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Science News Archive August 2020 - Page 32


Page 32 of 45

Citizens prefer teachers and administrators to take the hit during economic crisis

New research from Binghamton University found that citizens prioritize teacher and administrative staff over other spending cuts during economic crises. The study discovered that gender, age, income, party identification, and political ideology significantly influence public attitudes towards different forms of school budget cuts.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalEducational Studies·DateAug 11, 2020

Study shows inbreeding reduces cooperation in banded mongooses

A recent study by researchers at Swansea University found that inbreeding can reduce cooperation in banded mongooses. Inbred pups that receive extensive care from adults have similar survival rates to outbred pups, but eventually become bad carers when they are older.

SourceSwansea University·JournalEcology Letters·DateAug 11, 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.

Lab-created molecule achieves positive results in the treatment of arthritis

A new molecule called TPPU has been shown to suppress the inflammatory process, reducing inflammation and joint tissue wear and tear in mice with genetically induced arthritis. Arthritic mice treated with TPPU displayed less pain and swelling and had lower clinical scores.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateAug 11, 2020

Teens' social media use does not raise risk for depression: study

A new study by Columbia University researchers found that daily social media use is not a strong or consistent risk factor for depressive symptoms among adolescents. The study analyzed survey data from over 74,000 students and found no association between social media use and increased depressive symptoms.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateAug 11, 2020

Researchers explore pollen fertilization mechanisms

A study published in Nature Communications reveals how pollen tubes grow up to a thousand-fold to reach the ovule, creating electrical activity at the cell membrane and promoting faster growth. The findings have implications for understanding seed production, fungal growth, and neuronal development, and may lead to improved food crop v...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 11, 2020

Researchers find clues to SARS-CoV-2 infection, why it impacts patients differently

A team of researchers at McMaster University has discovered that the ACE2 receptor is present in very low levels in human lung tissue, suggesting alternative infection pathways. This finding challenges existing knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells and may lead to better diagnostic devices and treatment strategies.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateAug 11, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research exposes new vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at Northwestern University have uncovered a new vulnerability in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's binding site, which enables the virus to infect host cells. A negatively charged molecule can block this site, inhibiting viral transmission.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 11, 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.

Rare glassy metal discovered during quest to improve battery performance

Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and University of California San Diego discovered a rare glassy metal during studies on lithium recharging. The discovery could lead to improved battery life and new applications for glassy metals, which are difficult to produce but offer powerful material properties.

SourceDOE/Idaho National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 11, 2020

New guidelines for managing mucositis now available

The new guidelines offer additional recommendations for photobiomodulation therapy and benzydamine, as well as a stronger guideline statement for cryotherapy. Researchers also found that natural honey may help prevent mucositis in head and neck cancer patients, although long-term effects are unclear.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCancer·DateAug 11, 2020

Changes in use of high-dose biotin supplements among US adults

Daily use of high-dose biotin supplements among US adults has steadily increased since the early 2000s, with most consumers using these products for hair and nail growth. The study's findings suggest a growing interest in biotin as a supplement to support overall health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 11, 2020

Evolutionary theory of economic decisions

A new study from Stanford University proposes that the brain was constructed over evolutionary history to make high-stakes decisions with a bias towards pessimism. This perspective challenges traditional economic models, which assume humans act rationally and weigh probabilities to maximize personal gain.

SourceStanford University·JournalEvolutionary Human Sciences·DateAug 11, 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.

Aging memories may not be 'worse, 'just 'different'

An fMRI study found that older adults' brain activity while experiencing event boundaries is similar to younger adults', but with some differences. The study suggests that older adults may process events in different ways, focusing on broader contextual information rather than specific details.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 11, 2020

Physicists cast doubt on neutrino theory

Researchers from University of Cincinnati and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory failed to detect sterile neutrinos in twin experiments, increasing doubts about their existence. The study's findings suggest that sterile neutrinos might not be responsible for previously observed anomalies.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 11, 2020

COVID-19: Herd immunity in Sweden fails to materialize

Sweden's policy of controlled spread of COVID-19 has failed to deliver herd immunity, with actual antibody prevalence lower than predicted. Clinical findings suggest that mildly ill or asymptomatic patients are less likely to acquire antibodies.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateAug 11, 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.

Giant photothermoelectric effect in silicon nanoribbon photodetectors

Researchers have observed a significant increase in the photothermoelectric effect in silicon nanoribbons, benefiting from optimization processes and multiphysics modeling. This breakthrough has potential applications for improving photoelectric conversion efficiency by harnessing hot carrier energy.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 11, 2020

Malaria discovery could expedite antiviral treatment for COVID-19

A new study suggests that repurposing cancer drugs to target human enzymes could lead to effective treatments for COVID-19, while reducing the risk of drug resistance. This approach has the potential to save years of research and millions of dollars in development costs.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 11, 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.

SUTD researchers create heart cells from stem cells using 3D printing

Researchers successfully regulated parameters to enhance cardiomyocyte production, overcoming limitations of embryoid body differentiation. The use of 3D printing enables precise control over stem cell differentiation, paving the way for bio-inspired approaches in regenerative medicine.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalBioprinting·DateAug 11, 2020

Improving ladder safety, one rung at a time

Kurt Beschorner's $1.8M NIOSH grant focuses on measuring friction as a pathway for slip and fall risk in ladder accidents. The research will establish safety guidelines to reduce severe injuries and fatalities in the workplace and at home.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateAug 11, 2020

Right under your nose: A more convenient way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

Scientists at DGIST discovered that specific proteins in nasal discharge can indicate the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, providing a novel approach for early detection. The levels of two particular Aβ oligomers were consistently higher in patients with AD, allowing for non-invasive screenings to assess AD progression.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 11, 2020

Masks, PPE materials should be hydrophilic

Researchers found that making masks and PPE with hydrophilic surfaces can reduce the drying time of droplets, cutting COVID-19 infection risk in half. A superhydrophobic surface requires more extreme modification to achieve optimal results.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateAug 11, 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.

New approach for calculating radiation dosimetry allows for individualized therapy

Researchers developed a simplified process to estimate radiation dose using a single post-treatment SPECT/CT scan, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes by tailoring treatments to individual patients' physiology. The method was applied to 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy for metastatic prostate cancer.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 11, 2020

Self-interest and solar energy adoption

A study of 684,000 people found that self-interest campaigns led to higher solar energy adoption rates than prosocial campaigns focusing on community benefits. Exposure to prosocial campaigns increased peer recommendations and satisfaction with installations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2020

McKee CTE staging scheme accurate in diagnosing severity, location of disease

A new study proves that the McKee CTE staging scheme accurately represents the progression of tau pathology in CTE, correlating with clinical dementia and age at death. Researchers found five brain regions with increasing p-tau pathology that conform to CTE stage, age, and years of football play.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateAug 10, 2020

Detailed molecular workings of a key system in learning and memory formation

Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a new regulatory role for CaMKII, a protein involved in calcium signaling, in the brain's memory center. They found that the hub domain of CaMKII plays a crucial role in tuning its sensitivity to calcium, opening up new avenues for investigation and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Signaling·DateAug 10, 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.

Individual differences in the brain

Scientists selectively bred zebrafish to exhibit distinct personality traits, finding that brain activities soon changed and new brain regions were activated. The study suggests a rapid pace of personality trait changes and potential implications for human behavior.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 10, 2020

Algal blue light switch control of electrical excitation in plants

Scientists have successfully applied optogenetics to higher plants, using blue light to trigger electrical excitation and simulate plant stress responses. This allows for the non-invasive investigation of cellular communication pathways and the analysis of membrane potential waves.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 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.

Nepal lockdown halved health facility births and increased stillbirths and newborn deaths

A new study reveals that the COVID-19 lockdown in Nepal resulted in a 49.9% decrease in health facility births, leading to increased stillbirth rates by 50% and neonatal mortality by over 3-fold. The lockdown had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for improved maternal and newborn healthcare duri...

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateAug 10, 2020

Berkeley Lab science snapshots

A Berkeley Lab study finds that California's winter precipitation will become 50% more variable by 2100, affecting agriculture, flood control, and water resource management. The MJO, a global rainfall pattern, is expected to transfer its precipitation-related atmospheric conditions to the West Coast via changes in strong winds.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 10, 2020

From nanocellulose to gold

Researchers at Linköping University have developed new materials by combining nanocellulose with metal nanoparticles, resulting in antibacterial properties, color-changing abilities, and the ability to generate heat. The materials can be used for various applications, including sensors and energy-based uses.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 10, 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.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found a 30% decrease in outpatient visits during the initial 10 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to virtual visits was partly offset by an increase in telephone and video visits, with over 10 million fewer in-person visits compared to previous years.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 10, 2020

Retesting for COVID-19: UPMC shares its experience

A large-scale analysis by UPMC found that patients positive for COVID-19 stay positive for an average of three weeks. Repeating tests in patients who were initially negative rarely leads to a positive result.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateAug 10, 2020

AI-enhanced precision medicine identifies novel autism subtype

A novel AI-enhanced precision medicine approach identifies a novel autism subtype characterized by abnormal lipid levels, providing a potential breakthrough for early diagnosis and intervention. The research also found a strong association between parental dyslipidemia and autism spectrum disorder in children.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 10, 2020

Third breakthrough demonstrates photosynthetic hacks can boost yield, conserve water

Researchers have made two major breakthroughs to optimize photosynthesis, increasing crop growth by 27 percent in field trials. The discoveries improved the efficiency of electron transport and carbon fixation, resulting in increased productivity and water conservation.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Plants·DateAug 10, 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.

Successful school instruction is digital - but not exclusively

A meta-study of 92 studies found that secondary school students outperform their peers in traditional classes when using digital tools. The tools' effectiveness increases when used with paper-based materials and accompanied by teachers. Intelligent tutor systems and professionally trained teachers are particularly effective.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalComputers & Education·DateAug 10, 2020

Patient experiences in medical imaging and radiation therapy: The importance of skilled patient care professionals

The Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences special issue shares stories about interpersonal skills beyond technical aspects to care for patients during medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Guest Editor Sue Robins curated this issue as a learning experience for technologists, therapists, and patients alike.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences·DateAug 10, 2020

Air pollution and honey bee health

Honey bees from highly polluted sites in India show reduced survival rates and altered physiological characteristics, indicating air pollution's negative impact on their health. The study suggests that air pollution may also affect ecosystem services, highlighting the need for further research to address this issue.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 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.

Study: Americans prize party loyalty over democratic principles

A study by Yale University found that US voters are willing to forgive undemocratic behavior to achieve their partisan ends and policy goals. Only 3.5% of voters would cast ballots against their preferred candidates as punishment for undemocratic behavior.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateAug 10, 2020

Exact climate data from the past

Researchers have developed a new method for reconstructing past Earth surface temperatures using clumped isotopes. By analyzing the ratio of two rare carbonate groups, scientists can now accurately determine temperature without being influenced by mineralization processes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 10, 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.

Gene therapy targets inner retina to combat blindness

A breakthrough study using gene therapy to target the inner retina has prevented blindness in a mouse model of CLN3 Batten disease. The treatment led to significant survival of bipolar cells and preserved retinal function, according to researchers.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateAug 10, 2020

Past evidence supports complete loss of Arctic sea-ice by 2035

Researchers used a high-resolution climate model to compare Arctic sea ice conditions during the last interglacial with present-day data. The findings suggest that intense springtime sunshine led to the formation of melt ponds, which contributed to sea ice melt.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 10, 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.