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Science News for August 14, 2020


This online calculator can predict your stroke risk, study finds

A new online calculator developed by UVA Health System researchers can predict stroke risk in patients with metabolic syndrome. The tool, available for free, uses a scoring system to assess the severity of metabolic syndrome and identify patients at risk.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalStroke·DateAug 14, 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.

Using infrared eye tracking to study infant behavior

Researchers adapted existing infrared technology to assess infant recognition memory and cognitive outcomes, finding that infants prefer novel stimuli and exhibit side preferences. The automated technique eliminated examiner bias and variation, enabling large-scale studies on infant development.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateAug 14, 2020

NASA finds wind shear making Tropical Depression 10E struggle

Tropical Depression 10E is struggling to intensify due to strong northeasterly wind shear, according to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite imagery. The depression has maintained a small ragged band of convection in its southwest quadrant despite the adverse conditions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 14, 2020

A light bright and tiny: NIST scientists build a better nanoscale LED

A new design for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) developed by NIST scientists achieves a significant increase in brightness and the ability to create laser light, overcoming a long-standing limitation in LED efficiency. The device shows an increase of 100 to 1,000 times in brightness over conventional tiny LEDs.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2020

AI software enables real-time 3D printing quality assessment

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an AI software named Peregrine for powder bed 3D printers, assessing part quality in real-time. The software uses convolutional neural networks to analyze images and detect anomalies, alerting operators for adjustments.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·DateAug 14, 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.

Green electricity for Europe: Small scale solutions also affordable

A new study by researchers in Potsdam and Zurich shows that smaller scale systems incur a cost penalty of less than 20% compared to continental-scale systems. However, with cooperation between grid operators and neighboring grids, the cost penalties can be reduced, supporting current efforts to establish a European electricity market.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalJoule·DateAug 14, 2020

Researchers one step closer to bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts

Researchers successfully trained locusts to detect and differentiate various explosives using their olfactory system. The team also developed a way to read the brain activity of the locusts to pinpoint the direction of odor emission, paving the way for bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateAug 14, 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.

Sustainable biosynthetic transparent films for plastic substitute

A team of researchers from China has developed a sustainable, ultra-strong and transparent film made from living bacteria. The film, inspired by nacre, exhibits unique optical properties and excellent mechanical strength, making it a potential substitute for plastics in packaging and electronics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalMatter·DateAug 14, 2020

Watching changes in plant metabolism -- live

Researchers at the University of Münster used a new method to monitor plant metabolic processes in real-time, revealing key mechanisms in energy metabolism and their connection to environmental factors. The study provides new insights into plant responses to stressors like light, temperature, and pest infestation.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateAug 14, 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.

Study explores the association of malaria, HIV with anemia during pregnancy

Researchers found a higher prevalence of anemia in pregnant women with malaria and HIV coinfections compared to those without infections. The study suggests that multipronged strategies to prevent and treat these infections are critical to ensure the survival of mothers and their unborn babies.

SourcePenn State·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateAug 14, 2020

UCLA computer scientists set benchmarks to optimize quantum computer performance

Researchers created a family of benchmark quantum circuits with known optimal depths or sizes to improve quantum compilation design. This could lead to computation speeds up to 45 times faster than currently demonstrated. The benchmarks, named QUEKO, have been made open source and are available on GitHub.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computers·DateAug 14, 2020

How people and ecosystems fit together on the Great Barrier Reef

A world-first study examining the Great Barrier Reef's management found that people are managed at broader scales than ecological variation, suggesting a general principle for permitting and management. This approach may be more effective in sustainably managing ecosystems, especially small protected areas.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalOne Earth·DateAug 14, 2020

The flax wilt agent has been sequenced

The Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini genome has been fully assembled, providing insights into the parasite's adaptation to flax and its potential for breeding resistant crop varieties. The study aims to elucidate specific mechanisms of Fusarium adaptation to different hosts and find genes responsible for its preferences.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateAug 14, 2020
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.

Study identifies social connection as the strongest protective factor for depression

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital identified social connection and reducing sedentary activities like TV watching as valuable targets for preventing depression. The study found that frequency of confiding in others, visits with family and friends, were strong protective factors against depression risk.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 14, 2020

Researchers capture footage of fluid behaving like a solid

Swansea University researchers have captured the moments a fluid reacts like a solid through a new method of fluid observation under pressurised conditions. The study looks at fluids with a solid-like response to stress, called Discontinuous Shear Thickening (DST), and offers a novel visual indication for future theoretical models.

SourceSwansea University·DateAug 14, 2020

UMD discovers a new role for a well-known molecule as a plant hormone

Researchers at UMD have identified a critical role for the molecule ACC in plant reproduction and pollination, activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. This finding could rewrite textbooks and lead to new research on improving plant health and crop yield.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 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.

Historical redlining linked to premature births, lower birth weight babies

A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that past discriminatory housing practices may be impacting maternal and infant health today. Neighborhoods with worse HOLC ratings had significantly more adverse birth outcomes, including premature births and low birth weight babies.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2020

Aurora mysteries unlocked with NASA's THEMIS mission

Scientists have discovered that auroral beads are caused by turbulence in the plasma surrounding Earth, which precedes substorms and triggers auroras. The new models provide a broader picture of the near-space environment, helping researchers better understand swirling structures seen in auroras.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 14, 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.

Newly identified gut cells nurture lymph capillaries

Researchers at Institute for Basic Science have identified new subsets of gut connective cells crucial for lymphatic growth and fat digestion. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that impair lacteal regeneration and reveal a link between intestinal environment and cell interactions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Traces of ancient life tell story of early diversity in marine ecosystems

Research published in Science Advances by a University of Saskatchewan-led team reveals an explosion of ancient life on the ocean floor nearly 540 million years ago. The study found evidence of animals actively engineering their ecosystem, constructing diverse burrows that may have laid the foundation for greater diversity in marine life.

SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2020

Climate stabilization: Lessons from the corona crisis

A team of researchers from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons for mitigating climate change. They propose a 'Climate Corona Contract' that unites younger and older generations to address the climate emergency.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalGlobal Sustainability·DateAug 14, 2020

Preexisting drug shows promise in fight against COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Chicago used computational analysis to identify ebselen as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The study found that ebselen can decrease Mpro's activity in two different ways, making it a promising lead for developing new therapeutic strategies against the virus.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 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.

NIH-supported scientists demonstrate how genetic variations cause eczema

Researchers found that two common genetic variations in the KIF3A gene impair skin barrier function, leading to increased water loss and development of atopic dermatitis. Genetic testing could help identify infants at risk, potentially preventing eczema and related allergic diseases.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2020

Weight between young adulthood and midlife linked to mortality: BU study

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that weight changes between early adulthood and midlife are crucial in determining a person's risk of early death. Participants whose BMI decreased from obese to overweight range had half the risk of dying compared to those who remained obese throughout their lives.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 14, 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.

200,000 years ago, humans preferred to kip cozy

Researchers found evidence of humans using grass bedding and ash layers to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working over 200,000 years ago. The study suggests that people used fire, ash, and medicinal plants to maintain clean and pest-free camps.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2020

A method has been developed to study extreme space weather events

A new method was developed to study fast Coronal Mass Ejections and predict the most extreme space weather events. These events can cause strong geomagnetic storms that affect space and Earth-based engineering systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 14, 2020

Machine learning in sustainable chemistry

Researchers develop new machine learning methods to predict polymeric carbon nitride compounds suitable for sustainable photocatalytic water splitting. This process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen without using rare earths or expensive metals.

SourceUniversität Paderborn·DateAug 14, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Patients' access to opioid treatment cumbersome

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that pregnant women face significant challenges accessing opioid treatment, including limited provider availability and high out-of-pocket costs. The study calls for policymakers to intervene and establish systems for timely access to life-saving medications.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 14, 2020

Unexpectedly-fast conduction electrons in Na3Bi

A study finds that exchange and correlation effects significantly impact the electron mobility of Na3Bi, leading to unexpectedly fast conduction electrons. The research uses a scanning-tunnelling microscope technique to map the electronic structure in the material.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalPhysical Review B·DateAug 14, 2020

Decline in US bird biodiversity related to neonicotinoids, study shows

A new study from the University of Illinois reveals a significant decline in US bird biodiversity related to neonicotinoid use, particularly affecting grassland birds. The research found a 2.2% decline in grassland bird populations for every 100 kg increase in neonicotinoid usage per county.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Sustainability·DateAug 14, 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.

Cardiovascular risk factors tied to COVID-19 complications and death

A recent study analyzed data from over 77,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients to understand the impact of pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities or risk factors on clinical outcomes. The results show that these patients are more likely to develop cardiovascular complications and die from COVID-19 infection.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2020

Study shows frequently used serology test may not detect antibodies that could confirm protection against reinfection of COVID-19

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that some commercially available serological tests only detect N-protein antibodies, which may not indicate immunity to reinfection. S-RBD antibody detection is considered a better indicator of protection against COVID-19 reinfection.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJCI Insight·DateAug 14, 2020

Teachers College to use NSF grant for teacher fellowships

The project aims to improve Next Generation Science Standards by developing a technological ecosystem that enables students to create, test, and compare their own ideas about science. The funding will focus on sixth- and seventh-grade science, but the results will be adaptable to other age groups.

SourceTeachers College, Columbia University·DateAug 14, 2020

Dynamic membranes set to solve problems of liquid waste treatment

The study introduces a new type of composite membrane with a polystyrene surface layer that increases its resistance to aggressive media. The developed dynamic membranes show high separation efficiency for emulsions and can be reused by replacing the contaminated surface layer, making them suitable for liquid waste treatment.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalChemical and Petroleum Engineering·DateAug 14, 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.

Changes in climate and land cover affecting European migratory bird populations

A new study reveals that European migratory bird populations are most affected by changes in climate on breeding grounds, while land cover changes have a greater impact on their migration routes. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors in conservation efforts to mitigate population declines.

SourceDurham University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateAug 14, 2020

NASA finds wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Josephine

Tropical Storm Josephine is being affected by southwesterly wind shear, which is pushing clouds and precipitation to the northeast of its center. This wind shear is expected to continue, potentially affecting the storm's trajectory and weakening it over the next couple of days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 14, 2020

Research helps explain source of pathogen that causes bitter rot disease

A two-year study found that fungal spores of Colletotrichum fioriniae, the cause of bitter rot disease, reside symbiotically within apple leaves. The research suggests that the fungus is a leaf endophyte, with most spores coming from forest samples, and has important implications for fruit tree management.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhytopathology·DateAug 14, 2020
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.

Linking sight and movement

A team of Harvard researchers found that image-processing circuits in the primary visual cortex are more active when animals move, suggesting a complex relationship between vision and movement. The study's results offer new insights into how neural activity works in sensory regions of the brain.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNeuron·DateAug 14, 2020

German-Argentinean doctoral program bears first fruits

A German-Argentinean doctoral program has borne its first fruits with a joint publication in the renowned journal Plant Physiology. Dr. Regina Mencia's research on increasing plant resistance to pathogens via the salicylic acid pathway has shown promising results.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateAug 14, 2020

Remains of 17th century bishop support neolithic emergence of tuberculosis

A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology has reconstructed a tuberculosis genome from the calcified lungs of a 17th-century bishop, supporting the idea that TB emerged within the last 6,000 years. The discovery sheds light on the origins of TB and challenges the prevailing assumption about its global distribution.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalGenome Biology·DateAug 14, 2020

For pregnant patients, number of clinic visits not tied to risk of getting COVID-19

A recent study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found no association between the number of in-person health care visits and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant patients. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 women who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggests that necessary in-person care can be safely performed.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateAug 14, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Plavchan and collaborators studying newly discovered planet

Scientists are using a High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) and iSHELL/IRTF to observe the newly discovered planet AU Mic, aiming to disentangle its radial velocity signal from stellar activity. This will allow for precise calculations of the planet's orbital parameters and mass.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateAug 14, 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.

The flax wilt agent has been sequenced

The study completes the genome assembly of F. oxysporum f.sp. lini, a highly destructive fungal parasite infecting flax. This milestone contributes to the development of resistant crop varieties and aids in eliminating plant disease outbreaks.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateAug 14, 2020