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Science News Archive August 2020 - Page 25


Page 25 of 45

Desire to be in a group leads to harsher judgment of others

A study by Duke University researchers found that individuals who identify with groups tend to discriminate against those outside their groups, even in non-political settings. In contrast, those who do not identify with groups are less prone to bias and make decisions faster.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020

Using personal frequency to control brain activity

Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully precisely influenced a single area of the brain by inhibiting its rhythm, decreasing functional connectivity and information exchange with other networks. This precise control enables potential therapeutic applications for diseases caused by disturbed brain functions.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalNeuroImage·DateAug 17, 2020

New superlattice material for future energy efficient devices

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a new superlattice material that exhibits high temperature and tunable electrical transport properties. This finding has the potential to improve energy-efficient technologies by conducting dissipationless current without energy loss.

SourceStony Brook University·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 17, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hidden secrets written in stone

A new VR experience, Beyond the Ice, brings Hallett Cove's fossilized landscape to life with immersive 3D detail. Users can identify fossils, measure glacial grooves and draw rock folds using virtual tools.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·DateAug 17, 2020

Drexel study: Measuring social networks of young adults with autism

Researchers developed a method to analyze social networks of autistic youth, showing how interpersonal relationships and resources can impact adult outcomes. The study found that social connections and support from family members are crucial for autistic young adults' quality of life and independence.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAutism in Adulthood·DateAug 17, 2020

NASA finds short-lived Fausto faded fast

NASA's Terra satellite reveals Post-Tropical Storm Fausto has lost strong storms, temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center confirms the system has become a remnant low-pressure area with no organized deep convection expected to return.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 17, 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.

Desert greenhouses offer growth opportunities

Researchers at KAUST propose vast greenhouse complexes using energy-efficient solar panels, air-cooling technologies, and salt-tolerant agriculture to grow food and crops. This concept aims to provide sustainable, local crop growth on a large scale in coastal desert regions.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateAug 17, 2020

Scientists use photons as threads to weave novel forms of matter

Researchers successfully bound two negatively charged electron-like particles using photons, creating a novel form of matter called a Photon Bound Exciton. This discovery enables the creation of novel artificial atoms with designer electronic configurations.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 17, 2020

Penguins are Aussies. Or are they Kiwis?

A new study reveals that penguins originated along the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, 22 million years ago. The researchers also found that penguins are not adapting quickly enough to changing climate conditions, putting many populations at risk.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020

Designed bacteria produce coral-antibiotic

Researchers have developed a method to produce the coral-antibiotic erogorgiaene in a laboratory using genetically optimized bacteria. The production costs are significantly lower than conventional methods, making it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateAug 17, 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.

NUS study finds that air pollution is a driver of residential electricity demand

A NUS study found that households respond to air pollution by increasing electricity consumption, leading to higher carbon emissions. Cleaner urban air can reduce energy demand and mitigate carbon emissions. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of air quality on energy demand in developing countries.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateAug 16, 2020

Antibiotic overuse reduces bladder cancer survival rates

A new study by Flinders University researchers found that antibiotic use is directly associated with worse survival rates in patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with atezolizumab. The study suggests antibiotics may specifically reduce the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, highlighting a need for extra caution when using t...

SourceFlinders University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateAug 16, 2020

New diagnostic criteria shine light on early dementia mimics

A new diagnostic definition for Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) has been established, allowing researchers to better characterise the condition and its prognosis. The criteria also hold promise for strengthening research into dementia by identifying patients for trials.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBrain·DateAug 16, 2020

How power distance belief affects consumers' price sensitivity

A new study in the Journal of Marketing identifies cultural variable power distance belief as a determinant of consumers' price sensitivity. Consumers high in power distance belief are less price-sensitive and more likely to seize current offers, reducing their likelihood of searching for better-priced options.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 15, 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.

This online calculator can predict your stroke risk, study finds

A new online calculator developed by UVA Health System researchers can predict stroke risk in patients with metabolic syndrome. The tool, available for free, uses a scoring system to assess the severity of metabolic syndrome and identify patients at risk.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalStroke·DateAug 14, 2020

Using infrared eye tracking to study infant behavior

Researchers adapted existing infrared technology to assess infant recognition memory and cognitive outcomes, finding that infants prefer novel stimuli and exhibit side preferences. The automated technique eliminated examiner bias and variation, enabling large-scale studies on infant development.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateAug 14, 2020

NASA finds wind shear making Tropical Depression 10E struggle

Tropical Depression 10E is struggling to intensify due to strong northeasterly wind shear, according to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite imagery. The depression has maintained a small ragged band of convection in its southwest quadrant despite the adverse conditions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 14, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A light bright and tiny: NIST scientists build a better nanoscale LED

A new design for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) developed by NIST scientists achieves a significant increase in brightness and the ability to create laser light, overcoming a long-standing limitation in LED efficiency. The device shows an increase of 100 to 1,000 times in brightness over conventional tiny LEDs.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2020

AI software enables real-time 3D printing quality assessment

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an AI software named Peregrine for powder bed 3D printers, assessing part quality in real-time. The software uses convolutional neural networks to analyze images and detect anomalies, alerting operators for adjustments.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·DateAug 14, 2020

Green electricity for Europe: Small scale solutions also affordable

A new study by researchers in Potsdam and Zurich shows that smaller scale systems incur a cost penalty of less than 20% compared to continental-scale systems. However, with cooperation between grid operators and neighboring grids, the cost penalties can be reduced, supporting current efforts to establish a European electricity market.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalJoule·DateAug 14, 2020

Researchers one step closer to bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts

Researchers successfully trained locusts to detect and differentiate various explosives using their olfactory system. The team also developed a way to read the brain activity of the locusts to pinpoint the direction of odor emission, paving the way for bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateAug 14, 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.

Sustainable biosynthetic transparent films for plastic substitute

A team of researchers from China has developed a sustainable, ultra-strong and transparent film made from living bacteria. The film, inspired by nacre, exhibits unique optical properties and excellent mechanical strength, making it a potential substitute for plastics in packaging and electronics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalMatter·DateAug 14, 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.

Watching changes in plant metabolism -- live

Researchers at the University of Münster used a new method to monitor plant metabolic processes in real-time, revealing key mechanisms in energy metabolism and their connection to environmental factors. The study provides new insights into plant responses to stressors like light, temperature, and pest infestation.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateAug 14, 2020

Study explores the association of malaria, HIV with anemia during pregnancy

Researchers found a higher prevalence of anemia in pregnant women with malaria and HIV coinfections compared to those without infections. The study suggests that multipronged strategies to prevent and treat these infections are critical to ensure the survival of mothers and their unborn babies.

SourcePenn State·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateAug 14, 2020

UCLA computer scientists set benchmarks to optimize quantum computer performance

Researchers created a family of benchmark quantum circuits with known optimal depths or sizes to improve quantum compilation design. This could lead to computation speeds up to 45 times faster than currently demonstrated. The benchmarks, named QUEKO, have been made open source and are available on GitHub.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computers·DateAug 14, 2020

How people and ecosystems fit together on the Great Barrier Reef

A world-first study examining the Great Barrier Reef's management found that people are managed at broader scales than ecological variation, suggesting a general principle for permitting and management. This approach may be more effective in sustainably managing ecosystems, especially small protected areas.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalOne Earth·DateAug 14, 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.

The flax wilt agent has been sequenced

The Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini genome has been fully assembled, providing insights into the parasite's adaptation to flax and its potential for breeding resistant crop varieties. The study aims to elucidate specific mechanisms of Fusarium adaptation to different hosts and find genes responsible for its preferences.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateAug 14, 2020

Study identifies social connection as the strongest protective factor for depression

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital identified social connection and reducing sedentary activities like TV watching as valuable targets for preventing depression. The study found that frequency of confiding in others, visits with family and friends, were strong protective factors against depression risk.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 14, 2020

Researchers capture footage of fluid behaving like a solid

Swansea University researchers have captured the moments a fluid reacts like a solid through a new method of fluid observation under pressurised conditions. The study looks at fluids with a solid-like response to stress, called Discontinuous Shear Thickening (DST), and offers a novel visual indication for future theoretical models.

SourceSwansea University·DateAug 14, 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.

UMD discovers a new role for a well-known molecule as a plant hormone

Researchers at UMD have identified a critical role for the molecule ACC in plant reproduction and pollination, activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. This finding could rewrite textbooks and lead to new research on improving plant health and crop yield.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2020

Historical redlining linked to premature births, lower birth weight babies

A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that past discriminatory housing practices may be impacting maternal and infant health today. Neighborhoods with worse HOLC ratings had significantly more adverse birth outcomes, including premature births and low birth weight babies.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2020

Aurora mysteries unlocked with NASA's THEMIS mission

Scientists have discovered that auroral beads are caused by turbulence in the plasma surrounding Earth, which precedes substorms and triggers auroras. The new models provide a broader picture of the near-space environment, helping researchers better understand swirling structures seen in auroras.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 14, 2020
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.

Newly identified gut cells nurture lymph capillaries

Researchers at Institute for Basic Science have identified new subsets of gut connective cells crucial for lymphatic growth and fat digestion. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that impair lacteal regeneration and reveal a link between intestinal environment and cell interactions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 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.

Traces of ancient life tell story of early diversity in marine ecosystems

Research published in Science Advances by a University of Saskatchewan-led team reveals an explosion of ancient life on the ocean floor nearly 540 million years ago. The study found evidence of animals actively engineering their ecosystem, constructing diverse burrows that may have laid the foundation for greater diversity in marine life.

SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2020

Climate stabilization: Lessons from the corona crisis

A team of researchers from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons for mitigating climate change. They propose a 'Climate Corona Contract' that unites younger and older generations to address the climate emergency.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalGlobal Sustainability·DateAug 14, 2020

Preexisting drug shows promise in fight against COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Chicago used computational analysis to identify ebselen as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The study found that ebselen can decrease Mpro's activity in two different ways, making it a promising lead for developing new therapeutic strategies against the virus.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2020
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.

NIH-supported scientists demonstrate how genetic variations cause eczema

Researchers found that two common genetic variations in the KIF3A gene impair skin barrier function, leading to increased water loss and development of atopic dermatitis. Genetic testing could help identify infants at risk, potentially preventing eczema and related allergic diseases.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2020

Weight between young adulthood and midlife linked to mortality: BU study

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that weight changes between early adulthood and midlife are crucial in determining a person's risk of early death. Participants whose BMI decreased from obese to overweight range had half the risk of dying compared to those who remained obese throughout their lives.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 14, 2020

200,000 years ago, humans preferred to kip cozy

Researchers found evidence of humans using grass bedding and ash layers to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working over 200,000 years ago. The study suggests that people used fire, ash, and medicinal plants to maintain clean and pest-free camps.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2020

A method has been developed to study extreme space weather events

A new method was developed to study fast Coronal Mass Ejections and predict the most extreme space weather events. These events can cause strong geomagnetic storms that affect space and Earth-based engineering systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 14, 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.