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Science News Archive August 2020


Page 33 of 45

Poverty alleviation efforts are shaping the success of environmental targets

A new study published in PNAS explores the impact of poverty alleviation efforts on environmental targets, finding that successful programs can increase food production and reduce poverty but may also lead to trade-offs with environmental protection. The research highlights the importance of considering social and environmental outcome...

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.

Engineers enlist fungi to advance against disease

Rice University scientists have won a $1.9 million NIH grant to explore the use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing in natural fungi to discover new drugs that stay ahead of disease resistance. By understanding how fungi synthesize useful compounds, they aim to create novel drug development toolkits.

Seeing chemical reactions with music

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science found that audible sound can control chemical reactions in solution by supplying energy sources into the air-liquid interface. The study created aesthetically pleasing patterns on the surface and bulk of the solution, exhibiting life-like behavior in synthetic molecules.

Evolutionary assimilation of foreign DNA in a new host

Researchers at UC San Diego used CRISPR and evolutionary engineering to test foreign DNA in E. coli and observed that most mutations occurred in regulatory regions, not within the foreign gene itself. The study reveals the importance of systems biology in understanding biological function and its implications for genetic engineering.

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.

Deforestation and indigenous property rights

The study found that granting collective property rights to indigenous territories led to a significant decrease in deforestation, particularly at the border of these areas. Territories waiting for full property rights saw little impact on deforestation levels.

Biology blurs line between sexes, behaviors

A new study identifies a genetic switch in brain cells that can toggle between sex-specific states when necessary, challenging the idea of sex as a fixed property. This finding has implications for human biology, particularly in understanding sex-typical behaviors and their flexibility.

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.

Miscarriage risk increases each week alcohol is used in early pregnancy

Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who consume alcohol during early pregnancy face a higher risk of miscarriage. The study analyzed data from over 5,500 women and found an incremental 8% increase in miscarriage risk each week of alcohol use.

Oxytocin can help prevent osteoporosis

Researchers found that oxytocin administration reversed precursors of osteoporosis in female rats, including reduced bone density and decreased bone strength. The study suggests that oxytocin may be a strong ally in preventing osteoporosis during perimenopause.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that a substantial number of overdose deaths were misclassified as sudden cardiac deaths, leading to grossly underestimated national estimates of the opioid overdose burden. Meanwhile, another study provides real-world recommendations for overcoming telemedicine challenges with...

Researchers find new potential treatment for prion diseases

Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment strategy for patients with prion disease by reducing levels of prion protein. This approach has been shown to significantly extend the survival of lab animals and even reverse disease markers after toxic clumps have formed in the brain.

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.

Media alert: ESMO Virtual Congress 2020, September 19-21

The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will feature a virtual meeting between 19-21 September, including access to scientific programme, e-poster area, and industry satellite symposia. Accredited journalists can also access congress webcasts for re-watching presentations.

Emergency visits for thunderstorm-related respiratory illnesses

Researchers analyzed atmospheric and lightning data to study the relationship between thunderstorms and increased emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses among older adults. The study found that vulnerable groups may be susceptible to atmospheric changes caused by thunderstorms, leading to higher emergency visit rates.

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.

Inside the ice giants of space

Scientists developed a theoretical method to model the interior of ice giants Uranus and Neptune, allowing analysis of thermal and electrical processes. The study provides insights into the planets' geometry and evolution, including the existence of frozen cores and magnetic field generation.

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.

Violence and political partisanship

A recent study found that individuals with Republican leanings tend to support the use of nuclear and conventional weapons against enemy civilians and combatants. This partisan divide in views on violence is linked to underlying attitudes towards immigrants, gun rights, and abortion, according to researchers.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Aquatic robots can remove contaminant particles from water

Researchers developed a 1cm by 1cm soft robot that can remove contaminants from water using a magnetic field and light. The artificial aquatic polyp can guide suspended targets towards it, and then activate its tentacles to grasp and release particles.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Photo of eyes provides forecast of longevity in heart failure patients

Research published in ESC Heart Failure suggests that pupil area can predict prognosis in patients with heart failure. Patients with a small pupil area were found to have a significantly poorer survival rate and higher risk of readmission for heart failure compared to those with a large pupil area.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

HPV strains may impact cervical cancer prognosis

A recent study published in Nature Genetics analyzed genomic differences between HPV strains causing cervical cancers, revealing distinct characteristics and implications for prognosis. The researchers identified specific patterns associated with aggressive cancers, highlighting the need for further studies on African populations.

Rare 'boomerang' earthquake observed along Atlantic Ocean fault line

A team of researchers has tracked a rare 'boomerang' earthquake in the ocean for the first time, revealing how it can cause devastating effects on land. The study used underwater seismometers to monitor the Romanche fracture zone and recorded a magnitude 7.1 earthquake with a unique reversing rupture mechanism.

Restaurant customers frown on automatic gratuities, particularly after good service

Customers with excellent dining experiences express the most dissatisfaction with automatic gratuities. Research found that high-quality service does not compensate for negative customer responses to non-voluntary tipping systems. Restaurants can explore ways to give customers a sense of control, such as providing feedback or adding se...

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.

Study pinpoints five most likely causes of post-traumatic stress in police officers

A new study has pinpointed the five most likely causes of post-traumatic stress in police officers, highlighting the importance of genetic and emotional differences. The research identified specific causal factors, including a tendency to startle easily, anxiety, depression, and genetic mutations, which can contribute to the developmen...

New research may help identify sex trafficking networks

Researchers studied Backpage.com accounts and discovered linked activities among them, which may help identify illegal trafficking activity. The study found common behaviors in ads placed by these accounts, including evasive tactics used by sex trafficking organizations.

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.

New treatment targets found for blinding retinal disease

Scientists have identified new points to calm frenzied energy production in the retina, enabling recovery. The excessive byproducts of glycolysis initiate a vicious loop of crosstalk between endothelial cells and microglia, promoting inflammation and dysfunctional blood vessels.

Personal connections key to climate adaptation

Researchers found that households more socially connected to others taking action were more likely to do the same, suggesting a 'like-attracts-like' effect. Household connections with the marine environment also played an important role in determining responses to climate impacts.

How fish stocks will change in warming seas

A new study projects significant changes in fish stocks in the UK due to climate change, including increased abundance of warm-adapted species and declining populations of cold-adapted species. The findings highlight the need for flexible management approaches to adapt to these changes and ensure sustainable fishing practices.

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.

How boundaries become bridges in evolution

A University of Arizona study found that mechanisms making organisms fit into current environments are distinct from those responsible for change, and occur sequentially in evolution. The research used the house finch as a model, tracking carotenoid pigments in feathers across different regions.

Army advances learning capabilities of drone swarms

The U.S. Army has developed a reinforcement learning approach that enables swarms of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to accomplish various missions while minimizing performance uncertainty. This allows for efficient execution of time-consuming or dangerous tasks, enhancing warfighters' tactical situational awareness.

New tools in the fight against lethal citrus disease

Scientists created metabolic models of the bacterium associated with Huanglongbing, identifying 94 essential enzymes and metabolites required for its survival. These findings can lead to new antibacterial treatments and insights into long-lasting disease management strategies.

ETRI won CLIC contest on AI-based video compression technology

Korean researchers from ETRI win first and second places in the Challenge on Learned Image Compression (CLIC) with innovative AI-based video compression techniques. The team aims to optimize video compression rate and quality using multiple source technologies.

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.

Indigenous property rights protect the Amazon rainforest

A study published in PNAS found that granting full property rights to indigenous communities in the Amazon reduces deforestation rates by 66%. This policy focus can help preserve forested areas and attain climate goals, with significant implications for indigenous people's capacity to curb deforestation.

NIST's SAMURAI measures 5G communications channels precisely

The SAMURAI system measures signals across a wide frequency range, providing a detailed portrait of 5G device and channel performance. The system helps resolve unanswered questions surrounding 5G's use of active antennas, improving theory, hardware, and analysis techniques for accurate channel models and efficient networks.