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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 8


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.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 27, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 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.

Urban slums are uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19. Here's how to help.

The report highlights eight urgent recommendations for reducing COVID-19 impact on urban poor, prioritizing community leadership and access to healthcare. Governments should provide basic needs like water, sanitation, and moratoriums on evictions to help vulnerable populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 27, 2020

'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.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceRMIT University·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalQuaternary International·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceAarhus University·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateApr 27, 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.

'We urgently need a renewed public debate about new breeding technologies'

A recent study by the University of Göttingen suggests that new plant breeding technologies, such as genetic engineering and gene editing, can help increase food production whilst being more environmentally friendly. This approach has been evaluated over 50 years of research from around the world.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalBlood Advances·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 27, 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.

A promising new treatment for recurrent pediatric brain cancer

Researchers develop novel approach to deliver CAR T cell therapy directly into cerebrospinal fluid, effectively treating medulloblastoma and ependymoma in mouse models. Combining immunotherapy with azacytidine significantly enhances treatment efficacy.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 27, 2020

A step toward a better way to make gene therapies to attack cancer, genetic disorders

A UCLA-led research team has developed a new method for delivering DNA into stem cells and immune cells safely, rapidly and economically. The technique uses high-frequency acoustic waves to manipulate cells and insert cargo without damaging them, enabling the creation of gene therapies for various diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceMidwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Virology·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

'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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 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.

They remember: Communities of microbes found to have working memory

Researchers discovered that bacterial cells stimulated with light remembered exposure hours later, laying groundwork for memory-capable biological systems. The study reveals surprising similarities between low-level bacteria and complex neuronal processing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Systems·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 27, 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.

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.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 27, 2020

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 27, 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.