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Science News for December 30, 2020


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.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalJournal of Plasma Physics·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Metabolism·DateDec 30, 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.

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.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalWater Resources Research·DateDec 30, 2020

Higher red cell transfusion threshold offers no advantage for treating preterm infants

A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that providing a higher threshold of red cells offers no survival benefit for preterm infants and does not reduce neurological impairment. The study used data from 845 infants with varying hemoglobin thresholds to compare outcomes.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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 ...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalBrain Circulation·DateDec 30, 2020

Anti-transpirant products unnecessary in cycad propagation

A University of Guam study has found that retaining leaves during cycad stem cutting propagation and using anti-transpirant products have no effect on success rates. Healthy cycads can recover from root or leaf loss with proper care.

SourceUniversity of Guam·JournalTropical Conservation Science·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMatter·DateDec 30, 2020
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.

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.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2020

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 ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateDec 30, 2020

The map of nuclear deformation takes the form of a mountain landscape

Scientists found two secondary minima in the potential energy landscape of nickel-64, corresponding to oblate and prolate ellipsoidal shapes. The prolate one is deep and well-isolated, leading to a prolonged trapping time, unlike heavy nuclei.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 30, 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 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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateDec 30, 2020

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalImmunity·DateDec 30, 2020