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Science News Archive December 2020


Page 1 of 39

UK's unique national pancreas tissue bank opens for business

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank has been established to provide quality-controlled tissue and fluids for research on pancreatic diseases. The bank holds over 45,000 unique samples, including blood, urine, saliva, and tissue from patients with various types of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.

Scientists: Xenon improves properties of maxillofacial and orthopedic implants

Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that xenon positively affects physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of calcium phosphate coatings used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, and traumatology. The coatings formed using xenon show better adhesion, which prevents peeling off too quickly.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Asian tiger mosquito poses low risk for Zika virus outbreaks

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has been shown to transmit the Zika virus and trigger large outbreaks in a simulated environment. However, experimental studies suggest that the mosquito's infection rate is low, making it unlikely to cause major Zika virus epidemics.

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.

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.

RedHill announces positive top-line data from P2 COVID-19 study of opaganib

Preliminary data from the non-powered U.S. Phase 2 study showed that orally-administered opaganib was safe and demonstrated consistent trends of greater improvement in reducing oxygen requirement across key primary and secondary efficacy outcomes. The opaganib-treated arm demonstrated a greater improvement in reaching room air, reducti...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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.

Desalination breakthrough could lead to cheaper water filtration

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Penn State have developed a new understanding of desalination membranes, which can clean more water while using significantly less energy. The breakthrough could lead to increased access to clean water and lower water bills for individual homes and large users alike.

Stretching diamond for next-generation microelectronics

Researchers have successfully stretched diamond to achieve large, uniform tensile elastic straining, opening up new possibilities for advanced functional devices. The findings suggest the potential of strained diamonds as prime candidates for microelectronics, photonics, and quantum information technologies.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Multiple mosquito blood meals accelerate malaria transmission

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that mosquitoes feeding on blood multiple times increase malaria transmission potential, shortening the incubation period and making disease control more challenging. The research suggests that younger mosquitoes with reduced reproductive ability may contribute to infection, undermining curre...

Novel public-private partnership facilitates development of fusion energy

Researchers at PPPL and Commonwealth Fusion Systems successfully simulated particle confinement in the SPARC tokamak device, crucial for achieving commercial fusion energy. The study predicts well-confined alpha particles will minimize damage to the facility, paving the way for plasma self-heating and improved techniques for control.

Blood vessel cells implicated in chronic inflammation of obesity

Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a type of cell responsible for triggering chronic inflammation in fat tissue. The study found that these cells, called fibro-inflammatory progenitors (FIPs), produce signals that encourage inflammation when exposed to high-fat diets.

Moving due to unaffordable housing may jeopardize healthcare

A study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that people who move due to unaffordable housing are at increased risk of failing to receive necessary medical care, leading to long-term health problems. The research highlights the need for preventive action to mitigate the adverse effects of cost-related moves on healthcare access.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Largest study of Asia's rivers unearths 800 years of paleoclimate patterns

Researchers used tree rings to reconstruct river discharge histories, finding that Asian rivers behave in a coherent pattern with large droughts and pluvial periods often occurring simultaneously. The study's findings have important implications for water management, particularly in countries with multiple river basins.

Peer-reviewed report on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine publishes

The mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19, with no safety concerns or evidence of enhanced respiratory disease. The trial enrolled over 30,000 participants and showed a significant reduction in symptomatic cases among those who received the vaccine.

LSU Health New Orleans discovers potential new RX strategy for stroke

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a potential new RX strategy for stroke, combining an LSU Health-patented drug with selected DHA derivatives to protect brain cells and increase recovery. The study found that this combination therapy significantly reduced lesion volumes and improved behavioral scores, offering hope ...

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.

Dating apps don't destroy love

A UNIGE study found that people who met their partners on dating applications have stronger cohabitation intentions and desires to have children. The results also show that couples formed through apps have diverse socio-educational profiles, leading to increased long-distance relationships.

Bionic idea boosts lithium-ion extraction

Scientists have developed a bioinspired material that enhances lithium-ion extraction by controlling interlayer spacing and achieving stable ordered nanostructures. The new membrane shows higher toughness and efficiently controls Li+ permeation rate, outperforming other materials.

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.

Published data from Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial show 94.1 percent efficacy

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated a 94.1 percent efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections and severe illness, according to the results of the ongoing phase 3 clinical trial. The study enrolled over 30,000 participants and found that cases of severe COVID-19 occurred only in those who received the placebo.

Frailty is a factor in higher mortality for women awaiting liver transplants

A new study by researchers at UCSF and Columbia University highlights the role of frailty in the gender gap in mortality rates for women waiting for liver transplants. Women awaiting liver transplants are found to be more likely to become too ill to undergo surgery or die before receiving a liver, with frailty being a significant risk ...

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.

A pursuit of better testing to sort out the complexities of ADHD

Researchers review cognitive testing studies and propose using computer simulations to gauge behavioral problems in children with ADHD. The approach aims to provide more information on the complexity of symptoms, enabling clinicians to make life easier for kids with ADHD.

Scientists find the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season

Researchers found the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season, leading to discrepancies between simulations and observations in both cold and warm seasons. The study suggests using an ensemble approach to consider seasonal variations in model errors, improving future simulation and prediction of Arctic sea ice.

New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs

New research from Karolinska Institutet reveals the development of lung macrophages, immune cells that can protect or harm lungs. Classical monocytes migrate into airways and lung tissue, becoming protective macrophages, while non-classical monocytes develop into pro-inflammatory macrophages.

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.

Protein twist and squeeze confers cancer drug resistance

Researchers at Kyoto University's iCeMS have discovered how a transporter protein twists and squeezes compounds out of cells, including chemotherapy drugs from some cancer cells. This mechanism, driven by ATP energy, facilitates the export of toxic compounds and confers drug resistance.

Detective work in theoretical physics

Researchers from the University of Münster and Düsseldorf provide an in-depth summary of the dynamical density functional theory, a method used to describe interacting particles. The article covers various branches of physics and applications in chemistry, solid state physics, and biophysics.

Army research leads to more effective training model for robots

New research by the U.S. Army reduces unpredictability of current training reinforcement learning policies, enabling robots to reason and adapt to changing battlefield conditions. The breakthrough enhances the Army's future operating concept by incorporating risk sensitivity, safety constraints, exploration, and divergence to a prior.

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.

Story tip from Johns Hopkins expert on Covid-19

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that COVID-19 pandemic led to decreased suicides in the overall population, but increased suicides among Black Marylanders. The researchers highlight the importance of identifying high-risk groups and vulnerable populations to reduce suicide numbers.

Imaging of ballistic wounds, bullet composition and implications for MRI safety

A new imaging technique has been developed to identify non-ferromagnetic projectiles that are safe for MRI, enabling patients with ballistic embedded fragments to receive medical treatment. The technique uses radiography and CT images to distinguish between ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic bullets, allowing for safer MRI scans.

UCLA scientists develop high-throughput mitochondria transfer device

Researchers have developed a simple, high-throughput method for transferring isolated mitochondria into mammalian cells, allowing for the study of mitochondrial DNA diseases and potential treatments. The new device, MitoPunch, enables the transfer of mitochondria into thousands of recipient cells simultaneously.

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.

A single gene 'invented' haemoglobin several times

Researchers found that haemoglobins in diverse species, including humans, molluscs and crustaceans, originate from a single ancestral gene. This discovery suggests that the appearance of haemoglobin in these species was not an independent invention but rather a result of evolutionary inheritance.

Electrons hop to it on twisted molecular wires

Researchers at Osaka University developed twisted molecular wires that can conduct electricity with reduced resistance. The creation of smaller islands that are closer in energy maximized the conductivity, and temperature measurements confirmed the role of electron hopping.

UC researcher urges caution using remdesivir to treat COVID-19

A University of Cincinnati study found that remdesivir permanently stops the activity of an enzyme needed for medication breakdown, increasing toxicity with certain heart and anticancer drugs. The researcher recommends using remdesivir with caution in patients with specific enzymes and in proper dosages.

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.

Polysaccharides from red algae affect mice immune systems, say FEFU scientists

Researchers found that red algae polysaccharides can suppress the activity of immune cells in lab mice, reducing leukocyte count and congenital immunity cell activity. However, it is unclear whether this effect is beneficial or detrimental, and further study is needed to understand its potential as a pharmacological substance.