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Science News Archive August 2020 - Page 28


Page 28 of 45

Contaminants from Mount Polley tailings spill continue to affect Quesnel lake

A new study finds that the Mount Polley tailings spill in 2014 is still affecting Quesnel Lake, with turbidity increasing each spring and fall due to resuspended contaminants. The phenomenon raises concerns about long-term impacts on the lake's ecology, including effects on fish populations and algal communities.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalWater Resources Research·DateAug 13, 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.

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.

Restoring degraded tropical forests generates big carbon gains

Research reveals that forest restoration can replenish carbon storage and preserve biodiversity, with actively restored forests recovering 50% faster than naturally regenerating ones. The study found that degraded forests can recover up to 2.9 tons of aboveground carbon per hectare annually if protected from agricultural conversion.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

New tools catch and release molecules at the flip of a light switch

Researchers at Princeton University developed OptoBinders, light-switchable molecular tools that control cellular processes. These antibody-like proteins can bind or release targets in response to blue light, offering new capabilities for protein purification, biofuel production, and targeted cancer therapies.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2020

When you're smiling, the whole world really does smile with you

Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that smiling can alter perception of facial expressions and body language, generating more positive emotions. The study found that facial muscular activity stimulates the amygdala, releasing neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·DateAug 13, 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.

COVID-19 outcomes in french nursing homes with staff confinement

Researchers studied COVID-19 outcomes in French nursing homes that implemented voluntary staff confinement, finding improved mortality rates among residents. The study suggests that staff confinement can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care settings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 13, 2020

New study shows increase in domestic violence injuries during COVID-19

A new study found a significant increase in domestic violence injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more severe injuries reported despite fewer patients seeking help. The study suggests that fear of contracting infection and limited access to ambulatory sites may be preventing victims from reporting abuse.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateAug 13, 2020

Positive contact between muslims and christians in soccer league built cohesion, with limitations

A recent study found that Muslim teammates improved Christian players' behavior towards their peers in an Iraqi soccer league, but this effect did not generalize to other social contexts. The research highlights the value of intergroup interventions for achieving post-war peace, but also reveals limitations in building lasting social c...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study suggests new potential approach against fatal childhood brain cancer

Researchers discovered that simultaneously targeting two energy-production pathways within cancer cells can help overcome the effects of a cancer-causing mutation in DIPG. In mouse models, inhibiting both pathways at once significantly improved survival rates compared to targeting each pathway individually.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·DateAug 13, 2020

Child disability can reduce educational outcomes for older siblings

A recent study published in The Economic Journal found that child disability can have a significant impact on the educational outcomes of their older siblings. The researchers analyzed data from Florida and Denmark and found that the second-born child was more adversely affected cognitively than the first-born child when the third-born...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateAug 13, 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.

Systemic racism has consequences for all life in cities

A review paper examines the influence of systemic inequalities on ecology and evolution, finding that racism reduces biodiversity, increases urban heat island effects, and augments climate crises. The authors advocate for environmental justice and anti-racism practices to transform biological research and conservation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

Research recommends integrated approaches to managing reniform nematodes in cotton

Researchers at Mississippi State University recommend using an integrated approach that combines seed-applied nematicides with in-furrow nematicides to manage reniform nematodes in cotton. This approach can improve cotton yields while reducing production costs, making it a economically viable option for farmers.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Health Progress·DateAug 13, 2020

Programmed bacteria have something extra

Researchers successfully engineered bacteria to produce a synthetic building block, a 21st amino acid, which prompts the bacteria to produce a protein that fluoresces under metabolic stress. This breakthrough enables the design of novel proteins and organisms with useful functions.

SourceRice University·JournalChem·DateAug 12, 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.

Some dinosaurs could fly before they were birds

Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 12, 2020

Stay-at-home orders significantly associated with reduced spread of COVID-19, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that stay-at-home orders significantly slowed the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. The study analyzed data from 45 states with stay-at-home orders and found an average doubling time increase of 12.27 days, indicating significant slowing of disease spread.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateAug 12, 2020

Yoga shown to improve anxiety, study shows

A new study found that yoga significantly improved symptoms for those with generalized anxiety disorder, but not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy. Yoga was more effective than stress management, with 54% of participants experiencing improved symptoms compared to 33% in the control group.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateAug 12, 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.

Glass blowing inspires new class of quantum sensors

A team of scientists, led by RMIT University, has developed a new class of quantum sensors using high-performance diamond particles embedded in conventional glass fibers. This breakthrough enables the creation of cheap quantum sensor networks for applications such as underwater monitoring and mining.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAPL Materials·DateAug 12, 2020

New generation of drugs show early efficacy against drug-resistant TB

A new international study has shown that a newly developed treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is highly effective, with an 85% success rate among patients with serious comorbidities. The regimens, bedaquiline and delamanid, offer a promising alternative to the historical standard of care, which has approxim...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 12, 2020

New advance in superconductors with 'twist' in rhombohedral graphite

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a nanomaterial that mimics the 'magic angle' effect in twisted bilayer graphene, offering an alternative medium to study superconductivity. The new findings show strong electron-electron interactions in rhombohedral graphite, which could lead to game-changing effects in materi...

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature·DateAug 12, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Japanese biologists discover new species of sea worm in the southern ocean

A team of Japanese researchers has discovered a new species of sea worm in the Southern Ocean, expanding our understanding of the region's biodiversity. The newly identified species, Flabelligena hakuhoae, is one of six described species within the genus Flabelligena.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateAug 12, 2020

'Reelin' in a new treatment for multiple sclerosis

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that depleting the key protein Reelin can protect against multiple sclerosis symptoms and promote recovery. By reducing monocyte adhesion on blood vessel walls, Reelin levels may be a novel way to treat MS.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 12, 2020

OECD countries' politicians follow each other

The study found that democratic countries tend to copy each other's decisions, while the timing of implementation is crucial in containing the spread. The researchers conclude that political decisions during the pandemic were influenced by internal pressure and a desire for decisiveness.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 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.

Robot technology for everyone or only for the average person?

A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researchers Roger Andre Søraa and Eduard Fosch-Villaronga calls for exoskeleton designers to consider inclusivity in their designs. The goal is to make the technology accessible to a broader range of users, including those with different heights, weights, and genders.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·DateAug 12, 2020

The (neuro)science of getting and staying motivated

A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that the balance between glutamine and glutamate levels in the nucleus accumbens is crucial for sustained effort-based motivated performance. The research suggests a potential link to therapeutic strategies, including nutritional interventions, to address motivational deficits.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateAug 12, 2020

Why walking to work may be better for you than a casual stroll

A new study published in the Journal of Transport and Health found that walking to work can significantly improve a person's self-rated health compared to casual strolls. People who walked primarily for utilitarian purposes, such as commuting to work, reported better health than those who walked mostly for leisure.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·DateAug 12, 2020

How anxiety--and hope--can drive new product adoption

Researchers found that strong anxiety about outcomes from new products can enhance consequential adoption intentions and actual adoption, especially when combined with strong hope. This effect is due to action planning, which boosts perceived control over outcomes and leads to increased product satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 12, 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.

Flipping a metabolic switch to slow tumor growth

A team of scientists from UC San Diego identified a metabolic switch that decreases tumor growth in mice by restricting dietary amino acids. They found that restricting serine and glycine led to the production of toxic lipids that slow cancer progression.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateAug 12, 2020

Adaptation in single neurons provides memory for language processing

Researchers found that single neurons' down-regulation of excitability can provide working memory for language processing. The model establishes context-dependent and serial order-sensitive memory, ideal for language comprehension.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2020

Nutrition labelling is improving nation's diet - new study

A new study finds that Front-of-Pack labelling on food products leads to a reduction in the quantity of labelled store-branded food purchased and an overall improvement in nutritional composition of consumers' shopping baskets. The study, published in the Journal of Health Economics, shows significant improvements in poorer households.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Health Economics·DateAug 12, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

NASA finds hurricane Elida's eye covered

Hurricane Elida's eye has become fully covered by high clouds, a sign of the storm weakening due to cooler waters. The storm is expected to weaken quickly and degenerate into a remnant low-pressure area on Thursday.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 12, 2020

Cremation in the Middle-East dates as far back as 7,000 B.C.

A team of archaeologists uncovered evidence of the oldest direct cremation in the Middle-East, found in a pyre pit in Beisamoun, Israel, dating back around 9,000 years. The remains indicate a shift away from traditional burial practices towards shorter rituals.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2020

A quick, cost-effective method to track the spread of COVID-19

A team of scientists from Hokkaido University has successfully developed an adsorption-extraction technique to efficiently detect SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater. This breakthrough method, using a surrogate virus like murine hepatitis virus, offers a fast and economical way to track the spread of COVID-19 at a larger scale.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 12, 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.

Scientists propose method for eliminating damaging heat bursts in fusion device

Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a model that accurately reproduces the conditions for ELM suppression in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility. The model predicts wider operational flexibility for tokamaks, enabling enhanced fusion reactor operation and expanding the capabilities of fusion devices.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateAug 12, 2020

Assessment of lupus anticoagulant positivity in patients with COVID-19

This observational study found a significant prevalence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) positivity among patients with COVID-19, indicating a potential link between LA and severe disease outcomes. The study's findings suggest that monitoring for LA positivity may be crucial in managing COVID-19 patients.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 12, 2020

Seafood study finds plastic in all samples

A new study found that five different types of seafood - oysters, prawns, squid, crabs, and sardines - contain plastic, with varying levels of pollution. The research used a newly developed method to identify and measure five different plastic types, revealing surprising differences in the amount of plastic present among species.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 12, 2020

Spider silk inspires new class of functional synthetic polymers

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed a new class of proton-conducting polymers based on protein-like materials, which may be useful in future bio-electronic devices and sensors. The novel material has shown higher measured proton conductivity than any previously known biomaterials.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 12, 2020
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.

The oldest known cremation in the near east dates to 7000 BC

A study published in PLOS ONE has uncovered the oldest known cremation site in the Near East, dating back to 7013-6700 BC. The remains of a young adult found in Beisamoun, Israel, show evidence of intentional cremation, suggesting a cultural shift in funeral practices during this period.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2020