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Science News for August 28, 2020


Study shows efforts in mangrove conservation and restoration paying off

New research led by the Singapore-ETH Centre reveals that mangrove conservation and restoration efforts have slowed down deforestation and preserved carbon stocks globally. The study found a 1.8% net loss of mangrove carbon stocks between 1996 and 2016, significantly lower than previous estimates.

SourceSingapore-ETH Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 2020

COVID-19 exposes broadband gaps

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) shortcomings, with over 1 million households lacking internet access at home. The Flinders University researchers found that the NBN rollout prioritized politics and commerce over equity considerations, leading to unequal access to high-speed broadband services.

SourceFlinders University·JournalTelecommunications Policy·DateAug 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.

How bacteria adhere to fiber in the gut

Researchers have discovered a unique binding mode that allows bacteria to stick to cellulose fibers in the human gut, enabling them to withstand shear forces. This breakthrough sheds light on the microbiome and its relationship to human health, with potential applications in bio-based medical superglues.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 2020

Physiological test for autism proves effective independent of co-occurring conditions

A new physiological test for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown promise, accurately identifying 124 of 131 children with ASD regardless of co-occurring medical conditions. The test measures metabolites in a blood sample and predicts diagnosis with minimal impact from other health issues.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders·DateAug 28, 2020

Women with higher neuroticism are less physically active

A new study from the University of Jyväskylä found that women scoring high in neuroticism reported less physical activity and had lower leisure time physical activity. High extraversion was linked to higher leisure time physical activity in middle-aged women.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalBMC Geriatrics·DateAug 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.

NASA sees wind shear still battering tropical storm Iselle

Tropical cyclones are composed of hundreds of thunderstorms, and NASA's Infrared Data Reveals Where the Strongest Storms Are Located. The strongest storms have coldest cloud top temperatures, with some reaching minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit near Iselle's center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 28, 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.

A novel salvinia-like slippery surface

Researchers develop Salvinia-like slippery surface with stable water/air contact line, exhibiting increased stability against pressure and impact. The surface also enhances the mobility of water drops and reduces hydrodynamic drag.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 28, 2020

Children with no COVID-19 symptoms may shed virus for weeks

Research suggests children with no COVID-19 symptoms may still shed virus for weeks, making them potential key vectors. The study's findings also highlight the importance of understanding viral shedding in asymptomatic patients and its impact on herd immunity.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 28, 2020

Plant scientists study the interaction of heat stress responses in corn

Researchers from Iowa State University have discovered that two seemingly unrelated responses in corn plants work together to mitigate damage caused by heat stress. The unfolded protein response and heat shock response, which operate in different parts of plant cells, collaborate to protect the crop from stress.

SourceIowa State University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateAug 28, 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.

Fidelity of El Niño simulation matters for predicting future climate

A new study found that accurately simulating ocean current variations during El Niño events is crucial for reducing climate prediction uncertainty. When models simulate these processes correctly, they show increased asymmetry between El Niño and La Niú, similar to natural climate swings.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 2020

Infants in households with very low food security may have greater obesity risk

A new study found that infants from households with very low food security are more likely to have above-average body mass indices, higher fat levels, and other measures indicating greater obesity risk. This association suggests that household food insecurity may be especially hazardous for infants.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 28, 2020

A review of ridge subduction, magmatism and metallogenesis

The research reviews recent progress on ridge subduction, a key geological process involved in the generation of arc magmatism, material recycling, and metallogenesis. It highlights the significance of ridge subduction in modern oceanic plate tectonics and identifies areas for future research.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateAug 28, 2020

A surprising protein player in diabetes

Researchers found that CNOT3 protein silences genes that cause insulin-producing cells to malfunction, leading to diabetes. Knocking out CNOT3 in mice results in the development of diabetes due to the activation of normally silenced genes.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 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.

New malaria transmission patterns emerge in Africa

A new study reveals that climate change could lead to a shift in malaria transmission patterns across Africa, with southern Africa experiencing increases in suitable areas and West Africa seeing decreases. River corridors are identified as year-round hot spots of malaria transmission.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 2020

Research brief: Researchers 3D print lifelike heart valve models

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking process for multi-material 3D printing of lifelike heart valve models, which can be used to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. The patient-specific organ models include integrated sensors that provide electronic pressure feedback to guide and optimize valve placement.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 28, 2020

Cholesterol drug combinations could cut health risk for European patients

A large European study shows that combining lipid-lowering therapies can further reduce cholesterol levels and improve health outcomes for high-risk patients. Current clinical guidelines are not always followed in practice, highlighting a need for better cholesterol management across Europe.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateAug 28, 2020

Structural colors from cellulose-based polymers

Scientists have discovered a way to control the pitch of biopolymers, leading to the creation of structural colors in liquid marbles. The colors change in response to environmental factors such as heat, pressure, or chemicals, making this technology promising for bio-based sensors and soft photonic elements.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers developed a saliva-based diagnostic method for COVID-19, detecting more cases than standard nasopharyngeal swab tests. The new approach has several advantages, including reduced need for PPE and trained staff.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 28, 2020

Amateur drone videos could aid in natural disaster damage assessment

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing an AI-powered system to automatically identify buildings and assess damage using amateur drone videos. The system, called MSNet, can overlay masks on damaged areas and determine the severity of damage, enabling faster and more accurate damage assessments.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 28, 2020

NASA Terra Satellite sees development of Tropical Storm Maysak

Tropical Storm Maysak formed on August 28 with a quick burst of strength, featuring powerful thunderstorms reaching temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm's cloud tops cooled significantly over the past 6 hours, consolidating its circulation center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 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.

Sunflower oil shows unexpected efficiency in corrosion prevention

Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed a sunflower oil-based inhibitor to prevent gas hydrates and pipeline corrosion in the Arctic. The unique reagent showed high efficiency during laboratory tests, offering a budget-friendly solution with biodegradable properties.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalEnergy·DateAug 28, 2020

Look beyond opioids to solve national substance use epidemic, study suggests

A new study from Oregon Health & Science University found that three-quarters of hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder reported using more than one substance. The research highlights the complexity of substance use patterns and suggests that a singular focus on opioids may overlook this issue, particularly among people of color.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateAug 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.

How Neanderthals adjusted to climate change

A German-Italian research project analyzed artefacts from the Sesselfelsgrotte cave in Lower Bavaria, finding similarities and differences between various types of knives. The researchers concluded that Keilmesser were a reaction to climate change, developed for their long lifespan and multi-functional use.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 28, 2020

Nurses burned out and want to quit

A survey of nurses caring for children with heart problems found that more than half were emotionally exhausted. Good working environments were linked with less burnout, with an 81% fall in emotional exhaustion when improving the workplace environment was implemented.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateAug 28, 2020

Maternal insecticide use during pregnancy and neonatal jaundice

A study of 61,751 pregnant women found that frequent indoor insecticide use increased neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy by 1.21 times, while frequent spray or lotion-type repellent use decreased it by 0.70 times. Asian mothers are twice as likely to exhibit jaundice than Caucasians and blacks.

SourceShinshu University·JournalPediatric Research·DateAug 28, 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.

A coffee and catnap keep you sharp on the nightshift

A study by Dr. Stephanie Centofanti and her team found that consuming caffeine before taking a short nap can help counteract sleep grogginess and improve alertness in night shift workers. This 'caffeine-nap' combination shows promise as a fatigue countermeasure for shift workers.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalChronobiology International·DateAug 28, 2020

Program highlights of the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020

The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 showcased promising results in triple negative breast cancer, a new class myeloid specific antibody in solid cancer, and health-related quality of life data from a phase 3 immunotherapy study. Keynote lecturers discussed the impact of COVID-19 on patients, oncologists, and healthcare systems.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateAug 28, 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 finds that sleep restriction amplifies anger

Research reveals that losing sleep leads to increased anger and frustration over time. Well-slept individuals adapt better to stressful situations, whereas sleep-restricted individuals exhibit higher anger in response to aversive stimuli.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 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.

Low-cost, fly footpad-like adhesive structure capable of repeated attachment/detachment

Researchers at NIMS and Hokkaido University successfully created a reusable adhesive structure inspired by insect footpads, capable of repeated attachment and detachment. The structure's strength and ease of use vary depending on direction of pull, with potential applications in industrial robots and outdoor equipment.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 28, 2020

LSU Health study explains multipronged SARS-CoV-2 attack and widespread COVID-19 infection

A new LSU Health study reveals that the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor plays a crucial role in the multipronged SARS-CoV-2 attack, leading to widespread COVID-19 infection. The research found high ACE2 expression in various organs and tissues, including the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalCellular and Molecular Neurobiology·DateAug 28, 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.

Giant nanomachine aids the immune system

Researchers have created an atomic structure of the peptide-loading complex, a biological nanomachine that loads antigens onto MHC molecules. This allows for detailed molecular dynamics simulations to study its dynamics and mechanism, enabling targeted interventions in immune processes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2020

Scientists listed the main approaches to the treatment of coronavirus

Researchers describe various approaches to treating SARS-CoV-2 infection, including immunotherapy and suppression of excessive immune system reaction. Several drugs have shown promise in slowing down the spread of the virus, but no single optimal algorithm has been found yet.

SourceSechenov University·JournalJournal of Molecular Medicine·DateAug 28, 2020

Cellular energy audit reveals energy producers and consumers

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have performed a massive cellular energy audit to understand how cells regulate ATP levels. They identified genes and proteins that can be targeted to manipulate cellular energy and treat disease, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. The study reveals new pathways for boosting cellular en...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 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.

International screening of the effects of a pathogenic fungus

Researchers have identified the human immune system's Achilles heel for a new, effective drug against Candida auris. The fungus is especially dangerous for people with compromised immunity and can be resistant to many disinfectants and fungicides.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalNature Microbiology·DateAug 28, 2020

The "gold" in breast milk

The discovery reveals alarmins play a crucial role in developing optimal intestinal bacteria diversity, protecting against diseases. Supplementing with these proteins could support newborns with low alarmin levels or limited breast milk exposure.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateAug 28, 2020

Engineers uncover biomechanical effects of skin rubbing

Biomechanical engineers at Tohoku University developed a formula to describe permeability of rubbed skin. The study found that mechanical rubbing causes gaps in the skin's barrier function and can potentially allow transdermal virus infection. Further research is needed to determine the risk of skin damage from face masks.

SourceTohoku University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateAug 28, 2020

Waiting for Godot Metaphor

The COVID-19 pandemic response is assessed using a Pandemic Index, which categorizes the severity of outbreaks. The article also explores the usefulness of PCR tests and the consequences of herd immunity in mitigating disease spread.

SourceSociety for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateAug 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.

Knowledge about the past can preserve the biodiversity of tomorrow

Researchers mapped responses of biodiversity to abrupt climate changes in the past to better understand how species and ecosystems will cope with future climate shifts. The study found that some species migrated northward while others became extinct, but many ecosystems can adapt to sudden climate change.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2020

Researchers explore how retail drone delivery may change logistics networks

A recent study published in Production and Operations Management explores the potential of retail drone delivery to change logistics networks. The research found that drone delivery can enable faster lead times, more profitable delivery customization, and increased demand due to time-sensitive customer needs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateAug 28, 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.

Kelly receives funding for digital humanities initiative

The Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University is receiving a $20,000 grant to build financial resilience in the digital humanities. The project will connect five digital humanities organizations through a yearlong planning exercise focused on sustainable business models.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateAug 28, 2020

Tungsten isotope helps study how to armor future fusion reactors

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used a tungsten isotope to study the erosion and contamination of plasma in fusion reactors. The experiments aimed to understand how tungsten can be used to armor the reactor without contaminating the plasma, which is essential for achieving sustainable fusion energy.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateAug 28, 2020

Portland State lab finds finds new levels of detail about key membrane proteins

Researchers at Portland State University used cryo-electron microscopy to image connexin-46/50 membrane proteins at an unprecedented level of resolution, revealing new insights into their structure and function. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective targeted treatments for diseases.

SourcePortland State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 28, 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.

"Jumping" DNA regulates human neurons

Scientists discovered that transposable elements influence human brain development by partnering with two specialized proteins known as Krép-el-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins. These partnerships regulate gene expression in neurons and influence the development and function of adult organs.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 28, 2020

How to treat high blood pressure without ruining your sex life

Men with untreated high blood pressure have poorer penile blood flow than those with normal blood pressure, but treatment reverses the effect. The study also found that certain medications can worsen erectile dysfunction in men with normal or high-normal blood pressure.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateAug 28, 2020

Which OCD treatment works best? New brain study could lead to more personalized choices

Researchers found that exposure-based therapy was more effective in reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while stress-reduction therapy showed better results for those with lower brain activation in certain areas. The study aims to develop a personalized treatment approach for OCD, which may help improve therapy ou...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 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.