Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2020


Page 5 of 45

Using the past to maintain future biodiversity

Researchers analyzed past warming events to understand how species and ecosystems will cope with future climate change, identifying potential causes of extinction and ways to improve early-warning systems. The study informs effective conservation practice and policy for managing biodiversity under ongoing and future climate change.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gout treatment may aid patients with congenital heart disease

A small pilot study found that treating gout with probenecid improves heart function and exercise performance in children with a specific type of heart defect. The study suggests that repurposing this medicine to treat heart problems in these patients may be effective without adverse effects.

Zika infection enhances Dengue disease risk

A recent study found that prior Zika virus infection can enhance the risk of severe dengue disease. The research used a cohort from Nicaragua to confirm previous reports on cross-reactive antibodies between Zika and dengue viruses. The findings have important implications for developing effective vaccines against both diseases.

Unravelling the potential of the unconscious mind

A team of researchers has successfully harnessed the power of the unconscious mind to make profitable decisions. By monitoring nonconscious brain activity, participants were able to learn and improve their choices without being aware of it. This breakthrough suggests that confidence may play a crucial role in guiding behavior.

DNA repair - Locating and severing lethal links

A team of scientists has discovered how the enzyme SPRTN recognizes and cleaves DNA-protein crosslinks, which are formed when proteins attach to DNA. This new mechanism is crucial for cell viability and the suppression of tumorigenesis, and has implications for cancer therapy.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Photonics researchers report breakthrough in miniaturizing light-based chips

Researchers at the University of Rochester have created the smallest electro-optical modulator yet, a key component of photonics-based chips. The breakthrough uses lithium niobate to control how light moves through its circuits, paving the way for larger-scale photonic integrated circuits with improved performance.

Decoded: The structure of the barrier between three cells

A team of researchers has discovered the crucial role of two proteins, Anakonda and M6, in maintaining a functional barrier at tricellular junctions. The study found that the M6 protein anchors the Anakonda protein to the cell membrane, preventing it from being destabilized and allowing for the formation of a stable epithelial barrier.

How sticklebacks dominate perch

A 40-year study reveals that the rise of sticklebacks, a key predator of algae, is driven by reduced numbers of larger fish species. This shift from predator-dominated to algae-dominated ecosystems has significant implications for ecosystem restoration and management.

Artificial intelligence learns continental hydrology

A new method combines Deep-Learning, hydrological models and Earth observations to quantify small as well as large-scale changes to the water storage on the South American continent. The study shows that the method is particularly reliable for tropical regions, where rain forests and vast surface waters are located.

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.

Earth may always have been wet

Scientists analyzed enstatite chondrites, rare meteorites with primitive composition, to estimate the Earth's initial water content. Their findings indicate that the planet's rocks probably contained enough water to supply three times the amount of oceans, with only a small percentage delivered by comets or asteroids.

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.

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals DNA "grammar"

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals that DNA shape is determined by precise rules governing CTCF protein sequences. This discovery opens doors to engineering DNA structure for pharmaceuticals, treating diseases like cancer.

Sulfur-scavenging bacteria could be key to making common component in plastic

Researchers found a new microbial pathway producing ethylene, providing a potential avenue for biomanufacturing a common plastic component. The discovery also sheds light on a long-standing mystery about how ethylene is produced in anaerobic soils and points to potential paths to prevent crop damage from high levels of ethylene.

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.

Researchers develop a fast, accurate, low-cost COVID-19 test

Researchers have developed a rapid and accurate diagnostic test for COVID-19 that delivers results in under 40 minutes. The new test, called CRISPR-COVID, uses CRISPR-based technology to detect the virus, offering a cost-effective alternative to existing methods.

How to make AI trustworthy

A new tool, DeepTrust, generated automatic indicators of data and prediction trustworthiness in neural networks, addressing the need for trust in AI. The researchers used subjective logic to assess neural network architectures, providing insights into testing reliability and maximizing accuracy.

NASA's Terra Satellite sees the end of Bavi

Tropical Storm Bavi made landfall in northwestern North Korea, weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 40 knots. The storm has transitioned to an extra-tropical cyclone, retaining hurricane-force winds as it moves across northeastern China.

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.

AI as good as the average radiologist in identifying breast cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that one AI algorithm is as accurate as the average radiologist in identifying breast cancer from mammograms. The study compared three AI algorithms and showed significant differences between them, with one outperforming others and rivaling human detection accuracy.

A.I. tool promises faster, more accurate Alzheimer's diagnosis

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's without expensive scans or in-person testing, with over 95% accuracy. The software also explains its conclusions, allowing physicians to double-check the accuracy of its diagnoses.

Duchenne: "Crosstalk" between muscle and spleen

The study found a connection between dystrophic muscles and the lymphatic system in mice with Duchenne disease. The researchers identified changes in protein expression in the spleen, which suggests that the disease causes secondary effects on the immune response and inflammatory processes.

FEFU scientists are paving way for future tiny electronics and gadgets

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University propose controlling spin-electronic properties of thin-film magnetic nanosystems through surface roughness. This approach maximizes useful spin-electron effects, enabling the development of new-generation tiny electronics and superfast computer memory.

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.

Mosquito immune system mapped to help fight malaria

Researchers discovered new types of mosquito immune cells and molecular pathways implicated in controlling the malaria parasite. A rare cell type called a Megacyte was found to have high levels of a key molecule needed for immune priming, which could limit malaria transmission.

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 less deadly and causes milder symptoms in children

Children are less likely than adults to develop severe Covid-19 or die from the disease, with only six deaths reported among a total of 651 participants. Researchers identified new symptoms of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), including headaches and low platelet counts.

Optical imaging enters sub-nanometer era

Researchers at USTC achieved sub-molecular resolution in single-molecule Raman spectroscopy imaging and photoluminescence imaging. They demonstrated the effects of local plasmon-exciton interaction on fluorescence intensity, peak position and peak width on the sub-nanometer scale.

Molecular dispersion enhances quasi-bilayer organic solar cells

Researchers develop a strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of quasi-bilayer organic solar cells by dispersing donor components into the acceptor-dominant phase, achieving a champion PCE of 15.4%. The incorporation of donors improves charge transport balance and suppresses bimolecular recombination.

Our energy hunger is tethered to our economic past

Researchers found that current energy consumption is tied to unchangeable past economic production, which led to an increase in carbon emissions. The study suggests that improving efficiency may actually accelerate civilization growth and consumption, making it harder to reduce CO2 emissions.

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.

Trapping of acetylene

Researchers developed a Ni-MOF that can capture acetylene with extraordinary efficiency and selectively from ethylene streams. The material has a synergistic combination of tailor-made pore sizes and chemical docking sites, making it especially efficient.

A chiral surprise in the rainforest

Scientists discovered that the ratio of chiral alpha-pinene molecules varies with altitude, time of day, and season in the Amazon rainforest. Insects, particularly termites, are found to be a significant source of plus-alpha-pinene, previously unknown in forest emissions.

NASA sees Hurricane Laura's nighttime landfall

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane along the Louisiana coast, with sustained winds near 150 mph and a clear circular eye. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a nighttime image of the storm just after landfall.

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.

Penis bones, echolocation calls, and genes reveal new kinds of bats

Researchers have discovered three new species of African vesper bats by comparing their genes, teeth, skulls, echolocation calls, and penis bones. The discovery has resolved taxonomic relationships between the large number of species in the family and describes two new genera.

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.

NIAID establishes centers for research in emerging infectious diseases

The NIAID has established a global network of centers for research in emerging infectious diseases, which will investigate spillover potential and prepare for future outbreaks. The network aims to detect new causes of febrile illnesses, develop reagents and diagnostic assays, and study human immune responses.

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.

Genetics of the tree of life

African baobab trees can live over a thousand years, providing food, medicine, and resources. The recent study reveals the tree's chromosome count, offering insights into conservation and agricultural applications.

Newly discovered rare dinosaur embryos show sauropods had rhino-like horns

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo, revealing that sauropods had stereoscopic vision and a horn on the front of their face. The discovery has challenged previous theories about the appearance of these giant herbivores, which lived 80 million years ago.

Evidence of hibernation-like state in Antarctic animal

Scientists discovered a hibernation-like state in 250-million-year-old Antarctic animal, Lystrosaurus. The fossils showed signs of stress and strain, similar to those found in modern animals experiencing torpor, suggesting a possible adaptation to cope with the extreme winter conditions.

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.

Study: COVID-19 messaging less effective when tied to Trump

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that COVID-19 prevention messages are less effective when attributed to President Donald Trump. Researchers found that even participants who trust Trump did not find his messages more effective compared to other sources.

Binding sites for protein-making machinery

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to determine how tightly ribosomes bind to hundreds of thousands of RNA sequences in a single experiment, using machine learning and deep sequencing technology. This approach enables precise control over protein production in bacteria, with potential applications in genetic diseases.

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.