Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive February 2020


Page 1 of 40

Physiotherapy could be done at home using virtual reality

Researchers have developed a system that uses virtual reality and 3D motion capture to provide guidance for physiotherapy exercises. The study found that participants could accurately follow the movements of a virtual avatar when it was accompanied by realistic footstep sounds, but struggled with visual information alone.

The enemy within: How a killer hijacked one of nature's oldest relationships

Researchers found that the MLO gene, which causes many crops to be susceptible to powdery mildew, also facilitates colonization by symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi in plants. This suggests that the primary role of MLO is in colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which has been appropriated by powdery mildew pathogens.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Immunology: Tonsils as a testbed

A team of scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has isolated immune cells from human tonsils obtained following routine surgery, allowing them to analyze the immune response and test anti-inflammatory agents. The new culture system enables researchers to study human lymphoid tissue under physiologically relevant conditions.

Hunter-gatherer networks accelerated human evolution

A study of Agta hunter-gatherers in the Philippines revealed that their complex social networks accelerated cultural evolution and innovation. The researchers found that sharing knowledge and combining individual insights led to faster development of medicinal products, with an average of 250-500 rounds of interactions required.

Sugar gets the red light from consumers in new study

A recent study found that sugar content is the most important factor in deciding on healthy food options, overriding fat and salt. The research used the traffic light labelling system and showed that participants preferred products with lower sugar content, even if they had higher levels of other nutrients.

Genetic signature boosts protein production during cell division

A team of researchers at the University of Basel's Biozentrum has uncovered a genetic signature that enables cells to adapt their protein production according to their state. This mechanism plays a crucial role in regulating protein production during cell division, which is essential for efficient use of cellular resources.

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.

DNA discovery can lead to new types of cancer drugs

Researchers have discovered that cancer cells can tolerate high amounts of single-stranded DNA, which is a common sign of stress during cell division. By inhibiting the POLA1 gene, cells can be made to crash when they divide, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.

Quarantine on cruise ship resulted in more Corona patients

A quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship resulted in a much higher number of coronavirus infections than initially expected. The study found that passengers were exposed to each other for an extended period due to strict social distancing measures, leading to increased transmission.

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.

Male-killing bugs hold key to butterflies' curious color changes

Researchers found that male-killing bacteria ensure the survival of a specific color pattern gene in female butterflies, causing them to resemble their fathers despite only having female offspring. The study reveals how this genetic manipulation affects butterfly evolution and population dynamics.

Gene therapy generates new neurons to treat Huntington's disease

A novel gene therapy has been developed to regenerate functional new neurons in mouse models of Huntington's Disease, offering a potential treatment for the condition. The therapy uses NeuroD1-based gene therapies to convert brain internal glial cells into functional new neurons.

New state-of-the-MOF materials

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully converted crystalline MOFs into glassy or liquid states, demonstrating porosity, ion conductivity, and optical properties. The new materials show promise for heat storage, gas permeation, and catalytic reactions.

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.

The first Cell Atlas for the human Thymus

Researchers have created a comprehensive map of human thymus cells, identifying over 50 different cell states that change in abundance throughout life. This atlas has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of T cell development and inform new clinical applications, including therapies for immune-related diseases.

Rare disease in children: the key role of a protein revealed

A team of Canadian researchers has discovered the crucial function of a protein in Batten's disease, a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects children. The study found that the protein plays a vital role in maintaining cellular endosomal function, which can lead to degeneration if disrupted.

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.

Highlighting product greenness may put consumers off buying

New research from the University of East Anglia finds that companies downplaying product greenness may persuade consumers to buy it. By tailoring advertising to match the product's category and emphasizing performance-related characteristics, firms can increase purchase intent.

An iron-clad asteroid

Researchers find tiny iron crystals on asteroid Itokawa's surface, formed by space weathering and the release of iron from troilite minerals. The discovery provides insights into weathering processes on other celestial bodies and helps date asteroids.

Robot research honored

Assistant Professor Fabrizio Sergi at the University of Delaware received a NSF CAREER Award for his work on motor control and brain-body interaction using MRI-compatible robots. His research aims to improve neurorehabilitation practices for individuals with motor impairment, such as stroke survivors.

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.

How pest management strategies affect the bottom line

A study found that threshold-based insect management strategies, including conventional and organic pesticides, resulted in greater economic returns for small-scale tomato producers. Organic thresholds did not affect yields but had higher costs due to increased pesticide applications.

Tracking communication networks and the diffusion of information

Researchers studied how infants learn language through vocal interactions with caregivers, identifying key features of effective communication structures. They also analyzed the spread of information on social media and in offline networks, highlighting the importance of accounting for neighbors' biases and geographic segregation.

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.

Paleontologists discover why the oceans are so diverse

A new study has shed light on why the world's oceans are home to an astonishing array of species, with slow and steady evolution playing a key role in their diversity. The research analyzed over 20,000 fossil marine animals and found that ecologically flexible groups tend to be more resistant to extinction.

New study explains why superconductivity takes place in graphene

Researchers at Aalto University and University of Jyvåskylä reveal the origin of graphene's superconductivity, attributing it to a subtle quantum mechanics effect. This discovery could help understand high-temperature superconductors and lead to room temperature operation.

Discovering what makes durian stink

The durian tree emits a potent smell due to the amino acid ethionine, which is released by a plant-specific enzyme during fruit ripening. The amino acid has been linked to liver damage and cancer in animal tests, but low concentrations may have positive immunomodulatory effects.

Anomalies in structure of polyvalent metal melts explained

Scientists have revealed that gallium melt lacks stable crystalline domains and molecule-like Ga2 dimers, offering a fresh perspective on melt formation processes. Experimental data from neutron diffraction provided critical evidence to support this finding.

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.

Study reveals Missoula Floods impact on past abrupt climate changes

The study found that massive flood events in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, known as the Missoula Floods, may have contributed to abrupt climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere. The researchers reconstructed sea surface temperature and salinity patterns using fossil plankton data from marine sediment cores.

Male-killing bacteria linked to butterfly color changes

A recent study found that a bacterium specifically kills male African monarch butterflies, leading to highly variable warning patterns. The researchers discovered that the bacterium's interaction with the female butterflies' unique chromosome arrangement causes this variability.

Cat food mystery foils diet study

Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.

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.

Kids eat more calories in post-game snacks than they burn during the game

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that kids consume an average of 213 calories from post-game snacks, exceeding the energy expenditure of 170 calories burned during the game. Sugary drinks were the biggest culprits, with parents bringing nearly 90% sugar-sweetened beverages to games.

Unraveling turbulence

Scientists at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have made significant progress in understanding turbulence by studying the behavior of vortex rings when they collide. The research, published in Science Advances, reveals a fundamental mechanism for how fluidic systems transform from order to disorder.

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.

Advancing gene therapies: PIP pip hurray!

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a new compound that can bind to DNA and activate genes, which could lead to new treatments for cancers and hereditary diseases. The compound, called ePIP-HoGu, targets specific DNA sequences and recruits gene-modifying molecules.

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.

AJR: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) imaging features overlap with SARS and MERS

COVID-19 imaging features exhibit variable and nonspecific characteristics, but also share similarities with those of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Initial chest imaging abnormalities are common, affecting at least 85% of patients, often displaying bilateral lung involvement.

Stress-relief substrate helps OLED stretch two-dimensionally?

Researchers at KAIST have created stretchable OLEDs with a unique stress-relief substrate design featuring pillar arrays that reduce stress on active areas under strain. This technology enables 2D stretchability, overcoming commercial limitations of traditional OLEDs.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Omega-3 fats do not protect against cancer

Two systematic reviews found that omega-3 supplements have minimal effects on health, with a small protective effect on cardiovascular disease but a slight increase in prostate cancer risk. The benefits are negligible, and the research team suggests that taking fish oil supplements for cancer prevention is not beneficial.

Reconfigurable chiral microlaser by spontaneous symmetry breaking

Scientists demonstrate a reconfigurable chiral microlaser in a symmetric WGM microcavity, achieving unprecedented control over laser directionality and chirality. The device exploits the optical Kerr nonlinearity to break symmetry spontaneously, enabling all-optical control of chirality.

Even damaged livers can handle life-saving medication

A recent study published in Drug Metabolism and Disposition found that mice with drug-induced liver damage can safely take medications for diabetes, hypertension, and depression at lower doses. This breakthrough suggests that people with damaged livers may be able to continue taking life-saving medications while healing.

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.

Tracking down the mystery of matter

Researchers at PSI measured a property of the neutron more precisely than ever before, finding it has a significantly smaller electric dipole moment. This challenges the long-held assumption that this dipole moment could help explain the excess of matter in the universe.

Conspiracy beliefs could increase fringe political engagement, shows new study

New research suggests that conspiracy beliefs can lead to more willingness for non-normative political actions, such as illegally blocking public entryways. In contrast, those who accept a low-conspiracy worldview are more likely to engage in typical political activities like voting and participating in rallies. The study's findings ha...