time, demonstrating its potential to help address youth violence at schools.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateApr 28, 2020

Next-generation batteries take major step toward commercial viability

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a method to stabilize lithium-sulfur batteries, extending their cycle life by four times. This breakthrough enables more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective battery production, with potential applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJoule·DateApr 28, 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.

Visual-spatial learning disorder is more common than thought, finds study

A new study estimates that nearly 3 million US children have visual-spatial learning disorder, affecting math, executive function, and fine motor skills. The disorder is often overlooked due to its name and lack of consensus among physicians on diagnosis and treatment.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 28, 2020

Ayurveda and yoga for COVID-19 prevention

Experts in Ayurveda and yoga propose using these traditional practices to boost immune function and prevent COVID-19 infection. The authors discuss various methods, including local prophylaxis with herbal drinks and steam inhalation, as well as systemic approaches focusing on diet, sleep, and mental relaxation.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 28, 2020

Study of nearly 10,000 women explores feasibility and safety of multi-cancer blood test

Researchers developed a multi-cancer blood test that detected some cancers, including ovarian cancers, and successfully screened for non-cancer causes before diagnostic tests. The test showed promise as a minimally invasive option to increase cancer detection rates in populations already following standard screening approaches.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2020

Oregon State University research wins Marcus Wallenberg Prize

Richard Waring, a renowned researcher at Oregon State University, has been awarded the prestigious Marcus Wallenberg Prize along with Joe Landsberg and Nicholas Coops. The prize recognizes their groundbreaking work on a computer model predicting forest growth in changing climates.

SourceOregon State University·DateApr 28, 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.

MA3Bi2I9 single-crystal enables X-ray detection down to nanograys per second

Researchers developed ultra-sensitive and stable X-ray detectors using 0D MA3Bi2I9 single-crystals, achieving low operating doses of 0.62 nGyair s-1 and high sensitivity comparable to 3D perovskite detectors. The discovery promises a promising X-ray detector candidate for medical applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalJournal of Energy Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2020

COVID-19 in US prisons, jails

The US prison and jail system faces significant challenges in preventing COVID-19 transmission, according to a new study. The authors emphasize the need for effective policies and programs to minimize the spread of the virus.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 28, 2020

Study reveals rich genetic diversity of Vietnam

A new study analyzing Vietnam's population reveals a rich genetic diversity with heterogeneous ancestry profiles in each language family. The research finds evidence of extensive contact between Vietnamese groups and other populations, challenging previous studies' suggestions of an indigenous origin.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 28, 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.

Clinicians treating COVID-19 say don't rush to try novel therapies

A recent correspondence letter warns against premature use of novel therapies in COVID-19 patients, advocating for traditional critical care principles instead. The authors emphasize the importance of evidence-based practice and caution against abandoning reason during the pandemic.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateApr 27, 2020

Tube worm slime displays long-lasting, self-powered glow

Researchers discovered that tube worm slime contains an iron storage protein called ferritin, which acts as a molecular battery storing energy. Artificially adding iron to the mucus increases light production, enabling a self-sustaining bioluminescence process.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

Virtual and augmented reality: warnings about the ethical dangers

Researchers warn of the risks of virtual and augmented reality becoming increasingly realistic, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between reality and virtual experiences. This can result in problems such as remembering virtual events as real and failing to distinguish between actual and simulated events. The study also highligh...

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalFrontiers in Virtual Reality·DateApr 27, 2020
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.

A potential agent for treating preeclampsia

Researchers have identified a new potential agent for treating preeclampsia using small interfering RNA molecules that target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In animal models, the treatment reduced symptoms of preeclampsia and improved fetal nutrition, suggesting a safe therapeutic option.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 27, 2020

Experimental Biology press materials available now

Recent research studies published in The FASEB Journal cover topics such as the effects of vaping on lung tissue repair, potential treatments for arthritis and indigestion, and insights into why loud noise is bad for health. Other areas of focus include the discovery of new eco-friendly light sources, improved methods for growing plant...

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

Researchers make key advance toward production of important biofuel

A breakthrough in biobutanol separation has been achieved through the development of a novel metal organic framework (MOF) that can efficiently separate biobutanol from biomass fermentation broth. The new MOF has shown great efficiency compared to existing methods, making it a promising step towards economically viable biofuel production.

SourceOregon State University·DateApr 27, 2020