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Science News Archive December 2020


Page 3 of 39

A new TanSat XCO2 global product for climate studies

A new TanSat XCO2 global product has been introduced to support estimation of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in cities. The updated dataset shows improved accuracy, reducing the dispersion between retrieval methods to 1.28 ppmv, with a -0.35 ppmv overall bias.

Genetic engineering without unwanted side effects helps fight parasites

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a genetic engineering method to prevent Toxoplasma gondii parasite production, which causes toxoplasmosis. The new technique uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing scissors to switch off essential genes responsible for oocyst formation without leaving unwanted traces.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The ABCs of species evolution

Researchers propose that a family of transporter proteins, including ABCA1, enabled vertebrates to thrive on land and develop complex body structures. The protein regulated cholesterol levels, allowing for the development of sophisticated biological processes.

Light smokers may not escape nicotine addiction, study reveals

Researchers found that almost two-thirds of light smokers (1-4 cigarettes/day) and a quarter of those smoking less than weekly were addicted. The study suggests that clinicians should consider lighter smokers for treatment, as they may still require assistance to quit.

Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations

A genomic study reveals four distinct genetic clusters of weedy seadragons in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania, suggesting the Victorian population may form a subspecies. The findings highlight the need for conservation management to account for these distinct populations.

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.

Christmas trees can be green because of a photosynthetic short-cut

Researchers at Umeå University discovered a photosynthetic shortcut in pine trees that allows them to stay green year-round. This mechanism, called spill-over, enables the transfer of energy directly between photosystems I and II, protecting the plant from damage caused by excess light energy.

Are two phases of quarantine better than one?

Researchers found that a homogeneous population distribution reduces total infected individuals, while diverse contact frequencies can significantly decrease the number of infected. The optimal degree-based procedure involves lifting strict quarantine after high-degree nodes have acquired immunity, minimizing net infected individuals.

Chest pain risk assessment may reduce treatment disparities

A standardized tool for assessing chest pain risk was associated with comparable care for high-risk women, while low- and intermediate-risk women received consistent care with guidelines. Despite less care, women had fewer reports of heart attacks or death within 30 days compared to men.

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.

Evidence for a massive paleo-tsunami at ancient Tel Dor, Israel

A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.

Researchers develop new way to break reciprocity law

Researchers at Aalto University developed a new way to break the reciprocity law by changing material properties periodically. This breakthrough could lead to efficient nonreciprocal devices, such as compact isolators and circulators, for next-generation communication systems.

FDA Oncology Center of Excellence during COVID-19

The FDA Oncology Center of Excellence has developed initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by cancer patients during COVID-19. The center provides guidance and support to healthcare professionals, enabling them to provide high-quality cancer care despite the pandemic's impact.

The thymus as key to healthy pregnancies

A study found that the thymus produces specialized cells called 'Tregs' during pregnancy to deal with physiological changes. RANK, a receptor expressed in the thymus epithelium, is the key molecule behind this mechanism.

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.

Theory describes quantum phenomenon in nanomaterials

Researchers describe a physical phenomenon in quantum dots and nanoscale materials using new mathematical formulas. The theories predict electrons interact through two different ways, contributing to the Kondo effect.

AI-designed serotonin sensor may help scientists study sleep and mental health

Researchers used machine learning to redesign a bacterial protein into a highly sensitive sensor that can monitor brain serotonin levels in real time. The new sensor detected subtle changes in serotonin signaling during sleep, fear, and social interactions, as well as testing the effectiveness of new psychoactive drugs.

Eavesdropping on the pH levels inside the brain

Tohoku University scientists created a miniaturized pH probe to investigate deep brain structures' chemical signals. The probe detects subtle pH fluctuations, which can reveal the influence of acidity on brain function and dysfunction in diseases like mental illness and seizures.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Climate crisis is causing lakes to shrink

The Caspian Sea is shrinking due to climate change, with water levels falling by 9-18 meters in the coming century. This has significant consequences for biodiversity, species habitats, and bordering countries' economies.

Similar factors cause health disparities in cancer, COVID-19

Studies reveal that income level, employment, housing location, medical insurance, education, tobacco and alcohol use, diet and obesity, access to medical care are common causes of poorer outcomes in both Black patients with cancer and COVID-19 patients.

Wistar reports new class of antibiotics active against a wide range of bacteria

Wistar scientists have discovered a new class of compounds that combine direct antibiotic killing with a rapid immune response to combat antimicrobial resistance. These dual-acting immuno-antibiotics target an essential bacterial pathway and stimulate the adaptive immune system, showing promise in treating pan drug-resistant infections.

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.

New mechanisms to control dental procedure spray emissions

Researchers discovered multiple mechanisms for atomization of fluids from rotatory instruments in dental procedures, allowing for controlled emissions. Eliminating pre-misting and using low rotation speeds resulted in significant reductions in small droplets.

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.

Delicious and disease-free: scientists attempting new citrus varieties

UC Riverside scientists have received $4.67 million to breed new fruits with natural resistance to Huanglongbing, a lethal tree disease affecting citrus crops worldwide. The project aims to incorporate resistance into the trees themselves through breeding, providing a more sustainable alternative to commercial treatments.

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.

Linguists gather virtually to showcase cutting-edge research

The LSA's 95th Annual Meeting features research on topics like prosodic focus in human- versus voice-AI-directed speech and linguistic measures of symptomatology in schizophrenia. Researchers also explore the bilingual dimensions of [s+] production in Latinx Miami drag culture.

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.

Highest levels of microplastics found in molluscs, new study says

A new study reveals that mussels, oysters, and scallops have the highest levels of microplastic contamination among seafood. The research found an average microplastic content of 0-10.5 microplastics per gram in molluscs, highlighting the need for standardised methods to measure microplastic contamination.

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.

Understanding nanoparticle entry mechanism into tumors

The authors review future directions of nanomedicine development focusing on the mechanism of nanoparticle entry into tumors. Designing better nanoparticles to achieve efficient clinical transformation can be informed by a deep understanding of the mechanism of nanoparticle entry or the mode of action.

Trophoblast motility in a gelatin hydrogel

Researchers developed a multidimensional model of trophoblast motility using a functionalized gelatin hydrogel. The study revealed that EGF and TGF-beta1 play critical roles in modulating trophoblast motility, providing insights into implantation mechanisms during normal and complex pregnancies.

Quantum wave in helium dimer filmed for the first time

Researchers at Goethe University and the University of Oklahoma have successfully filmed a quantum wave in a helium dimer. The study uses an extremely powerful laser flash to twist the bond between two helium atoms, allowing them to observe and record the atom flying away as a wave.

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.

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.

Plastic is blowing in the wind

A study at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveals microplastics are swept up into the atmosphere and carried on the wind to remote parts of the ocean. The findings suggest these minuscule fragments can harm marine environment and affect human health through the food chain.

Molecular reporters expose the allies of the brain tumor

Researchers have developed molecular reporters that reveal how immune cells strengthen brain tumors, making them more aggressive. The technology has the potential to guide therapy development and is applicable to various biological systems.

TPU chemists convert plastic bottle waste into insecticide sorbent

Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a method to create a sorbent from plastic waste that can remove imidacloprid, a widely used insecticide, from water. The sorbent, made from metal-organic frameworks, has been shown to be effective in removing up to 15 grams of insecticide per liter of water.

How our brains track where we and others go

A new UCLA study suggests that our brains generate a common code to mark where other people are in relation to ourselves. The research, published in Nature, used brain electrodes to observe how patients navigated physical spaces and monitored others nearby.

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.

Triple chemotherapy combination improves metastatic colorectal cancer outcomes

A triple drug combination of irinotecan, cetuximab, and vemurafenib has shown better tumor response rates and longer cancer-free periods compared to a two-drug combination in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The treatment targets the BRAF protein directly and blocks cancer growth by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor.

Survival of the thickest: Big brains make mammal populations less dense

Research shows that mammals with larger brains tend to be less abundant in local areas than those with smaller brains. This is because bigger brains require more food and other resources, leading to a need for more space. Understanding which animals are most abundant in different areas is crucial for conservation.