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Science News Archive August 2020 - Page 10


Page 10 of 45

A toxic trio of parental problems strongly linked to childhood sexual abuse

A new study found that adults who experienced parental intimate partner violence, mental illness, and substance dependence were more than 10 times more likely to have been victims of childhood sexual abuse. The study suggests that these parental problems can increase the risk of childhood sexual abuse by nearly tripling or even doublin...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalSocial Work·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

One size may not fit all: BILH psychiatrists develop mental health app assessment tool

Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center developed an online assessment tool to help patients and providers make informed decisions about choosing mental health apps. The tool, currently featuring over 200 apps, allows users to filter by safety, ease of use, and user privacy.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateAug 25, 2020

Vast stone monuments constructed in Arabia 7,000 years ago

Researchers have discovered hundreds of massive stone structures in northwest Saudi Arabia, dated to 7,000 years ago, suggesting they were used for rituals and social bonding exercises. The structures, called mustatils, consist of two large platforms connected by long walls and lack obvious openings.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalThe Holocene·DateAug 25, 2020

Treating COVID-19 could lead to increased antimicrobial resistance

A new study suggests that treating COVID-19 patients with antibiotics could lead to increased antimicrobial resistance in the wider population. The research, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, found that high levels of antibiotics in rivers and coastal waters may result in an increase in resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateAug 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Compared to placebo, vitamin D has no benefit for severe asthma attacks

A placebo-controlled clinical trial found that vitamin D supplements did not prevent severe asthma attacks in at-risk children. The study, led by Juan C. Celedón, followed nearly 200 children with moderately low vitamin D levels for three years and showed no benefit from the supplements.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

NASA missions explore a 'TIE Fighter' active galaxy

Astronomers studied the galaxy's radio structure using VLBA, revealing a striking TIE fighter shape at 6.6 GHz. The team observed two periods of activity in TXS 0128+554, suggesting a lull in activity created a gap in the radio emission.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 25, 2020

Using light's properties to indirectly see inside a cell membrane

Researchers have developed a new imaging technique called single-molecule orientation localization microscopy (SMOLM) that allows them to distinguish between different phases of lipid molecules in cell membranes. This technique uses fluorescent probes to directly 'see' the probe's orientation and determine its chemical composition.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 25, 2020

Trust the power of markets

Research by UC Riverside found that information markets are more accurate than ad hoc groups in making decisions, despite initial skepticism. As people become accustomed to using markets, they gain trust in their reliability and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalOrganization Science·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Study reveals two major microbial groups can't breathe

Two major microbial groups, Patescibacteria and DPANN, lack the ability to breathe, instead relying on fermentation to synthesize ATP. These microbes, found in Earth's subsurface, may be remnants of ancient forms of life that predate the evolution of respiration.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 25, 2020

Changing ties that naturally bind

A collaborative research group from Kyoto University investigates how animals balance information sharing with disease risk to form social networks. They propose an integrative framework that incorporates deleterious forms of social transmission, like infectious diseases.

SourceKyoto University·DateAug 25, 2020

Most adults with lupus or common types of arthritis have similar risks of getting admitted to hospital as other COVID-19 patients

Most adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and common forms of arthritis are not at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, despite taking immunosuppressive medications. Hospitalization rates for these groups are similar to those for the general population.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateAug 25, 2020

Changing landscapes, changing diets

Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth of ancient herbivores to reveal dietary shifts from woody vegetation to grasses and sedges, around 2.7-2 million years ago. The findings suggest that behavioral dietary changes can precede apparent morphological adaptations in hominins.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Scientists create protein models to explore toxic methylmercury formation

A team of scientists created a computational model of proteins responsible for transforming mercury to toxic methylmercury, shedding light on how this reaction occurs and its environmental impact. The models suggest that conserved cysteine amino acids in HgcB are involved in shuttling mercury to HgcA during the reaction.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 25, 2020

Study: Student debt may hurt chances at full-time employment

A recent study suggests that student loan debt can have a negative impact on students' likelihood of securing full-time employment upon graduation. The researchers found that having student loan debt leads to additional stress during the job search, which can harm chances of securing a full-time job.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateAug 25, 2020

The secret life of melons revealed: "Jumping sequences" may alter gene expression

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba found that retrotransposons may change how genes are expressed in melons. In a study published in Communications Biology, researchers discovered that retrotransposons had a role in altering gene expression when melon genomes were diversifying and affecting fruit ripening.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 25, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

A colorful detector

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a new crystalline material that reversibly changes color from yellow to red when absorbing water, indicating the presence of water. This work could lead to the creation of highly sensitive vapochromic sensors that can detect gases or water vapor without external power.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateAug 25, 2020

Global magnetic field of the solar corona measured for the first time

An international team has successfully mapped the global distribution of the coronal magnetic field for the first time. Using observations from the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter, they applied a technique called magnetoseismology to infer the average magnitudes of the magnetic field in the corona.

SourcePeking University·JournalScience·DateAug 25, 2020

UC Riverside researcher awarded NIH grants to study mental health and opioid use

Andrew Subica, a UC Riverside researcher, has been awarded two NIH grants to develop culturally tailored interventions for Pacific Islanders' mental health treatment and engagement in opioid use disorder treatment. The studies aim to address the significant research gap on opioid use disorders in Pacific Islander populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Sedentary behaviour on the rise across Europe

A study published in BMC Public Health found a significant increase in sedentary behaviour across Europe, with 54.3% of adults spending more than four-and-a-half hours sitting per day in 2017. The research also showed that young and older adults were equally affected, but the age group with the largest increase was those aged 35-44.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 25, 2020

Building mechanical memory boards using origami

Scientists have developed a paper-based mechanical memory board by folding paper using the Kresling pattern, generating a switch that can be controlled using vibrations. By placing multiple switches on a single platform, researchers created a functioning mechanical memory board with wide applicability for future device development.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 25, 2020

Battery life for wearable electronic devices could be improved

Asymmetric stresses within electrodes used in wearable electronic devices can lead to improved durability and lifespan of batteries. Researchers from the University of Warwick have found that varying coating properties on each side of double-sided coated electrodes can help mitigate high bending stress and improve mechanical resilience.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Beating noise via superposition of order

Researchers at UQ and Griffith University use quantum superposition of order to successfully transmit information through two noisy channels. The technique, which can nullify the effect of one noisy medium on another, has potential applications in satellite communication and secret sharing.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateAug 25, 2020

COVID-19 human milk studies should continue without stopping breastfeeding

Breastfeeding and human milk are critical to maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. Current COVID-19 recommendations contradict WHO guidance, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Studies must be conducted with a racial equity lens to provide evidence-based guidance.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Study shows socioeconomic status linked to heart failure mortality in United States

A new US study found that socioeconomic factors are linked to heart failure mortality rates in the United States. The study analyzed over 1.2 million deaths from heart failure across 3,048 counties between 1999 and 2018, revealing significant disparities in mortality rates based on measures of wealth and social deprivation.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateAug 25, 2020

Importance of rainfall highlighted for tropical animals

Researchers develop a new concept to understand how precipitation affects tropical animals, including feeding behavior, predation, and physiological responses. The hygric niche framework has implications for conservation and climate change mitigation in the tropics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Stronger together in the microbiome: How gut microbes feed each other to overcome dietary deficiencies, change host behavior, and improve reproduction

A team of researchers found that two specific gut bacteria establish a metabolic cross-feeding mechanism, enabling them to grow in diets lacking essential nutrients. This interaction also affects the fly's feeding behavior, reproduction, and brain function, making the microbiome more resilient to dietary changes.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2020

Computers excel in chemistry class

Researchers developed a machine learning model that analyzes molecular structure to predict enthalpy of formation with better accuracy than traditional approaches. The model's accuracy improves with more data, enabling the development of fully automated algorithms for predicting complex chemical phenomena.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateAug 25, 2020

Restoring the world's forests requires partnering with local communities

A new study highlights the critical importance of partnering with indigenous people and local communities in tropical forest restoration. The research estimates that 294.5 million people live within areas with good potential for forest restoration, and over one billion people live nearby such land.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 25, 2020

ESMO announces winners of its awards 2020

Prof. Hans-Joachim Schmoll receives the ESMO Award 2020 for his pioneering work in developing medical oncology as a specialty, while Prof. Nadia Harbeck wins the Lifetime Achievement Award for her global cancer research and education contributions.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateAug 25, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Moving bits, not watts

Researchers propose moving workloads to different regions to reduce excess renewable energy generation, saving companies money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan could absorb up to 62% of curtailed electricity capacity in California, equivalent to 100,000 households' annual energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJoule·DateAug 25, 2020

Studying water polo for kicks

Water polo players use efficient 'eggbeater' kicks to elevate themselves in the water, exceeding biomechanical predictions. The high efficacy of this technique may lead to optimized sports performance and new underwater propulsion methods.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSports Biomechanics·DateAug 25, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Majority of groundwater stores resilient to climate change

A new study published in Earth System Dynamics reveals that only a minority of the world's large aquifers are depleting, with most experiencing non-linear and irregular trends in groundwater storage. Extreme rainfall events play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater resources in dry environments.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateAug 25, 2020

NASA gathers nighttime images of Laura becoming a Hurricane

Hurricane Laura strengthened as a hurricane, with NASA providing infrared imagery showing its structure and rainmaking capabilities. The storm is over 350 miles in diameter, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 45 miles from the center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 25, 2020

Study evaluates immersive virtual reality as a sleep aid for teens

A recent study found that immersive virtual reality and slow breathing techniques can help promote bedtime relaxation and improve overall sleep quality in adolescents. The study revealed an average reduction of 6 minutes in sleep latency and a 3% increase in sleep efficiency among participants.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 25, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine reduces in-hospital COVID-19 mortality

A recent Italian observational study reveals that hydroxychloroquine treatment reduces the risk of death for hospitalized COVID-19 patients by 30%. The study, coordinated by I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, analyzed data from 3,451 patients and found positive results despite using lower doses than those in other countries.

SourceIstituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed I.R.C.C.S.·JournalEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine·DateAug 25, 2020
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.

Quantum simulation for 3D chiral topological phase

Researchers simulated a 3D chiral topological insulator using nitrogen-vacancy centers, observing dynamical bulk-surface correspondence and symmetry protection in momentum space. They measured spin textures on band inversion surfaces, revealing perfect (broken) topology depending on the preserved or broken chiral symmetry.

SourcePeking University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 25, 2020

Childhood obesity could increase the risk of multiple sclerosis

Research from Queen Mary University of London finds that childhood and adolescent obesity is projected to contribute up to 14 per cent of overall risk of Multiple Sclerosis in 2035. High body mass index (BMI) is also associated with an increased risk, particularly in the USA and Australia.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 25, 2020
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.