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Science News Archive December 2020


Page 33 of 39

Detecting solar neutrinos with the Borexino experiment

The Borexino experiment has successfully detected low-energy neutrinos from the Sun's carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle, a process that produces about 1% of the Sun's energy output. This detection provides valuable insights into the CNO cycle and its role in the energy production of stars, including our own Sun.

Donor stem cell transplant shown to improve survival in older patients with MDS

A new clinical trial has found that donor stem cell transplantation nearly doubles the survival rate of older patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aged 50-75. The study suggests that transplant should be considered for all eligible patients, ideally referred early to increase chances of finding a suitable donor.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gestational age linked to ADHD in children with Down syndrome

A new study by UC Davis MIND Institute finds a connection between gestational age and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children with Down syndrome. Earlier gestational age was linked to increased ADHD symptoms later in childhood.

Baby's first breath triggers life-saving changes in the brain

A team of researchers has discovered a signaling system within the brainstem that activates almost immediately at birth to support early breathing. This finding may offer important insights into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other breathing problems.

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 study debunks blood type diet

A randomized control trial of 16 weeks showed that a low-fat, plant-based diet increased metabolism and reduced body weight in overweight participants regardless of their ABO blood type. The study found no association between blood type and the effects of the diet on body fat, plasma lipids, or glycemic control.

Crystals may help reveal hidden Kilauea Volcano behavior

By analyzing crystal orientations from a 1959 Kilauea eruption, researchers inferred magma flow patterns prior to eruption, shedding light on past and potential future eruptions. The study's findings offer new insights into conduit dynamics, aiding in hazard prediction and monitoring.

Pediatric ER saw steep drop in asthma visits during spring COVID-19 lockdown

A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found a significant decrease in pediatric asthma-related emergency department visits during the spring 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. The rate of ED visits dropped by 80% compared to previous years, indicating improved symptom control and reduced exacerbations.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Optimising laser-driven electron acceleration

Scientists study how tuning aspects of a powerful laser beam can affect the acceleration of electrons, finding that optimal values of laser beam waist increase maximum acceleration. They observe significant energy gains in full and half-pulse interactions, reaching up to 1 GeV.

Researchers adapt cell phone camera for SARS-CoV-2 detection

Researchers developed an assay that detects SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs using a smartphone camera, providing quick results within 30 minutes. The test utilizes CRISPR-Cas technology, eliminating the need for amplification and enabling precise quantification of virus amounts.

Protein storytelling to address the pandemic

Researchers have developed new computational tools to speed up molecular dynamics simulations, enabling novel studies on protein behavior. The tools are being used to predict the 3D shape of unknown proteins in COVID-19 viruses, which could lead to new drug developments.

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.

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.

UBC study explores link between social status and trust in decision-makers

A recent UBC study reveals that individuals with lower socioeconomic statuses are more likely to distrust powerful decision-makers, viewing coercion as a viable path to gain power. In contrast, those with higher socioeconomic statuses are more trusting and associate power with collaboration and respect.

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.

Hiring foreign nurses does not hurt US nursing jobs, study shows

A new study from the University of Illinois found that hiring foreign-educated registered nurses does not displace U.S.-educated nurses and may even boost wages for highly educated natives. The research analyzed data from 1980-2015 and covered every commuting zone in the US, including rural areas.

Correctly delivered and integrated: How proteins find their place in the cell

Researchers from Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center have determined the 3D structure of a molecular machine responsible for correctly placing tail-anchored membrane proteins into biomembranes. This finding provides crucial insights into protein transport and insertion, shedding light on the final steps of the process.

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.

Wind farm and sleep disruption

A comprehensive review of existing literature suggests that wind turbine noise can affect sleep stages and deep sleep time. Researchers are calling for further well-controlled experimental studies to better understand the impact on sleep.

JNIS™: cuts in Medicare payments jeopardize patient access to care

The final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will result in a 10% reimbursement cut for neurointerventional procedures, putting patients at risk of losing access to life-saving care. The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery warns that this measure could further exacerbate challenges faced by the field due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

β-AR agonist therapy puts the brakes on oral cancer progression

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have discovered that stimulating β-ARs can halt the progression of oral cancer. The study found that specific compounds, such as isoxsuprine, effectively interfered with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that enables cancer cells to spread and form secondary tumors.

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.

Increased school choice linked to better mental health for students

New research suggests that US states adopting voucher and charter school choice laws witnessed declines in suicide rates among young people. Private schooling was also associated with better mental health in adulthood, even after controlling for important sociodemographic factors.

New theory of root competition reveals rules governing growth

A new study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding competitive root behavior, revealing that plants adjust their root growth strategies according to the proximity of competing plants. The research reconciles conflicting hypotheses and demonstrates that roots are likely used to preempt resource capture by competitors in nea...

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.

Voyager spacecraft detect new type of solar electron burst

Scientists have detected new types of solar electron bursts accelerated by shock waves from coronal mass ejections. The Voyager spacecraft, over 14 billion miles from the sun, recorded these bursts, which were linked to cosmic rays and provided valuable insights into interstellar physics.

Scientists predict 'optimal' stress levels

The study suggests most animals remain stressed for longer than optimal after a stress-inducing incident, likely due to physiological limits. The researchers propose that environmental predictability and baseline stress levels play key roles in shaping stress responses.

Human Brain Project-supported innovation published in Science

Researchers developed high-resolution implants consisting of 1024 electrodes to generate artificial images, enabling the recognition of shapes, lines, and letters in sighted monkeys. The technology aims to restore vision in blind people with intact visual cortex, significantly improving their independence.

Army computer models unveil secret to quieter small drones

Researchers have created a new method to reduce noise emissions from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) without compromising their flight range or endurance. The method uses high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics codes to obtain information about airfoil boundary layers, enabling the development of quieter air vehicles.

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.

K9 chemistry: A safer way to train detection dogs

Researchers at NIST have created a faster and safer method to train detection dogs using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) infused with vapors from explosives. This two-temperature method reduces the time needed to prepare training aids, allowing for quicker training of dogs to detect real substances.

COVID-19 advice may have reduced exposure to heart attack triggers

A study suggests that COVID-19 guidance in Sweden led to reduced exposure to heart attack triggers such as stress and intense physical activity. The proportion of patients attending emergency cardiac angiography units dropped by 38% on days when people stayed close to home, indicating a potential reduction in heart attack risks.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A plant immune receptor: It takes four to tango

Researchers have uncovered how plant immune receptors convert from inactive to active complexes that break down NAD+, initiating defense signaling. The study found that a tetramer composed of four receptor molecules creates a unique surface necessary for NAD+ cleavage, a critical step in plant immunity.

The same vision for all primates

A study found that visual processing units are identical in size across primate species, from the world's smallest mouse lemur to humans. This preservation suggests an early evolution of primate vision and highlights the importance of conservation efforts for endangered species.

Patients with kidney disease may delay AVF creation

Half of patients with advanced CKD delay AVF creation, often starting with temporary vascular access despite education. Researchers found that beliefs about the value of vascular access predict intentions to prepare for hemodialysis and access outcomes.

Leaf microbiomes are a neighborhood affair in northern forests

A study published in Ecological Monographs reveals that sugar maple leaf microbiomes change along the transition from coniferous to deciduous forests. The findings show that southern sugar maples have similar microbiomes, while northern trees host bacterial communities resembling those of other dominant species.

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.

Scientists peer into the 3D structure of the Milky Way

A new 3D survey of the Milky Way has revealed a wide range of structures within the galaxy, from individual star-forming clumps to giant molecular clouds. The study provides unprecedented detail on the inner structure and dynamics of the galaxy, shedding light on its star formation processes.

Understanding bacteria's metabolism could improve biofuel production

A new study by UC Riverside and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has revealed how bacteria control metabolic intermediates, enabling more efficient biofuel production. By understanding this regulation, scientists can design cells that produce desired chemicals while preventing excessive buildup of unwanted products.

Research identifies nanoscale effect of water and mineral content on bone

Researchers Marco Fielder and Arun Nair found that water and mineral content variations significantly impact collagen fibril behavior, leading to bio-composites with improved mechanical stability. Composites with 40% mineralization were twice as strong as those without minerals, regardless of water content.

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.