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Science News Archive August 2020 - Page 14


Page 14 of 45

Value of agricultural water

The study provides a spatially distributed global estimation of the value of agricultural water worldwide across 16 globally important crops. Factoring in increased crop value associated with irrigation, the average water value is found to be around 0.23 USD/m3

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Landmark HKU-led volume on past progress and new frontiers in the study of early birds and their close relatives

The publication provides a comprehensive overview of pennaraptoran theropods, covering their fossil record, systematics, anatomy, and early flight studies. Key findings include the identification of key avian traits that originated deep within theropod evolution and the discovery of unique reproductive strategies.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalBulletin of the American Museum of Natural History·DateAug 24, 2020

The mathematical magic of bending grids

A team of mathematicians from TU Wien has developed a technique to calculate flat grids that can be unfolded into desired three-dimensional shapes. The method uses findings in differential geometry and has been successfully tested in practice, resulting in stable and structurally sound 3D structures with good static properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 24, 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.

Low health literacy may be a risk factor for postoperative infection

Researchers found that patients with low health literacy were 4.5 times more likely to experience a postoperative infection after colorectal surgical procedures. The study highlights the importance of designing interventions and tools to better support patients with limited health literacy.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateAug 24, 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.

COVID-19 taking a toll on everyday lives, UC Davis research suggests

Research by UC Davis suggests COVID-19 is severely impacting daily emotional lives and mental health, particularly among those with lower education levels and non-native English speakers. The study found that respondents experienced moderate to high levels of stress just 28 days into the pandemic.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalSustainability·DateAug 24, 2020

Storing information in antiferromagnetic materials

Scientists at Mainz University prove that information can be stored electrically in antiferromagnetic materials. By using currents instead of magnetic fields, they improve the efficiency of writing operations, paving the way for applications such as smart cards and ultrafast computers.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 24, 2020

Hydrogen vehicles might soon become the global norm

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new catalyst that can produce cheaper and more sustainable hydrogen-powered vehicles, reducing reliance on precious materials like platinum. The breakthrough could make hydrogen vehicles more durable and scalable, leading to a potential shift towards sustainable transportation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 24, 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.

'Biggest holes in the system'

A new study by Washington State University scientist Raven Weaver found that older adults living in very rural settings are less likely to receive available services compared to those in mostly rural areas. The study highlights the most vulnerable groups within the rural classification, emphasizing the need for proactive support.

SourceWashington State University·JournalThe International Journal of Aging and Human Development·DateAug 24, 2020

Grass abundances during Dust Bowl

During extreme drought, C3 biomass production increased five-fold in grasslands while C4 plants declined. This shift is linked to changes in seasonal precipitation patterns favorable for C3 grasses

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Protein 'chameleon' colors long-term memory

Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered how a chameleon-like protein, CPEB3, interacts with actin filaments in neurons. This interaction enables the protein to adapt its binding sites to either SUMO or actin, allowing it to form long-lived aggregates that store memories.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

New treatment developed by CHOP shows success in high-risk solid tumors

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a new treatment that shows long-term remissions in 80% to 100% of mice with drug-resistant or high-risk solid tumors. The treatment is less toxic than conventional chemotherapy, with fewer side effects.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 24, 2020

Strigolactones increase tolerance to weevils in tobacco plants

Research at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that strigolactones regulate plant defense against endophytic Trichobaris mucorea larvae by influencing jasmonate and auxin signaling pathways. This enables tobacco plants to produce defensive substances, increasing their tolerance to the weevil's attack.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 24, 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.

Researchers discover immune predictors of COVID-19 cases that fare the worst

Scientists at The Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered two inflammation markers that reliably predict COVID-19 severity and survival. Elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum indicate a higher risk of death, allowing for early stratification and treatment optimization.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 24, 2020

Fruit flies see illusory motion in stationary patterns

Research using fruit flies found that certain stationary patterns trigger the perception of illusory motion. The brain's motion-detecting neurons play a key role in this phenomenon, driven by imbalanced responses to stationary edges.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Reducing transmission risk of livestock disease

A new study found that transmission risk of the PPRV virus increases with specific husbandry practices, including introducing sheep or goats to herds and attending seasonal grazing camps. In contrast, herd size was not related to transmission risk, but rather social cliques formed within individual compounds.

SourcePenn State·JournalViruses·DateAug 24, 2020

Wireless device makes clean fuel from sunlight, CO2 and water

Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and formic acid, a storable fuel. The device, based on 'photosheet' technology, has shown high selectivity with minimal by-products.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Energy·DateAug 24, 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.

Locust swarm could improve collision avoidance

A team of engineers has developed a low-power collision detector inspired by locusts' ability to avoid collisions. The device mimics the locust's response to incoming objects, responding in two seconds and using minimal energy.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Electronics·DateAug 24, 2020

Politicians' preferences for truth-telling

Researchers surveyed 816 Spanish mayors about receiving personalized truth-telling reports, with nearly 70% reporting receiving heads in a coin flip despite statistical odds indicating they should have. The study suggests politicians' preferences for honesty are unclear or manipulable.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Genetic timeline of physical events in Antarctic

The study found that three species had been genetically isolated for at least 3.52 million years, while the other three were isolated for less than 2 million years. The results suggest a correlation with large-scale changes in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet affecting arthropod dispersal and population mingling.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Small molecule treatment reduces colon cancer metastasis

A new small molecule treatment reduces colon cancer metastasis by locking up cancer cells' ability to change shape and move throughout the body. The treatment cut the rate of cancer metastasis in half, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Re-engineered enzyme could help reverse damage from spinal cord injury and stroke

Researchers at University of Toronto Engineering and University of Michigan have modified an enzyme from bacteria to promote regrowth of nerve tissue following injury. The new version is more stable than the natural enzyme, which could lead to new treatments for reversing nerve damage.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 24, 2020
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.

Less aggressive treatment better for heart patients who go into shock

A new study found that more than 30% of hospital patients who have a heart attack complicated by low blood pressure undergo an aggressive treatment, despite the existence of a less aggressive approach called a 'culprit-only' strategy. This strategy places stents only in the blocked blood vessels that caused the heart attack.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 24, 2020

Small quake clusters can't hide from AI

Researchers used data gathered before a 2017 deadly landslide in Greenland to demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning in predicting seismic events. The study found weak but repetitive rumblings that accelerated over time, leading to the landslide, which could be detected by AI.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2020

Climate change and land use are accelerating soil erosion by water

Soil loss due to water runoff is projected to increase significantly by 2070, with potential losses of over 28 billion metric tons annually. Sustainable land cultivation practices can mitigate this threat and ensure food security for the world's population.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Failure to 'flatten the curve' may kill more people than we thought

New research by the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington reveals that additional ICU beds and non-ICU beds filled by COVID-19 patients result in more deaths. The study found that for every six additional ICU beds or seven additional non-ICU beds, one additional COVID-19 death occurs over the following week.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 24, 2020

Each human gut has a viral 'fingerprint'

A comprehensive database of 33,242 unique viral populations in the human digestive system has been assembled by Ohio State University scientists. This discovery reveals a complex relationship between viruses and bacteria in the gut, with higher diversity associated with healthier individuals.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateAug 24, 2020

Long-term exposure to air pollution linked to impaired breathing in children

Research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress shows that babies exposed to levels of air pollution within EU standards develop poorer lung function as children and teenagers. Long-term exposure to air pollution is also linked to a higher risk of developing asthma in adults, according to a second study.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·DateAug 24, 2020

Routing valley exciton emission of a WS2 monolayer via in-plane inversion-symmetry broken PhC slabs

Scientists demonstrate efficient separation of valley exciton emission of a WS2 monolayer using two-dimensional all-dielectric PhC slabs without in-plane inversion symmetry. The delocalized Bloch modes play a critical role in separating and enhancing directional valley exciton emission.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 24, 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.

Fresh tumor biopsies in world-first technique for cancer treatments

Researchers developed a world-first technique to improve cancer treatments by analyzing fresh patient tumour biopsies within 30 minutes of collection. The 'Drug uptake in ex Vivo tumours' technique helps pharmaceutical and technology companies design future cancer drugs.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalSTAR Protocols·DateAug 24, 2020

Global forest restoration and the importance of empowering local communities

A new study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in global forest restoration efforts, which could provide benefits to millions of people living on lands suitable for forest restoration. The research highlights opportunities for tropical countries to remove atmospheric carbon, promote biodiversity conservation, and ...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateAug 24, 2020

First review of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infection models

A comprehensive review of animal and cellular models of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 highlights the importance of understanding underlying diseases in predicting mortality. The study identifies key factors, including age, male sex, social deprivation, and chronic conditions, that increase the risk of severe disease.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalMucosal Immunology·DateAug 24, 2020

Forging molecular bonds with green light

QUT researchers develop a novel molecular coupling tool using green light and pH triggers, enabling catalyst-free chemical reactions. The tool has potential applications in drug delivery and 3D cell culture platforms, with the ability to control photoreactivity using varying pH levels.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 23, 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.

Research reveals toll of pandemic on those with eating disorders

A new study from Northumbria University reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound negative impact on nine out of ten people with eating disorders. The research found that disruptions to daily life, social isolation, and reduced access to healthcare services exacerbated symptoms.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalJournal of Eating Disorders·DateAug 23, 2020

Media's pivotal pandemic power

A new study by Flinders University researchers analyzes national Australian newspaper coverage from early 2020, noting a rise in moral evaluations and behaviors linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights the importance of balanced messaging and responsible media portrayals in public health crises.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateAug 23, 2020

Medieval texts reveal false Royal Navy origins

Research by Flinders University PhD candidate Matt Firth challenges long-held assumptions about the Royal Navy's origins, finding evidence that a tradition of defensive naval action existed before Alfred the Great's reign. The study also sheds light on medieval burial ships and cultural contact between England and Scandinavia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe International Journal of Nautical Archaeology·DateAug 23, 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.

Sofosbuvir/daclatasvir drugs may be effective coronavirus treatment

Recent studies suggest that adding sofosbuvir and daclatasvir to standard care may reduce the duration of hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. The combination showed a lower median duration of stay and reduced mortality rates compared to standard care alone.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateAug 23, 2020

Fossil pollen record suggests vulnerability to mass extinction ahead

A new study using fossil pollen samples suggests that North America's plant biomes are experiencing low landscape resilience, similar to the end of the Pleistocene megafauna extinctions. The researchers found that forests persisted longer than grasslands and recovered more slowly if the ecosystem contains high plant biodiversity.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 23, 2020

Blood pressure medication improves COVID-19 survival rates

Researchers found that Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) reduced the risk of severe Covid-19 illness and death in patients with high blood pressure. The meta-analysis involved over 28,000 patients, indicating a protective role for these medications against Covid-19.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCurrent Atherosclerosis Reports·DateAug 23, 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.

Developing precise medicines for triple negative breast cancer

Scientists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre discover a promising approach to identify the best patients for targeted therapy in triple negative breast cancer. Using patient-derived cell lines, researchers found a correlation between levels of RB1 protein and decreased growth in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2020
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.

Electron movements in liquid measured in super-slow motion

Researchers detect electron movements in liquid water using photoemission, revealing a delay of 50-70 attoseconds compared to gaseous form. This discovery sheds light on chemical reactions and biological processes such as photosynthesis and DNA damage.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateAug 21, 2020