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Science News for December 20, 2020


Modeling rainfall drop by drop

Researchers at KAUST developed a high-frequency rainfall model using new rain gauges that measure rainfall drop by drop, providing unprecedented insight into minute-to-minute rainfall dynamics. The model captures the 'skewness' of high-frequency precipitation data and generates synthetic precipitation data for water management.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalSpatial Statistics·DateDec 20, 2020

Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: Just right for peak solar panel performance

Scientists in Australia develop a process to calculate perfect quantum dot size and density for peak solar performance, enabling photochemical upconversion. The research uses lead sulfide quantum dots and shows promise for improving solar panel efficiency without compatibility issues with silicon technology.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalNanoscale·DateDec 20, 2020

The 1st International BioDesign Research Conference

The 1st International BioDesign Research Conference was a groundbreaking event that brought together 64 world-renowned experts to present on biosystem design and synthetic biology. The conference featured 126 abstracts and 35 satellite video presentations, showcasing the latest research in this field.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·DateDec 20, 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.

A community-level intervention reduces alcohol-related crashes

A community-level alcohol intervention in California resulted in a significant reduction of alcohol-involved crashes among drivers aged 15-30. The study found that the intervention, which included sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, translated into approximately 310 fewer crashes across the intervention cities.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateDec 20, 2020

Scientists solve 'flea mystery'

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Bristol solve the 'flea mystery' by classifying fleas as a group of highly modified scorpionflies. The study suggests that fleas evolved from small, nectar-feeding scorpionflies that later developed specialized blood-sucking mouthparts.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPalaeoentomology·DateDec 20, 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.

How cancers hurt themselves to hurt immune cells more

Researchers discovered that melanoma cells employ 'frameshifting' to starve themselves of tryptophan, a key amino acid needed for protein production. This process allows cancer cells to survive and evade T cell attacks.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2020

Protecting against atherosclerosis at the molecular level

CREB3L3 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting SREBP's expression. Absence or overexpression of CREB3L3 exacerbates high blood lipid levels and atherosclerosis. The study provides insight into the molecular basis of atherosclerosis and its potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateDec 20, 2020

Study resolves the position of fleas on the tree of life

A study of over 1,400 protein-coding genes resolved the mystery of fleas' placement in the insect tree of life. Fleas are classified as scorpionflies, evolving to feed on vertebrates between 290 and 165 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPalaeoentomology·DateDec 20, 2020