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Science News Archive February 2020


Page 7 of 40

Opioids for chronic non-cancer pain doubled in quarter century

The number of people prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain increased from approximately 20% to 40% between 1991 and 2015. However, there is a crucial evidence gap in global prescription data outside the US, with few studies reporting on opioid prescribing practices in other countries.

'Hawk' supercomputer inaugurated at University of Stuttgart

The Hawk supercomputer boasts a peak performance of 26 Petaflops, enabling cutting-edge academic and industrial research in areas like energy efficiency, climate modeling, and pandemic research. The system will also support the digitalization of industry in Baden-Württemberg and Germany.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Treatment to reset immune cells markedly improves TBI symptoms

A preclinical study suggests that targeting overactive immune cells in the brain can limit brain cell loss and reverse cognitive and motor difficulties caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mice treated with an experimental drug recovered markedly better than control mice, showing less tissue loss and improved motor and cognitive per...

What makes an Airbnb host look trustworthy?

Researchers found that women are deemed more trustworthy than men in host photos, while high-quality images with the host interacting with others attract more bookings. Younger hosts and those with poor-quality photos are less sought after.

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.

Babies from bilingual homes switch attention faster

Research found that babies in bilingual homes quickly and frequently shift their gaze between stimuli, adapting to a more complex environment. This adaptation may help infants learn multiple languages by matching speech sounds with mouth movements.

By gum! Scientists find new 110-million-year-old treasure

Researchers found a 110-million-year-old fossilized plant gum, which defies previous assumptions that it couldn't be preserved due to its water-soluble properties. The discovery sheds new light on the survival of plant chemicals in fossils and has significant implications for understanding ancient ecosystems.

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.

New study associates intake of dairy milk with greater risk of breast cancer

A new study by Loma Linda University Health found that dairy milk consumption is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in women. The study of nearly 53,000 North American women found that even moderate amounts of dairy milk can increase the risk of breast cancer, up to 80% depending on consumption levels.

Seeds in Tibet face impacts from climate change

A new study examines the impact of warming and increased precipitation on seeds in the Tibetan Plateau's soil seed banks. The research finds that these changes can harm the seeds, affecting their ability to germinate, grow, and survive due to factors such as temperature, moisture levels, and pathogens.

Spending time in nature reduces stress, research finds

Research from Cornell University found that spending as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting can improve mood and lessen physical and mental stress in college students. The study suggests that 10-50 minutes of time spent outside is most effective in improving focus, physiological markers, and overall well-being.

Trials show new drug can ease symptoms of chronic cough

Trials show that Gefapixant can ease the often distressing symptoms of chronic cough with minimal side effects. A dose of 50mg reduced coughing by 67% and another study showed that as little as 30mg was effective in reducing cough frequency.

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.

Tropical nations worst hit by climate-related fish shifts

A new study projects significant shifts in fish species distributions due to climate change, with tropical countries losing up to 40% of their species by 2100. The researchers highlight the need for international cooperation and strict greenhouse gas emissions reductions to mitigate the impact on vulnerable nations.

New RNA mapping technique shows how RNA interacts with chromatin in the genome

Scientists developed RADICL-seq to map genome-wide RNA-chromatin interactions, identifying distinct patterns of genome occupancy for different classes of transcripts. The study highlights the role of transcription in establishing chromatin structure and suggests a new understanding of non-coding RNA's regulatory function.

NIH clinical trial of remdesivir to treat COVID-19 begins

The NIH has begun a randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in hospitalized adults with COVID-19. The study aims to assess whether remdesivir can improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe respiratory illness.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

CaPtAs: A new noncentrosymmetric superconductor

Researchers have found a new noncentrosymmetric superconductor, CaPtAs, exhibiting unusual properties and potential for studying unconventional superconductivity. The discovery offers new opportunities to explore the effects of broken inversion symmetry on superconducting gap structure.

When it comes to conservation, ditch the 'canary in the coal mine'

A new study from UBC Okanagan campus suggests that monitoring and protecting multiple species habitats offers better conservation outcomes than relying on a single representative species. The research found that a mixture of five to 10 game and non-game species serves as the best surrogates for biodiversity conservation.

Chronic inflammation in pregnancy linked to childhood neurodevelopmental delays

A large study found that prenatal exposure to maternal metabolic conditions or mental health adversities increased the risk of childhood neurodevelopmental delays. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target in pregnancy to give children a healthier start in life, with antenatal intervention as a possible avenue for prevention.

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.

Using social media to understand the vaccine debate in China

A recent study found that social media significantly increased expressions of distrust in government regarding vaccines after the 2018 Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology vaccine incident. The researchers also observed a decrease in self-reports of vaccination and expressed support for vaccine acceptance in China.

Scientists develop algorithm for researching evolution of species with WGD

A team of scientists created an algorithm to analyze genetic information and draw conclusions about the evolutionary history of species with whole-genome duplications. The program can identify when duplication occurred, how it affected the population, and make predictions about the evolutionary path of a species.

Reduced stress changes profile of various lipid compounds

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that reduced stress is associated with changes in the plasma lipid profile, including lower levels of certain lysophosphatidylcholines and higher levels of plasmalogens. This suggests a potential molecular mechanism linking psychological well-being to metabolic health.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

What to expect when you're expecting electric transportation

A new study explores strategies that could help reduce emissions from the transport industry by combining economic and transport models and data from 17 regions around the world. In one scenario, countries producing only electric vehicles and implementing a carbon pricing strategy led to a global mean temperature increase of 1.82 degre...

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Community support groups vital to African American women with breast cancer

Breast cancer support groups play a crucial role in helping underserved African-American women in Memphis overcome economic, social, and psychological barriers to diagnosis and treatment. The groups act as connectors between healthcare providers and the community, reducing death rates from breast cancer among black women in the city.

New study shows significant increase in weight after breast cancer

A recent study published in BMC Cancer found that nearly two-thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer experience significant weight gain, with the majority gaining over 20 kilograms. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and management strategies to prevent weight-related issues after a breast cancer diagnosis.

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.

The discovery of ancient Salmonella

Researchers discovered ancient Salmonella genomes in human skeletons dating back 6,500 years, shedding light on the evolution of a human pathogen. The study suggests that the Neolithic revolution facilitated the emergence of human-adapted pathogens, including Paratyphi C.

Insulin signaling suppressed by decoys

Researchers found a truncated receptor called DAF-2B that acts as a decoy to capture insulin molecules, reducing insulin signaling. This discovery may offer new insights into insulin resistance, a feature of type 2 diabetes and aging.

Parasitic worms have armies, and produce more soldiers when needed

A new study found that parasitic trematode worms produce greater standing armies in areas of greater threat, demonstrating for the first time that animal societies can adjust army size to meet threat levels. The research showed that snails collected in locations with high risk of invasion had larger numbers of soldier worms.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study finds gender disparities in hematology research success

A study published in Blood Advances found that hematologists with caregiving responsibilities had fewer first- or senior-author publications and less percent effort in research compared to those without. Men were negatively affected by caregiving duties, while women showed similar performance regardless of their caregiving status.

Still a fan of the golden tan?

A new study from University of South Australia found that social media literacy can help individuals change their perceptions of the 'tanned ideal' and reduce their risk of skin cancer. The research tested 151 young Australian adults and found that those with higher media literacy skills were less likely to idealize a golden tan.

Sustainable light sources: LEDs from bacterial production

Researchers are developing bacterial proteins to create new, artificial fluorescent compounds. The goal is to produce biodegradable and sustainable light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using these novel compounds. By harnessing the power of bacteria, scientists hope to create more eco-friendly lighting solutions with minimal environmental impact.

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.

Weight-based bullying linked to increased adolescent alcohol, marijuana use

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that adolescents who are bullied about their weight or body shape may be more likely to use alcohol or marijuana. The link between appearance-related teasing and substance use was strongest among overweight girls, raising special concerns about this group.

Study finds key mechanism for how typhoid bacteria infects

Researchers have identified a crucial role for the typhoid toxin protein in delivering toxins to host immune cells and disrupting their function. The study's findings suggest that targeting specific sugars on immune cells could prevent the bacteria from entering and infecting them, paving the way for new treatment options.

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.

Data Science Institute team wins Facebook award to enhance machine learning

The Data Science Institute team received the Facebook Systems for Machine Learning Award for their research on co-training machine learning models. The project aims to enhance machine learning models for scalability and adaptability, particularly in recommendation systems used by Netflix, Amazon, and Facebook.

England off track to meet government's 2030 smoke-free target

England is off track to meet its 2030 smoke-free target, with projections suggesting a 20-year gap in smoking rates between the least and most deprived communities. To achieve the goal of a 5% smoking rate, significant funding for stop-smoking services and national education campaigns must be reinstated.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A better starting point for exploring entanglement

Researchers propose updated equations that simplify calculations for distinguishing between two types of 'non-Gaussian curve' and genuinely quantum states. This approach could speed up advances in quantum communication and computation.

Stanford research maps a faster, easier way to build diamond

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a method for synthesizing pure diamonds from hydrogen and carbon molecules found in crude oil and natural gas. The process uses high pressure and surprisingly little heat, producing tiny specks of diamond in the lab.

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.