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Science News Archive August 2020


Page 43 of 45

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: Effective testing and contact tracing is essential for schools to safely open during COVID-19 pandemic, two studies show

Two studies published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal highlight the importance of test-trace-isolate strategies for schools to safely reopen. Modelling the impact of UK schools reopening in September suggests that a second wave of COVID-19 can be avoided with high coverage of testing and contact tracing, while data from...

Modeling plastic packaging flows in Japan

A study suggests that achieving Japan's plastic recycling targets will depend on collecting packaging waste from the food industry and households. The analysis reveals that it is possible to meet recycling targets if all feasible measures are implemented, but legislative action is hindered.

Speech processing hierarchy in the dog brain

A new study reveals that dog brains, like human brains, process speech in a hierarchical manner, with intonation processed at lower stages and word meanings at higher stages. The research used functional MRI to measure brain activity in awake dogs while they listened to praise words and unknown neutral words in different tones.

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.

Putative early sponge fossil and microbial construction

The study's three-dimensional reconstructions of Namapoikia fossils suggest that they were constructed by microbes, not animals. The results indicate a microbial construction, contradicting the long-held idea of calcifying sponge evolution.

Raising the bar on disability care

A new study published in Disability & Society journal recommends a personal care system that focuses on high-quality personalised care building self-esteem and confidence in young people with disability. The research found that supporting workers to value the contributions of people with disability is a protective mechanism for both.

Boycotts or buycotts? The role of corporate activism

Research finds that corporate activism can have both positive and negative effects on a company's financial performance. Aligned values between the corporation and its stakeholders result in an increase of 8% in next-quarter sales growth and 12% in next-year sales growth. Misaligned values lead to a 2% stock decline.

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.

Anti-bullying PEACE program packs a punch

A South Australian program to help victims of bullying and aggression has been adapted by several state education systems in Europe, showing positive results in Italy. The Preparation, Education, Action, Coping, Evaluation (PEACE) antibullying program produced a significant reduction in bullying and improvements in student wellbeing.

Half of low-income communities have no ICU beds

A new study found that half of low-income communities have no ICU beds, exacerbating COVID-19 mortality rates. The lack of access to critical care units compounds the impact of the virus on these communities, with higher infection rates and comorbidities increasing the risk of death.

Improving the monitoring of ship emissions

A German-French research team is developing a new sensor network to monitor ship emissions and improve the monitoring of pollutants in the marine environment. The project aims to provide a tool for observing the extent of pollution arising from ship collisions, affecting coastal populations' health.

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.

Arrhythmia-free survival is indeed survival of the fittest

A new study shows that physically fit patients are more likely to benefit from atrial fibrillation ablation, with a lower risk of recurrent arrhythmia and improved outcomes. The study found that high cardiorespiratory fitness can act as an antiarrhythmic medication, keeping patients in rhythm after the procedure.

Anatomy of an acne treatment

Researchers at Yale University discovered how sarecycline's chemical structure makes it an effective antibiotic for treating acne. The study found that sarecycline binds to messenger RNA in bacterial ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis and boosting its effectiveness.

Energy demands limit our brains' information processing capacity

A new UCL study using brain imaging found that paying attention increases energy use in the brain, while diverting energy from unattended tasks. The brain has a hard limit on energy supply, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm and neglect of important information.

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.

'Deepfakes' ranked as most serious AI crime threat

A new study identifies 20 ways AI can be used to facilitate crime over the next 15 years, with fake content ranking highest in concern. The report highlights the potential for AI-powered crimes like deepfakes to erode trust in audio and visual evidence.

Early Mars was covered in ice sheets, not flowing rivers

New research published in Nature Geoscience reveals that early Mars was covered in ice sheets, not flowing rivers. The study analyzed over 10,000 Martian valleys and found striking similarities with subglacial channels in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

How cellulose textiles undergo fossilization

Researchers discovered three stages of preservation: water transporting antimicrobial metal cations, followed by fiber swelling and inorganic crust formation, and gradual silicification. The study provides insight into nanoscale mineralization and its role in preserving ancient textiles.

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.

Social networks can support academic success

Researchers found that friendship with high-achievers has a positive impact on students' academic performance, while befriending underachievers can lead to a drop in grades. The study analyzed the social networks of 117 first-year students and used stochastic actor-based modeling to address the dynamics of social group members' behavior.

Drug discovery: First rational strategy to find molecular glue degraders

Researchers at CeMM developed a scalable strategy to discover novel molecular glue degraders, which can eliminate disease-causing proteins by targeting the cellular protein quality control system. The study identifies a set of novel compounds that induce the degradation of cyclin K, essential in many cancer types.

Four-stranded DNA structures found to play role in breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that G-quadruplexes form in regions of DNA rich in guanine, playing a role in transcription and driving tumour growth. The structures are prevalent within genes and genetic regions active in breast cancer cells.

Analyzing pros and cons of two composite manufacturing methods

Researchers at the University of Illinois compared two composite manufacturing methods, frontal polymerization and bulk polymerization. Frontal polymerization, a new out-of-autoclave method, offers several advantages, including reduced capital investment, faster curing times, and lower environmental impact.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Food menu fit for pandemic times

A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the importance of sustainable food choices, which not only benefit individuals but also the environment. The study found that people who participate in community gardening or local food swaps experience improved mental health and social connections.

Early adversity and adult stress hormone levels

Researchers found that early adversity in wild female baboons elevated glucocorticoid levels by up to 14% in adulthood. The study suggests that early experiences of adversity and social relationships have independent effects on adult stress responses.

Is less more? How consumers view sustainability claims

Research reveals that a marketing claim of reducing negative product properties can be interpreted in two ways, leading to improved or negative evaluations. Consumers with an incremental mindset view these claims positively, while those with an entity mindset perceive them negatively.

Language may undermine women in science and tech

A new study at Carnegie Mellon University found that language biases against women can undermine their chances of advancing in science and tech. The research, published in Nature Human Behavior, suggests that linguistic associations may be causally related to people's implicit judgement of what women can accomplish.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA puts visible and water vapor eyes on Tropical Storm Isaias

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to the US East Coast, with NASA tracking its movement and intensity using visible and water vapor imagery. The storm's center was located near latitude 30.2 degrees north and longitude 80.1 degrees west, with estimated minimum central pressure of 994 millibars.

New study on development of Parkinson's disease is 'on the nose'

A new study found that inflammation in the olfactory system, triggered by environmental toxins, may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. Deposits of alpha-synuclein protein were found in areas where olfactory neurons project, and mice with similar defects showed signs of PD-like behaviors.

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.

Tackling the bioethics challenges raised by COVID-19

Researchers propose empirical bioethics studies to address unique ethical challenges in COVID-19 management, including resource allocation and patient rights. The studies aim to provide a body of evidence describing these challenges and informing interventions.

Humans and flies employ very similar mechanisms for brain development and function

Research has found that the brains of humans, flies, and mice share similar mechanisms for brain development and function. This similarity can be interpreted in two ways: as evidence of a single ancestral brain or independent evolution of brain circuits. The study identified shared genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling brain area f...

The six strains of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers analyzed 48,635 coronavirus genomes, revealing the six strains of SARS-CoV-2 and their global spread. The study found that strain G and its related strains GR and GH are the most frequent, representing 74% of all gene sequences.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

COVID-19 study confirms low transmission in educational settings

Research findings from the University of Sydney confirm minimal COVID-19 transmission rates in NSW schools and early childhood education services. Transmission rates were lower than those seen for other respiratory viruses like influenza, supporting effective pandemic response strategies.

Canakinumab shows promise for treatment of large joint osteoarthritis

A new analysis of the CANTOS trial found that patients receiving canakinumab had significantly lower rates of total hip or total knee replacements over an average follow-up of 3.7 years. The study's findings are important as no treatments currently exist to prevent or slow osteoarthritis progression.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Dana-Farber study advances understanding of rare sarcoma

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered how an abnormal protein misdirects gene expression in cells, contributing to the growth of sarcoma tumors. The researchers found that a small segment of the SS18-SSX fusion protein binds to nucleosomes, leading to aberrant activation of genes.

Ancient part of immune system may underpin severe COVID

Researchers found that people with age-related macular degeneration, a disorder caused by overactive complement, are at greater risk of developing severe complications and dying from COVID. Complement inhibitors may help treat patients with severe disease.

PLOS Special Collection: Successful approaches to HIV care

The special collection highlights RWHAP's strategies for improving HIV care, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), data analysis, and collaborative efforts. HRSA's program serves over half a million people in the US annually, achieving high viral suppression rates.

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.

Why is stroke so deadly for people of African descent?

A large international study identified key genetic contributors to stroke risk in individuals of African ancestry, providing insight into ethnic-specific and global risk factors. The study found that a common variation near the HNF1A gene was strongly associated with increased stroke risk.

The effects of COVID-19 on emergency visits, hospitalizations

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that emergency department visits declined by 42-64% during the four-month period, with largest declines seen in areas with high COVID-19 cases. Hospital admissions remained relatively stable until local increases in COVID-19 cases led to dramatic upticks.

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.

Novel magnetic stirrer speaks to lab equipment

The Smart Stirrer, a novel magnetic stirrer, monitors multiple parameters such as color, transparency, conductivity, viscosity, and temperature wirelessly to enable real-time tracking of chemical reactions. This innovative device allows for automation, reproducibility, and safety in laboratory settings.

A blood test could predict who benefits from immunotherapy

A blood test can predict which cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy, a treatment option for advanced cancers. The test analyzes changing levels of tumour fragments in the blood to identify those who will respond well to the treatment.