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Science News Archive August 2020


Page 34 of 45

Blood biomarkers reveal aging differences among dolphins

A study analyzing dolphin blood biomarkers reveals age-related declines in hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, platelets, and lymphocytes. This variation in aging rates suggests potential strategies for slowing disease progression and preventing chronic conditions in humans.

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.

Air pollution impacts the health of wild pollinators

A recent study found that air pollution in Bangalore City leads to lower flower visitation rates and altered physiological responses in Giant Asian honey bees. The research suggests widespread negative impacts on these critical pollinators, threatening India's food security and ecosystems.

Space invaders as MOFs act as liquids

Researchers have developed a way to solubilize metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to create liquid-like materials. These MOF dispersions can separate gas mixtures with high efficiency and selectivity, making them suitable for industrial applications.

Coronavirus transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains

A study published in PLOS ONE detected coronaviruses in bats and rodents, with increased detection rates found along the wildlife supply chain. The study highlights the importance of improving coronavirus surveillance and implementing targeted wildlife trade reform to minimize public health risks.

New approach to treating osteoarthritis advances

A new study from NYU Langone Health suggests that injecting adenosine into joints can stimulate cartilage growth and prevent disease progression. The treatment has shown promising results in animal models of osteoarthritis, with regrowth rates of up to 50%.

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.

NSF renews Rice biological physics center

The Center for Theoretical Biological Physics at Rice University has received a five-year extension from the National Science Foundation to pursue research on the intersection of biology and physics. Researchers will continue to use computational analysis and experimental efforts to understand cell behavior and interactions.

Using air to amplify light

Researchers at EPFL have created a technology to amplify light inside hollow-core optical fibers filled with air, increasing the light intensity significantly. This breakthrough enables longer-distance transmission and potential applications in thermometers and temporary optical memory.

A new way to fabricate MXene films that block electromagnetic interference

A research team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel approach to fabricating MXene films that can effectively block electromagnetic interference. The drop-casting method on pre-patterned hydrophobic substrates resulted in a 38% enhancement of EMI shielding efficiency over conventional methods, making it scalable an...

Cannabis use in pregnancy linked to a greater risk of autism

A large study has found a link between cannabis use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism in children. The study, published in Nature Medicine, looked at data from over 500,000 women in Ontario and found that children exposed to cannabis in utero were at greater risk of developing autism.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Understanding matter at atom-crushing densities

The Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP) will investigate the properties of matter under high pressures, shedding light on the formation and evolution of planets. The research aims to uncover novel properties of materials and their potential applications.

ETSU, Virginia Tech awarded $2.6 million for project

The Studies To Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network will focus on Central Appalachia's urgent need for recovery support services. Researchers aim to advance understanding of treatment services, particularly those using medication-assisted treatment and counseling.

Mouthwashes could reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission

Researchers found that eight commercially available mouthwashes can inactivate Sars-Cov-2 viruses in cell culture experiments. The use of these mouthwashes could potentially reduce the viral load and risk of transmission, particularly in high-risk areas like the oral cavity and throat.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Peatland carbon and nitrogen stocks and permafrost thaw

Northern peatlands store large amounts of carbon and nitrogen, but are vulnerable to permafrost thaw under climate change. If thawed, these peatlands could become a source of atmospheric carbon, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

NASA finds strong storms in developing Tropical Storm Mekkhala

NASA's Terra satellite detected powerful thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Mekkhala's center, with temperatures as cold as -80 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to move north before making landfall in southern China, bringing potential heavy rainfall.

NASA infrared data confirms depression became Tropical Storm Elida

Tropical Depression 09E strengthened into Tropical Storm Elida, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph and a central pressure of 995 millibars. Infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite confirmed the storm's transition, revealing powerful thunderstorms with cold cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rainfall potential.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Wheat and couch grass can extract toxic metals from contaminated soils

Researchers have discovered that wheat and couch grass can accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals from contaminated soils, removing them and making the soil safer. The plants' ability to phytoextract toxic metals makes them promising candidates for effective cleaning of soils using phytoremediation.

Fireflies shed light on the function of mitochondria

Scientists have developed a protocol to measure mitochondrial activity in living animals using a bioluminescent molecule found in fireflies. This method reveals impaired mitochondrial functions in diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

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.

How building features impact veterans with PTSD

Veterans with PTSD prefer buildings with large windows, easy entrance and exit locations, open floor plans, and green spaces to feel comfortable. Interior design features like brighter colors and fewer furniture pieces also contribute to their comfort.

Breaking molecular traffic jams with finned nanoporous materials

Researchers developed finned nanoporous materials that facilitate faster molecular transport, reducing transportation limitations in zeolite catalysts. The new design triples the efficiency of conventional catalytic materials and enables longer catalyst lifetimes.

Agtech to the rescue in a pandemic: adapting plant labs for human testing

Researchers propose repurposing agtech labs for diagnostic testing in human pandemics. Sophisticated equipment used for crop and animal breeding can be easily adapted for tracing and detection. The approach aims to relieve pressure on limited health sector testing tools and speed up response measures.

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.

Breakthrough technology purifies water using the power of sunlight

A global research team has developed a new adsorbent-based desalination process that uses sunlight to regenerate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), producing clean drinking water in under 30 minutes. The technology filters harmful particles and achieves a TDS of <500 ppm, making it suitable for millions of people globally.

Arctic plants and snow cover

A study on Arctic tundra plants reveals that snow cover and summer temperature significantly impact functional trait diversity. In a warming climate, tundra plants may develop taller leaves and rapid resource-acquisition traits.

Fighting like cats and dogs?

Researchers found that filling homes with calming pheromones can reduce undesirable interactions between cats and dogs, such as dog chasing cat or barking at cat. Both Feliway Friends for cats and Adaptil for dogs showed positive effects on desirable behaviors like friendly greetings and relaxation in the same room.

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.

Schooling is critical for cognitive health throughout life

A new analysis reveals that education has a positive impact on cognitive function in early and middle adulthood, but does not prevent age-related cognitive declines. Individuals with more years of schooling tend to have higher levels of cognitive function until later in life.

Aspirin may accelerate progression of advanced cancers in older adults

A recent clinical trial found that aspirin use increased the risk of advanced cancer progression and early death in older adults. Aspirin was associated with a higher risk of metastasized cancer and stage 4 cancer, leading to higher mortality rates among those diagnosed with advanced solid cancers.

Light swirls provide insights into the quantum world

Physicists have created a new method to study previously invisible quantum states of electrons using optical vortices. By combining conventional laser beams with swirls of light, researchers can detect the properties of emitted photoelectrons and gain insights into material structure and interaction with light.

COVID-19 does not directly damage taste bud cells

A recent study published in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science found that COVID-19 does not directly damage taste bud cells, contradicting previous studies. Instead, the researchers suggest that taste loss is likely caused by events induced during COVID-19 inflammation.

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.

Stronger rains in warmer climate could lessen heat damage to crops, says study

A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that intensified rainstorms predicted for a warmer climate may efficiently water major crops, partially offsetting projected yield declines caused by rising heat. The research found that years with heavy rains of up to 20 millimeters per hour resulted in higher yields.

Assessing training in health disparities

A survey study evaluated the curriculum on health disparities and perceptions of training among internal medicine residents. The findings suggest that program directors and residents have differing perspectives on the adequacy of training, highlighting a need for improvement.

Change isn't a good thing for Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients

A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases identified a genetic variant associated with an increased risk of interstitial lung disease among Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients. The variant, located in the RPA3 gene, is linked to fibrosis and triggers complications in RA patients.

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.

Nanocatalysts that remotely control chemical reactions inside living cells

Researchers at POSTECH developed a remote magnetic-sensitive artificial catalyst called MAG-NER, which shows high catalytic efficiency within living cells. The catalyst transforms non-fluorescent reactants into fluorescent products through implanting MAG-NER into living cells and applying alternating magnetic fields.

checkmate 743 shows that dual immunotherapy, nivolumab + ipilimumab

The combination of first-line nivolumab and ipilimumab demonstrated an improvement in overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The study showed a two-year overall survival rate of 40.8% for the treatment arm vs 27.0% for the chemotherapy arm.

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.