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Science News Archive August 2020


Page 11 of 45

To stop COVID-19 spread in schools, start with local data and do the math

A new UCSF study found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic children mirrors the number of confirmed cases in the general population. Researchers developed an equation to estimate the number of infected students in a classroom based on local data, revealing risks ranging from 11% to 79%.

Lockdowns have economic and social costs for world's poorest families

A new research study documents the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures on low socioeconomic families in rural Bangladesh, revealing increased financial hardship, food insecurity, domestic violence and mental health challenges. The study highlights the need for welfare support and social protection for women and their families during ...

Sedentary behaviour on the rise across Europe

The study found that sedentary behavior increased by 3.9% in Spain, 7.4% in Germany, 17.8% in France, and 22.5% in Great Britain between 2002 and 2017. The authors suggest that increasing physical activity and reducing screen time could help mitigate the risks associated with prolonged sitting.

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.

Memory protein

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that a disordered protein exhibits slow relaxations, defying expectations, and 'remembers' its previous stretching. This behavior is similar to glassy materials like memory foam and crumpled paper.

Oncotarget: Paradox breaker BRAF inhibitors in BRAF mutant colorectal cancer

The BEACON CRC trial demonstrated a survival advantage for patients with chemo-refractory BRAF mutant CRC treated with the combination of BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and EGFR inhibitor cetuximab. PLX8394, a paradox-breaker BRAF inhibitor, showed comparable efficacy to encorafenib in reducing pathway reactivation.

High human population density negative for pollinators

A study from Lund University found that population density, not vegetation cover, has the biggest impact on species richness of pollinators in residential areas. Urban environments with high population densities have fewer species of wild bees and hoverflies.

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.

Discovery of new genes that influence the success of cancer treatment

Researchers have discovered new genes that play a crucial role in determining the success of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. These genes, which encode for repair mechanisms used by cancer cells, can be missing or dysfunctional in some patients, making them more likely to respond to radiation therapy.

Researchers see an increase in fraudulent COVID-19 posts on social media

A new study from UC San Diego School of Medicine found nearly 2,000 fraudulent postings likely tied to fake COVID-19 health products, financial scams, and other consumer risks. The researchers used Natural Language Processing and machine learning to detect suspicious posts on Twitter and Instagram.

Galactic bar paradox resolved in cosmic dance

A new study resolves the Galactic bar paradox by proposing that the central region of the Milky Way is connected to the spiral arm in a 'cosmic dance', causing contradictory estimates of motion. The bar's size and rotational speed fluctuate rapidly, making it appear larger and slower at certain times.

Sandwich catalysts offer higher activity and durability

Researchers at POSTECH have developed a new type of sandwich catalyst that can efficiently generate hydrogen energy through water electrolysis. The catalyst shows high activity and durability, outperforming conventional materials, with the potential to be applied to cost-effective hydrogen production processes.

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.

Clinical trial shows potential benefit to anti-platelet therapy

A new clinical trial, TAILOR-PCI, found that genetic testing can identify patients who may benefit from alternative antiplatelet therapy. The study showed a statistically significant 40% reduction in blood clotting events in patients with the CYP2C19 gene variation who received genotype-guided treatment.

UBCO researcher uses computer modelling to predict reef health

A UBC Okanagan researcher has developed an agent-based model to simulate the behavior of coral reefs and identify traits that contribute to their resilience. This will help design reef management and restoration strategies to stem losses and ensure the long-term health of coral ecosystems.

Magnetic stimulation dramatically improves fecal incontinence

Researchers have identified a non-invasive and targeted treatment to correct nerve damage and address the pervasive problem of fecal incontinence. Magnetic stimulation of nerves regulating muscles in the anus and rectum improves function and reduces episodes of fecal incontinence in patients.

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.

A multicenter look at gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy

A new study published in Pediatrics reports positive safety and early outcome data from 21 children with spinal muscular atrophy treated with gene therapy. The treatment, onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi, is shown to be effective through age 2 years with proper screening and monitoring, but requires closer attention for potential liver is...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Legacy

A new study led by UT Southwestern scientists suggests that breastfeeding changes the body's insulin sensitivity, particularly in highly insulin-sensitive organs like the liver and fat tissue. This increase in insulin sensitivity may provide a buffer against insulin resistance even decades later, lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Sleep and diabetes study receives $3M grant

A new study aims to determine if sleep optimization interventions can help adults with Type 1 diabetes improve their sleep and glycemic control. Participants will receive a wearable sleep tracker and brief phone counseling sessions.

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.

Hydrochloric acid boosts catalyst activity

A research team from Technical University of Munich has developed a synthesis process that drastically increases the activity of catalysts for removing sulfur from crude oil. The new process uses concentrated hydrochloric acid to improve catalytic performance.

New blood, new hope: Transfusions protect the brain from stroke damage

Researchers at West Virginia University discovered that blood substitution therapy can rescue the brains of mice from ischemic damage and improve outcomes. The study found that replacing 20% of the blood reduces damage to the brain, and the technique may be administered beyond the current three-hour window for stroke treatment.

Researchers introduce new theory to calculate emissions liability

A new study reveals that oil and natural gas pipelines are major contributors to carbon emissions, with seven out of eight pipelines being foreign-owned. The study prioritizes climate lawsuits targeting these facilities, which could lead to increased insurance costs for fossil-fuel companies.

Metabolic syndrome linked to worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients

A new Tulane University study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had metabolic syndrome were over three times more likely to die from the disease. The study also showed that patients with metabolic syndrome were nearly five times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, need a ventilator, or develop ARDS.

Video is not always effective in science communication

Researchers found that a video about coral reefs had less willingness to pay among audience members compared to those shown a slideshow with text and photographs. The study highlights the importance of information type and amount in science communication.

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.

Why we distort probability

A team of researchers from New York University and Peking University found that human cognitive limitations lead to distorted probabilities and errors in decision-making. The model predicted human performance better than previous models, suggesting that people do as well as they can under their limitations.

Enzyme prisons

Scientists found that most cAMP molecules are bound to proteins, creating nanometer-scale 'prisons' that regulate signaling pathways. This discovery could lead to new targets for cancer and cardiovascular research.

Research shows potential to improve paints, coatings

The study shows that Janus particles can be used to improve the performance of paints and coatings, making them more water-repellent and better adhering. The researchers found that the particles self-stratify into layers on the surface, creating a unique combination of properties.

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.

Fifty new planets confirmed in machine learning first

A new machine learning algorithm confirms 50 new exoplanets, ranging from Neptunes to Earth-sized worlds, by distinguishing between real and false positives. The technique outperforms previous methods, can be automated, and improves with further training.

Sleep duration, efficiency and structure change in space

Researchers studied sleep patterns of astronauts before, during and after spaceflight to find that they slept an average of only 5.7 hours in space, with a 17.7% reduction in sleep efficiency. Sleep architecture also changed, with decreases in non-REM and REM sleep.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New method to track ultrafast change of magnetic state

Researchers developed a precise method to measure ultrafast magnetization changes in materials by observing emitted terahertz radiation. The technique enabled the detection of an acoustically-driven ultrafast magnetization signal, confirming its accuracy and sensitivity.

Polymers prevent potentially hazardous mist during dentist visit

Researchers discovered that food-grade polymers can completely eliminate aerosolization of saliva droplets in dental settings. The polymers' viscoelastic properties restrict water aerosolization by creating snakelike strands that pull droplets back, preventing aerosolization.

Plastics, waste and recycling: It's not just a packaging problem

A new University of Michigan study reveals that two-thirds of the plastic put into use in the US in 2017 were used for other purposes, including electronics and furniture. The overall recycling rate for plastics in the US is slightly lower than previous estimates, at 8%.

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.

Cutting surgical robots down to size

Researchers at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard have developed a miniature manipulator that uses origami-inspired design to enhance precision and control during teleoperated surgical procedures. The new device enables surgeons to perform complex operations with increased accuracy and reduced tissue damage.

Blocking cellular communication stops SARS-CoV-2

Researchers from Goethe University patented a method to interrupt SARS-CoV-2 signaling pathways using specific inhibitors, blocking viral replication. Tested cancer drugs showed promising results in laboratory experiments.

A galaxy's stop-and-start young radio jets

The Very Long Baseline Array revealed young radio-emitting jets that began 80 years ago and stopped, then resumed about 10 years ago. The bright core houses a supermassive black hole about one million times the mass of the Sun.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Thin layer protects battery, allows cold charging

A self-assembling monolayer of electrochemically active molecules protects the surface of the lithium anode, preventing dendritic growth and increasing cycle life. This technology enables cold charging and quick-charging capabilities in lithium metal batteries.

'Oral' bacteria may disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome

A study suggests that oral bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum can promote the growth of harmful pathogens in the vagina, leading to bacterial vaginosis (BV). The research found that Fusobacterium may engage in mutually beneficial relationships with other vaginal bacteria, encouraging dysbiosis and BV features.

Some of America's favorite produce crops may need to get a move on by 2045

A Berkeley Lab study predicts warmer California temperatures will impact cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce, while warm-season crops like tomatoes may require relocation. The research aims to ensure food security by predicting future climate conditions and informing agricultural response strategies.

Danish researchers invent a new way to compress data

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a new technique for compressing data from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The method enables random access to compressed files, reducing the need to decompress large amounts of data for analysis.

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.

Treatment for teen anxiety

A University of Cincinnati-led study suggests that a specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be beneficial in treating childhood anxiety disorders. The treatment showed promise in reducing anxiety symptoms in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder.

UCF researchers develop AI to detect fentanyl and derivatives remotely

The method can be used in a portable, tabletop device to rapidly identify known and emerging opioid fentanyl substances, aiding in the safety of law enforcement and military personnel. The AI algorithm had a 92.5 percent accuracy rate for correctly identifying molecules related to fentanyl.

Researchers help inform cassava breeding worldwide

Scientists have identified over 40 quantitative trait loci associated with 14 traits in cassava, including disease responses and nutritional quality. This discovery aims to improve cassava breeding and provide a powerful tool for breeders.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Before eyes open, they get ready to see?

Researchers used computational simulations to show that spontaneous retinal waves can generate long-range horizontal connectivity in the visual cortex, resolving a long-standing puzzle. The findings suggest that neural circuits must begin developing earlier than sensory input to prepare the brain for vision.

Study shines new light on young tree seedlings

Researchers used a synchrotron to take detailed X-ray images of ponderosa pine seedlings at various hydration stages. The findings show that the tissue surrounding the xylem, not the xylem itself, dries out when seedlings lose water, revealing new insights into tree seedling growth.

Scientists catalogue shark and ray distribution in Florida lagoon

Researchers from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducted a fishery-independent survey to characterize the elasmobranch community in the Indian River Lagoon. The study found that many species use the lagoon throughout their life histories, and it may serve as an important nursery habitat for multiple species.

SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in untreated wastewater from Louisiana

Researchers detected SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in untreated wastewater samples from two treatment plants in Louisiana, USA. The virus was only found in untreated waste and not in treated wastewater, indicating standard processing may remove or destroy the virus.

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.