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Science News Archive August 2020


Page 31 of 45

How airplanes counteract St. Elmo's Fire during thunderstorms

Aerodynamic experiments reveal that wind reduces the strength of corona discharges around airplane wings, unlike grounded structures where winds strengthen the glow. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between air, electricity, and wing shapes during thunderstorms.

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.

Untapped potential for TikTok to convey COVID-19 guidance

A new study found that few TikTok videos address COVID-19 transmission and prevention, instead focusing on anxiety and quarantine. The researchers believe this missed opportunity to engage young people with vital health information related to the pandemic.

Experimental COVID-19 vaccine prevents severe disease in mice

A new experimental COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to prevent pneumonia and elicit high levels of protective antibodies in mice infected with the virus. The vaccine uses a mild virus genetically modified to carry a key gene from the COVID-19 virus, generating a strong immune response.

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.

Protein uses two antiviral strategies to ward off infections

A single protein, MARCH8, uses multiple strategies to defend cells against viral infection, including tagging the vesicular stomatitis virus for destruction and holding HIV hostage. This discovery could improve understanding of how HIV overcomes human immune defense.

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.

Immunotherapy-resistant cancers eliminated in mouse study

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a new tool to enhance tumor immunotherapy by blocking the TREM2 protein, resulting in complete elimination of tumors. A clinical trial could follow with existing anti-TREM2 antibodies already in trials for another disease.

EULAR: Timely detection of axial spondyloarthritis

A large European cross-sectional study found that patients with axial spondyloarthritis experience a significant delay in diagnosis due to misdirected referrals and involvement of multiple medical professionals. The study recommends initiating measures to prevent such delays and facilitate timely referral to a rheumatologist.

Stanford experts recommend strict, costly approaches for reopening schools

The American Academy of Pediatrics and Stanford experts recommend a three-pronged testing approach, including symptomatic testing, pooled testing, and frequent testing in high-risk households. Schools should also implement strict COVID-19 prevention measures, such as enhanced disinfection, hand sanitizers, and protective equipment.

Rates of dog bites in children up during COVID-19 pandemic

According to a recently published commentary article, increased rates of dog bites in children have been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors attribute these increases to heightened stress for dogs and decreased adult supervision around dogs and children.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Eating out was a very social matter for early humans

A 480,000-year-old archaeological site in Sussex, England, has provided unprecedented insights into the life of a poorly understood human species. The site reveals that early humans engaged in cooperative activities and shared tools, suggesting highly social spaces for interaction and learning.

X-rays indicate that water can behave like a liquid crystal

Researchers at Stockholm University have found that water can align its molecules like a liquid crystal when exposed to laser light. The alignment lasts only for a fraction of a second and is confirmed by both experimental studies and molecular simulations.

Scientists found genes that help cancer cells to penetrate the brain

Researchers have discovered genes that facilitate the penetration of cancer cells into the brain, a process that complicates cancer treatment. The study highlights potential targets for therapy, including enzymes and microRNAs involved in disrupting blood-brain barrier integrity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

RCSI research finds air pollution in Ireland associated with strokes

A study published in Cerebrovascular Diseases found a statistically significant link between short-term air pollution and stroke hospitalisations in Dublin. Higher levels of coarse particles, fine particles, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide were associated with increased risks of stroke.

Gluten in wheat: What has changed during 120 years of breeding?

A study by the Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology found that modern wheat varieties contain slightly less protein than older varieties, while maintaining a consistent gluten content. The researchers also discovered that environmental conditions, such as precipitation, played a significant role in shaping protein composition.

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.

Researchers create mask filtration effectiveness hierarchy

A study conducted at an EPA facility shows that expired and sterilized used N95 masks retain their effectiveness in protecting healthcare workers from COVID-19 infection. The researchers created a hierarchy of mask supplies, ranking N95 masks as the safest option, followed by CDC-FDA-NIOSH approved products.

Storing energy in red bricks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to convert red bricks into energy storage units that can store electricity, which could be charged and used to power devices. The 'smart bricks' can store a substantial amount of energy and can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times within an hour.

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.

Molecules in urine allow doctors to monitor skin cancer

Scientists have discovered a rapid, inexpensive, and non-invasive method to track malignant melanoma using fluorescent molecules in urine samples. The technique allows doctors to diagnose and monitor the disease without requiring invasive biopsies.

SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care workers in hospital

A study conducted at a large community hospital found that COVID-19 was prevalent among healthcare workers, with significant exposure rates reported. The findings underscore the importance of implementing robust infection control protocols to protect healthcare personnel and prevent further transmission.

Mass General study shows physical distancing slowed growth of COVID-19 in US

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that government-implemented physical distancing measures significantly slowed the spread of COVID-19 in the US. The study analyzed data from the first five months of the epidemic and found that average daily case growth rates declined after implementation, and that the number of cases double...

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.

NASA's planet Hunter completes its primary mission

TESS has found 66 new exoplanets, including an Earth-size world in the habitable zone of a star. The satellite has also observed comets, exploding stars, and black holes, contributing to our understanding of astrobiology.

Operational considerations on academy guidance for K-12 school reentry

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for safe K-12 school reentry, focusing on infection control measures, social distancing, and mental health support. Effective operational planning is crucial to minimize risks and ensure a smooth transition back to in-person learning.

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.

Cricket umpires fumble on T20 calls

Research by Queensland University of Technology reveals that elite-level cricket umpires make more errors when making leg-before-wicket (LBW) decisions in T20 cricket, with a hit rate of 86.15% and false alarm rate of 2.04%. The study found that the format of the game affects decision-making behavior.

Excess weight among pregnant women may interfere with child's developing brain

Research published in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry suggests that obesity in pregnant women can affect the developing brain, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making and behavior. The study used fetal brain activity measurements to identify potential links between maternal BMI and changes in brain connectivity.

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.

Primate voice boxes are evolving at rapid pace

The study found that primate larynges are on average 38% larger than those of carnivorans for a given body length, indicating greater flexibility in evolution. The rate of larynx evolution is also faster in primates, with more variation in larynx size relative to body size.

'Insect apocalypse' may not be happening in US

A recent US long-term ecological site study suggests that the so-called 'insect apocalypse' may be exaggerated, with many areas showing little to no overall change in insect abundance and biodiversity. However, certain species remain in decline, particularly for key ecosystem services like pollination and natural pest control.

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.

Project Raphael brings improved health to disadvantaged populations

The Raphael Project, a social incubator at Bar-Ilan University, has successfully addressed the most pressing health needs in Israel's Galilee region. Through academic-community partnerships, it has implemented various health-promoting activities, resulting in tangible improvements in health for disadvantaged populations.

Nanocrystals from recycled wood waste make carbon-fiber composites tougher

A new study by Texas A&M University researchers demonstrates the use of cellulose nanocrystals to uniformly coat carbon nanotubes on carbon-fiber composites, resulting in increased strength and resistance. This innovative method enables the design of stronger, more efficient composite materials from the nanoscale.

Jealous feelings can act as a tool to strengthen friendships

A recent Arizona State University study found that feelings of jealousy can act as a tool to maintain friendships. The research suggests that jealousy motivates people to be better friends, invest in neglected relationships, and even overcome threats from third-party individuals.

COVID-19 clinical trials lack diversity

Majority of patients in remdesivir trials were Caucasians, raising concerns about medication efficacy in people of color. The study emphasizes the need for diverse clinical trial participants to accurately represent the US population and inform treatments.

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.

Harvard research identifies business travel as driver of economic growth

New Harvard research reveals a direct link between incoming business travel and economic growth, ranking countries by knowhow flow. The study raises concerns about the consequences of international travel restrictions on global GDP, suggesting a potential double-digit loss if business travel were to halt completely.

Study points to health disparities among former NFL players

A new study from Harvard Medical School found that Black former NFL players experience significant health disparities, including more pain, physical impairment, mood disorders, and cognitive problems compared to white peers. Other nonwhite athletes also face similar challenges.

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.

Ultraviolet communication to transform Army networks

Researchers create analysis framework to evaluate tradeoffs and design choices in ultraviolet communication systems, offering insights into their natural low-probability-of-detection property. This understanding is crucial for optimizing system performance and predicting detection capabilities.

Upcycling plastic waste toward sustainable energy storage

UC Riverside engineers develop a process to transform PET plastic into a nanomaterial useful for energy storage. The breakthrough reduces plastic pollution and could lower battery costs, enabling the widespread adoption of electric cars by 2040.